Students Make A ‘Learning Connection’ At Head O’ Meadow

By Jeff White

Although many of his friends have their hands full with the many diversions of Newtown camps, third grader Ryan Daly is glad to spend his mornings at Head O’ Meadow School, where he finds sharpening his math and writing skills almost as fun as taking on a playground.

Ryan is just one of numerous students from all four Newtown elementary schools that are taking part in The Learning Connection, a summer school program in its third week at the Boggs Hill Road school.

“There are a lot of fun things to do,” Ryan said this week, pausing on his way outside for a lunch break. “They make it a fun way to do things like math.”

The program focuses students’ attention onto three main areas: math, writing, and reading. From 9 am to noon each day, teachers attempt to cram each 45-minute class with as many interactive activities as possible. They utilize worksheets, crossword puzzles, and active role-playing.

“They make it fun. We go to make-believe stores and buy things so we can [practice] making change, we play games with math so it passes the time quicker,” Ryan explained.

Ryan’s friend, fellow third grader Ryan Wilkie, agreed that the math portion of the day was the best part of the program. Teachers make things interesting, he said.

Each year, The Learning Connection promises students more then just academic reinforcement. In the past, students have participated in a variety of activities including a food fair that samples the culinary delights from countries around the world, and have practiced their balloon-tying skills during a visit from a popular clown.

 Students participating in The Learning Connection signed up for the program through their respective elementary schools, paying a flat fee for the four weeks.

While many students felt funny admitting that they were enjoying going to school, when asked what they liked most about The Learning Connection, some said math games, while others said story time.

Reading is stressed through character discussion. After a teacher reads a story, students have the chance to take on a character’s role, allowing the story to come alive.

It might be school, but the energy felt both inside and outside the classrooms of Head O’ Meadow School suggested this week that many students felt that The Learning Connection was a pretty good way to spend a summer morning.

“It’s not too bad,” concluded Ryan Daly. “It’s just three hours, and then you have the whole day.”