Summer Enrichment Program seeks applicants

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

The emphasis will be on personal health and fitness at the 2010 Summer Enrichment Program. There will be organized fitness time each day, concentrating on exercises participants can continue at home.
The Summer Enrichment Program provides Wythe County Public School students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade an opportunity to take a fun class for a week in the summer at no cost to them. Classes will be held Monday, July 26, through Friday, July30, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fort Chiswell Middle School, Rural Retreat Elementary School, Spiller Elementary School and the Wythe County Technology Center.
The program, now in its fourth year, is made possible by a grant from the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation. Wythe County Public Schools’ Foundation for Excellence is in charge of the program.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the students,” said Cindy Jarmul, executive director of Wythe County Schools’ Foundation for Excellence. “It’s especially good for very young children to have classes in the summer.”
Classes still available include 3-D animation, fishing, archery, sign language and lifetime fitness. A pedometer walking program will be offered again this year with all students receiving a free pedometer.
“We will encourage the students to continue counting their steps for the remainder of the summer,” Jarmul stated.
A healthy snack will be served each day with a short lesson about nutrition. Lunch will be provided through the federal school lunch program.
“We now have 340 students pre-registered,” Jarmul noted. “The number is up this year and we expect more. We had 300 participants last year.”
She encourages more middle school and high school students to participate in the classes.
Pre-registration continues. Applications and more information are available at www.WytheExcellence.org.
The Foundation of Excellence may be contacted at 228-5411.
While there is no charge for the Summer Enrichment Program, the foundation will accept donations to continue its work in the local school system. Its purpose is to support public education through projects and programs focused on the physical, mental and social well-being of all Wythe County Public School students and encouraging them to become well-rounded, healthy and contributing members of the community.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or wquesenberry@wythenews.com.