What is May Term?
by Noah Schmelzer (7th grade) and Bobby Vander Aarde (8th grade), ARTech
Most people have no clue to what May Term is. May Term is the last three weeks of school at the Northfield School of Arts and Technology, also known as ARTech. There are many seminars a student can choose from, including half-day and full-day classes. If you are a student at ARTech, you can either choose a full-day seminar or a half-day seminar. The half-day seminars proceed until lunch time, and then a different class goes on after lunch. A student may only choose one full- day seminar or two half-day seminars: an A.M. and a P.M. class. These are determined before May Term starts. May Term started on May 24, 2010, and ends on June 11, 2010.
The Mayterms are:
- Trip to New York
- Trip to Wolf Ridge
- Sustainable Living
- A Play in Production
- The Boat Project
- World Cuisine
- Community Service Outreach (A.M.)
- Writing Workshop (A.M.)
- Leadership Under the Lens (P.M)
- Baseball (P.M)
These classes start at 8:05 and end at 2:35, taking up the whole day for the last three weeks of school.
We talked to the school’s director, Simon Tyler, about May Term. He was climbing into a canoe in the Mississippi river by Winona, helping with the Boat Project, when he was interviewed.
Why do we do May Term?
Simon: It provides an opportunity for students to go deeper into their education. It gives students time to explore larger questions.
What is your opinion on May Term?
Simon: It lets staff and students create projects that they can finish with excitement. They are able to explore more in depth. The students are able to tackle projects that take us off site. For example, there is the New York trip, the Wolf Ridge, Community Service Learning trip, and the Boat Project. Students are able to learn from the members of the community.
Do you like it?
Simon: I am a big fan of Mayterm. I like the energy it creates at the end of the year. It is a massive commitment for the school.
Do you think it is better than three weeks of regular school?
Simon: At the end of the year it is better than three weeks of regular school. It gives an opportunity to do group projects. It is an innovation in charter schools.
Do you think a lot of people in Northfield know about it?
Simon: I don’t know. I think we publicize it. I like it and it is a good idea to share it with the community.
