LINKS for Learning

Program

LINKS for Learning
401 View Vista Rd.
Livingston, MT 59047

Contact

Julie Hancock
Phone: 406-222-8587
E-mail: links@livingston.k12.mt.us

LINKS for Learning at a glance:

• Elementary and middle school
• Rural
• Small-group learning
• Hands-on activities

Background

In June 1999, the Livingston School District received a three-year 21st CCLC grant to provide safe, supervised after-school and summer activities for elementary and middle school students. A low student-to-staff ratio permits individualized attention, small-group interactions, explorations, and hands-on activities. LINKS strives to increase community involvement in the schools and expand the role of schools in the community.

The goal of the summer program, says coordinator Julie Hancock, is for children to be exposed to new ideas and to new ways of learning. The first year of the program students spent 50 minutes each in structured mathematics, reading, and physical activities. The concern was that this structure was not inherently motivating to children, and the structure and content were very similar to a regular school day. After reviewing program goals with the LINKS advisory board, it was decided that future summer programs would incorporate language arts and math skills in daily explorations of a particular topic. The elementary and middle school programs were structured differently to reflect and meet the needs of the different age groups. Outdoor and environmental education has now been the focus of the program for the past three years.

Programming

The three-hour day begins with a nutritious breakfast. Families are invited to join their children for breakfast. Middle school children spend the rest of the morning in a mini-class choosing from a list of 10 topics, while the elementary students work in small groups exploring a topic. These topics include art, drama, space and flight, outdoor recreation, and Native American studies. Reading, mathematics, art, and science are all incorporated into the day's explorations. Physical activity is included in the morning as well.

The program is open to all Livingston area students. While there is a 30 dollar enrollment fee (which includes breakfast and transportation for two weeks), the fee is waived for children on the free and reduced-price lunch. No one is turned away because of cost. A goal of the LINKS summer program is to include students most in need of academic support, enriching experiences, and a safe, supervised environment. Classroom teachers, building principals, and mental health care providers refer students who most need such support to the program.

Staffing choices are critical for this kind of learning experience. Hiring teachers "who can connect with children and develop enriching activities" is very important, says Hancock. "Summer staff qualifications must include enthusiasm, willingess to learn from the students, and an ability to play." Combined with these qualities, summer staff must also be well-organized, able to manage student behavior and be flexible. "We have been fortunate in the LINKS program to have staff with all these qualities and more."

Outcomes

The program has now operated for four years. Many of the teachers have been involved from the beginning. A very important outcome of summer programs is having children enjoy learning. A key to success has been the focus on outdoor education, which has created an exciting learning environment for students and staff. Through the outdoor activities, "we have been able to create a climate very different from the regular school day." Says Hancock,

We had several reluctant participants this past summer who begged their parents to sign them up for the next session. Having young children find pleasure in learning, read for meaning and cooperate with peers in the classroom is a primary goal of the LINKS program. We do know that all children involved in the program listen to books, read for meaning, and engage in math activities for at least ten and often twenty mornings during the summer. Knowing that reading books has been shown to reduce summer learning losses we hope to send children more ready for school in the fall. We will be monitoring reading fluency and comprehension scores of summer participants over the next year as well as standardized tests and performance in school. Our hope is that we will reduce summer learning losses, especially those exaggerated losses found among low-income students.

LINKS' biggest challenge will be ongoing funding. Charging fees is a viable source of funding for the future; however, in order to equally include all students a large scholarship base will need to be developed, says Hancock.

Planned Adjustments

Every summer has taught new lessons that drive changes for future summers. Says Hancock, "Next summer I would like to build in short staff get-togethers each week. We were informally meeting many days, however, scheduled time would make those meetings more relaxed and productive. We found that coordinated planning saved everyone time and allowed us to create some whole-group events that gave the program a more 'camp' like atmosphere."