MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The 2024 Summer Enrichment programs at GOAL Digital Academy concluded successfully, engaging students across various grades in educational and creative activities. The unique programming included book clubs, enrichment activities, and academic support, ensuring that students remained intellectually stimulated throughout the summer.
Photos: GOAL Digital Academy
The Summer Enrichment Activities were diverse and engaging:
- Book Clubs: A resounding success across all grade levels, book club participants held discussions and weekly Zoom sessions, fostering a love for reading.
- Robotics Club: Held three camps in June, introducing students in grades 7-12 to sensors and engineering concepts. Participants built “Clawbots” and completed various challenges in sessions held in GOAL’s Mansfield, Galion, and Marion Learning Labs.
- Digital Baking Club: The first-ever GOAL Digital Baking Club was a huge success, with 12 participants joining staff members at the Galion Lab to make their very own pizzas from scratch. Students learned to follow recipes, measure ingredients, and follow safety procedures in the kitchen.
- Stained Glass Workshops: Over two days in the Delaware and Mansfield Learning Labs, students and staff members learned and practiced basic stained glass techniques, including scoring, cutting, and soldering glass. A special thank you goes to Vidonish Studios in Lexington, Ohio, for their valuable tips and generous donation of glass materials.
GOAL also offered a variety of curriculum-based programs designed to prevent students from regressing in their reading and math abilities during the summer break. Utilizing the iReady online educational platform, this voluntary program created personalized learning paths tailored to each student’s needs. Students could earn gift cards as an incentive for lessons completed and passed in reading and math. This summer, 20 students earned gift cards for their success in the program. Additionally, 22 students in grades 4 through 7 completed the rigorous requirement of 20 lessons per week in Math and Reading, totaling 100 lessons at their instructional level to advance to the next grade level. Twelve 8th-grade students completed a Math Bridge Program, reviewing essential math concepts to ensure a smooth transition into high school.
The Credit Recovery Summer School Program was also a success, with staff mentors offering tutoring services. GOAL had a total of 75 participants enrolled in Credit Recovery, and 78.5 credits were earned. Two students even graduated as a result of the program.
Credit Recovery Teacher JR Burns said, “This summer’s Credit Recovery program was a truly rewarding experience. I was particularly impressed by the students’ motivation, whether it was scheduling Zoom sessions to better grasp the content or reaching out to tutors for support. It was inspiring to see students take accountability for their learning and ensure they were on track to earn their credits. The positive impact of this experience has continued into the school year, with students maintaining their motivation and confidence. Watching a student’s confidence grow as they complete a class is every educator’s dream come true!”
For more information about GOAL Digital Academy’s programs and future initiatives, please visit goaldigital.org.