District 203 looking to consolidate elementary summer school

Naperville Unit District 203 plans to offer all elementary summer school programs at one location next year, hoping to coordinate with Naperville Park District to offer a full day of productive activities for kids while school is out, officials said Monday.

All summer school classes for elementary students are scheduled to take place at Mill Street Elementary, pending approval from the school board at its next meeting on Nov. 18. Deputy Superintendent Kaine Osburn said the park district likely will offer an afternoon camp at Mill Street that will follow two sessions of morning summer school instruction.

“We’re talking to the Naperville Park District, and with your approval, we’ll go forward with them running a summer camp that begins when summer school for elementary and ELL (English language learners) ends,” Osburn said. “We think that will be a real enticement for some families.”

The program would give kids a chance to focus on literacy, writing or math skills from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and again from 10:30 to noon, and then spend time on social, emotional and physical development in the afternoon if parents sign them up for the park district camp, said Jackie Romberg, board president. It also would prevent problems parents may encounter with picking up children from summer school during the work day, she said.

“I love the idea of building a whole day at Mill Street for parents who need the flexibility,” Romberg said.

Each 90-minute elementary summer school class is projected to cost $150 for District 203 students and $190 for students from out of the district. The classes are scheduled to run June 9 to June 27.

The school board is set to vote on next year’s summer school program, which also includes the option of online registration, during its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in the administrative center, 203 W. Hillside Road, Naperville.