'They all suffered from online learning. What we're giving them is what they lost'

INSCHOOL IS BEST, IT JUST ADDS UP: 6-year-old Emma Desjardins shows her math acumen on Thursday while attending Rochester's four-week summer instruction program at McClelland Elementary School in Rochester. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - After a couple of years of mask wearing and significant remote learning, Rochester students attending this year's version of summer school are actually enjoying it, says Maegan Jerr, principal of McClelland Elementary school.
Jerr on Thursday gave The Rochester Voice a tour of the summer school program at McClelland School, which is partnering with the Chamberlain School to provide a three days a week, four-week instructional opportunity for the city's elementary school students.

Nikki Rott, a teach at the Gonic School, provides small-group learning on Thursday during the city's summer education program at McClellan School.

At the McClelland School on Thursday, it was as if there never was a pandemic. Outside, kids at recess were running around playing hard and having a good time, while school staff kept careful watch. No masks. No social distancing. Just fun and learning, like 6-year-old Emma Desjardins likes it.

"I like school better than the computer," she said of online learning. "I like to be with people."

Her favorite school activity this summer? Coloring.

"I like drawing pictures of dolphins," she said. "They're my favorite animal."

Jerr said this year's summer school was different than many from the past in that it was offered to all students.

"What this program is about is addressing academic loss they all suffered from online learning," Jerr said. "What we're giving them is what they lost instructively. This is all about instruction."

That was apparent during several classroom visits where teachers interacted quietly with no more than four or five students providing guided learning.

"The kids are buying into it," Jerr noted. "The engagement level is really high."

Jerr said instruction is centered on math, English and reading, adding she and staff are also doing a lot of data mining to determine where students stand academically after two tough years.

"We'll be doing some tests, and those results will be passed onto parents and next year's teachers," she added.

Bottom line: This summer school session has been a great opportunity for families.

"The kids are coming, they're happy and they are learning," said Jerr.