SPLASh! Program

Summer Program Learning for Advanced Students

• Welcome to the SPLASh! website.  SPLASh! is an annual summer program sponsored jointly by the Canon City GATE Department and Pueblo Community College for advanced students in the Canon City, Florence, Westcliffe, and Cotopaxi school districts.  Feel free to read all the information contained in this site concerning SPLASh or click on individual sections to locate the specific information you are searching for:

Details:

• In 2004, under the leadership of Carol Crossley, prior director of Canon City's GATE Department, Canon City School District combined efforts with Pueblo Community College-Fremont Campus to begin offering advanced summer classes for K-8 grade GATE students in Canon City, Florence, Penrose, Cotopaxi, and Westcliffe areas. The Colorado College's summer program for gifted students in Colorado Springs was used as a model for the Canon City program. Classes were designed to stretch students' imaginations and creative abilities as well as challenge their academic aptitudes. After Carol Crossley's retirement in 2008, the torch was passed to Beth Gaffney. In 2010, Todd Albrecht, CCHS choir director, was welcomed into the program; he offered a Broadway experience to high school students who were gifted in music. Adam Hartman, the former coordinator, took over SPLASh leadership in 2012 and continued working to insure that students are offered a quality program. The 2013 SPLASh program met the needs of over 170 students. In 2016, Shyla Christiansen joined efforts with Mr. Hartman and they co-coordinated the SPLASh program. The program continues to thrive and being an intricate part of Cañon City Schools. The summer of 2017, Mrs. Trisha Konty joined the ranks became the co-coordinator along with Mrs. Christiansen.

• Most SPLASh classes are two weeks in length, running from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (both weeks Tuesday through Friday). Some classes run one week therefore requiring longer class days; all classes provide 20 hours of contact time. Current applications provide the class, days, and times for each individual class. The current class brochure will be posted in the spring of 2024.

Tuition/Scholarships

• Classes cost $125, however some classes have added supply costs. Current applications give individual class tuition amounts.

Payment options:

•  One time payment of the complete amount.
•  Two partial payments with the final payment due by May 15th.
•  Parents may also apply for financial assistance if their child/children are currently eligible for their district's free or reduced lunch program. Since SPLASh is a GATE sponsored program, current GATE  students are given scholarship priority. Other decisions are based upon scholarship availability and date of request. *If a student has previously received a scholarship, we typically do not give an additional scholarship to that child again.
• Once an application has been submitted and a child is enrolled in a course, we cannot offer a refund. Be sure you are able to commit to the two weeks before signing up!

This program is designed for gifted and/or advanced students. Please contact Shyla Christiansen if you have any questions or need to request an application. shyla.christiansen@canoncityschools.org

 

Courses this summer!

*Going into the grade fall 2024

Are You Ready to Rock? 1st-2nd grades

Plants - Ready, Set, Grow! 1st-3rd grades

Cardboard Carnival  2nd-3rd grades

Art Around the World  3rd-4th grades

The Amazingly Gross Body  4th-5th  grades

Exploring 3D Printing  4th-5th grades

Broadcasting 101  5th-6th grades

Mock Trial: Student Attorneys  5th-6th grades

Broadway Bootcamp  6th-8th grades

Essential Skills: CPR/First Aid  7th-8th grades

River Science  7th-8th grades