Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to La Salle College High School’s summer community! You are receiving this email because you have a student (or students) registered for La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program for the first session (June 17 – 27) or the full session (June 17 – July 18).  We are thrilled your family will be a part of our community this summer at La Salle. Welcome once again and thank you for joining us!

Before our summer community converges on campus, there is some information to convey to ensure everyone feels confident, ready, and safe for the first day and beyond. The remainder of this message outlines a timeline for communication for the next two weeks. My goal is to keep you informed but not overwhelmed.  These communications will be catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer in the section for the Pre-7th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program

Today, Monday, June 3 – Welcome message – This message contains a timeline for upcoming communication.

Wednesday, June 5 – Program details – Everything from pick up/drop off, lunch, dress code, medications, cell phones, etc. will be communicated via email on this date.

Wednesday, June 12 – Arrival instructions – This message will include what your students should expect upon arrival for their first day, focusing on where to go and who they will encounter.

Friday, June 14 – Transportation – If you are using La Salle’s transportation service, you will be made aware of the details on this date by an email from our director of transportation. We appreciate your patience in this process. As a reminder, any family who did not initially sign up for transportation may not now request it.

Welcome to La Salle.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I’m writing with the second message this week as we get ready for session one of La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program. Going forward, I will be in touch next Wednesday, June 12, with arrival instructions. All communications are catalogued on La Salle’s website at www.lschs.org/summer.  

Please note a small change in the communication regarding transportation. Families signed up for transportation will receive an email on Friday, June 7, confirming the service. Van drivers will then be in touch with families on either Friday, June 14, or Saturday, June 15, to introduce themselves and provide exact details. 

Today’s message includes general details for the program. It is organized in a “frequently asked questions” format. If you have a question that goes unanswered, do not hesitate to contact me.

Please bear in mind that there are no classes on Wednesday of the first week in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. That first week, then, runs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The second week runs from Monday through Thursday with no classes on Friday. More information on the calendar for the first two weeks can be found below.

Thanks again for your partnership as we get ready for the program. Best of luck to your students as they close out their regular school year.

Sincerely,

Steve

 

La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program

Program Details

 

Where should I pick up and drop off my student?

You may drop off your student starting at 8:10 am at the curb of the main entrance of the school.  Counselors will greet and escort him or her to the McShain Center. Your student will be waiting for you at 1:05 pm outside the main entrance in the same location as drop off. As a reminder, very specific arrival instructions (including where to drop off to facilitate vehicular flow and where your student will go upon entering and how to get there) will be issued on Wednesday, June 12.

 

What should my student bring?

A backpack with a notebook, pens, pencils, and folders will take care of your child’s academic needs. Having a refillable water bottle and sunscreen will be handy for the recreation period. Water bottles are among the most misplaced items. It’s helpful when personal effects bear a family name.

 

Will my student receive a schedule?

Yes. Each student will receive a paper copy of a personalized schedule on the first day of the program. It will tell them where to be, when to be there, and which adult will be leading the classroom experience. The schedule will be waiting in their mailbox, which is how we will communicate with students on a daily basis.

 

What about lunch? And what if my student has food allergies?

Students may buy lunch every day in the cafeteria or bring one from home. There are two forty-minute lunch periods beginning at 10:05 and 10:50, and the student’s lunch period will alternate daily to avoid an unusually early lunch every day.  In either case, these lunch times highlight the importance of packing a snack should your child get hungry in the early afternoon. Regarding food allergies, CulinArt, La Salle’s food service, has shared the following message: “We handle all the 9 major allergens(soy, sesame, wheat, nuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk & eggs)  in our kitchen and although all staff goes through rigorous allergen and food safety training, we cannot guarantee any of our food is completely allergen free due to airborne cross contamination. If any of our camper have a severe allergy, we suggest packing lunch for this student. We will list the nine major allergens on each item as it is menued.”

 

What should my student wear?  Is there a dress code?

There is no formal dress code, and students should wear clothing they find comfortable for both the classroom and the ballfield and appropriate for a school setting. Because students will engage in physical activity during the recreation period, we ask that they arrive in sneakers instead of flip flops, sandals, or crocs (or similar). The former provides the support necessary for recreational activities, while the latter increase the likelihood of a foot or ankle injury. We appreciate your support.

 

When will I know the details for transportation?

Families signed up for transportation will receive an email on Friday, June 7, confirming the service. Van drivers will then be in touch with families on either Friday, June 14, or Saturday, June 15, to introduce themselves and provide exact details. As a reminder, families who did not sign up for transportation may not now request it.

What if I need to pick up my student early?

Please send a handwritten note to school with your student. Please address it to me (Mr. Horvath), letting me know what time you will pick up your student so we can gather him/her to the main office by the time you arrive.  

What happens during the day, anyway?

The morning consists of an all school meeting followed by enrichment classes in English and Math with a focus on HSPT preparation. The middle part of the day provides time for eating, socializing, and organized recreation.  A rotating selection of art and science then allows students to engage with a hands on learning environment, and the weekly themed class caps off the day. Keep in mind that homework will not be assigned and that students do not need to purchase any books for the program. The schedule below provides a snapshot of a typical day.

8:20-8:30	Morning meeting
1) 8:35–9:15	Math / English / HSPT prep
2) 9:20–10:00	Math / English / HSPT prep
3) 10:05–10:45	Lunch / Recreation
4) 10:50 -11:30	Lunch / Recreation
5) 11:35-12:15	Art / Science
6) 12:20–1:00	Theme

 

The weekly themed classes are for the first and second week of the program are STEM and Improv, respectively. 

Will bad weather ever cancel the program for a day?

In the case of severe and dangerous weather, yes, but this is highly unlikely. Should school close for a day, you will be notified via email beforehand.  If the weather turns ugly, all outdoor recreational activities will be moved indoors and the day will proceed as planned. 

What if my student will be absent?

No problem! Send an email to Horvaths@lschs.org reporting the absence.

What happens with cell phones?

If students bring a phone to school, we’ll ask that they keep them silenced and inside their backpacks unless a teacher requests that they use it for a classroom activity. Laptops and tablets may be brought to school, but their use is at the discretion of the teacher.  Neither La Salle nor its personnel are responsible for lost, missing, or broken electronic devices.

My student needs to take medication.  What should I do?

If possible, we ask that you administer meds before your student leaves your care in the morning or once they return home in the afternoon.  If their med schedule requires dosage during the school day, please personally deliver the medication to the school’s main office with written instructions including the student’s name, time of administration, and dosage. Mr. David Crowe, La Salle’s athletic trainer, tends to the medical needs of all athletic and enrichment camps during the summer, and he will be in charge of administering meds to students in the enrichment program. 

What is the program calendar for the first two weeks?

Please bear in mind that there are no classes on Wednesday of the first week in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. That first week, then, runs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The second week reverts to the Monday through Thursday schedule. More information on the calendar for the first two weeks can be found below. You’ll also notice that the calendar changes slightly on Friday, June 21 and Thursday, June 27. That Friday features a field day in the morning (when its cooler outside) followed by Math and English classes. The day concludes with an all-school assembly (who won field day?!). Field day ends the week on a high note, giving the students a change in routine, an alternate way to exercise their minds and bodies, and a chance to bond with their classmates. Thursday, June 27, is when all the first session students take the HSPT. The full session students, who take the HSPT on Thursday, July 18, will go on a field trip on Thursday, June 27.

Dates

• Full Session: June 17 – July 18
• Session 1: June 17 – June 27 (no classes 6/19)
• Session 2: July 8 – 18 (no classes 7/12) 

Each summer, La Salle hosts an academic enrichment program for rising seventh and eighth grade students.  The mission of the program is to create a welcoming and inclusive community comprised of students, teachers, staff, and counselors who are dedicated to creating personal connections and fostering personal growth. 

In addition to preparation in English and Math for the High School Placement Test, students attend classes in art and science.  The day ends with a weekly themed class. This year’s theme include STEM (weeks 1 and 3) and Improv (weeks 2 and 4). 80% of students improved their score in the HSPT, with 45% improving by more than 10 points. In addition, attendees from the 2023 summer program earned nearly $900,000 in four-year scholarships to La Salle. The summer of 2024 will give us the opportunity to gather as a community with the goal of celebrating our community and fine-tuning our talents. We hope to count your rising seventh and eighth students among them this summer.  The program is open to boys and girls.

 

The program is open to boys and girls who will be in either 7^th or 8^th grade during the 2024-25 school year. 

25 current La Salle scholarship winners attended the program, including the full scholarship winners from the Classes of 2022 and 2023.  In addition, numerous girls have gone on to excel at local high schools, including all-female schools like the Mount and Gwynedd.

There are three options.  Students can attend the first two weeks of the program (session one), the second two weeks of the program (session two), or all four weeks (full session).  All students have an opportunity to take a full-scale practice High School Placement test during the program.  Keep in mind that there are no classes on Fridays.

 

Session One

June 17-27

No classes on Wednesday, June 19

$700 ($560 early bird discount through Wednesday, May 8)

 

Session Two

July 8-18

No classes on Friday, July 12

$700 ($560 early bird discount through Wednesday, May 8)

 

Full Session

June 17 – July 18

No classes on Wednesday, June 19 and Friday, July 12

Price $1300 ($1040 early bird discount through Wednesday, May 8)

The day is divided into three parts.  In the morning, students start their day with a community wide morning meeting featuring guest speakers and team building exercises.  Students then take classes in Math and English preparing them for the High School Placement Test.  The second part of the day includes lunch and recreation.  The afternoon finds students taking art or science, which rotate weekly, and they end the day with the weekly themed class.  Below is a schedule for a typical day.

 

8:00 – 8:20 – Students arrive

8:20 – 8:30 – Morning Meeting

8:35 – 9:15 – Math

9:20 – 10:00 – English

10:05 – 10:45 – Recreation

10:50 – 11:30 – Lunch

11:35 – 12:15 – Art or Science

12:20 – 1:00 – Weekly Themed Class

1:00 – Dismissal

Each week includes a unique class that takes place at the end of the day.  These classes run from Monday through Wednesday of each week.  Thursdays will feature a field day or a full-scale practice High School Placement Test (HSPT). 

Session 1

Week of June 17: STEM
Week of June 24: Improv

Session 2

Week of July 8: STEM
Week of July 15: Improv

HSPT Dates

• Session 1 students: Thursday, June 27
• Session 2 and Full Session students: Thursday, July 18

It is important to know that all students will take a diagnostic math test before beginning the program.  This diagnostic is used to place students in the appropriate math section.  In addition to the diagnostic, we ask that parents select a math class for their student during registration.  Having both the results of the diagnostic and the parental input allow us to place students in the correct section with a high degree of precision.  Also, in the event a student is unable to take the math diagnostic before the program begins, the parental selection serves as a back up for placement.

The four options are as follows.

Math 7.1, Math 7.2, Math 8.1, Math 8.2

Choose Math 7.1 or 7.2 if your student will be a 7^th grader during the upcoming school year.  Choose 7.1 if they are in honors math, choose 7.2 if they are in a regular math class.

Choose Math 8.1 or 8.2 if your student will be an 8^th grader during the upcoming school year.  Choose 8.1 if they are in honors math, choose 8.2 if they are in a regular math class.

All math courses cover content related to the High School Placement Test (HSPT) and no one section is bound to certain curricular topics.  The purpose of the sections, then, is to aid in the process of grouping students together of similar abilities.  The advanced sections cover may start with more complex topics and advance at a faster pace, whereas the regular sections may review more basic elements of the HSPT and move at a slower pace.

Math topics include: fractions, ratios and proportions, decimals, percents, number manipulation, non-geometric comparisons, coordinate plane, geometry, surface area and volume, geometric comparisons, sequences, problem solving, linear equations, linear inequalities, statistics and probability.

Yes, transportation is available for a $225 fee per session, or for $400 for the full session. 

Transportation requests must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Saturday, June 1, to be eligible to receive the service. Every effort will be made to accommodate your transportation needs; however, this service is not guaranteed as it depends on a route’s viability and an area’s demonstrated need. If we are unable to provide transportation for you, you will receive a full refund. You may be asked to drive your student to a common meeting point to facilitate transportation. One-way transportation is not available.