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The first summer program of Calhoun's "Lights On" program begins today, with a wide
menu of offerings for children and adults:
Summer Drivers Education
This course is available free of charge at the High School, with a
maximum of twenty-three students. Students will get fifty hours of
classroom instructional time, six hours of behind-the-wheel driving time, and
twelve observation hours. Since 135 students pre-registered for Drivers Ed
for the 2001-02 school year, and only 96 can be taught during the school
year, this is clearly a golden opportunity for people who plan ahead.
Whether you want to reduce your insurance rate, learn to drive, or improve
your driving ability, this course will meet your needs. Lunch provided.
Distance Learning Summer School
One of the major goals of "Lights On!" is to make it possible for Calhoun
students to have all the course options and career opportunities that
students in huge urban schools have to choose from. Distance learning via
the computer lab at the High School makes an enormous variety of courses,
from web design to Latin to a study of Bosnia, available at no fee for anyone
with the interest and ambition to enroll! Lunch provided. Learn for the sake
of learning. Learn to impress a college admissions office. Learn to qualify
for a special program or special job. Learn to enrich your life!
Adult Computer Applications
If you've heard everyone talking about computers and the Internet, but
never understood it or were afraid it was too complicated, this is the course
for you. The class will cover most of the common computer programs,
including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, and will teach you
how to use e-mail and the Internet as well. Qualify for new jobs. Reach out
and touch the new world. It's free!
"Back-to-School" School
If you dropped out of school at some point, and now wish you hadn't, this
three-day session in July will help you prepare to re-enter the school
system. Counselors will work with you to give you the skills and strategies
to succeed this time around. Free.
Dual Credit Options with Glenville State College
Calhoun High School seniors with a 3.0 GPA can take any Glenville State
College course at an unbelievable bargain rate. Calhoun County Schools will
pay half the tuition cost plus provide the books and any other materials
needed. Total cost to students: $25 per credit hour! What a deal!
Summer Institute
Calhoun Middle School will hold a free six-week Summer Institute.
Transportation will be provided for students who sign up for the full
four-period schedule, which will include Fine Arts, Recreation, and a choice
of two subjects from Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies.
Strengthen your skills and enjoy yourself in air-conditioned comfort this
summer! Lunch provided.
Lightspan
"Lights On!" purchased this highly rated, Internet-based learning program
as well as a number of play stations which can be sent home with students
at Arnoldsburg Elementary. This program is not only fun but also effective!
Free.
Bridges
This program has already produced some dramatic results at Pleasant Hill
Elementary. Unusual physical exercises turn out not only to be fun but to
have a great impact on students' learning ability. "Bridges" is a half-day
program, and will be offered in both the morning and the afternoon at
Pleasant Hill. Transportation available, as well as breakfast and lunch for
morning participants. Total cost: free.
Encouraging Emerging Literacy
Develop a love of reading in your children! This program will meet in the
evening, with eleven group meetings a year. It will start this summer, but
will carry on throughout the school year. Parents of children from birth to
ten years old will meet at Pleasant Hill to learn how to encourage young
readers. Among the other benefits: free books for kids, as well as free
materials for projects parents can do with their children. Total cost to
participants: free.
Summer Academy
This afternoon program to strengthen math skills will be available at both
Arnoldsburg and Pleasant Hill. It can be taken by Energy Express students
to fill out their day, or it can be taken by itself. Transportation available.
Free.
New York City Trip
One of the primary goals of "Lights On!" is to give Calhoun residents a
chance to see, hear, and experience a wider range of cultural activities. The
project will fund a trip to New York City for 4-H Teen Leaders that will
include seeing two Broadway plays as well as visits to museums and historic
sites.
Shooting Sports
"Lights On!" will promote safety as well as a lifetime recreational activity
by funding new archery equipment and a replacement trap thrower for the
4-H Shooting Sports program.
Outdoor Challenge
This event, for both youth and their parents, would be a multi-station
affair where participants rotated from group to group, participating in
activities such as archery, shotgun and air rifle shooting, fish casting,
distance estimation, fish and wildlife identification, etc. A 4-H event
underwritten by "Lights On!"
Mini-Gardening Project
Families that have participated in the Be Smart, Eat Smart Program will
create a number of small gardens. "Lights On!" will supply funds for
curriculum materials, seeds, plants, tools, fertilizer, canners, etc. Cost to
participants: the sweat of their brows; otherwise, free.
Chess and Checker Classes
Henry Cooper has volunteered to teach chess and checkers at the
Calhoun County Library. "Lights On!" will buy supplies for the program and
video instructional tapes. Free.
Storytelling and Crafts
The Library will offer sessions at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, for 3-4
year olds, and at 2 p.m., also Tuesdays and Thursdays, for 5-8 year olds.
Funded by "Lights On!" Free.
Genealogy and Oral History
Explore your family background, and preserve the history of our
community. The library will provide instruction in genealogy research and
oral history methods. "Lights On!" is funding software and hardware for
computer-aided genealogical research. Free to participants.
Humanities Presentations
Library staff have plans to provide a variety of performances such as
in-character portrayals of Margaret Blennerhassett and Ansil Hatfield. Other
presentations in the works include a talk by Homer Hickam, author of Rocket
Boys, and a performance by musician Dave O'Dell. Free admission to all
events.
Extended Hours
Through "Lights On!" funding, the Library will be able to offer evening
hours on Mondays and Wednesdays through the summer. It was a goal of
"Lights On!" to make it possible for working people to get to the Library after
work hours, something impossible up until now.
Tobacco Prevention Programs
"Lights On!: will fund pamphlets, posters, videos, and other materials for
tobacco prevention and for cessation programs. It will also fund a trip for
youth to High Ropes Academy, and outings to promote a healthy lifestyle,
such as hiking, biking, swimming, and white water rafting. Free for all
participants.
For more information on the above, contact Tony Russell at 354-7595
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