SUMMER LEARNING — The Buckeye Local School District’s Extended Learning Center Summer Program is underway through June 27. Approximately 100 students in kindergarten through fifth grade have been attending field trips and learning at Buckeye North, South and West Elementary schools. Those taking part at South Elementary include, clockwise from top, Andy Sempkowski, Jack Taylor, Killian McCleary, Charlie Jo Hall and Brenlee Alltop. -- Contributed

TILTONSVILLE — Despite school being out for the summer, approximately 100 elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Buckeye Local School District are continuing to learn through the district’s Extended Learning Center Summer Program. Currently in its second year, the program began June 2 and continues through June 27. The program is being offered at Buckeye South, North and West elementary schools.

Students are delving into reading, math, science, physical education, crafts and social-emotional learning. Weekly field trips include visits to the Columbus Science Center mobile unit at Buckeye Local High School, the Carnegie Children’s Museum, Carnegie Science Center and the Challenger Center at Wheeling University.

The learning centers operate from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with field trips held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Busing and meals are provided. Each building visited Nicky’s Garden Center near Wheeling to learn about planting and botany.

There are 35 students enrolled at Buckeye South in Tiltonsville. Lead teacher Abby Sempkowski said students could choose which days to attend; however, the goal is to keep the children engaged once school was out.

“This is to help bridge the gap for anybody who needs extra help and to prevent the summer slide,” Sempkowski stated. She explained this refers to a loss of academic skills and knowledge students can experience during summer break. According to statistics, students can lose up to three months of reading skills throughout the summer if they do not practice. Some students at South Elementary said they were excited to participate and learn something new.

“I like playing in the gym and eating,” said soon-to-be sixth-grader Chloe Stewart.

“I think it’s really fun,” added third-grader Charlie Jo Hall.

Officials at North and West elementary schools agreed the program makes education more exciting. Students have been receptive to the program, lead teacher Nicole Billingsley said of the 20 students participating at North.

Billingsley’s building provides core subjects, along with physical activities and SEL programming, with the help of six staff members. She said pupils look forward to attending, as many are familiar faces.

“They all love coming to the summer program,” Billingsley said. “Most of the group are the same ones who come to the after-school program during the year. I think it helps keep them on track for the school year, and they can still get to interact with their peers.”

Ashley Krzys, lead teacher at West, said 52 students signed up to take advantage of the experience.

She said students begin their day by eating breakfast and follow up with a dance to work off extra energy. Core sessions take place before lunch and then students visit the gym, make crafts and do SEL activities. Krzys noted the building has a larger staff and several aides to help lead sessions, including three gym teachers who teach yoga, bowling and sports. She said students have responded positively.

“The ELC program has been very big,” Krzys said. “We had 40 kids last year, and this summer is probably the biggest number we’ve had. They really like crafts. And it’s not just textbooks and paper. They are still learning, but it’s fun.”

District Program Manager Susan Bachmann said after-school activities are held from October to April, including homework help, computers, reading and math intervention, arts and crafts and social-emotional support. Last year, the district was required to hold 100 hours of extended learning, continuing those efforts through June with on-site activities and field trips. The centers are now in their second year of a five-year funding program. Buckeye Local received the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Learning Grant. North and West gained $100,000 and South received $185,000. Officials said the schools receive the same amount for three years, and a decrease in years four and five.