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Students and teachers enjoy Summer learning together

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Lakewood Elementary Teacher Sydney Nelson works on literacy skills with students in the YMCA Summer Learning Program.
Lakewood Elementary Teacher Sydney Nelson works on literacy skills with students in the YMCA Summer Learning Program.

The Sunnyvale School District joins forces with a number of agencies to provide a full and rich assortment of offerings every summer to give all our children the chance to get and stay ahead and keep learning and growing all year round.

Nearly 900 students joined us for a variety of learning activities this summer, ranging from writing and speaking in Mandarin to learning about the depths of the ocean, all the while making new friends, bonding with teachers, and getting a jump start on the upcoming school year.

The District partners with those whose values and interests are aligned with our own, including nonprofit service providers like the YMCA and the Family Engagement Institute, and institutions of higher learning such as Stanford University.

“We are grateful to the service providers and schools that partner with us in creating summer learning for our children, and to the broader community for its caring support,” Sunnyvale School District Superintendent Benjamin Picard said. “Together, we are helping children and building a strong learning community.”

From children who have not yet entered our classrooms to those who are almost on their way to high school, the Sunnyvale School District’s summer offerings reach everyone.

About 60 preschool age children participated in the Stretch to Kindergarten program geared to those with no or little preschool experience. Young students were introduced to early academics including math, pre-reading skills, writing and science to help them be successful on their first day of kindergarten and feel confident in the classroom.

Nearly 600 rising first through eight graders attended the Sunnyvale School District’s Summer Explorations program, which ran from June 27-July 22.

For six years, the District has partnered with the Stanford Teacher Education Program. The program allows students to not only have one experienced teacher, but they have two to three Stanford student teachers from the Stanford Teacher Education Program. This allows for more individualized support that results in deeper learning and more focused student engagement.

Students practice tai chi as part of the STARTALK beginning Mandarin program, where they learn all about Chinese language and culture.
Students practice tai chi as part of the STARTALK beginning Mandarin program, where they learn all about Chinese language and culture.

“Having Stanford student teachers in the classroom has been incredibly helpful,” said SSD teacher Kathryn De Vincenzo. “They help open my eyes to different practices they’re learning about in the classroom that I may or may not be including in my own practice. They also are incredibly willing to go the extra mile for students.”

At the elementary level, students focused on community building, informational writing, math problem solving and technology. Middle school students chose between math, English-language arts, social studies, science and beginning Mandarin.

“They didn’t skip a beat all summer,” said SSD teacher Sydney Nelson of her students who participated in the summer programs. “They just keep going and going. They hit the ground running come August 15.”

To learn more about our summer programs, please visit http://sesd.schoolwires.net/domain/387 or watch our video below!

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