It sometimes takes an “outsider” to bring special focus to a community challenge. The Spy noticed this last year with our first “Chestertown Futures” interview with noted architect Alex Castro, when he brought a fresh insight to Chestertown’s development plans. The same is true with the Spy’s conversation with Stan Salett, who has recently taken up part-time residence on the shores of Langford Creek after a long and distinguished career in education policy.
Salett’s fingerprints can be found on some of the most successful public education programs developed in the twentieth century, including his role as one of the primary architects of both Headstart and Upward Bound. As a key aide to both Robert Kennedy and Sargent Shriver in the 1960’s, Stan has seen both the promise of public education, and more recently, the demonization of the federal and state government’s role in helping educated young people.
For Salett, the future success of education must rest on “time on task.” He points out that the countries that lead in education have children stay in school longer. In his opinion, that same should be true for Kent County, with special emphasis on pre-school, after-school and summer school programs.
Profiles in Education is a new six part series on Kent County education. Next month, a profile of Kent County High School.
Bob G says
Great interview! Welcome to Kent County, Mr. Salett. Let’s hope Kent County
is able to take advantage of your insights and expertise.
Mary Wood says
The Church Hill Theatre has run a summer program for students for many years. It is called the Green Room Gang,and they are taught all aspects of putting on a show at the end of the session. I believe Prince Theatre has a similar program. Many disciplines and skills , art,music,memorization,team work are involved. The Sultana and Echo Hill boat trips also offer summer learning experiences.
Jimbo says
For the past 15 years Radcliffe Creek School has provided both traditional and summer programs for students who struggle with learning challenges. Radcliffe Creek School is also the home of Horizons, a six-week, full-day educational enrichment summer session for low-income K-8 public school students with a broad range of academic abilities. As Mrs. Wood said, the Church Hill Theatre and the Prince Theatre offer programs. And Echo Hill and Sultana have been enriching students for years. There are county summer programs and church programs. We have Camp Pecometh and Camp Tockwogh and Grove Point . Many churches in the area offer summer programs. There are many affordable opportunities for student summertime enrichment in our area. It is up to the parents to make it happen for their kids.
Carla Massoni says
From a percentage basis, how many students are served by the programs “Jimbo” and Mary mention? Are we making a dent? These are such wonderful programs!!
Jimbo says
Radcliffe Creek School has 67 enrolled right now drawing students from 5 Shore counties and Delaware. The RCS summer program typically is fully enrolled. Another program I forgot is the Kent County Chess program @ the library. Echo Hill, Tockwogh, Pecometh and the counties run day camps reach many local kids (hopefully they won’t fall to budget axes). Horizons filled several classrooms @ RCS last summer. Percentage-wise the number is unfortunately low, but the programs are out there and available, and there are talented, dedicated people making them happen year in and year out. Also, WAC continues to be a great source of interns and graduates for local educational programs.
Kay MacIntosh says
Enjoyed learning more about Stan’s background and expertise. Thanks Dave (you continue to be a Star!). And thanks to Jimbo for mentioning Horizons at Radcliffe Creek School, which does indeed address that summer slide through a six-week enrichment program. It helps the children stay at grade level or higher so they go back to school in the fall feeling more confident and engaged and ready to succeed. We are able to serve about 60 children each summer and are adding a fifth-grade level this year. (Great videos on the national web site: http://www.horizonsnational.org) Stan, I hope you will find some time to get involved with education here in Kent County. We are glad you and Liz are here!
connie schroth says
Horizons at Radcliffe Creek School serves around 10% of the total population of Garnett, Worton and Rock Hall elementary schools at our 6-week summer program at Radcliffe Creek School at almost no cost to their low-income families. Last year 2/3 of our students improved 2-4 months in reading skills and the same number were able to swim across the deep end of the Kent County Community Center pool by the end of the program. For those students, Horizons worked.
Horizons National received an Excellence Award from the National Summer Learning Association in 2010 for its programming; research supports the summer learning paradigm as a strong antidote to “summer slide” and to reducing the infamous achievement gap.
Welcome, Mr. Salett! I hope you will support all the programs mentioned in the comments on your interview. Kent County children in poverty need a break.
Timothy J. Lloyd Jr. says
After reading Mr. Metcalf’s comment on kentcbg.org regarding this article about Profiles in Education, Kay Macintosh and Connie Schroth have good information about Radcliffe Creek School’s providing for Kent County’s children. Very informative article regarding today’s education system.