Staff Writer
“You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb it himself.”
The quote by Andrew Carnegie was one of several points to ponder for some students at Caribou High School who spent time this summer trying to make up credits.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Students in JuaNita Campbell’s summer school class at Caribou High School studied about the need to have a smile and a positive attitude every day. Displaying some of their work are, from left, front row: Josh Rossignol, Joey Plourde and Justin Rossignol; middle row: Campbell, instructor, and Roy Alden, summer school director. Back row from left are Cassey Espling, Tim McGraw, Miles Brown, Mindy Zetterman and Derick Green.
Four students needed an English credit, while two students worked on earth science. American studies, applied math and algebra were the topics of study for other students.
Typically, summer school is organized by subject area with the students studying the same topic. However, JuaNita Campbell’s class is organized like a one-room schoolhouse where each student’s work is individualized to their specific needs.
“I think we’re an unusual class,” said Campbell as the session was drawing to a close. Campbell also teaches food service during the regular school year.
The day starts with a three-minute motivational clip. Although gum is not allowed, students were “soothed” with a spearmint mint that had a quote attached to it each day.
The day also included silent sustained reading after which work on the individual subjects began. In addition, each student was required to write a research paper.
During a recent class, the students wrote about their experience in summer school. Mindy Zetterman wrote that her teacher “makes learning fun.”
Joey Plourde said he didn’t really like school, but summer school was “pretty fun.” The teacher and other kids contributed to that experience, he wrote.
One “trick” Justin Rossignol learned was how to use the words: “there, their and they’re.”
Josh Rossignol wrote, “Mrs. Campbell has been a great teacher to all of us.”
“I’ve learned a lot of things like ‘don’t let the small things get to you,’” Josh wrote. “Listen to the teacher very closely.”
The students return to high school next week to resume regular classes, where they can apply the educational gems they mined in summer school.
