Monroe County students get a 'jump start' on school ahead of first day
Neon cue cards were spread out in splashes of color across the carpet of a buzzing classroom in Summit Elementary, a large brick and mortar tucked away on the city's southwest side. In the center of the room, the teacher and a handful of incoming second-grade students sat at a table, wrapping up a group story time.
It was a subdued, stationary activity, and it was soon obvious that some students were getting a little antsy, bouncing a leg or twisting in their seat. It was the cue for the cue cards.
Now that the students had seen the word in a sentence, it was time to test their comprehension — and get a little energy shaken out in the process.
"Find a card with the word 'Have' written on it and stand by it," the teacher instructed. Students stood up and journeyed around the room, eyes darting across the various cards before each finally settled on one.
It was a scavenger hunt-esque learning technique — one that wouldn't particularly stand out during a typical school day. But beyond just these three lively classrooms and administrative personnel, Summit Elementary, which typically hosts a little over 600 students, was quiet and empty.
The 2023-24 school year hasn't started yet, but the Monroe County Community School Corp. is letting a few kids get a "jump start" on their education and experience.
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As part of MCCSC's Jump Start program, 135 incoming kindergarten, first and second graders have been attending one of seven elementary schools around the school district to participate in half-day learning segments two weeks before the official first day of Aug. 2.
"The goal of this program is to encourage and get these students ready to learn on day one, so that we have a really successful school year," said Blaine Garman-McClaine, MCCSC director of special education.
MCCSC's Jump Start: reading, routine and arithmetic
What started as an experimental program in 2021 has quickly developed into a staple across MCCSC.
"We really want to curb summer learning loss as much as possible because we know summer learning loss occurs across all students (and) across all different priority populations," Garman-McClaine said. "So if we can get these early elementary grades supported just a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the school year, we can help curb some of that summer learning loss."
The lessons are different based on grade level, but the curriculum is primarily centered around literacy and math.
While the program is offered at the district’s seven Title I elementary schools — Arlington Heights, Clear Creek, Fairview, Grandview, Highland Park, Summit and Templeton — students from every elementary school were invited to attend. Teachers and administrators at each school were tasked with identifying students who could benefit the most from participating in this program while all incoming kindergarten students were encouraged to participate. Garman-McClaine's own child, an incoming kindergarten student, is in the program this year.
The program isn't just about building on foundational skills. It's also about taking a more paced approach to the first day of school, which can be a difficult adjustment for a young student.
"We've heard, anecdotally, from teachers who received students who participated in Jump Start that they're just ready to learn. So they come to school that first day, and they kind of are in the flow of school already," Garman-McClaine said.
By the end of two weeks, sitting at a desk, walking to the lunch room or asking for a bathroom break has become enough of a routine there's less transitional pain on the first day.
Summit Elementary Principal Tyler Abel agrees. A large school like Summit Elementary has hundreds of students and faculty buzzing around the hallways throughout a regular school day, and it can all be intimidating for young students if they aren't already comfortable in that structured routine.
"If we can get them in here a little bit earlier and get them ready to learn, that benefits not only them and their families but it benefits our teachers also because they can focus more quickly on (teaching) the foundational skills," Abel said.
The two-week program is free and includes door-to-door transportation and breakfast meals. It was once funded by Student Learning Recovery grants, but that pandemic-related funding is no longer accessible. MCCSC is currently looking at new funding avenues to continue the program because it has had promising outcomes such as noticeable growth in student reading skills.
School starts soon. Here's what to know about the first day at MCCSC
MCCSC officially starts instruction on Wednesday, Aug. 2, with the following start times:
High School: 7:45 a.m.–2:40 p.m.
Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–3:05 p.m.
Elementary (Tier I: Arlington, Binford, Childs, Highland Park, Rogers, Templeton): 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Elementary (Transfer Sites: Fairview, University): 9:15 a.m.–4 p.m.
Elementary (Tier II: Clear Creek, Grandview, Lakeview, Marlin, Summit, Unionville): 9:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
First day at Edgewood, Spencer, others
Richland-Bean Blossom schools start Aug. 9.
Spencer-Owen Community Schools start Aug. 3.
Metropolitan School District of Martinsville starts Aug. 11.
Mooresville Schools start Aug. 11.
Bedford North Lawrence Community Schools start Aug. 2.
Eastern Greene Schools start Aug. 3.
Reach Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: MCCSC Jump Start builds literacy, math skills ahead of first day
