Hanford schools offer free, hand-on summer program for kids

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- In an effort to keep kids motivated during the summer months, John F. Kennedy Junior High in Hanford offers a fun twist on learning

Instead of book reports and math equations, students are planting gardens and coding robots.

"We have three different tracks," school principal Rick Johnston said. "We have technology, art, and drama, then we have P.E., music, and dance."

The free classes are part of the Hanford Elementary School District's Summer Enrichment Academy offered to any 3rd through 8th grader and are divided up into two two-week sessions and the kids say they love it.

"I'd rather be here because it's a lot of fun, and I get to meet new friends," 4th grader Emmah Sawyer said.

Monday, Action News found students prepping for a new garden they had just built. The idea is to instill a sense of school pride while giving them some real world experience.

"I tell them education is so important. You have to decide are you going to work with your hands or your head? What are you going to do inside or outside," teacher April Silva said. "It's a big choice and this just gives them a little taste of what it's going to be like to work outside versus in an office."

And if they want to work, one class offers kids the chance to program their own bots and send it on missions while other kids are on the move learning sophisticated dance steps. Crafting art projects is another session that has kids focused during the Valley's summer heat.

"As far as technology community involvement, this is a way to get kids thinking that way at junior high and at a young age," Johnston said. "So, when they do get into high school and hopefully move on to college they can give back to their community."

For interested parents, talk to your school about enrolling for the Summer Enrichment Academy at the end of the normal school year.