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Summer school in Central Point adds art, science By VICKI GUARINO CENTRAL POINT -- The school year formally ends June 11, but classes and activities for hundreds of students will go on well beyond that date. The district this year is doubling the size of its summer enrichment program. The standard summer school schedule of academics is being expanded to include art and science enrichment classes. "This brings more of the arts into the programs we offer," says Julie MacDiarmid, one of the coordinators of the four-week program. The expanded calendar is funded largely by a federal grant -- the three-year, $570,000 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. The money is paying for a variety of community based programs and services throughout the district all year. Student fees also help defray expenses of the summer program, but funds are available for students whose families can't afford the cost. The basic charge is $30 a week. In addition to summer school programs at Jewett Elementary in Central Point and Patrick Elementary in Gold Hill, the district is hosting a camp session for students who excel in art and science. The residential camp will be led by school district faculty and visiting artists. The five-day session will be held at Camp Latgawa, near Lake Creek. Camp enrollment is open to students now in grades four to six who have been identified at talented and gifted, or who are deemed to be highly motivated in art or science or both. Applicants will be screened by a committee. Applications must be filed by April 30, and selections will by made by May 21. The camp runs Aug. 16-20. All other summer programs, from reading to "Art's the Thing" visual arts class, are open to youngsters of all abilities. Remedial help and tutoring will be available, and youngsters who want to go beyond school-year curriculum will find challenges, says MacDiarmid. The basic academic classes will cover math, science, social studies, reading and writing for students now in kindergarten through eighth grade. Crater High School students will offer additional tutoring assistance. Although the classes will address the basics, the format promises to be not so basic, says MacDiarmid. Sessions will focus on innovative and fun approaches to the subjects. The sessions will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., June 21 to July 16 at Jewett and Patrick schools. The afternoon special projects classes will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. during the same four-week period. These sessions include an outdoor skills program that will include an overnight campout. Rogue Council of Campfire leaders will teach camping skills. Other enrichment sessions include clowning taught by a former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown, and a hands-on science "magic" course presented by Southern Oregon University's youth programs. The full schedule of summer classes is available from all district schools. Applications already are being accepted. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA