Empire Union School District offers summer enrichment programs for K-8

Families with students wanting to make the most academically of their summer break could do so with Empire Union School District’s summer school program.

The program, which runs from June 3 to July 3, offers students opportunities to showcase their creativity and learn real-world skills through hands-on activities, student-led projects and field trips, according to a press release.

“The program is more enrichment- based, and doing things with the kids, like taking them on field trips to places they would never [had the chance to] go,” said Traci Fuller, a coordinator for the summer program.

The press release mentions students can participate in creative enrichment clubs, field learning and a summer news crew.

Five clubs offer various activities best suited to a student’s interest. Those clubs are Crocheting and Latch Hook, Science and Technology, Career Pathways, Puppet-Making and Performance and Theatre.

Field learning involves students going on field trips to places like Oracle Park, where the San Francisco Giants play or the Jelly Belly Factory in CITY. They can learn about how a major league ballpark operates or how candy is made.

The summer news crew is a student-run media team that reports on what is happening at the schools, conducts interviews and produces video segments.

Additionally, there is an after-school session where students do various activities such as arts and crafts and sports. One of those activities is painting ceramic clay animals.

The program was previously available to students who needed academic support, Fuller said. However, in the last few years, all students, regardless of their academic standing, could enroll. This also helps working parents.

“Whether it’s because their parents work or if it’s because their parents can’t afford it, I want them to be able to take away the fun things and do things they normally don’t get to do,” she said.

Fuller said two two-week sessions are held for the program.

In an email to The Bee, Nichole Gutierrez, the district’s after-school education and safety program coordinator, said the program is being held at Capistrano and Empire Elementary Schools.

Kracie Garcia, an incoming sixth grader at Alice N. Stroud Elementary said she joined the program because she wanted to be active and didn’t want to spend her summer break inside her home

“Just go outside once in a while in your house in [the] summer,” Garcia said. “I’m glad that I signed up for it, because I don’t want to be bored in the house.”

Francisco Patino is a paraprofessional for the summer program. He assists teachers in the classroom, making sure students are on task.

Patino said he takes the time to listen to the students. He said that not every student has the same experience at home. “Sometimes they go home and that was their last meal of the day or that was their last interaction of the day,” Patino said.

Fuller said 400 students are enrolled this summer, making it the largest enrollment recorded in the program.

Families in the school district received a Google enrollment link to their account on the Parent Square app. The program is free of charge.

This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM.