Horizons Savannah begins its 9th summer, Monday, June 20, with exciting changes to the curriculum

June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- (SAVANNAH, GA) – Horizons Savannah, a six-week academic enrichment program for at-risk students, begins its ninth summer on Monday, June 20, with many exciting changes to the curriculum.

Horizons Savannah is an academic, cultural and recreational summer enrichment program designed to encourage students from a diverse, low-income population to realize their full potential.  This year, Horizons is proud to launch several new initiatives, including the STEM program for 7th and 8th graders, which focuses on science, technology, environmental issues and math.  In the past, Horizons students mostly used computers to take tests; this year, 7th and 8th grade students will use new technologies every day in many aspects of their curriculum, especially biology and other sciences.

This new program means an increased academic staff this summer, and Horizons Savannah is thrilled to announce the addition of Julian Childers as the full-time academic coordinator for the entire program.  Among other duties, Mr. Childers will oversee the design and implementation of the curriculum, including the year-round Super Saturday program.  “We are excited to be a part of a national movement that provides all children with the science, technology, engineering and math skills,” Mr. Childers says, “that will prepare them to be successful in this technology driven age. Horizons is working really hard to provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to learning."

The swimming program, one of the most beloved parts of Horizons, will add several full-time lifeguards to ensure a 4-to-1 lifeguard-to-student ratio.  Pool time will also increase to 2 full hours for elementary students and 2.5 hours for middle schoolers.  Horizons Savannah Executive Director Gail MacPherson gushes about this change, saying, “Now all our kids will have more time to improve their skills and learn new strokes, and the lifeguards can set up in advance of the kids’ arrival.”

Horizons Savannah is also adding a new physical education specialist, Alton Wilson, who will work with students every day, bringing in a more structured approach to fitness. Mr. Wilson will also work with students on technology at least one hour each day, helping to round out their academic experience.

If you would like to arrange a visit to the Horizons program, Visitor Week will take place July 11-15, 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.  Executive Director Gail MacPherson says, “We welcome anyone interested in this amazing program to come take a look.  Our kids are so motivated and engaged, and our faculty and volunteers love working with them.  You can’t really understand how wonderful Horizons is until you see it in action!”  All members of the media, interested parents and potential volunteers can make an appointment by contacting Gail MacPherson at 912-961-8680, MacPherson@savcds.org.

Recognized as one of America’s best summer learning programs, Horizons at Savannah Country Day School welcomes over 165 low-income, K-8 public school students each summer.  For five days a week over six weeks, students engage in a variety of activities at nominal cost to their families.  Students participate in academic lessons, college tours, cultural activities, swimming lessons, fun projects and weekly field trips.  In an assessment of students before the start of Horizons National’s summer 2009 programs, nearly 75 percent tested at or below grade level in reading.  By summer’s end, students gained an average of four months’ growth in reading.

For more information, please contact Horizons Savannah board member Katherine Oxnard Ellis at 912-704-3545, katherineoxnard@gmail.com, or visit our website at http://www.horizonssavannah.com/ .

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Horizons is a 6-week academic, cultural & recreational summer enrichment program that helps students from a diverse, low-income population build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility & instill respect for oneself and others.