Summer Camp
Full-Day Summer Camps
Site: District-Wide
Full-day summer camps allow students to have many rich learning experiences, to make meaningful new friendships, and to experience a camp structure that meets the unique needs of middle school students. Up to 40 campers are registered each of our four camp weeks. Summer camps are broken into four periods each day and run from 9:00AM- 5:00 PM. During these periods, students are separated into classes that they choose during registration. During our camp periods students are broken into up to five different classes that run simultaneously. Campers’ class schedules remain consistent all week. This structure is very much like high school periods structure. Before our camp periods begin campers start the day together with a morning meeting and breakfast. Campers also come together again at mid-day for lunch and recreation and at the end of the day for swimming at the local pool managed by St. Albans Parks & Recreation. Throughout the summer the Camp Director conducts camp registration, transportation, assessing student needs, parent contacts, and staff supervision. A team of camp leaders works during the camp weeks to assist in classes, and serve as a constant presence for our students. All of the Camp Leaders and Camp Director are school employees (teachers, special educators, para educators, etc.) This structure meets the needs of some of the highest-need students in the district while empowering them to stand on their own feet and make good decisions. 85% of our parent surveys came back, when mailed at the end of the summer. Responses were resoundingly positive. Students only have good things to say about our camps. Although they are offered to middle school students going into 5 th – 9 th grade they are the only camps offered in the St. Albans area to students going into 9 th grade.
Gardens For Learning
Gardening Extravaganza
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This gardening class focused on garden design, garden art and garden maintenance
Community Mapping
Community Mapping
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
A college student whose thesis includes creating a map of a South American district taught this program. Students were mentored by the instructor and exposed to foreign country through his presentations. They also learned about how to use GPS and played geo-cashing games. They were exposed to map and satellite websites, and explored a local forested hill maintained by the city of St. Albans as they worked on mapping parts of it.
Humanities
Video Documentary Filmmaking
Site: Fairfield Center School
This class of 5 committed middle school students dedicated themselves over several Open Doors sessions to the creation of one documentary on the topic of maple sugaring in Fairfield, Vermont. The course was taught by a licensed teacher and exposed students to creating an outline, storyboard planning, interviewing techniques, digital camera operation, and film editing. Students made local connections with maple sugarers in their community, worked as a team, and had fun exploring their neighborhood in a unique way.
German
Site: St. Albans City School
A certified teacher and native German exposed the students enrolled in this class to the culture and language of Germany. Students were able to receive customized instruction based on their proficiency level and learn a language not offered during school.
Dragonology
Site: St. Albans City School
Two certified instructors (including a school literacy coordinator) developed this highly engaging program that challenged two groups of students to explore their imaginations and enhance their cultural and literacy background. Students developed a passion for the fantasy genre through language arts activities including reading comprehension, story telling, writing, and public speaking. Both sessions concluded with family literacy nights where students presented their own creations and stories based on cultural and local research. Community collaboration: St. Albans Recreation Department, Families of participants.
Norse Mythology
Site: St. Albans City School
This interdisciplinary course, which was awarded an A+ by UVM professor George Salembier for Reading Across the Content Areas, gave students the opportunity to practice critical reading skills while developing a historical appreciation for other cultures. The two certified teachers hosted a family literacy night where parents and siblings of students were able to hear presentations and take part in reading activities.
Greek Mythology
Site: St. Albans City School
Students were able to develop an enhanced awareness of Western culture’s relationship to Greek culture in a course designed by two certified teachers. Students participated in research, art projects, and public speaking activities. Community Collaborations: George Costes. Hellenic Society in Montreal.
“The Seventies” Humanities Camp
Site: St. Albans City School
This program gave middle school students an enriching experience to participate daily in team building activities that included morning meeting, meal preparation, and working as a community of learners while supporting each other to strive to be the best they could be. The theme The Seventies was supported with books provided by the VT Humanities council, which the students were able to keep. Students read and wrote daily, participated in arts and crafts, activities (macramé and tie dyed t-shirts) and went on a field trip to see Circus Smirkus. Students also were able to go swimming at the City Pool, in collaboration with St. Albans Parks & Recreation. A Youth Initiated Grant (YIG) from Franklin County Caring Communities provided money for each student to have a disposable camera, photo developing and photo books so they could document their week.
American Sign Language
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This college-student led program allowed students to create a video dictionary of sign language, and was a highlight of our camp. The inter-disciplinary approach was very successful.
Seuss On The Loose
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
A college student taught this very popular program. Students learned about Dr. Seuss’s life, achievements, and writing style as well as the controversies around some of his banned books. Students read his books, adopted their own favorite fantasy Seuss character, wrote their own poetry about the character in Seuss poetic style, then molded their character out of clay and painted it.
Unexplained Phenomena
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Students in this program chose a topic ranging from haunted houses to the Loch Ness Monster and did research on their topic, then presented their findings to the camp. They visited Lake Champlain with a forensic scientist and looked for clues to champ, participated in readers’ theater lessons of some of classic ghoulish mystery theater, and studied the arguments around unexplained phenomena. A certified teacher and a para educator who run very popular, cross-curricular programs for Open Doors taught this class.
Pre-Vocational
Baking with Style
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Taught at the Northwest Technical Center at the Bellows Free Academy High School campus by a certified Technical Educator. This pre-vocational program allowed students to see the facility, and learn about the art of baking. It incorporated math, artistic design, and current trends in food, food preparation and hygiene.
Big Machines Up Close
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
The local business owner of Fine Line Equipment, whose business sells mainly agricultural equipment, taught this program. Students learned about new agricultural technology such as GPS driven harvesting tractors that do not require drivers. They learned about how new technology affects farm practices. They played learning games at the store and had hands on experiences with the machinery.
Confident Cooking with Friends
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Taught at the Northwest Technical Center at the Bellows Free Academy High School campus by a certified Technical Educator. This pre-vocational program allowed students to see the facility, and learn how to design healthy menus and cook nutritious meals and snacks. They each received a recipe binder that had the recipes and meals that they practiced during the class. They learned about nutrition and the vocation of cooking.
Cool Sitter Strategies
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This program focused on all aspects of babysitting including emergencies, first aid, snack preparation, diaper changes, accident prevention, and appropriate behavior but also had a clear focus on training babysitters on age-appropriate fun and activities.
Cosmetology
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Taught at the Northwest Technical Center at the Bellows Free Academy High School campus by a certified Technical Educator. This pre-vocational program allowed students to see the facility, and learn about the career choice of cosmetology. Students learned about cosmetology hygiene, manners, demeanor, relationships and customer relations. They also practiced cutting hair, styling hair, and creating fantasy hairstyles. They learned about the creative and cultural scopes of the profession and visited a salon day-spa to learn about the business.
Eating Healthy on the Run
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Taught at the Northwest Technical Center at the Bellows Free Academy High School campus by a certified Technical Educator. This pre-vocational program allowed students to see the facility, and to learn quick, easy nutritious meals and snacks that they can make for themselves and their families or friends as an alternative to junk food. An extra focus on nutrition and “bad foods” was given in this class.
Video Production
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Taught at the Northwest Technical Center at the Bellows Free Academy High School campus by a certified Technical Educator. This pre-vocational program allowed students to learn about and work on the set of local television station Peg Access as well as create their own short advertisements and mock news shows. They were able to record and edit their videos.
Martial Arts
Tae Kwon Do
Site: Fairfield Center School
This course has been an Open Doors staple since our inception. Offered every session throughout the year, in collaboration with Snyder’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do, this course has a regular following of dedicated students who have been working their way up the various levels of experience in the Tae Kwon Do discipline. Recommendation: Attendance is high and consistent, but we need to encourage more middle school age participation.
Tae Kwon Do
Site: St. Albans City School, St. Albans Town Educational Center & Full-day Summer camp offering for whole district
This program provides classic martial arts training, along with an emphasis on personal accountability, responsibility and respect. Community Collaboration: Snyder’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do
Natural Science.
Wild About Wildlife
Site: St. Albans City School
Students in this program became true stewards of natural wildlife and habitat. They charted Spring progress at the National Wildlife Refuge in Swanton comparing their results from two separate field trips. They also visited Hard'ack. Students traveled to Buck Lake Conservation Camp for a weekend to assist in the yearly clean up of the facilities, volunteering many hours of time in partnership with the VT Fish and Wildlife Department. The two certified teachers who designed this interdisciplinary course submitted it to Johnson State College’s Wildlife Methods for Educators course and received an A.
Community Collaborations: VT Fish and Wildlife Department & The National Wildlife Refuge
Lakes Streams & Fun
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This was a science class where students learned about the various parts of rivers, designed diagrams of rivers and visited rivers to conduct investigations.
Pollution Patrol
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
A representative of Northwest Solid Waste Department taught this program. It was a theatrical mystery program, which cumulated in students having to find the culprit to a wastewater runoff river pollution crime. It combined science, literacy and theater.
Saddle Up & Horse Science
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This summer program focuses on scientific equestrian studies with Avalon Tri Academy private school. High school students of the school teach Open Doors campers horse nutrition, health and scientific facts while comparing this information to Human growth, development and health needs. Students also learn about horse safety are given the opportunity to go to the riding center and ride a horse. During their time at the riding center students are able to groom the horses and feed them and learn about the care needs of these animals.
Academic Games
Chess
Site: St. Albans City School
This program has become part of the culture at City School, fostering friendly competition, developing problem solvers and strategists. Students were able to challenge themselves in games of traditional chess, computerized chess, or a complex four-person version. Students were able to chart their progress through the year. The instructor is a certified teacher. One student who is considered particularly at risk was able to excel in chess club and it became part of his behavior plan to attend this program.
Fun & Games
Site: St. Albans City School
This program was available to all students who had completed their daily assignments. It provided a fun and safe atmosphere in which students were free to choose their activities from a range of computer, board, and card games. Students were able to compete with each other or with a teacher and enjoy their time while learning appropriate social skills. Many at risk students engaged in learning games such as Yahtzee, card games of Rummy, and other computer games that enhanced their math skills. The staff member in charge of supervising this activity was a member of the school’s Behavior Support Center and was especially capable of supporting students’ needs while modeling an atmosphere of sportsmanship and responsibility.
Scrabble
Site: St. Albans City School
A certified teacher guided weekly scrabble contests that challenged students to expand their vocabulary, hone their dictionary skills, and have fun while learning. Students enjoyed exploring word creation and practicing good sportsmanship.
Scrabble Club
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The Scrabble Club was a great addition to our Open Doors Program. Students in this class spent an hour each week challenging each other to spell. The instructor of this program made it fun by having Alphabet cereal on hand to help spark students imaginations. Students were also given M&M’s for each point they earned to help keep their interests. The students in this program enjoyed going each week (I even heard a students say, “Hey, we missed you. We really needed you there,” to another student who had missed the class one week).
Words at Play
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Words at Play is a program that a sixth grade teacher designed to challenge students. During this program students played such games as Up Words, Boggle, and Scrabble. The challenge during this program was to see how many of your spelling words you could use each week during the class.
Cribbage
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Cribbage is a game that many of our students have never played before. I remember one student telling me “hey my grandmother plays that game!” The program filled up quickly with both students who had played the game before and students who were new to the game. The instructor paired students who had knowledge of the game with those who did not so they could learn from their peers. Many of the students did not know that there was math involved in the game, and quickly learned the importance of being able to add accurately.
Summer Chess Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Taught by our popular City School Chess teacher, this acclaimed program challenges students to achieve, teaches strategy and teamwork and regularly recognizes accomplishments.
Math & Technology
Technology Club
Site: Fairfield Center School
This course was executed by a certified teacher who provided basic computer skills for a group of students who returned session after session. Students unanimously enjoyed and valued this course. Recommendation: Attendance was better at Fairfield Community Center.
Math Club
Site: St. Albans City School
A certified teacher provided extra support to students in Homework Club who were struggling with mathematics. Collaborating with school day teachers, the instructor was able to provide additional individualized instruction to students in need. These students had access to math tools and computer programs to foster their understanding. One student in particular developed multiplication skills that she had previously lacked, and her teachers were excited for her progress. Another student was able to overcome behavior plan challenges to catch up on weeks of missed work by the end of the year.
Music Composition
Site: St. Albans City School
A certified teacher exposed students to software that enabled them to compose music for a variety of instruments. Their compilations were exciting and impressive, demonstrating technological understanding as well as pride in their creativity.
Video Editing
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Video Editing program continued to be very popular this year. We were unable to offer the program after our first session due to the loss of our technology teacher. During this program students spent time writing, practicing, and filming a skit of their choice. Once students had finished filming their video they transferred the video onto the computer so they could using the editing software to add text, music, and to delete any unwanted scenes.
Carried Away with Kites
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our school’s math specialist taught Carried Away with Kites during our spring session. Students in the program created kites using special kite kits design by Lego Logo. Each week students created a different type of kite. Students quickly realized the connection between kite making and geometry. The kites pushed students to use their math skills. The kites created were beautiful and students were able to show off their creations outside on the school lawn. The weather did not cooperate with this program so many of the kites did not get flown until after the program had completed.
Tech Club
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Tech Club gave students to opportunity to learn about the computer and different ways you can use computers. Topics in this class ranged from the way computers were constructed & their parts to the ins and outs of popular programs such as Excel, Word, and Power Point. The class was taught by a member of our technology support staff giving students the opportunity to ask to learn from an expert and to ask any questions they may have.
Building Blocks
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Building Blocks class was actually a quilting class that combined math and technology to complete the projects. Students researched quilts and the history of quilts to design exciting patterns. Having to measure and cutout different shapes made students aware of the connection that math has to many things. Students created a lap quilt that they could take home.
Math Makes Music
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This was an engaging cross-curricular look at music and mathematics. Students learned about how music can be represented in mathematics, the mathematical history of music, and key historical mathematicians who were studied the mathematics of music. Students made their own homemade guitars using power tools and construction materials, and then each student learned how to play a popular music rift.
Shapes Geometry and Data Quests
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This was a purely mathematical program taught by teachers, focusing on geometrical concepts.
Homework Club
Homework Club
Site: Fairfield Center School
Certified teachers and paraeducators throughout the school year, excluding the final 9 weeks, conducted this course. The course gave beneficial 1:1 time for students and instructors, which helped teachers to make stronger connections with participating students. Recommendation: Better communication between teachers and those staff members monitoring Homework Club would help ensure that everyone knows what exactly is required of students each night.
Homework Club
Site: St. Albans City School
Certified teachers, paraprofessional educators, and community members teamed with school day teachers to ensure that all students had the opportunity to understand and complete daily assignments. Many students who had fallen behind in their studies were referred to HW Club by a teacher or administrator and were able to catch up and even excel because of the individualized attention provided by the collaboration of instructors. We saw numerous students raise test scores and complete assignments they would have otherwise failed because of this club. Parents contacted our staff frequently to express their thanks for our support to their children.
Homework Club
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Homework Club has continued to evolve over the sessions. Our homework club staff has worked hard to brainstorm new ideas about how to best serve the students. We structured the program so that a teacher would be working at a table with a small group of students. The teacher would be responsible for keeping students on track and for answering any questions. We also recognized the need to have some students working one-on-one with any adult when struggling or needed extra support. Having a consistent structure in place helped to the noise level and to keep students working on their homework. Our homework club numbers have grown over the last year and we have a number of students who receive additional support during the school day. It has been a challenge to give students that one-on-one support that so many of them need.
7 th Grade Power Hour
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The 7th Grade Power Hour was developed based on a need that was identified by school and Open Doors staff. This program was lead by teachers and support staff from the seventh grade team. After piloting this program for one session we could clearly see the benefits of having the teachers who work with these students during the day lead a homework club after school. It was decided that the program would continue and has become a complete success. Students are able to catch up on missing work, study for tests, complete projects, and finish their homework all with the help of their teachers. The students who participate in this program have shown an increase in their homework completion and are able to keep on top of late or missing work. This program has also helped to build student-teacher relationships outside of the regular school day classroom. Once work is completed students are able to play games and make valuable connections with their teachers.
5 th Grade Homework Café
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The 5 th grade homework café was lead by a teacher from the 5 th grade team. Students felt very comfortable working in their space after school to complete work. Having only on grade in the homework club made it easier for the teacher to keep on track of all the current assignments that students were working on. Students worked on homework for the first part of the program and were able to have an activity time at the end.
Arts
Art with Ms. Katarina
Site: Fairfield Center School
This course was taught by a certified art teacher, and gave K-8 grade students an extended creative outlet to work on art projects with professional supervision.
Pottery
Site: Fairfield Center School
This course was taught for 3 sessions with a local potter and substitute teacher. The small class size (6 maximum) provided for ample student support and solid instruction with a highly experienced teacher. Students rated this course very highly.
Exploring Art for Fun
Site: St. Albans City School
This program reached students in grades K-6 and gave them the opportunity to explore different arts media in a creative setting. Students were eager to participate in afterschool arts activities and created pieces to be displayed in a multi-generational community art show. The instructor held both a M.Ed. and a M.F.A. Community Collaboration: Art for All Ages, Duke’s Fitness Center, local businesses who displayed the art.
Knitting
Site: St. Albans City School
A certified teacher passed her knitting skills on to a group of young women who were able to problem solve and be creative in a social environment. Students learned basic stitches and were each able to successfully create a scarf. This teacher was excited to see the students persevere and succeed while developing an appreciation for practical arts.
Languages of Middle Earth
Site: St. Albans City School
This program gave students the opportunity to express themselves in a new and creative art form while discovering the works of J.R.R. Tolkein. They learned a new alphabet and grammatical structure (elvish!) and were able to develop calligraphy skills.
Scrapbooking
Site: St. Albans City School
Students created keepsakes by organizing their pictures, using scrapbooking tools, and writing memories in books that they designed and created. Students were able to freely express themselves in an artistic manner. They particularly enjoyed working in groups to create lasting memory books.
Community Collaboration: Creations Abound.
Painting I and Painting II
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
In both the Painting I and Painting II classes students were able to create artwork that showed off their creative side. Students used a variety of mediums including paint, watercolors, and oil pastels. In Painting I students were introduced to the different materials and were able to create smaller pieces including landscapes, portraits, and still-lifes. During the Painting II class students were able to stretch their own canvases before creating their painting. Both programs gave students a change to explore different techniques and materials.
Art Appreciation
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
In our Art Appreciation class students were exposed to a variety of different artists and explored the their techniques. Students researched artists including Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. Students in this program created pieces of art using different artists’ styles.
Paper Arts
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Paper Arts class developed out of collaboration with a local scrap-booking store. The owner of Creations Abound came to school to team teach (with a Special Educator from our school) our paper arts program. Each week students were introduced to a new way to make paper into art. Students created paper beads, candleholder, and cards all allowing for the students individual touch to be added.
Beadworking
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Beadworking program was designed and taught by our schools math specialist giving students the unique opportunity to see the connection between math and the arts. Students created necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and candleholders out of beads all of which they were able to take home and display proudly.
Mural Painting I & II
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Mural Painting I & II classes provided students with the opportunity to create artwork on a large scale. Students in this program wanted to create pieces of art that would help to bright up our school. Students created three murals. These will be displayed in different locations throughout the building. Students took the themes from three of the grade level teams in our school and created murals to represent them, the Dream Team, The Voyagers, and the Vermont House. Students began each mural by brainstorming ways they could convey the theme on paper. Once students had their design they began to create the mural working together as team. It was essential during this program that students supported each other and worked together. The murals will be hung this summer in our school.
Community Painting Project
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The Community Painting Project is a partnership between Open Doors and Saint Albans for the Future. Students in this program have been working to paint garbage can liners that will be used around the city of Saint Albans. The program began with students researching the city’s history, specifically the railroad. Students looked at photos of the railroad and of Saint Albans when the railroad was such an important part of the city. Two garbage cans were completed at the end of the first program and we hope to have four more completed by the end of this year. Once the liners are completed they will be put out around the city to help brighten up our area.
Dance program
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Dance program was lead by a member of our school support staff. The students quickly found not only an instructor in this program but also a mentor. Many of the girls spent time outside of school and Open Doors working on their dances. The program began with the girls learning about different types of dance and how to move your body to achieve each style. Once the girls had learned basic moves they were given the freedom to create dances on their own. In the end the girls learned ten dances and were able to perform for a variety of audiences including parents, students, and community members. The girls put on two dance recitals (one during the day and one after school) and also participated in our Open Doors art celebration.
Beginner Sewing & A Stitch in Time
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
These sewing programs that were taught by a staff member from our school that also owns a tailor business. Students in both programs learned the basics of hand sewing and using a sewing machine. In each class, students created pillows as their final projects. Once students had chosen the pattern they would use and had learned how to sew they were taken to the local craft store to pick out the fabric they wanted to use for their pillows. It was unique opportunity for many to students to learn about how much fabric they would use, the types of fabrics available, and how much materials cost. The program was a great success with all of the students creating pillows.
Intro to Latin American Art
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Students learned about famous Latin American Artists, and created miniature clay dioramas in the Latin American Art style. A professional artist taught this program.
Jazz Dance
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
The owner of Body In Motion taught this program. Students were immersed in Jazz Dance Technique.
Mixed Media Monoprinting
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Students learned about famous artists and their preferred monoprinting styles. Then they practiced each style of monoprinting as they created their own art. Finally they used other media to enhance their products. This great class allowed for a lot of creative expression.
Scrapbooks & Paper Arts
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Students were provided with a variety of scrapbooking and paper collage materials and were engaged in creating crafting projects.
Basket Weaving
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This program allowed students to practice an ancient craft as they developed their fine motor skills. Professional quality baskets resulted with hand died designs.
Exercise
Mix-it-Up
Site: Fairfield Center School
This course in physical fitness was run in collaboration with Duke’s Fitness, St. Albans, Vermont. Students were guided through a rigorous program once a week where they learned about fitness, nutrition, hydration, and developed self-esteem. After sweating for an hour each week, they still universally recommended bringing the course back next year.
Jump Rope Club
Site: Fairfield Center School
A local parent with limited teaching experience taught this course. The course outline offered an interesting mix of individual and group challenges for all ages. However, in execution, this course needs an instructor with more experience in a teaching capacity.
Bike Club
Site: St. Albans City School
This program specifically targeted students who would not otherwise participate in afterschool activities. Students learned bicycle safety during a spring season that saw four school students hit by vehicles on their way to or from school on bicycles. In Bike Club students safely enjoyed local rides, including the Rail Trail. They also constructed their own ramps and jumps. The instructors were two certified teachers, father and son who were excellent role models. This program specifically targeted students who would not otherwise participate in afterschool activities. Students learned bicycle safety during a spring season that saw four school students hit by vehicles on their way to or from school on bicycles. In Bike Club students safely enjoyed local rides, including the Rail Trail. They also constructed their own ramps and jumps. The instructors were two certified teachers, father and son who were excellent role models.
Spinning
Site: St. Albans City School
Community Collaboration: Duke’s Fitness Center
Team Sports
Site: St. Albans City School
Boys and girls of all ability levels in grades 5-8 participated in many games and sports under the supervision of a certified teacher. Students had fun while exercising, following rules, practicing good sportsmanship, and being part of a team. This program was an excellent alternative for students who are not involved in organized sports. Community Collaboration: St. Albans City Hall, St. Albans City Parks and Recreation Department
Volleyball
Site: St. Albans City School
This program had a strong focus on teamwork. Students learned that they were much more effective when they worked together rather than individually. Students learned the rules and strategies of Volleyball and had fun while exercising and working together.
Basic Training & Boot Camp
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center, St. Albans City School & Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Basic Training & Boot Camp both offered students the opportunity to experience the military. The instructor for these programs was the co-owner of a local fitness center who provides a variety of children’s programs for the area. The Basic Training class helped to prepare the students for boot camp. Each week students participated in a variety of fitness activities including running, push-ups, and obstacle courses. These programs also focused on leadership, discipline, healthy choices, and healthy eating. This program helped to make fitness fun and provided students with a new way to get fit.
The Mix & Winter Warm Up
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center, St. Albans City School
Like Basic Training & Boot camp the co-owner of a local fitness center also taught The Mix & Winter Warm Up. In these program students went off site to Duke’s Fitness center each week to participate in these aerobics & Tae Bo Junior class. Students worked on strength training, cardio exercises, and team building. These programs like most of the programs offered by this instructor had high attendance each week. Students were excited to participate in a program off-site.
Indoor & Outdoor Sports Samplers
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The Indoor & Outdoor Sports samplers gave students the opportunity to play a variety of sports without worrying about winning or loosing. Students created a list of what sports they would like to play each week. This program focused on teamwork and supporting each other rather than on competition.
Sports Sampler
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
The program allowed students to choose and play a sport each day. A certified teacher instructed it.
Swimming For Fun
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This program was an end-of-the-day opportunity for campers to use the local pool in collaboration with St. Albans Parks & Recreation. Camp leaders supervised students as they socialized and beat the summer heat. On Rainy Days students headed to a local indoor pool business (Brannon’s Pool) in a partnership arrangement for the camp weeks.
The Mix
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
An aerobics & Tae Bo Junior class offered during camp at Duke’s Fitness center. Students worked on strength training, cardio exercises, and team building. The instructor of this program is very popular and students love this program.
Nurturing Families and Student Leadership
Cooking for Life
Site: Fairfield Center School
This class gave 9 regularly attending students an opportunity to learn about nutrition, expand their eating options, and boost their self-esteem as they prepare foods with guidance from local paraprofessionals at the Fairfield Community Center.
Red Cross Babysitter’s Certification Course
Site: Fairfield Center School
14 students participated in this one-day, 6-hour course covering emergency scenarios, modeling behavior, securing employment, and managing finances. This course was run in collaboration with the American Red Cross.
Petra Cliffs Family Trips
Site: Fairfield Center School
We offered a series of family weekend petra cliffs outings. Students and parents were challenged by rock climbing giving a good opportunity for role-switching, communication, and leadership building. Meaningful family experiences were shared in this program.
Babysitting
Site: St. Albans City School
This very popular program educated two groups of young ladies in different aspects of childcare; including emergencies, first aid, snack preparation, diaper changes, accident prevention, and appropriate behavior. Each session concluded with the students safely preparing a healthy snack in the kitchen, publishing a community flyer, and babysitting a real child in a supervised group environment. The instructors included a certified teacher and an expectant mother, with two mothers and the practical arts teacher serving as guest speakers.
Girls In Real Life Situations (G.I.R.L.S)
Site: St. Albans City School
This program was developed for girls, by girls. Student surveys guided the curriculum as well as the instructor selection. The guidance counselor facilitated the large group activities. Small groups were established by grade and need and led by trusted school and community members to facilitate the discussion of issues pressing our young women today. Girls had the opportunity to create an atmosphere of respect and learning in a social setting. The program culminated with a sleepover and dance event, promoting positive relationships, self-esteem, and responsible, healthy choices. Community Collaboration: Electric Youth
Healthy Cooking.
Site: St. Albans City School
This class gave many students the opportunity to make healthy choices when they are faced with preparing a small meal. Students were able to develop and follow recipes. They learned to use common kitchen tools and appliances in a safe environment supervised by paraprofessional educators. Students developed familiarity with working in a kitchen and were able to take common ingredients and learn to safely prepare a healthy alternative to today’s packaged snacks.
Youth Advisory Council
Site: St. Albans City School
A diverse group of boys and girls sat on the Youth Advisory Council, brainstorming and debating topics ranging from school issues to community service ideas. They focused on developing courses for Open Doors. Their ideas led to the Dragonology course, GIRLS, and Bike Club. They established a community promoting the validity of student voice.
Girls on the Move
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Girls on the Move has been one of our most successful programs over the past two years. This program is offered in the spring when students can enjoy running outside in the nice weather. A team of staff teaches this program from our school including the Behavioral specialist, Home/School Coordinator, art teacher, and parent volunteers. This program is also unique in that it has the added benefit of having girls who took the program the year before come back and be mentors for the younger students. The girls set a goal at the beginning of the session and work hard to achieve their goals through the entire program. Students are challenging themselves and each other to be healthy and active. Also included in this program are a number of team building activities to help create a “team” like atmosphere where students are supporting each other. During this program a number of guest speakers came in to discuss healthy habits and fitness. Guest speakers included a nutritionist from the local hospital, a local running enthusiast, the schools SAP counselor, and a local police officer. The guest speakers touched on topics ranging from running, safety, drugs & alcohol, and nutrition. The girls in this program worked hard and competed in the Y.A.M Scam (a local race).
Guiding Good Choices
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Guiding Good Choices was a parenting program we offered in collaboration with the school’s SAP counselor and a member of the local alcohol and drug prevention program. We had six parents sign up to take part in this 5-week course that covered how to help your child make good choices. The program allowed these parents to share experiences and to support each other.
To Build A Fire: A Girl’s Guide to Health & Nutrition
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
This program was offered by a sixth grade teacher from our school who is studying healthy eating and weight loss for a graduate program. During this program students got the opportunity to visit grocery & health food stores to read labels and learn about healthy choices. Students sampled a variety of different healthy snacks and made healthy recipes. Each week the girls set a personal goal and reflected on their successes during the next class. The girls had the support of each other and their teacher and were encouraged to make healthy food choices and to stay active.
Red Cross Babysitter Course
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The Red Cross Babysitter Course was led by a staff member from the local chapter of the Red Cross. Each week the girls learned about safety while watching younger children and how to handle situations that may arise. The students were given lessons about first-aid and what to do in the event of an emergency. At the end of the course each student was given a card to show that they were a certified Red Cross babysitter.
Summer Fun & Games
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
This program was an outdoor camp games program focused on team building.
Literacy
Book Club
Site: St. Albans City School
Students who were on IEPs for language disability attended regularly and were able to receive individualized attention from the instructor, a certified teacher who serves as one of the two literacy coordinators at the school. The other students were able to engage in reading and conversing about high interest materials of their choice.
Mystery Files
Site: St. Albans City School
Students explored texts, analyzed evidence, and had the chance to solve a real life mystery! They participated in an investigation on a field trip to the Montreal Science Museum. A detective visited one meeting to demonstrate how to solve a real crime. Under the guidance of a school literacy coordinator, students wrote, acted out, and recorded a mystery for Dial-A-Story. Community Collaborations: A.T. F. (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms), VT State Police, U.S. Marshal, C.S.I. Lab at Montreal Science Museum
Raider’s Writers
Site: St. Albans City School
Over the course of sixteen weeks many students collaborated to create a school newspaper. Under the guidance of a middle school literacy specialist, the students interviewed teachers, wrote poems and short stories, reviewed books and music, conducted surveys, and ultimately created a 64-page publication called “The Blender.”
Poetry & Me, Nature Poetry, and Power Through a Poetic Lens
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our poetry classes were very successful. The poetry classes ended with a very successful poetry reading at a local restaurant. Students created drafts of poems and then took their drafts to final form. During this program students were exposed to several different types of poems including Haiku, Cinquain, limericks, Tanka, acrostic, and story poems. These programs combined a unique blend of literacy, art, and technology. Students used the computers to research types of poems and to type up their final drafts.
Saddle Up
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
The owner of a local horse stable and private school, The Avalon Academy, teaches the Saddle Up program. During the program students are given the opportunity to learn about the history of the horse, the evolution, and the parts of a horse. This program uniquely combines literacy, science, and history to give students a well-rounded understanding of horses and horse back riding. Once students have been given back ground information, have read about horses, and learned about horse safety they are given the opportunity to go to the riding center and ride a horse. During their time at the riding center students are able to groom the horses and feed them, helping to teach about the responsibilities that go along with owning a horse.
Book Nook
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Our Book Nook program was a great success. The program was timed around the release of a popular kids book, turned movie, at the movie theatre. Students read the book Because of Winn-Dixie and created pieces of writing and art projects that went along with the story. Students had reading assignments at home each week and then held a book discussion group to talk about what they had read. The culmination of this program was a trip to the movie theatre to view the movie.
Mrs. Maskell’s Mystery
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
Mrs. Maskell’s Mystery was not as successful as it could have been in large part due to the student’s who signed up for the program. The program was a book club that centered on the idea of mysteries and how to solve them. Students in the program were required to read The Westing Game, however many of the students were not strong readers and did not complete many of the reading assignments. The challenge is this program was to get the students to read so they could have the book discussions and do the fun activities that were designed for the program. Luckily, the reading specialist in our school who worked hard to encourage these struggling readers taught the program.
St. Albans Town Language Arts Summer School
Site: St. Albans Town Educational Center
This program was funded in collaboration with St. Albans Town Educational Center. Two teachers taught summer school for students from St. Albans Town Educational Center in grades 4 through 8. Thirteen students were enrolled in the program to improve their skills in reading, writing, and spelling. The curriculum was developed by the teaching staff at the St. Albans Town Educational Center to meet the various needs of the students involved. The program was successful and enjoyable for students and staff alike, and the students were very cooperative, polite and hardworking.
Summer Splash II: Half-Day Literacy Camp
Site: St. Albans City School
This literacy enrichment camp is taught by our popular St. Albans City School Librarians from 9:00-1:00 daily. During the camp, the water theme was reinforced through reading, writing and creating art. Students went on a boat ferry to Burton Island and discovered a snapping turtle laying eggs. Students all wrote and shared their own homemade Mad Libs, and explored puns and proverbs. The goal of this camp was to have a fun, literacy based experience around the nautical theme and students all agreed that it was.
A Mythic Journey to Greece Half-Day Literacy Camp
Site: St. Albans City School
The camp gave students the opportunity to understand Western culture in relationship to Greek culture. Students read about and explored Greek mythology, and learned about mythical characters. They learned about how Greek mythology has influenced modern society. Students wrote lyrical poetry, created togas, ate Greek cuisine, participated in a mock Olympics, and learned where Greece and Rome are on a world map. They went to Montreal and were hosted and shown around by the Hellenic Society. The multidisciplinary approach to this program immersed students in so many facets of Greece and their imaginations were engaged throughout.
Poetry In Motion
Full-day summer camp offering for whole district
Students engaged in stream of thought writing as they listened to different musical pieces, then drafted these writings into poetry. Poems that they wrote became the inspiration for choreography that they then performed and recorded on video.
Outdoor Safety
Winter Survival
Site: Fairfield Center School
All 9 students raved about this course in winter safety strategies. Taught by a professional Alaskan wilderness guide over 6 weeks, students learned about nutrition, hydration, and creating shelter. The course ended with a 24-hour overnight camping trip where the temperature dropped to -23 F
