Summer's Continuing Education Programs Thrive At Reed Intermediate School
Summerâs Continuing Education Programs Thrive At Reed Intermediate School
By Larissa Lytwyn
In summers past, many of Newtownâs continuing and special education programs were conducted at locations including Middle Gate, Hawley and Sandy Hook schools, places that in recent years became increasingly confining for Newtownâs ever-burgeoning student population.
The non-air-conditioned rooms became virtually unbearable by midsummer.
The opening of Reed Intermediate School in January 2003, however, not only alleviated some space concerns for students during the school year, but also promised to provide plenty of large, climate-controlled space for the districtâs summer programming.
While Reed did not acquire its certificate of occupancy in time for last summerâs programs, this summer, programs are thriving â and staff and students involved in the continuing education summer school programs, Learning Connection and Summer Quest, as well its Summer Music and Art (SMART) program, could not be more grateful.
âWe feel very lucky and happy to be here,â said SMART program director Daphne Gibney. Prior to acquiring her management position at SMART over a decade ago, Ms Gibney worked for 17 years as an administrative clerk at Newtown Middle School.
âIâve always had a love for kids,â she said, âand an appreciation for art. I was excited when I was asked to take [the SMART management] position.â
Her role at Newtown Middle School, she noted, gave her âlots of social experienceâ for her present job.
At its past locations, she said, SMART was nearly curtailed by the restrictive, hot spaces, especially working with a variety of media, from sculpture to painting, that required large materials.
âReed is a beautiful school,â agreed Alexa Vacaro, a SMART intern for the past few years. âThereâs a lot of space and its nice and cool!â
The SMART program is divided into two sessions over the summer for students entering grades one through six.
Programs are generally grouped by age, from grades K and up or grades three and up.
Children can choose from courses in a variety of subjects, including music, writing, acting, painting, stained glass making, sculpture, collage art, Native American art, paper mache, photography, portrait making, and even science workshops.
âThe science classes are led by John Reed [no relation to the former superintendent], who is just a wonderful teacher!â exclaimed Ms Gibney. Mr Reed has a masterâs degree in zoology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He presently heads the science department at Crosby High School in Waterbury.
âHe engages the students in a variety of [scientific] disciplines,â Ms Gibney continued, âlike chemistry, in which he teaches the children how to make lava-lamplike [objects].â
Using chemistry, biology, earth science, and other aspects of the discipline, Mr Reed teaches students how to make minirockets, cities and âTowers of Terrorâ using easy-to-find materials such as plastic straw and tape.
âMany of our counselors and volunteers became involved in the program through participating in the classes,â said Ms Gibney. âPeople have a long tradition of involvement here.â
Teachers range from seasoned professional artists to educators and college students with a passion for sculpture, photography, or other areas.
In the programâs âYoung Authors and Illustratorsâ class, counselors Maggie Boushell, Kate Hayes, and Jen Dunseith, all Newtown High School students or graduates, speak fondly of their experiences working with students.
âItâs interesting working with the different age groups,â Jen said. âThe kids are very creative.â
Using their knowledge of a storyâs beginning, middle, and end structure, students write, illustrate, and bind their books.
Many of the students decided to write stories about favorite animals or pets.
The class is taught by Marianne Mulvaney, an ABA tutor with autistic and other special need students who has run art programs with organizations including Escape to the Arts in Danbury.
One âYoung Authorsâ student, fifth grader Lisa Ferrari, says writing has made her more confident. âI like to write and express myself,â she said.
âSay Cheese!â is an introductory photography class taught by Kate Romano, a college student whose interest in photography began several years ago.
âI really came to appreciate photography in high school,â she said. âNow I introduce the kids to different perspectives, like recently we did birdâs-eye shots from chairs. It was a lot of fun.â
Sculpture instructor Jennifer Singer is a 2004 graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. She graduated with honors with a degree in sociology and anthropology.
âI really love art and have been making pottery for years,â said Jennifer, who said she has been enjoying her third year of teaching in the SMART program.
âReed is a great facility,â she said. âThere is a lot of space for students to work.â
âWe feel very fortunate to be here in Reed,â echoed Ms Gibney. âWeâre very pleased.â
For information on fall programs, contact the Continuing Education office at 426-1787.