Perrysburg to expand summer tutoring

0

PERRYSBURG – The school district is expanding its tutoring program to engage more students who need help
this summer.
Organizers who plan to offer the Little Jackets Academic Camp in the Perrysburg Heights neighborhood this
year highlighted the importance of the program as they sought financial support from Perrysburg Township
on Wednesday.
The group asked for $10,000 toward the $70,000 budget. Members of the board of trustees did not address
the matter at the meeting, as Trustee Bob Mack had to leave early, but the remaining board agreed to
consider the request.
"It’s something we need to discuss with the full board," said Trustee Gary Britten.
The school district, which includes township residents, has about 35 students from pre-kindergarten
through third grade registered for the program at the Heights, and that figure may quickly reach 50,
said Kadee Anstadt, executive director of teaching and learning.
"I have a feeling we’ll get there before we blink," she said.
Early intervention for struggling students is even more crucial in the wake of the state’s Third Grade
Reading Guarantee, which prevents those who don’t reach a testing benchmark in reading from advancing to
fourth grade.
"We often see a lot of the progress we’ve made disappear during the summer, so they come back in the
fall and we’re starting from ground zero again," Anstadt said.
Also speaking in support of the program was Chris Amato, who said he was drawn back into supporting the
Heights neighborhood even though he’s moved out of the area since he was last involved in efforts to
build the community center there.
"Even though I’ve moved out of the Perrysburg community, I feel a real commitment to these children,
whether they’re in the Perrysburg Heights area or other areas we’re trying to attract there," he
said. "If we don’t take care of our children, our communities are going to suffer."
Amato said he was asked to adapt the Kids Unlimited program in Toledo to help with similar efforts in
Perrysburg. He said Superintendent Tom Hosler has been active in trying to build the program in
Perrysburg.
The school district was already planning a morning program for 50 students this summer at Frank
Elementary School and will host up to another 50 at the community center in Perrysburg Heights.
Jason Craig, operations director for the Heights, said the program will offer opportunities to children
there as well as outside the neighborhood.
"We want to be a part of Perrysburg; we don’t want to exclude ourselves from the city any
longer," Craig said.
The program will run full time for eight weeks, June 16 through Aug. 8. It will be completely staffed and
operated by the school district, which will also offer bus transportation.

No posts to display