Media, PA - Today, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin joined students in the Rose Tree Media School District and brushed up on his hip hop moves at a summer enrichment camp at Springton Lake Middle School.
“Hip hop is more than a style of dance – it’s a culture,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “We know how important summer programs are to prevent the ‘summer slide’ students experience while out of school for summer, but programs like these enrichment camps elevate the summer camp experience for kids and offers fun new ways to get moving, make new friends, and learn a new skill.”
The Rose Tree Media School District offers a plethora of summer programs students can participate in, including Hip Hop camp, animation, and baking camps, to summer theatre, and academic programs like Summer Smarts, Jump Start to Kindergarten, and more. Each summer program is designed to enrich the learning of students and provide opportunities for continued academic and social growth, even when school is not in session.
“We are so happy the district has the opportunity to provide a variety of camp experiences to students from Rose Tree Media and surrounding districts to allow them to continue to grow academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Dr. Tiffany Orrin, Director of Summer Programs.
This year, the school district added an inclusive component to the enrichment and theater programs. Students participating in the Extended School Year (ESY) Program are provided an opportunity to participate in a camp experience, supported by school district paraprofessionals, providing authentic opportunities to practice, strengthen, and generalize problem solving and social skills. “The addition of the inclusive program has enriched our programs for the community,” said Orrin.
Summer programs hosted by schools, libraries, and local organizations across the Commonwealth give students an outlet to keep learning and stay engaged throughout the summer months. Many of these programs, like those offered by the Rose Tree Media School district, require no prior experience, just interest and willingness to learn something new. Rose Tree Media School District Summer Programs include grade-specific activities targeting desired physical and academic skills and promote critical thinking. These programs encourage students to strive for excellence while developing new friendships in a collaborative setting.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit PDE's website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov
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