Somerset Co. Judy Center starts Kinder Kids
Somerset County is the only school district on Maryland’s Lower Shore without summer school in 2015. This has left many students without enrichment opportunities for the season.
Somerset County Superintendent Dr. John Gaddis explained to 47 ABC that it wasn’t easy letting go of summer school this year. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t financially feasible.
However, the Judy Center has come up with a solution for four and five- year- olds that could have benefited from county summer programs. Their new program is called Kinder Kids.
Sarah Perdue, an art teacher at Princess Anne Elementary School says, “It gives them a chance to exercise their fine motor skills and come together as a group.”
Perdue is not taking the summer off. She’s helping out with the brand new Kinder Kids program provided by the Somerset County Judy Center to fill a void.
Karen Karten, the Judy Center coordinator says, “We found out that a lot of four and five- year- olds in our community didn’t have a place to go during the day.”
This is partly because Somerset County had to make major spending cuts; about eight- hundred thousand dollars-worth. Construction has also put two schools out of commission. These factors forced the county to nix summer school.
Every Tuesday students can meet at the Stewart’s Neck Apartment Complex where space is provided for them to grow.
Perdue goes on, “I want them to learn the skills like the elements of art and art history. I also want them to have a chance to exercise their creativity.”
Tuesday July 7, 2015 was the first lesson of the summer. Students read the book The Rainbow Fish and created an art project related to the story.
Karten continues, “This provides an opportunity for rich language experience. It provides the opportunity for math and science activities as well. It gives them the chance to work on those skills they’ll need for school.”
Kinder Kids also provides a nutritional snack and fresh veggies to take home. They’re all grown by inmates at Eastern Correctional Institution as part of their Green Garden program.
With day one in the books, Judy Center representatives say they’re pleased with the turnout. In the future, they hope to get some of the young families living at Stewart’s Neck involved. Hopefully it won’t be too hard because Kinder Kids is completely free.
Karten goes on, “We want to work the parents and teach the parents different ways to work with their children; so they come to our schools bursting with knowledge ready for school.”
The Kinder Kids program will be held every Tuesday in the Stewart’s Neck Apartment Complex activity room. Judy Center representatives say they will be having other activities this summer as well like a learning party at the Princess Anne Library (July 13, July 20, July 27, and August 3) and a Food, Fitness, and Fun workshop (July 9, July 16, July 23). For information contact the Somerset County Judy Center at 410-651-1275.
The Superintendent of Somerset County Schools tells 47 ABC summer school will be back next year.
