Durango School District 9-R
Summer Academy

June 2-6 and/or June 9-13, 2008
for Academically Able Youth

Sponsored by the Durango School District 9-R Gifted-and-Talented Program
in cooperation with Miller Middle School
About the Academy:

Registration Information:

Welcome . . .

to the 37th annual Summer Academy for Academically Able Students entering grades 2-9.

Students in District 9-R may participate if they have been previously identified through the Gifted-and-Talented Program or recommended by a teacher to the Gifted-and-Talented staff. Students entering second grade must be recommended by the District 9-R Gifted-and-Talented Program teachers. Invitations are also extended to identified or teacher-recommended students in the surrounding school districts.

The Summer Academy provides a quality educational experience at minimal cost. Instruction is delivered at a fast pace and in great depth to meet the diversified needs of these gifted and talented students. The number of classes offered is limited by room availability at Miller Middle School.

The first Summer Academy was presented in the summer of 1980 with 20 students from District 9-R receiving instruction from six Fort Lewis College professors. This year’s Summer Academy offers more than 40 different courses.

  

General Information

GRADE LEVEL - SECOND THROUGH NINTH-GRADE
Classes are offered according to the grade level the student will be entering in August 2008.

ELIGIBILITY
Students may participate in Summer Academy if they have been identified through the GT Program or recommended by a teacher. Students from surrounding school districts will be invited if they meet the same criteria. Classes are marked GT or HM or both. “GT only” classes are for students who have been identified as gifted and talented through their school district. “GT and HM” (highly motivated) classes are for any student who has been recommended by a teacher for this program.

PAYMENT
After you register, you will receive an e-mail or phone response by May 10 indicating the total owed. Send your payment to Deb Nielsen at Escalante Middle School (141 Baker Lane, Durango, CO 81303) or drop it off at the Escalante office in an envelope addressed to Deb Nielsen, Summer Academy. Make sure your student’s name is on the check. Fee collection and schedule adjustments will take place at 6 p.m. on May 13 at Escalante. If payment is not received by May 13, students could lose their seats in the class due to high demand. Please make checks out to Durango 9-R. No credit and/or debit cards will be accepted.

FEES
Each student is charged a participation/registration fee of $25 for one-week and $30 for two-week classes for District 9-R students, or $35 for one-week or $40 for two-week classes for students outside District 9-R. This fee covers administrative expenses such as printing, postage, and clerical assistance.

TUITION
Course costs vary based on materials, field trip transportation, or other costs associated with the course. Please check our Course Catalog to determine individual course costs.

REFUNDS
Refunds (except those due to class cancellations) must be requested before Thursday, May 22. Participation / Registration fees are non-refundable.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available for 9-R students in need of financial assistance. To obtain district qualifications and an application form prior to May 16, please call Deb Nielsen, Director of the Summer Academy, at 247-9490, ext. 2828 for details. Leave a message with the name and school of your student.

LUNCH
No lunches will be provided this year. Students should bring their own sack lunch.

ACADEMY T-SHIRTS
T-shirts are designed each year by students, and must be ordered during registration for $15 each. Students will pick up their T-shirt the first day of class at the Summer Academy Headquarters at Miller Middle School.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Classes will be held at Miller Middle School campus. If students are unfamiliar with Miller and room locations, we recommend picking up a map of the school at the Summer Academy Headquarters (located in the cafeteria at Miller) the first day of each week prior to the class.

TRANSPORTATION
Parents are responsible for providing transportation for their child. Students are to be on campus for registered classes only, with no longer than one hour of free time between classes. Students must be dropped off and picked up at the rear parking lot entrance.

ONE HOUR FREE TIME
An area for reading and playing board games will be provided at the Summer Academy Headquarters (located in the cafeteria at Miller) for students with one hour or less between classes. We recommend bringing a book, game, and/or another quiet activity to help occupy the hour.

FREE TIME LONGER THAN ONE HOUR
Students who have longer than one hour between classes, not including half hour lunch, must leave campus with their parent and return later for their next class. We appreciate your cooperation!

STUDENT PICK-UP
Please pick up your student at Miller on time.

VOLUNTEERS - PLEASE!
Volunteers are still needed to help with registration, lunch supervision, and other tasks – even a half hour of your time will help. Please contact Deb Nielsen, Director of Summer Academy, at 247-9490 ext. 2828 for additional information.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE
Several volunteers will be on campus to assist students. They are available to help students find their classrooms and will assist in the cafeteria during the lunch break and one hour free time.

CONDUCT
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner during class, between classes, and during the lunch break. Riding of skateboards, rollerblades or bikes are not allowed during Summer Academy hours (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

Participation in the Summer Academy is considered a privilege rather than a right. The Director of the Summer Academy will dismiss any student from the Summer Academy, if the need arises. Under such conditions, no fees will be refunded.

REGISTRATION
Beginning April 25, 2008, registration for Summer Academy 2008 will take place. Course catalog and registration forms will be located at www.durangoschools.org.

Click on the link called “Summer Academy, Gifted-and-Talented Program.” Complete the form using the registration code for each class and submit online or mail this form to Deb Nielsen at Escalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane, Durango, CO 81303.

Remember that classes fill up quickly, so please register as soon as possible. REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MAY 2 AT MIDNIGHT. Your registration form will be date and time stamped so that we can fill the courses in a fair and equitable manner. No fees will be accepted through our online registration process. Fees will be collected May 13, 2008, at 6 p.m. at Escalante Middle School. If you choose to snail-mail or deliver your registration fees, be sure to send them prior to the May 16 deadline. Please do not send fees prior to receiving your schedule confirmation.

Note: If you experience trouble with the registration process or need assistance, please contact Deb Nielsen, Director of the Summer Academy, at 970-247-9490, ext. 2828, or by e-mail at dnielsen@durango.k12.co.us.