GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Some kids in Northeast Wisconsin headed back to class Monday.
Summer school started for Green Bay and Appleton area school districts.
“It was really hard for me, my Wi-Fi was bad, I forgot what time my classes were,” said Macy McCoy.
McCoy is glad to be back in-person for Green Bay summer school.
“In the morning we are focusing on review from fifth grade for math and stuff we didn’t get to do in class because the year was cut short in virtual and we just get to have fun in the other class,” said McCoy.
The Green Bay Area School District has a total of 6,104 students enrolled in summer school so far: 2,748 in secondary levels and more than 3,956 in elementary levels.
Lisa Johnson, the Green Bay Area School District summer school and extended learning coordinator, says more students are enrolled this year.
“Huge numbers are enrolled in elementary summer school versus prior years and I think the full-day option really supports that need for families,” said Johnson.
“Have you noticed a majority of students in summer school are utilizing credit recovery?” asked FOX 11.
“So we don’t have specific data on that for me to be able to answer. I would say it’s probably no different than prior years,” said Johnson.
The Appleton Area School District has 4,939 total students enrolled in 2021. That compares to 7,046 students in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This summer, 1,409 are enrolled in credit recovery classes, compared to 1,194 in 2019.
The Appleton district says all students enrolled for a credit recovery class had a failing grade from the previous semester.
“Do you think the credit recovery classes will compensate for what they got in the classroom last year?” asked FOX 11.
“It is really for our kids who didn’t quite finish the learning in courses during the school year. So it’s really to show that up, finish that credit and so that we can finish that next credit for the next year,” said Johnson.
After months of remote and hybrid learning, this summer school season gives students a chance to reconnect.
“Get into that joy of learning again and get back and be social with their fellow students over the summer and two we really want to prevent that summer slide,” said Johnson.
Macy and her classmate, Crystal Moua, say summer school has its benefits.
“I like it all especially since my friends are in there with me,” said McCoy.
“I’m going to be more productive and I get to hang out with some of my friends too,” said Moua.
The Green Bay Area School District says CARES Act funding is helping support the summer school program.
