Magic School Bus runs at Daniel Field for three-week summer series, organizer says
Summary
Organizers said Magic School Bus, a teacher-run summer program active for at least 10 years, is operating at Daniel Field this week as part of a three-week series of two-hour sessions providing outdoor activities, reading and science lessons, and child care for families.
Magic School Bus, a summer outreach run by teachers and school personnel, is operating this week at Daniel Field in Shelby County as part of a three-week series intended to reach families across multiple counties, a program organizer said.
Organizers said the program — active for at least 10 years — brings a mix of school staff and bus drivers to different locations so children can get small-group attention, participate in reading and science lessons and take part in outdoor play. “We do it for 3 weeks during the summer. We travel to different locations. We like to spread out the counties so we can reach all the kids throughout the family,” the Program organizer said.
The program is structured as two-hour sessions, the organizer said, and aims to be both educational and recreational. “It's just like playing with a big kid. But we do more than just playing. Some reading lessons, some science lessons, gross motor, of course,” the Program organizer said. Children in attendance described activities such as kickball, water fights and crafts. “We play kickball. We do so many fun things,” a child participant said.
Organizer comments emphasized staffing and continuity: Magic School Bus is “run by teachers, bus drivers, school personnel,” and coordinators try to rotate staff from multiple schools so returning children see familiar faces. “The kids, they love the small group attention that they get from teachers. The teachers are so fun,” the Program organizer said. The organizer also said parents use the two-hour sessions as a short break to run errands and feel the children are safe with teachers: “It's 2 hours where they can come and just have a little break. They'll run their errands and they know that their kids are safe to experience teachers.”
Program goals described in the remarks include increasing awareness and participation across the school district. “My goal is I wish every kid in the district knew about it and understand how fun it is. I want families to know it's a fun, safe place to bring their kids,” the Program organizer said.
No funding details, formal approvals or action items were stated in the provided remarks.
