Summer Programs 2013

            Summer Learning Adventures! 
This program will provide a checkpoint to augment your child’s summer learning. This program will take place on five Wednesdays and will be a focused learning opportunity.
Details about Summer Learning Adventures 
In 2010, Time magazine published a compelling piece about the value of utilizing summer time to extend children’s learning and avoid an achievement gap.  This achievement gap can happen when children have too much free time in the summer, especially unsupervised and/or filled with electronics.  Although many variables, such as family time, impacted the achievement of the students studied, it was clear that some children take a step back in the summer while others move ahead in their cognitive development.  Over many summers, this gap adds up to many years’ difference in achievement.  Especially when a child is behind in any area, even small amounts of learning time improve achievement.  Check out the article, “The Case Against Summer Vacation” at  www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2115863-5,00.html.  Not that we don’t love summer vacation!
                
             Cost for each Wednesday for  9:00-1:00 only will be $30
                  Cost for each Wednesday for 9:00-3:00 will be $60
We propose to provide a checkpoint for families and to augment your child’s summer learning experiences.  On five Wednesdays, we will offer a mini-camp. During this time, we will have a summer camp-type theme with embedded learning (hands on science, art, geography, math, etc).  Your child may come to any and all of these days from 9:00-1:00.  Unlimited enrollment. To enroll, email  the school or call 446-4415. 
Summer Camp (9:00-1:00) Dates and Themes
Wednesday June 26         "Minute to Win It"
Wednesday July 3             So You Think You Know Maine
Wednesday July 10           Around the World in a Day!
Wednesday Aug 7             Survival Camp (in actual woodsy area)
Wednesday Aug 14           Pippi Vs Junie ( Round 2)
Full Day Wednesday Summer Adventures
For $60, you may elect  to have your child to go the themed camp in the morning and then stay all day on a Wednesday. If so, this is the schedule.
9:00-10:00 Individualized Summer Skill Review
10:00-1:00  All ages take part in Summer Theme Camp (see above), includes lunchtime
1:00-1:30  Outdoor Time
1:30 to 3 pm, Afternoon Explorations, we will have some free outdoor time and delve into the following interest area (students choose one each week)
Interest Areas
Gardening/Horticulture (maintaining a school garden)             
Animal Husbandry (chickens or goats)          
Singing Show Tunes       
Recording in Mike’s studio          
Kid Yoga            
Ecology
Writing

                Quality Full Time Childcare
A Montessori learning environment for students whose families must work in the summer through a full-time childcare program.  Includes a four hour theme based mini-camp for children 5 and up on Wednesdays.

Details about Quality Childcare
For those needing full time childcare in the summer (#1 above), Jess Gray (Miss Jess) will be the main teacher and Jennifer Polley (Auntie) will be covering Fridays.  There will be only one teacher at a time with a back-up person on call if needed, so we must limit the enrollment of the childcare to 7 students, ages 3-12.

Enrollment Priorities for Full Time Childcare Program
First Priority: currently enrolled students needing full day childcare for most weeks of the summer.Second Priority:  currently enrolled students needing less than full day childcare, or needing only part of the summer.
Third Priority: new enrollees needing full time care for most weeks of the summer
Fourth Priority: currently enrolled students or new enrollees needing occasional care in the summer  
Due to staff limitations, we will not enroll children who need behavioral assistance.

Hours and Weeks
Childcare hours are from 8 am to 5pm. 
Childcare will start on Monday, June 25th, and go through Friday, August 24th. 

Cost
The full-time cost for the nine weeks is listed below.  If you select full time childcare, you may choose not to utilize all the available hours and weeks, but we must charge for them.  For part time slots we will prorate the time depending on the amounts of time requested. Part time amounts are listed on the Summer Registration Form (linked below).
                         Full Time Price  9 weeks                 $1600    ($800/mo) 
                                                                                    Deposit of $400 due upon sign up.

Contact Us  for more information or to sign up for summer programs.
Download Summer Registration Form

Summer Tutoring Services
Please call the school at 626-5550 to speak with Carrie Gervais if you are interested in Summer Tutoring Services for your child. All tutoring services are open to children in pre-K through grade 8 who currently attend Stepping Stones, as well as children from public, other private, or homeschooling backgrounds. Tutoring Services are by appointment only and are held throughout the summer. Only $30 per hour, plus group, same family, and multiple hour discounts.

"We must support as much as possible the child’s desires for activity; not wait on him, but educate him to be independent.”

                                 —Maria Montessori