School will soon be over, but hundreds of local students head back to class starting Monday, June 14, for various learning programs. 

Schools with summer programs, along with the district office of Marion County Public Schools, will operate on a four-day week this summer, Monday through Thursday, 7AM - 6PM.  All schools and the district office will close on Fridays as a budget-cutting measure.  This schedule runs June 14 - August 13.

Here’s a look at summer programs offered by Marion County Public Schools over the next eight weeks.  Please note school bus transportation is not provided unless indicated:

• Summer Enrichment Courses – more than 75 courses led by state-certified teachers offer academically-challenging, for-credit options, and dual enrollment opportunities for middle and high school students.  Courses are free and include breakfast and lunch with limited transportation available.  Offered at these high schools:  Belleview, Dunnellon, Forest, Lake Weir, MTI, North Marion, Vanguard, and West Port, along with Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks.
• VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) – This program, now in its fifth year, targets students entering kindergarten this August. Runs Monday – Thursday, June 14 – August 5 (31 days), 7:45AM - 5:15PM at 10 elementary schools: Belleview, College Park, Dunnellon, East Marion, Emerald Shores, Hammett Bowen, Maplewood, Oakcrest, Sunrise, and Sparr.   Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided.
• Third Grade Summer Reading Camp – offered by invitation only to third graders who scored Level 1 in Reading on this year’s FCAT.  Students may retake the Stanford 10 Achievement Test for promotion consideration to fourth grade.  Runs Monday – Thursday, June 14 - July 22 (23 days), 8AM – 2PM at the elementary schools listed above.  Breakfast, lunch, and transportation provided.
•   Exceptional Student Education Extended School Year (ESY) – regularly-scheduled program offers continued education for students with special needs.  Operates two days weekly for six weeks at Hillcrest School.  Breakfast, lunch, and transportation provided.
• Camp Kiwanis – residential weekly summer camp for students throughout Marion County.  Runs June 21 - July 23 and offered through the Silver River Museum. Limited transportation provided.  Applications available at www.CampKiwanisOcala.com or by calling the Silver River Museum at 352.236.5401. 
•   Driver’s Education – offered at each of our high schools with the exception of Dunnellon High. Open to registered students only.  Session I runs June 14 - July 1 from 8:30AM - 3:30PM while Session II runs July 6 - 22 from 8:15AM - 3:45PM, Monday-Thursday (closed Monday, July 5^th).
•   Summer Safari Camp – by invitation only to approximately 40 students; offers hands-on experience with math, science and technology.  Based at Maplewood Elementary, students focus on exploring the science and mathematics of animals by conducting science labs, comparing results, and assembling technology projects.  They’ll also take field trips to the Lowery Park Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens, and Silver Springs.  Runs June 21 - 24 and June 28 - July 1, Monday - Thursday, 8AM - 2.30PM daily.  Completely underwritten by ACA Construction Group of Ocala.
• Summer Feeding Program – provides free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income level.  Operates in 19 central school kitchens and 31 satellite feeding locations.  Runs June 14 – August 5. 

For additional information on any of these programs, contact individual schools or my office at 352-671-7555.