Elementary-school pupils went to day camp, middle-school students learned about science and technology, and while some high-school teens went to work, others studied journalism and yet others were taken to lunch.
By: Jeff Milgram
Elementary-school pupils went to day camp, middle-school students learned about science and technology, and while some high-school teens went to work, others studied journalism and yet others were taken to lunch.
Such is the varied face of the summer programs in the Princeton Regional School District this year.
In all, about 100 youngsters are taking part in the programs, which are being funded by a $243,000 federal 21st Century Learning Center grant.
Abigail Sage, 15, who will be a sophomore at Princeton High School this fall, got her first job through a joint program funded by the district and the Princeton Human Services Department. Abigail works from 9 a.m. to noon at the Princeton YWCA, helping with the Ys afternoon and adult-education programs.
I like it because I met a lot of people at the Y, said Abigail.
One of the people she met leads trips to New York City gourmet shops, said Abigail, who admits to having a passion for cooking.
The seven-week program has placed 17 PHS students in jobs at nonprofit organizations such as The Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Public Library.
In the afternoon, the students pick up computer skills at PHS. One day a week, the students go on a field trip to see firsthand how technology is used in the workplace.
The Human Services Department ran a jobs program for teens last year, Director Cynthia Mendez explained.
Blake Mitchell, a 15-year-old PHS student, took part in last years program. He is working this year at the library, helping organize the pending temporary move to the Princeton Shopping Center while a new library is constructed. He is also learning how to use different computer programs.
Max Leissard, a 14-year-old who will be a PHS freshman in September, is working at The Arts Council and enjoying the experience.
I think its pretty fun actually and I want to come back next year, Max said.
The program could have handled 30 students. Ms. Mendez said the low hourly wage, $5.25 an hour, might be keeping some teen-agers away.
There are more kids out there who could benefit from this program, she said.
The program, she added, teaches a valuable lesson.
It teaches them you cant start at the top of the food chain, Ms. Mendez said.
Its something we couldnt have done on our own, Kim McReynolds, the school districts grants and program specialist, said of the joint program with the Human Services Department.
The students will create a multimedia compact disc on their work and study experiences.
The district also is using grant money for a lunch club among the almost 100 PHS students enrolled in summer school.
Students must have lunch at least once a week with district staff people and talk openly about their school, career and college plans.
About 19 high-school students are taking part in the Princeton High School Journalism Workshop on Monday and Tuesday mornings through Aug. 21. This program, run at the high school, is sponsored by The Princeton Packet.
Meanwhile, about 25 students took part in a three-week science and technology camp at the John Witherspoon Middle School.
It was a lot of fun, said Paul Skalka, a technology teacher at John Witherspoon, who ran the camp, which ended a week ago.
Students built carbon dioxide- and electric-powered cars and constructed telescopes. Each week, they went on a field trip to some science or technology-related site.
About 56 elementary school pupils are attending day camps at Community Park School. The district also is taking part in a multicultural day camp program with the Clay Street Learning Center, Princeton Young Achievers, the Princeton Housing Authority and Community House for students who live in public housing, Ms. McReynolds said.
The youngsters take part in music, sports and computer activities.
The multicultural program also includes study skills, Latin dance and reading classes.
The school district will run these summer programs for another two years and hopefully longer if outside funding sources can be found, Ms. McReynolds said.