This year marked the second summer the Levittown School District ran their summer math and reading remediation program for students in grades four through six. The four-week program, held last month, provides students with an opportunity to enhance their skills during the summer in a relaxed environment and allows them to receive individual attention from their tutors.

Teacher Maria Naples implemented the program last summer and is running it again this year with the assistance of Kirsten Anderson.

"I was studying for school administration and the district asked me to put it together [last year]," Naples said. "Because it was so successful last year, they asked me to do it again this year." She added that this summer, the program nearly doubled in size as compared to last year.

According to Naples, the purpose of the program is to reinforce previously introduced skills for mastery. The 70 students who took part in this year's program activities attended either the a.m. session from 8 to 10 a.m. or the later morning session from 10 a.m. until noon.

With the assistance of Dr. Evans, principal of Summit Lane Elementary School, the program directors were able to add an ESL (English as a Second Language) component to the program. According to Naples and Anderson, Dr. Evans was very eager to implement the ESL component which, this year, contained 11 students and two tutors.

In addition to adding the ESL program, the directors were happy to hold this year's program in an air conditioned room, thanks to the assistance of Mr. Davis.

Among the activities offered to students are journal writing, independent reading, small group reading, math games, creative writing, book reports and flash cards for basic math facts, presidential facts and state facts. In addition, students made their own study materials.

Gardiners Avenue librarian Mrs. Anderson brought books over to the children in the program and each child was allowed to choose one book, and some children have exceeded that allowance and read more than one.

Naples explained that she and Anderson try to encourage parents to assist their children while they are at home, helping them expand on what they learned during the day at the program.

"We wanted parents to reinforce the learning process at home," Naples said. Anderson added that progress reports were sent out to parents halfway into the program so they could be aware of how well their children are performing academically.

According to Anderson, the tight ratio between tutors and students provides an excellent learning atmosphere for the children, allowing the tutors the opportunity of determining in which areas students may need special attention. This year, there are three students assigned per tutor, a total of 11 tutors for the regular reading and math portion of the program. Tutors are primarily college students and graduates, some are potential teachers. There is also one substitute teacher, Rosemary Paulson, on hand in case needed.

Anderson explained that attendance has been very positive throughout the summer, and that the students seem to be enjoying themselves.

"Students are very enthusiastic," she said. "Parents have been giving positive feedback." Anderson added surveys are sent to parents at the end of the program so they can provide opinions and suggestions about the program.

Naples added that she hopes the program will be available again next year, and furthermore be available to students in the district on an annual basis.