When school ends in June, learning does not stop in the Dodgeville School District. This year, over 350 students of all ages joined the Summer Learning program. They learned new skills, made friends, and grew outside the regular school year.
Even with summer jobs, sports, and busy schedules, students from elementary, middle, and high school took part. The program gave everyone a chance to try new hobbies and build real-life skills.
Connecting with Community
Instead of sitting at desks all day, students went outside to learn about safety, local history, and nature. “Our Summer Learning program is a vital link between our schools and the greater community,” said Ben Laxton, Summer Learning Director. “Whether our students are exploring state parks, earning safety certifications, or connecting with local partners, these experiences reinforce that learning happens everywhere and that our community is invested in every child’s success.”
Here are a few highlights from the summer:
· Exploring Outdoors: Students took trips to local parks and historic spots, including hands-on activities at Governor Dodge State Park.
· Safety and Life Skills: Kids took important real-world classes like Tractor Safety, Driver’s Education, and Hunter’s Safety.
· College Partnerships: Thanks to Southwest Technical College, students took a Driver’s Education class in person. A new rule lets 14-yearolds start early so they can drive with an instructor next year.
. Practical Arts: Hands-on classes like Homesteading and Gardening taught kids how to grow food and rely on themselves.
. New Cultures: Students learned American Sign Language, Spanish, and traditional art forms like Rangoli and Mehendi.
Hear From Our Community
The best way to see the success of the program is through the voices of teachers, students, and parents.
Teacher Perspectives
“One of my favorite parts of teaching Cheer Basics, Cheer Advanced, and Skills Factory was watching students build friendships while growing as individuals and teammates … it was rewarding to see those ‘aha!’ moments that showed them how much can be accomplished through teamwork.” – Kellie Proffit, Summer Learning Instructor
“I love giving our kids the opportunity to explore nature in our community at Governor Dodge. Encouraging kids to get wet and dirty while experimenting with sand and water provides so much learning about our world … I love our trips to the State Park.” – Tracy Kite, Summer Learning Instructor
“As a teacher, sharing a part of my culture through rangoli and mehendi has been incredibly rewarding. Although these traditions come from another country, they have sparked curiosity, encouraged meaningful conversations, and brought our Summer Learning community closer together.” – Gowthami Mohanraj, Summer Learning Instructor
“My favorite thing about Summer Learning is seeing kids get excited about the classes they’re taking. Students can learn to garden, paint murals, perform in a musical, play water games, learn to golf, and so much more. At the same time, they have opportunities to strengthen their reading and math skills. There’s truly something for every kid.” – Ryan Miles, Summer Learning Instructor
Student Voices
For the students, summer learning was all about making friends and trying fun activities:
. “It was really fun and we did a lot of activities … I got to make things and learn about music.”
. “Homesteading class was fun because I got to make food and stuff!”
. “I liked learning sign language and seeing all of my teachers.”
. “We got to go outside during Water Explorations class and play with water.”
Family Reflections
Parents liked the flexible classes, hands-on learning, and the way the program kept kids active:
. “Homesteading and gardening have been the top classes my children have taken. They absolutely love the teacher! These are skills that I want my kids to learn and I truly hope the program continues next year!” – Elementary Parent
. “We greatly appreciate having a local class for Hunter’s Safety. We feel gun safety is extremely important for youth.” – District Parent
. “How excited our son was to be there and tell us about his experience every day-so well done! Every single person from day one was amazing and lovely.” – District Parent . “Helps prevent the summer slide and allows kids to remain in touch with friends outside of the normal school year.” – District Parent
Looking Ahead
From cheering and coding on 3D printers to playing pickleball and hiking local trails, Dodgeville’s Summer Learning program showed that summer is a great time to learn. The district thanks all the teachers, community partners, and families who made this summer special!
