Summer School All children need to learn to read, write, and do math. Some children need more time than others to learn those skills really well. Boston’s schools offer help to students who need more time. As part of the district’s “transition services,” students can get extra reading and math classes during the school year and can go to summer school after grades 3, 6-9, and 11-12. Q. Who’s eligible for Grade 3 Transition Services? A. These students are eligible: Students who failed English Language Arts (reading and writing) or math or both. Students who didn’t meet “benchmarks”—often a minimum test score—in reading and math. If a student needs extra help, it’s important to get it now to avoid more serious problems later. Summer school, with small classes and special attention for each student, is a great place to give your child the help he or she needs to catch up in reading and math. Students in grade 3 who are required to go to summer school but don’t attend will not be promoted. Q. When will I know if my child has to go to summer school? A. In mid-February, schools sent out “warning notices” to families whose children are in danger of not meeting the benchmarks by June. At the end of June, parents whose children are required to attend summer school will receive a formal notice. Q. Who decides if a child goes to summer school? A. The principal, with the child’s teacher. Q. What if my child is absent? A. If a child misses more than two days, he or she is dismissed from the program. Q. What happens if my child goes to summer school, but doesn’t meet benchmarks? A. Students in grade 3 will not be promoted to grade 4. Q. Where will my child go to summer school? A. You can choose. Students in elementary school can attend any school with a summer school program, including one in their neighborhood or one near a parent's workplace. Q. Who else can I talk with about summer school? A. Every school-even those with no summer school program-has a Summer Prep Coordinator who can answer your questions. Q. Can I send my child to summer school and camp? A. Yes. Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) have set aside slots in their summer programs for children who attend summer school in a school with a Community Center program. Talk with your school’s Summer Prep Coordinator right away to find out how you can apply for one of these slots. Some of the other day camps and programs listed in SUMMER STUFF JR. can accommodate children who go to summer school. Call them and ask for details. Summer School at a Glance Summer school is required for students now in grades 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 who failed English, English as a Second Language, and/or math OR who have not met benchmarks for reading and/or math. It’s also required for students in grades 11 and 12 who have not passed the grade 10 MCAS. Transportation is only for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) that require transportation. Dates go from July 9-August 2, 2007 (Monday-Thursday) Hours 8:15 AM-1:15 PM or 9:15 AM-2:15 PM. Call Your child’s teacher, the principal, or the Summer Prep Coordinator at your child’s school.