Kids on Course now serving Cedar Rapids students from 21 elementary schools

CEDAR RAPIDS — Eleven children scatter across Ms. Lockhart's fourth-grade classroom on the second floor of Arthur Elementary School in northeast Cedar Rapids.

The kids, sitting along the exterior of a large, brown rug in the center of the room, listen to Lockhart, who is running through three activities they will focus on during the next hour.

In one corner of the room are paper ice cream sundaes. Next to them hang paper skyscrapers with windows glued on by the students to help guide them through addition and multiplication. Across the room are three computers where students can play curriculum-aligned math games.

'Does this look like it's done?' a student yells to Lockhart, holding up a half-finished skyscraper with just two windows glued on.

Another student poses a question to Lockhart: 'Is this called an ice cream sundae or Sunday ice cream?'

With students ranging from first to fifth grade, the children are all part of Kids on Course University — a free, seven-week summer camp focusing on reading and math skills.

Amy Evans, director of Kids on Course University, said the program is entering its fifth year in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. It has six sites total, with children from all 21 elementary schools in the Cedar Rapids district participating.

Originally, Kids on Course University began in the summer of 2013 after the Zach Johnson Foundation wanted to curb the summer learning slide many students experience during summer break.

'It started with 60 kids,' Evans said. 'And it was just for the schools (Harrison and Van Buren Elementary schools) directly tagged with Kids on Course.'

Over the next few years, the program expanded.

'We secured a state grant that allowed us this last summer to go to 15 schools at five sites. This year, thanks to private donors, we are at six sites and all 21 schools have students participating,' Evans said.

The overarching theme for this year is 'Full STEAM ahead.' STEAM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math. Weekly themes include 'Sky is the Limit,' 'Across Time,' 'This Land is My Land' and 'Take a Splash.'

In 2016, a total of 624 students participated in the program, of which 89 percent reduced their summer slide in reading, 60 percent started the next school year at a higher reading level and 83 percent had good attendance at the summer program, according to data compiled by the district.

Evans said Kids on Course University is unique from the traditional curriculum because it offers students the ability to learn in a different, yet engaging way. For example, every Friday, students participate in either on-site or off-site field trips.

The program, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, provides free breakfast and lunch for all students. Every Friday, the children take home a goody bag with storage-friendly food such as canned goods and granola bars.

'I'm excited that we can run this program,' Evans said. 'What's not to love about messy hands and big smiles and discussions on planets?'

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