Summer 101 marks 5 years

DOWNEY - West Middle School hosted local dignitaries and community leaders Tuesday to mark the five-year anniversary of Summer 101, the Downey Unified School District's summer enrichment program for students entering grades K-8.The event also featured the unveiling of a giant, student-made mural that pays tribute to Character Counts. For $349, Summer 101 offers a month's worth of classes taught by DUSD credentialed teachers. Lunch and early morning daycare (if needed) is included. Students create their own schedule by choosing from a menu of classes that includes baking, computers, rockets and robotics, drama, outdoor sports, arts, and more. There is even a Spanish language class for students wanting to learn a new language. Visitors on Tuesday were treated to live-action skits from the program's drama students before dropping in on various classrooms, including a baking class in which students prepared marshmallow crescent rolls. The delegation also toured the computer lab featuring state-of-the-art iMacs, which students used to create video segments. The 15-ft. mural features the words "fairness," "caring" and "citizenship." It was created, in part, by students in Summer 101's "Mural Madness" class. Summer 101 wrapped up Thursday but is expected to return next summer. For more information, call (562) 940-6200 or go online to summer101.net.

********** Published: July 18, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 14