Growing up in the United Kingdom, when I first moved to Fairfax County I could not believe that FCPS students were off school from basically the middle of June until after Labor Day. That seems like a ridiculously long amount of time compared to the UK where the kids only have five to six weeks for the summer break.
The long FCPS vacation causes a whole host of problems, notably the “brain drain”, and the fact that a lot of the previous year’s work has to be re-taught at the beginning of the year. This could be an article in itself, but what I would like to explore in this blog, is what is available for students during the summer that is in some way connected to FCPS.
Turning to the FCPS website and searching “summer programs” The following information comes up: http://www.fcps.edu/is/summer/
Looking through what’s available, if you are a struggling student or have missed some work, there are plenty of Academic Credit classes offered. Similarly, if the student has an Individual Education Plan there are classes offered. Also, if the student fits into the ESL (English as a Second Language) category, there are opportunities both in Language Arts and Math.
What if the student falls into none of these categories?
There are a variety of weekly camps. For example, STEM camp which is designed to give students the opportunity to explore engineering careers and technology as they rotate through different classes over a one week program. Alternatively, Fashion Camp, which is a one week summer program offered to students who will be entering first grade through rising ninth grade. These all sound great, but most of these camps have a fee. For example, STEM camp costs several hundred dollars, with no reduced tuition or tuition waiver.
Another option, not through FCPS, but through Fairfax County Parks is Rec-Pac. Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children), operated by Fairfax County Park Authority, is a six week structured recreation program with emphasis on leisure skills designed for elementary school children. Participants have an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of activities such as: fun and fitness, indoor and outdoor games, team sports, nature, crafts, storytelling, sports festivals, talent shows and supervised play sessions.
Each location, which is often in a Fairfax County Public Elementary School, has a ratio of 1 staff person to 18 participants. There is a fee, but it is pretty reasonable and based on a sliding scale. See the link for more info http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec-pac/downloads/2013RECPAC_registration.pdf
Finally, some schools offer their own summer program through the PTA or PTO (Parent Teacher Association). I know at my daughter’s new school, Colvin Run, in the past, there have been several summer programs available.
Does FCPS offer enough summer programs? Should the summer vacation be shorter? What’s the best way from keeping your student from becoming a summer couch potato?