Students from throughout the Oregon Trail School District (OTSD) will have a
chance to further their learning, including earning credits for high school
students, through the district’s free summer academy program.

Kendra Payne, Principal of Welches Schools, noted that there will be
traditional core subjects, such as math, in addition to high interest classes on
other subjects, including courses for high school students such as the
literature of Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, Archetypes in Film, Light Vehicle
Maintenance, Shakespeare in Film, Mixed Media Painting, Unlocking Mystery,
Soccer Skills and Conditioning and Grid Weave Drawing.

“It’s just really fun, different classes; things to keep kids engaged and
learning,” Payne said, noting that there are a lot of students from the Welches
Schools who will participate in the academy.

The academy consists of two different three-week sessions, while including
bus service and food for the students all at no charge.

OTSD Communications Director Julia Monteith noted that the program is
funded by two grants from the Oregon Department of Education (Summer K-8
Enrichment Grant and Summer High School Academic Support Grant), which

covers 80 percent of the costs, and the Federal Elementary & Secondary
School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund providing the remaining 20 percent.
The academy is open to currently enrolled students of the OTSD (incoming
kindergarten students are not eligible), and classes will be held at Sandy
Grade School (38955 Pleasant Street in Sandy), Cedar Ridge Middle School
(17100 Bluff Road in Sandy) and Sandy High School (37400 Bell Street in
Sandy).

Payne noted that it is the second year for the program and that some art
offerings will be part of the Right Brain Initiative, an arts integration to help
students link learning from one area to others.

“It’s great instruction; (students) just have some fun learning along with the
traditional core subjects,” she said.

Monteith reported that the first session is full, but there are still some
openings for middle and high school students in the second session, beginning
Monday, Aug. 1. There is also a wait list for elementary students, in case
some spots open up.

The summer academy is not available as a remote option. For more
information, visit https://www.oregontrailschools.com.