WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Hartford students begin summer school (Hartford-WTNH) _ Thousands of Hartford students are heading back to school for the summer. The program is designed to help some students improve test scores and others pass to the next grade. Today was the first day of the program, and many students are excited to spend their free time learning. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports. Superintendent Anthony Amato is rolling up his sleeves on opening day of Hartford Summer School. More than 7,000 students are signed up for the intensive program. Some were in danger of not passing to the next grade level, but the goal is to improve their skills over the summer so they can move ahead. Jonathan Simmons, Hartford: "I had problems with math and social studies and science. I am going to summer school so I can improve and get better grades." Tanesha Shuler, 5th grader: "My mom wanted me to come to summer school, so I can learn more because I'm going to 6th grade." Third, fifth and seventh graders were encouraged to attend summer school in order to prepare for the Connecticut Mastery Tests which they will take during the next school year. This past year, Hartford finished last in the test scores, something Amato vows will never happen again. Anthony Amato, Hartford Superintendent: "As far as I'm concerned, with new materials, new things, those faces, the hope, that gleam in the eye, that says we are going to do it." Deirdre Harold, Hartford: "I just want to keep the focus going to keep him focused concentrating, and he wants to be up there with all his friends." But what would summer be without some fun? That takes place after learning when kids will get treated to program like this tap class. And it seems for these students spending the summer in school will hopefully be a step in the right direction. The summer school program runs for 6 weeks. And as for the after school activities, 70 nonprofit organizations are footing the bill. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Hartford students begin summer school
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Thousands of Hartford students are heading back to school for the summer. The program is designed to help some students improve test scores and others pass to the next grade. Today was the first day of the program, and many students are excited to spend their free time learning.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports.

Superintendent Anthony Amato is rolling up his sleeves on opening day of Hartford Summer School.

More than 7,000 students are signed up for the intensive program. Some were in danger of not passing to the next grade level, but the goal is to improve their skills over the summer so they can move ahead.

Jonathan Simmons, Hartford: "I had problems with math and social studies and science. I am going to summer school so I can improve and get better grades."

Tanesha Shuler, 5th grader: "My mom wanted me to come to summer school, so I can learn more because I'm going to 6th grade."

Third, fifth and seventh graders were encouraged to attend summer school in order to prepare for the Connecticut Mastery Tests which they will take during the next school year.

This past year, Hartford finished last in the test scores, something Amato vows will never happen again.

Anthony Amato, Hartford Superintendent: "As far as I'm concerned, with new materials, new things, those faces, the hope, that gleam in the eye, that says we are going to do it."

Deirdre Harold, Hartford: "I just want to keep the focus going to keep him focused concentrating, and he wants to be up there with all his friends."

But what would summer be without some fun? That takes place after learning when kids will get treated to program like this tap class.

And it seems for these students spending the summer in school will hopefully be a step in the right direction. The summer school program runs for 6 weeks. And as for the after school activities, 70 nonprofit organizations are footing the bill.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.