' summer school is in session. Monday through Thursday mornings, students in grades ninth through 12th are at work in the (FHS) media center.
In a new twist, what one won't see, are teachers.
As part of a new program Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) is testing in some districts, Fenton's 2011 summer school is online, said FHS Assistant Principal Laura Lemke. Teachers are behind the scenes as support and not physically onsite at Fenton High School.
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"The teacher can be at their cabin up North teaching the class," Lemke said.
They have virtual office hours to respond to students' questions by smartphone or computer.
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As a result, students are navigating online learning, some for the first time. It will help some of them with college by using Blackboard, a learning management system, she said.
Another advantage to Fenton's online format is being able to offer more classes, which students could take for credit recovery or enrichment, she said. Subjects include algebra, Algebra II, world history, Spanish, physical education, health, government, economics, geometry, English and more.
Students can immediately see, online, the date and time they submit their work, she said. In addition, they can see the number of points possible and have immediate access to their grades. They can access their grades daily, and GISD will issue a final report card.
"We're really excited about it," Lemke said. "It's a pilot."
On Thursday, some Fenton High School students said they prefer the online format.
"It's good," said Megan Ribar, who is taking geometry and will be a junior in the fall. "It's a lot easier than just being in classes. I like being online instead of being in the classroom setting."
John Sulfaro, who is headed into his senior year at FHS, agrees.
"It's going pretty good," he said. Sulfaro, who is taking geometry and English III, had traditional summer school last year. "It's a lot easier when you don't have someone breathing down your neck."
Another soon-to-be senior, Haley Todd, is taking world history and biology. The biology information is very fun to read, Todd said. She was a bit behind in world history, though, because she found it "bland and boring."
"I just don't like doing it that much," she said. "It's going OK."
Other school districts in the GISD are offering summer school differently than Fenton, Lemke said. One district without air conditioning, for example, is not having students come into school for summer school classes. They do their online learning at home. Fenton has students meet in the high school media center so they have access to tech support if they have trouble uploading a document, for example. It's also useful for taking timed tests, and having access to passwords if needed.
Outside of summer school class hours, students continue their studies during afternoons and weekends, on their own. They have the option of finishing early, she said. Summer school began July 6 and officially ends Aug. 11, but a few students have worked ahead and already finished their classes. They made the decision to progress more quickly.
The Monday through Thursday format allows students to have three-day weekends with their families, Lemke said.
There was a $140 per class fee for the GenNET Virtual Summer School. Students could take up to two classes, with teachers from GenNET member district high schools.
