Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools
The balanced calendar allows students to have six weeks off in the summer while getting two off in October, over Christmas and in April.
More than 1,000 students took advantage of the fall break to attend instructional programs that reinforced skills emphasized during the first grading period; enrichment experiences were also offered so students could expand their knowledge base.
More than 500 students in Grades 6-12 spent their mornings improving their math and English skills. This academic support will assist them as they prepare for the End of Course Assessments.
About 100 high schoolers used the intersession to prepare for the SAT. Teachers provided instruction specific to the math, English and writing assessed on the exam, and students learned valuable test-taking skills.
Sixth- through eighth-graders received math or English instruction with a focus on language acquisition and ISTEP preparation. Students also participated in math and English lessons focused on College and Career Readiness.
Almost 300 elementary students participated in intersession opportunities.
Third-graders worked on language arts and reading skills.
High-ability fourth- and fifth-graders focused on analyzing biographies and creating their own. Other students became experts on a chosen planet. Brochures were created and persuasive articles were written with the goal of attracting visitors to their planets. The children designed their planets, created communities, jobs and survival elements needed for their planets. A presentation to their peers was the culminating activity. Students improved their research, writing, and presentation skills through the unique project.
In a collaborative effort between our elementary and high school students, the Creative Writing Club at Perry Meridian High hosted a “camp” for 40-plus, fourth- and fifth-graders. Nine high school mentors worked together over the course of three days teaching the elements of good storytelling, culminating with each camper writing a children’s book.
English learner students created a dodecahedron, which represented a unit of study on the Titanic. They also ran an electoral race for class president supported by posters and persuasive speeches. Other students built background knowledge with an animal project. They focused on animals from three different biomes … desert, tundra and rain forest.
Thanks to fall break, the Cyberstangs, Perry Meridian Middle School’s robotics team, have a head start in creating their robot for competitions, which begins in December.
Theater students from PMHS, PMMS and Perry Meridian 6th Grade Academy rehearsed the musical “Once on This Island Jr.” and held three performances at the end of the break.
Assistant Superintendent Vickie Carpenter noted, “Our teachers provided high-quality interactive instruction. We appreciate that they chose to take time from their break to support our students. We also are thankful for our parents who supported their children by attending these wonderful, educational experiences.”