Summer programming in Marshall: coding camps, credit recovery and special education ESY draw students and community support

Marshall Public School District staff reported on summer programming that included elementary coding camps, credit-recovery summer school at the ALC site and the district's Extended School Year (ESY) special education program. Elementary coding and enrichment: a staff presenter identified as Carol described a Code in Motion theme at Southview that served students in grades 1'6. Enrollment figures the presenter provided show 164 students registered for the first session with 16 teachers and one aide; the second session registered 98 students with nine teachers. Activities included technology-focused lessons, robotics (Edison and Sphero devices), VR headsets borrowed from the SWWC service cooperative, 3D-printing demonstrations and unplugged coding activities. Credit recovery and ALC summer school: Dan, who oversees ALC programming, said the three-week summer ALC program (June 9'20, off for Juneteenth) had 78 students attend from Marshall and Minneota; 90 had originally registered and about 12 were no-shows. Dan reported that roughly 73% of attendees earned at least one credit during the program, several earned 1.5 credits or more, and one student completed three credits and was able to graduate by the end of summer school. Dan said attendance varied daily and that the program benefited from having a permanent ALC site for instruction. ESY special education: Nancy, who runs the ESY program, said 12 students were scheduled to attend ESY and nine ultimately participated; some absences were due to medical issues or family arrangements. ESY services were IEP-driven and focused on maintaining or building skills, including communication device practice (Tobii Dynavox) and physical/mobility supports. Nancy highlighted one student who initially refused to enter the program but later returned and made meaningful connections. Community response and facilities: earlier in the meeting, the board spotlighted community partners that assisted with flood recovery at Marshall Middle School. Administrators thanked community contractors including Heartland Mechanical, HMI, Power Pros, Mike's Flooring, Duman Kuiper Construction, Hiscon Concrete and Stone Luxe Coating, and district maintenance staff and volunteers for their work restoring the building. Discussion vs. action: reporting and recognition were for information (discussion); no formal board action was taken on program content at the meeting. The presenters and administrators said the summer programs were broadly successful and will inform planning for the 2025'26 school year.