AEF 2022 Summer School Program: What you should know

For the first time in two years, the Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) Summer School Program for 2022 will happen in person for all grade levels. With summertime right around the corner and the temperature rising, questions arise as well: “What will summer school look like this year?” “How is it similar and different from previous years?” “What about future years?” “Where and how can one register?” “What are the key dates to keep in mind?” Here’s what you should know.

For 28 years, AEF’s annual summer program has offered enrichment courses for elementary and middle school students and courses that provide opportunities for proficiency, advancement, and enrichment for high school students. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the program had to be conducted virtually during the summers of 2020 and 2021. This year, AEF’s summer programming for elementary, middle, and high school students will take place in person at Baldwin Stocker Elementary School, Dana Middle School, and Arcadia High School, respectively. In addition, high school participants will have virtual options for Chemistry A/B and Geometry A/B (limited enrollment), as well as the College Essay Workshop course. 

As for health guidelines, “the safety and well-being of our students, teachers, staff, faculty, and community have always been a priority,” said AEF Summer School Director Laurie Rambeau. “The program has been adapted in accordance with the health guidelines and regulations that Arcadia Unified [School District] follows.” 

Each summer school site and the respective AEF office will have its own full-time health staff on site this year. Mask-wearing is recommended but optional.

“We will be very, very careful in regards to any type of situation that can come up,” said AEF Elementary School Level Principal Sandi Burch, who also emphasized that transparent communication with parents is essential. 

Since middle school students are not subject to graduation requirements, summer school for middle school is designed for students to explore interests, better their understanding of core subject skills, and prepare for high school.

AEF Middle School Level Principal Kristin Mora said teachers had a lot of ideas to help figure out what students are interested in. “They redesigned some of the classes and made new ones, so we added that in [this year’s program].” 

At the elementary school level, there is “a great variety of classes for kids to choose from,” according to Burch, ranging from cooking, sports, and the arts to science courses involving ecology, engineering, and robotics, as well as regular classes for students to acquire a preview of the material taught in upcoming grades. 

“We have a really good, robust, challenging program this summer, and I think that students and parents will really enjoy the choices,” remarked Burch.

More detailed information on courses, scheduling, payments, important dates, and more can be found in the elementary, middle school, and high school catalogs.

For upcoming years, “it is expected that [summer school] will remain in person,” said AEF High School Level Summer School Principal Keith Kerney. 

“If something should happen where we have to go virtual again, we are equipped to do that,” reassured Burch. 

Kerney thinks that, at least at the high school level, there will likely be more online course offerings in the future and believes that the online shift from previous years and the challenges that came with it could serve towards adapting the program to better accommodate the varied needs and preferences of students and parents.

For instance, Rambeau noted that surveys showed that several parents have found value in not having to drop their kids off at school sites in the morning. 

In contrast, Mora shared that more middle school students choose to enroll in elective courses with an in-person format. 

Current AHS junior, Nikka Jafari, commented that her experience with online AEF summer school was overall a good one but that for her “it is easier to learn in person.”

“Having kids in class is definitely going to be better for the learning process,” said AEF Summer School Government Economics teacher Mike Pasqua.

“We try to do something new or different each year,” said Rambeau. 

For example, AEF Summer School’s former paper registration method used to require “people [to] make a huge line around the block [or] mail the registration to someone in Orange County.” In 2018, the registration process switched to an online format. The AEF Summer School Program continues to adapt to the times and needs of students, parents, and families.

All levels can register for the AEF Summer School Program until May 23, 2022 through aef.campbrainregistration.com. There are also a few paid positions available at the elementary and middle school levels, including AEF Health Specialist LVN, AEF Office, Administrative Assistant, AEF Office Assistant, and AEF Summer Support Staff. Job applications are due by May 19, 2022 and may be submitted here.

For questions, call the AEF Summer School office at (626) 821-6606 on Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., email aefsummer@arcadiaedfoundation.org, or visit AEF’s summer school page. Office visits for registration assistance are available through appointment only.

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