CSD Considers Hosting Weeklong Programs Over Breaks
Decatur Metro | January 11, 2010The CSD Calendar Committee is back with another announcement!
From the Assistant Superintendent…
The CSD District Calendar Committee is exploring the idea of sponsoring an electronic clearinghouse of weeklong enrichment opportunities for students to support the transition to the 2010-2011 academic calendar. If you know of organizations/groups that have produced high-quality, week-long enrichment camps/experiences in the past and might wish to offer a program at a CSD facility during 2010-2011, feel free to provide the contact information to Thomas Van Soelen (tvansoelen@csdecatur.net) at CSD. He will contact them regarding CSD specifics.
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What kind of educational jargon is “electronic clearninghouse, yada, yada, yada…” Anyone at CSD speak understandable English? On the other hand, the 2010-2011 schedule is such a mess now what harm could more “enhancements” do?
Actually the title of this post does not reflect its content. The title says CSD “Considers Hosting Weeklong Programs Over Breaks” but the content says CSD is “exploring the idea of sponsoring an electronic clearinghouse of weeklong enrichment opportunities.”
It sounds like they are trying to rustle up a list of opportunities for kids during the week-long breaks. My argument is, they’re not going to find any organizations or groups that have sponsored week-long enrichment opportunities during the school year unless they are in Henry County (or whichever county is was that we decided to emulate despite the lack of any good reason).
Agnes Scott Sports Camp offers a great alternative care/enrichment opportunity.
Color Wheel does too.
It remains to be seen whether or not they can offer them during the school year, however. The Agnes Scott camps, which to date have been scheduled during the summer and during winter breaks and holidays, are generally staffed by both coaches and students, and both groups will be very busy with classes and their athletic schedules during the school year.
The school calendar is policy. Changes in policy create new business opportunities. Someone will rise to meet it, it’s just a question of who. The fact that CSD is looking to provide some level of promotion seems to make it even more attractive, I would think. You can’t necessarily say the calendar doesn’t work because the programs aren’t there. That’s backwards. Let’s see how it plays out.
Especially needed, IMHO, is something substantially attractive to middle schoolers and high schoolers. The “camp” concept ceases to be attractive to them, jobs aren’t available like during the summer, and yet a week of all-day long lack of adult presence isn’t a good idea for teens. Service projects? Wilderness experience? Bike trek? Sports clinics? Volunteer experiences at libraries, non-profits, churches? Scout projects? Extra credit projects? The activities don’t have to be all day since this age group can get themselves to activities and home again by foot or bicycle. But they need to exist.