LIGHTS ON PROGRAM KICK OFF TODAY - Summer Program Offerings

(06/25/2001)
The first summer program of Calhoun's "Lights On" program begins today, with a wide menu of offerings for children and adults:

Summer Drivers Education

This course is available free of charge at the High School, with a maximum of twenty-three students. Students will get fifty hours of classroom instructional time, six hours of behind-the-wheel driving time, and twelve observation hours. Since 135 students pre-registered for Drivers Ed for the 2001-02 school year, and only 96 can be taught during the school year, this is clearly a golden opportunity for people who plan ahead. Whether you want to reduce your insurance rate, learn to drive, or improve your driving ability, this course will meet your needs. Lunch provided.

Distance Learning Summer School

One of the major goals of "Lights On!" is to make it possible for Calhoun students to have all the course options and career opportunities that students in huge urban schools have to choose from. Distance learning via the computer lab at the High School makes an enormous variety of courses, from web design to Latin to a study of Bosnia, available at no fee for anyone with the interest and ambition to enroll! Lunch provided. Learn for the sake of learning. Learn to impress a college admissions office. Learn to qualify for a special program or special job. Learn to enrich your life!

Adult Computer Applications

If you've heard everyone talking about computers and the Internet, but never understood it or were afraid it was too complicated, this is the course for you. The class will cover most of the common computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, and will teach you how to use e-mail and the Internet as well. Qualify for new jobs. Reach out and touch the new world. It's free!

"Back-to-School" School

If you dropped out of school at some point, and now wish you hadn't, this three-day session in July will help you prepare to re-enter the school system. Counselors will work with you to give you the skills and strategies to succeed this time around. Free.

Dual Credit Options with Glenville State College

Calhoun High School seniors with a 3.0 GPA can take any Glenville State College course at an unbelievable bargain rate. Calhoun County Schools will pay half the tuition cost plus provide the books and any other materials needed. Total cost to students: $25 per credit hour! What a deal!

Summer Institute

Calhoun Middle School will hold a free six-week Summer Institute. Transportation will be provided for students who sign up for the full four-period schedule, which will include Fine Arts, Recreation, and a choice of two subjects from Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Strengthen your skills and enjoy yourself in air-conditioned comfort this summer! Lunch provided.

Lightspan

"Lights On!" purchased this highly rated, Internet-based learning program as well as a number of play stations which can be sent home with students at Arnoldsburg Elementary. This program is not only fun but also effective! Free.

Bridges

This program has already produced some dramatic results at Pleasant Hill Elementary. Unusual physical exercises turn out not only to be fun but to have a great impact on students' learning ability. "Bridges" is a half-day program, and will be offered in both the morning and the afternoon at Pleasant Hill. Transportation available, as well as breakfast and lunch for morning participants. Total cost: free.

Encouraging Emerging Literacy

Develop a love of reading in your children! This program will meet in the evening, with eleven group meetings a year. It will start this summer, but will carry on throughout the school year. Parents of children from birth to ten years old will meet at Pleasant Hill to learn how to encourage young readers. Among the other benefits: free books for kids, as well as free materials for projects parents can do with their children. Total cost to participants: free.

Summer Academy

This afternoon program to strengthen math skills will be available at both Arnoldsburg and Pleasant Hill. It can be taken by Energy Express students to fill out their day, or it can be taken by itself. Transportation available. Free.

New York City Trip

One of the primary goals of "Lights On!" is to give Calhoun residents a chance to see, hear, and experience a wider range of cultural activities. The project will fund a trip to New York City for 4-H Teen Leaders that will include seeing two Broadway plays as well as visits to museums and historic sites.

Shooting Sports

"Lights On!" will promote safety as well as a lifetime recreational activity by funding new archery equipment and a replacement trap thrower for the 4-H Shooting Sports program.

Outdoor Challenge

This event, for both youth and their parents, would be a multi-station affair where participants rotated from group to group, participating in activities such as archery, shotgun and air rifle shooting, fish casting, distance estimation, fish and wildlife identification, etc. A 4-H event underwritten by "Lights On!"

Mini-Gardening Project

Families that have participated in the Be Smart, Eat Smart Program will create a number of small gardens. "Lights On!" will supply funds for curriculum materials, seeds, plants, tools, fertilizer, canners, etc. Cost to participants: the sweat of their brows; otherwise, free.

Chess and Checker Classes

Henry Cooper has volunteered to teach chess and checkers at the Calhoun County Library. "Lights On!" will buy supplies for the program and video instructional tapes. Free.

Storytelling and Crafts

The Library will offer sessions at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, for 3-4 year olds, and at 2 p.m., also Tuesdays and Thursdays, for 5-8 year olds. Funded by "Lights On!" Free.

Genealogy and Oral History

Explore your family background, and preserve the history of our community. The library will provide instruction in genealogy research and oral history methods. "Lights On!" is funding software and hardware for computer-aided genealogical research. Free to participants.

Humanities Presentations

Library staff have plans to provide a variety of performances such as in-character portrayals of Margaret Blennerhassett and Ansil Hatfield. Other presentations in the works include a talk by Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys, and a performance by musician Dave O'Dell. Free admission to all events.

Extended Hours

Through "Lights On!" funding, the Library will be able to offer evening hours on Mondays and Wednesdays through the summer. It was a goal of "Lights On!" to make it possible for working people to get to the Library after work hours, something impossible up until now.

Tobacco Prevention Programs

"Lights On!: will fund pamphlets, posters, videos, and other materials for tobacco prevention and for cessation programs. It will also fund a trip for youth to High Ropes Academy, and outings to promote a healthy lifestyle, such as hiking, biking, swimming, and white water rafting. Free for all participants.

For more information on the above, contact Tony Russell at 354-7595