Nampa invests in summer school for migrant kids

NAMPA — Incoming Skyview High School freshman Esther Castaneda knows that education is the key to achieving her dream — she wants to be a fashion designer.

For three weeks this summer, Castaneda is sitting in a classroom at Endeavor Elementary School working to improve her English and math skills during Nampa’s migrant summer school program.

“I’m taking an extra step to follow my passion in fashion designing and modeling,” Castaneda said.

Castaneda is a child of a migrant worker. It’s not uncommon for migrant children to lose months of learning because of moving around as their parents search for work. Migrant work is heavily tied to agriculture and fishery, which are seasonal.

The summer school program is optional and enrolls 100 migrant students of the 223 in the Nampa School District. Students must qualify to be part of the migrant program. Summer classes are small, up to 10-15 students with a teacher and teaching assistant.

“These students don’t always get the help that they need,” said Alejandra Howell, a summer school teacher. “This is a time to refresh and apply new skills for the students.”

The summer program is federally funded specifically for migrants and is open to students from pre-K through eighth grade.

The classes focus on language arts and math, but also feature Camp Invention, a nationwide summer enrichment where teachers use hands-on problem solving curriculum to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“It’s about the bigger idea and real-world skills,” said Howell. “As a teacher, I want the students to think about building, design and engineering — 21^stcentury jobs that are available.”

Forty-three Idaho school districts receive funding for migrant students.