Clay County Schools Outlines Summer Learning Program

HAYESVILLE, NC – At the April board of education meeting, the basic structure of the 2021 Summer Learning Program was presented.

Clay County Schools opted for 30 days of instructional learning with the first half running through June 14 to July 2. The week of July 5 to 9 will be a vacation and the second half will be from July 12 to 30. The timetable provides a little break until the new school year begins.

Bus transportation will be provided. Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge.

The summer program was mandated by Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina General Assembly earlier in the year. It will work in conjunction with the summer Read to Achieve Program. Funds for the classes will come from Federal CARES Act funds and the $35,000 for Read to Achieve.

Students at-risk for retention will be the first to be contacted about entering the program. Later if any spots are still available, then other students can sign up. Currently, it’s difficult to determine how many students will be at-risk because class is still in session and state testing hasn’t begun. Those numbers should be available next meeting.

Also, licensed teachers capable of face-to-face instruction must agree to work over the summer.

The goals of the Summer Learning Program are to close the achievement gaps caused by the pandemic, give students a chance to catch up to the next grade level, provide social and emotional support, and offer food security to those enlisted.

The focus for kindergarten through eighth grade will be on reading, math, science, physical activity, and one enrichment class.

As for the high school, an in-person licensed instructor must teach students who failed biology, English 2, and/or math 3. Credit recovery courses will also be available for other classes, but an in-person instructor isn’t required. High school students will also have a physical activity class.

Certified staff will be paid $40 per hour and those with the National Board Certification will be eligible for a $1,200 bonus as required by law. A high-growth teacher identified by student testing will also be eligible for the bonus. Classified full and part-time staff will receive $20 per hour. 12-month staff are on normal salary because they report whether students are there or not.

https://youtu.be/t25k41r06d4