Andrean High School has a great new program that is open to all boys and girls entering the 7th and 8th grade in Northwest Indiana. A new Summer Enrichment Program will be offered this June to kids in the region, helping them stay adroit and up to snuff in academics and health in a fun and engaging four-week course.
“We wanted to find something for parents to send their middle school kids to that was safe and educational during the summer months,” Harry Vande Veld, President of Andrean said.
Staffed by Andrean teachers, coaches, and student volunteers, kids will focus on topics like English, math, science, foreign languages, drama, physical and mental fitness, and more. Sometimes these skills fall by the wayside during the summer months because they are out of the classroom.
They days will be broken up into four blocks of time. The morning session will focus on academics with different classes taught be Andrean teachers. Kids will be able to try things that they may not have had the chance to try during the school year and stay mentally active.
“We know that research shows that the longer time off from classroom activity creates a problem for students as they go back to school when summer is over,” Vande Veld said. “This will help them get a better skillset and academic toolbox, if you will.”
Kids can get a taste of what it’s like to attend Andrean. They can meet teachers and students, see the grounds, and get a better perspective as it is a choice of possible schools to attend when high school rolls around for these kids. A wellness portion comes next. Yoga, meditation, calming skills, and other relaxing things are done. Kids learn to cope with stress using and work on mental wellness.
“We’ll bring in yoga and Pilates instructors, we’ll have the kids walk a labyrinth so they can learn meditative walking, calming meditations so they can deal with stress,” Vande Veld said.
Lunch is provided in the third block and then the fourth block caps the day with activities that get the kids out and about. Basketball, floor hockey, field trips, ultimate Frisbee, and more await the students. They get in exercise, learn to work as a team, and get to know coaches, Andrean students, and each other.
“It’s a hybrid of what some would remember as summer camp. We just added more components,” Vande Veld said. “It’s important for our school to be seen as more than a 180-day high school. We have a lot to offer the community and we want to be seen as a good neighbor.”
The program is open to the public and nondenominational. Cost is $475 per child before March 1, 2015, and $500 afterward. Registration deadline is May 9, 2015. The program runs Monday through Friday, 8am to 3pm. Transportation is not included.
For more information about the Summer Enrichment program email communications@andreanhs.com or call 219-887-5281 ext. 242. Click here to get a registration form!