Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - Triton Elementary School Principal Tom Bowers said Monday 122 children showed up for the Jump Start program.
The program, which began Monday and will continue through Aug. 18, offers extended learning for children who may need extra attention in school. Bowers said he was very "pleased with the attendance."
"Our Jump Start program is for grades one through six and it runs from 8 a.m. to noon," Bowers told the school board. "It's just an opportunity for children to get a good start for the coming fall school year."
Bowers said, "It's a chance to provide remediation on skills not yet mastered and give children confidence as they enter the school year."
The program has existed in past years but in a different format and at a different time.
"We've always had this before," Bowers said. "(But) this is the first time for Jump Start in August."
Bowers said the program is normally done in June. He also said it is "important to make a smooth transition from this program into the regular school year." Bowers believes moving the program to August instead of immediately following the close of the school year helps students be more prepared for the upcoming year.
Jump Start will run through Aug. 18, "which means that the following Tuesday, those children will be in school full-time," he said.
Students attending the two-week program were selected through teacher recommendations and parent requests. The students recommended and/or requested were considered in the spring.
For students not recommended or requested for Jump Start, another program is available. "All children could take advantage of our enrichment program in June," Bowers said.
The enrichment program is filled by choice by the students and their parents. Bowers said different programs are offered and a menu of activities is available.
The enrichment program also runs 40 hours in two weeks. But it runs "right at the end of the school year" as opposed to the beginning, like Jump Start. Bowers said usually the enrichment program is reserved for "more talented children, but we feel all children can benefit."
Class size is approximately 12 or fewer students. "It's a nice learning atmosphere for kids (and) also nice for teachers," Bowers said.
Bowers said Triton School Corp. has been investigating other programs similar to Jump Start in other communities. He said he is "very impressed with Warsaw's program." Warsaw's program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch served, for 13 days.
"Everybody has their play on the various programs," Bowers said. "We emphasize reading, writing and math skills."
He said Jump Start will "hopefully (get) children comfortable and ready to tackle what's coming in the regular school year.
"With ISTEP testing coming up, we need to make sure our children are as comfortable as possible," Bowers said.
In the future, Jump Start will continue, but changes are possible.
"We're going to evaluate it at the end of this program," Bowers said. "We may provide more time in the future." He said 40 hours may not be enough, but "it's a good start."
