It's Not Your Everyday Summer School at Stoughton’s West Elementary

Nine-year-old Leirenise Ocasio spent last Wednesday morning with a group of kids her same age learning how to solve crimes.

Working on a smart board at the , she and her peers were able to conduct a number of experiments that produced clues. And, just like in the board game “Clue,” they narrowed down the suspects in a crime, and eventually determined the prime suspect.

“I like it. If I were at home, I’d have nothing to do, but here we have games, and we are always able to do things that we like,” she said. 

The fourth grader is one of about 150 students taking part in the school’s Multiple Intelligence Camp, which is in its third year.  It’s fully funded through the federal assistance Title 1 program, and it runs for eight weeks this summer, the same hours as the school day. 

Activities have included a reader’s theatre, a mystery festival, computer technology, and a lot of physical education activities.

The school’s principal, Brendan Dearborn, worked with Stoughton Public Schools Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi three years ago to bring the program to the West. He said they wanted to keep his students busy during the summer, and provide a safe and constructive environment for them.

“It’s giving them something to do over the summer that’s not just hanging out. They’re staying active and they are participating in things that they might not have the opportunity to do otherwise,” he said.

The program is a big success with parents and kids, and the program has improved in the last few years, Dearborn said.  Last year, the camp was part-time, which was difficult for family scheduling, so the hours were expanded this year, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Also new this year is a (funded through the state and the USDA), which has made it easier for the children to stay the full day. The lunches are open to all school-aged children, and students who are attending camps at the middle and high schools are eating there as well.

Children from the West Elementary School get first precedence for the camp, since they are schooled in a Title 1 district, and over half of the children entering grades 2 to 5 opted to take part, Dearborn said. 

The program had from 40 to 45 openings in each grade level, and there were some extra slots, so other Stoughton children have been able to attend as well.

The electives are taught by Stoughton teachers who have worked on bringing innovative, hands-on activities to the children.  Still, there has been plenty of time for just hanging out, and doing some simple, old-fashioned games.

Sam Shabayta, 10, said his favorite activities have been outdoor sports, especially basketball and baseball.

Sandra Awad, 7, said she liked making a Candy Land game, which included math problems instead of colors. But her favorite time was when she and others went outside on a hot day and cooled off with a garden hose.

The camp ends on August 11, so the kids will all get a few weeks break before school starts. The program is guaranteed funding for next year, Dearborn said, and he hopes that one day the district will expand the summer program, so all elementary school students have the opportunity to participate.

“Our students are our greatest critics, and they have been loving it,” he said.