Warden closes out its five-week-long summer school program with a splash

WARDEN — Warden Summer School wrapped up Thursday with a field day full of water balloons, relay races, wet sponges, laughter and plenty of smiles, bringing an energetic close to five weeks of learning, creativity and exploration. 

According to Summer School Supervisor Lisa Lucas, this year's program served students from elementary through high school and focused on making learning engaging and hands-on. Students spent the summer studying topics ranging from the "Seven Wonders of the World" to world cultures, literature, science, art and technology. 

“The students don't even know they're learning,” Lucas said. “They're having so much fun.” 

One of the highlights of the summer was the middle school's exploration of the Seven Wonders of the World. Middle school students spent five weeks researching famous landmarks, creating presentations, and building detailed models using a variety of materials. 

Middle school teacher Veronica Kern said students constructed pyramids from paper, the Roman Colosseum from clay, sections of the Great Wall of China from paper towel rolls, and even created a 3D Taj Mahal. Their final project featured a papier-mâché model of Machu Picchu. 

At the beginning of the program, many students knew very little about the wonders they would be studying. By the end, Kern said most students demonstrated mastery of the material, with many earning perfect scores on post-assessments. 

In addition to world history, students read novels including Wonder, Maniac Magee, and Lord of the Flies. They completed art projects, character studies, collages and presentations that connected what they learned in class with hands-on activities. 

For older students, afternoons featured rotating enrichment stations led by different teachers. Students were able to participate in art projects, board games, STEM challenges, technology activities, and cultural lessons. 

Teacher Daniel De La Rosa said one of his favorite parts of summer school was creating a learning environment that was both educational and fun. 

“I would say being able to connect with students in a learning environment that is fun and engaging,” De La Rosa said. 

Students virtually traveled the world while learning about different countries, cultures, and even international sports. During enrichment time, they could work together on STEM projects, play educational games, or participate in technology-based activities. 

The summer also included weekly field trips designed to give students new experiences outside the classroom. Migrant Supervising Teacher Vanessa Valdez organized outings that included visits to the library, movies, museums, and bowling alleys. 

Valdez said her goal was to provide opportunities some students may not otherwise experience while keeping learning at the center of every activity. 

“I really just try to focus on different things that the kids may not have time or be able to experience throughout the year,” Valdez said. 

One of the biggest highlights for students each year is Field Day, held on the last day of summer school. Valdez organized around 10 activity stations featuring teamwork challenges, races and water games. 

Students worked together to navigate oversized team skis, strategizing and communicating with teammates as they raced across the field. The day concluded with one of the most anticipated activities of all: a giant water balloon fight. 

The elementary students held their field day earlier in the week, while middle school students celebrated Thursday. High school students marked the end of summer school with a field trip to the Tri-Cities for go-kart racing and laser tag. 

A special showcase earlier in the week gave students an opportunity to share what they learned throughout the summer. Classes presented projects based on their studies, including puppet shows inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World, cultural dances, and student presentations.  

Freshman-to-be Norverto Pantaleon, known to classmates as Beto, also shared his musical talents. Lucas described him as an accomplished singer and guitarist who performs at weddings and community events. 

Teachers agreed that one of the program's greatest successes was student engagement. Attendance remained exceptionally high throughout the five-week session, with middle school attendance reaching approximately 95 percent.  

The supportive atmosphere also stood out. Lucas noted the middle school program completed the entire summer without a single behavior referral, something she called remarkable. 

Many of the teachers travel from neighboring districts to teach in Warden each summer because of the program's collaborative environment. They credited Lucas, district administrators, and the Warden community for creating a culture that supports both students and educators. 

“This is what brings us back every year,” teacher Beth Glover said. “It's very student-centered.” 

    Warden Middle School students attempt to fill a bucket, blindfolded and racing against another team. Each student dumped the water they collected behind them, attempting to make it into the next cup.
  

    Sponges were provided to the Warden Middle School students for a relay race where students filled the sponges in a bucket full of water and ran to an empty bucket to empty the sponge. Students decided that the sponges also made a good water attacking option.
  

    On the last day of Warden Middle School’s summer school, students gathered around the garden hose, learning the age-old trick of sticking a finger in the water hose to make it spray everywhere.
  

    During the water balloon fight on the last day of Warden Middle School’s summer school program, students got creative about how they were going to attack each other, some using buckets, others the garden hose, most the water balloons.
  

    A Warden Middle School student asked to be sprayed by the garden hose during the field day during the last day of summer school.
  

    A Warden Middle School student armed with a sponge attacks one of their friends with water during the field day Thursday.