Thousands of students take part in Alexandria Public Schools 1st-ever online summer school

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (ABC7) — Rising fifth-grader Sydney Robasson is interacting with her teacher and classmates before the school year even begins.

"We learned about infographics and we connected where stuff is made to other places," said Robasson.

The learning is coming from Alexandria City Public Schools' first virtual summer school.

"Here we are getting to know each other before I get into my room and we're building that relationship," said teacher Stacey Swickert.

It's called Summer Learning Through Engagement and Enrichment for All; a program created to address the loss of learning caused by the pandemic.

"There's science content, there's math, there's social studies, there's reading. So we're basically covering all of the content in an abbreviated format," Swickert said.

She teaches some of the more than 14,000 students participating in the free program; including Robasson.

The 10-year-old who attends Samuel Tucker Elementary School received a kit full of supplies before summer classes started on July 6.

"They gave us stuff to use like the clay and the booklet. I don't usually have those at my house so that was cool," said Robasson.

"It'll make starting next year so much easier; so much smoother," said Swickert.

Most Alexandria City Public School students are participating in the program which ends on July 31.