PRINT ADS

The Tomah School District’s Summer School program begins today (Monday), with nearly 700 students registered to participate in this year’s six-week program for grades K-8.

Michelle Clark, assistant principal at Tomah Middle School, has been involved in the program during her seven years at TMS. This is her first summer coordinating the program, and she is impressed with how much it has grown.

“It used to be at all of the individual schools, but the district revamped the program three years ago,” Clark said. “It has just grown into a huge program with lots of students.”

Clark said that the district has nearly 1,100 students enrolled in summer school this summer at all levels, which is roughly one-third of the entire district.

Clark said that summer school in years past at individual schools throughout the district focused on student need at each location without coordinating with each other. She said that the new format allows students throughout the district access to all programs.

“It is the third year of this format,” Clark said. “It is really great. All students have access to these programs.”

The summer school program will run through August 14, and include classes on a wide range of topics including learning about insects, Wisconsin, fishing, art, bowling, cartooning, piano, weaving and crafts, just to name a few. Clark said that the student reaction — and parent reaction — to the variety of classes has been very positive.

“I have had a lot of parents comment that they wish they could take some of these classes,” Clark said. “For there to be this many students signed up, they must be enjoying themselves.”

As summer school attendance continues to grow, so does the program itself. This year, Clark said, the summer school program will be coordinating with the City of Tomah Parks and Recreation Department for swimming lessons, and the Boys and Girls Club.

All classes will be held Monday through Thursday at Tomah Middle School. Three class times are available —8:30-10 a.m., 10:10-11:40 a.m., and 12:20-1:50 p.m.— and a free breakfast will be available for all students from 7:45 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. A free lunch will be available from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Bus transportation will also be provided with pick-up and drop-off points at Adrian Town Hall, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgeville, Clifton Town Hall, Camp Douglas School, Oakdale School, Burnstads and Lemonweir School.

The School District will still accept registrations, Clark said. For more information, call Tomah Middle School at 374-7884.