Topeka Public Schools highlights citywide summer enrichment with meals and hands-on learning

A Topeka Public Schools staff member said the district’s summer offerings span multiple schools across the city and are designed to keep students engaged academically and socially while school is out.

"School never stops. keep those skills sharp and they can just hit the ground running in August without that lapse of routine," the staff member said, noting that programs include breakfast and lunch and a mix of camps and summer-school options.

The programs feature hands-on activities students said they enjoy. "My favorite part has been being with my friends," one student said, highlighting the social benefits of the summer groups. Another student described academic enrichment options: "I think that my favorite thing was coding robotics ... I was able to basically make whatever I wanted. Last week I did chess and then this week coding robotics. We're learning how to fly drones. It's fun."

District staff said bringing students and staff from multiple schools together for summer enrichment builds a sense of Topeka Public Schools community and supports ongoing development of social skills, academic skills and critical thinking.

Officials did not specify program enrollment numbers, exact sites, or funding sources in the remarks provided. The district also did not state specific start and end dates for the various camps in the remarks excerpted here.