South Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Virtual Summer School

Each year, more than 2,000 students count on South Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Summer School program to brush up on basics, jump ahead on critical academic topics, expand their skills and ignite their imaginations. SPEF offers proficiency and enrichment classes to students of all ages – from incoming kindergartners to high school seniors. This is SPEF’s most significant initiative and it would not be possible without hundreds of hours of volunteer support.

Because SPEF’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and teachers, the plan right now is that SPEF Summer School 2021 will be online. Should the situation and health department allow in-person classes to resume, SPEF will contact registered families to discuss their preferences.

SPEF’s Online Curriculum:

K-8 Digital Learning Platform
Based on recommendations from Summer 2020 Online and feedback from our SPUSD teachers, SPEF Summer K-8 Online will have:

• Daily Live components Monday – Friday by Zoom/Google Meet
• Classes in a Period 1-5 format, with 10 minute passing periods between classes
• Some pre-recorded videos of teachers giving direct instruction and modeling content
• Fun projects students can complete at home, on their own or with family members

Some technology classes, like Minetown and Graphic Design, may require students/families to install software programs on their device. Specific requirements will be shared with students.

Supply kits will be available for collection from SPEF June 9-11. We will also have an optional “Meet your teacher” day where your student can practice joining meetings, classroom, and other applications. We will contact you by June 7 with instructions.

9-12 Digital Learning Platform

If we are not able to run in-person Summer school, we are planning the following classes as 100% online live teacher-led direct instruction by Zoom/Google Meet:

1. Advanced Credit Biology, Chemistry Honors, Driver’s Ed, Economics, Government, Health, World & U.S. History, Prep for Math I/I+, Prep for Biology, Printmaking with Graphic Design, Psychology, SAT Math & Verbal Prep, Transition Math I to II+.

2. Recovery classes with large enrollment: Math I, possibly Math II, III, ELA 9. (Recovery students can also join Advanced Credit versions of class, if a teacher has space in class, and we don’t have enough to run a unique class).

Edgenuity online curriculum with a pacing plan and supervising teacher will be an option for students/families that can’t commit to a daily Zoom/Google meeting or they need a Recovery class where enrollment will most likely be low. Edgenuity will be used for these classes:

1. Recovery classes that cannot be offered as 100% online live teacher-led direct instruction format because the classes traditionally attract fewer enrollees (eg. Recovery Honors, Language, & certain upper level Math/ELA classes)
2. To permit a student to take a second Recovery class
3. As an option if a student is not able to/does not want to meet by Zoom/Google every day (The 100% online live teacher-led direct instruction format)

The Edgenuity digital learning platform will include direct-instruction videos featuring curriculum and content experts who explain concepts, model strategies, provide examples, and make real-world connections. Students will complete tasks that check for understanding. They can also pause or rewind videos to take notes or review concepts as they progress through instruction at their own pace as long as they complete the class within the 5-weeks.

Don’t see the class you need?

There are classes available but not listed. If there is a class not listed that your High School student needs to take, either an Advanced Credit Class or a Recovery Class you can register for Class Not Listed, either the full year or the single semester. Then email us with the class needed.

REGISTRATION OPENS on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 9:00 a.m.

For more information, visit https://spef4kids.org/programs/summer-school/.