BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Elementary School, in collaboration with the Bucyrus Public Library, is hosting its first-ever Summer Reading Camp. The program is two sessions, with the first session recently ending June 27 and session two starting July 8 through August 1.
The theme of this year’s camp is “space.” Students are reading about space and participating in an array of activities associated with space.
“Each week, students have an art activity, STEM activity, space word of the week as well as words of the day, and a culminating activity,” BES Summer Program Co-Coordinator Robin Showers said. “We are able to provide breakfast and lunch for those children participating in the program, and transportation is available for those in need.”
Discussions about collaborating with the Bucyrus Public Library began in the winter. The focus was supporting “A Universe of Stories”, which is the national library theme for summer 2019.
“This is a win-win situation for the Bucyrus Public Library and the Bucyrus Elementary School,” Children’s Librarian Barb Scott said. “We’ve been able to secure performers and programs, such as COSI on Wheels, at a reduced rate for the Elementary School’s Summer program students and the participant’s in the library’s summer program.”
Other programs and performers who have worked in the BES Summer program include: Warren Rupp Observatory “Pop-up” Planetarium, Wump Mucket Space Puppet show, COSI on Wheels: Astronomy Academy, Whiz Bang Science Show, a trip to Lowe Volk Park and a trip to the Crawford Success Center.
“One of the art projects was drawing and writing about a Martian,” Elementary School Assistant Principal Tim Souder said. “And one of the STEM activities was making a land rover that will explore another planet.”
The Bucyrus Public Library’s involvement, according to Scott, is a win-win for all involved.
“I think the Library’s involvement is making a tremendously positive impact,” she said. “It’s all about community collaboration, and I can safely say I would like to do this again next year.”
The district hopes to expand the Summer Program in 2020 to include more Elementary students to help them improve their reading and critical thinking skills throughout the summer months.
“I want to thank Children’s Librarian Barb Scott and the Bucyrus Public Library for working with program co-coordinators Robin Showers and Aubrey Brause to put this wonderful summer program together,” Bucyrus Superintendent Matt Chrispin said. “The collaboration that has helped make the BES Summer Reading Program possible is a strong example of the importance of the school-community partnership that exists to benefit the children in Bucyrus.”