Hawthorne Elementary hosted “Get Ready for Summer,” a community event that was meant for parents, just as much as it was for students on April 22.

“We just wanted to have something to finish the year with to get kids ready for summer — keep them busy,” Katie Lehnen, Hawthorne Elementary principal, said.

While there is plenty for families to look forward to over the summer, Robin Friedrich, Eugene Field Elementary assistant principal, is mostly excited for summer school. She was there at Hawthorne to play games with students and encourage parents to sign their Bulldogs up.

“Kids should join summer school because we are going to have a blast, enjoy all the fun things that school has to offer and make new friends,” Friedrich said.

While some may think summer school is only for kids who didn’t perform as well academically, Brett Davis, Hawthorne Elementary assistant principal, said summer school is for everyone.

“I think it’s important to provide something that is more enjoyable, not that school isn't always fun,” Davis said. “Summer school is more hands-on, so it gets kids more interested in learning.”

The 2026 Summer School calendar for kindergarten through second grade features dress up days with themes including pajamas, superheroes, Bulldog Pride (red and gray), Disney characters and crazy socks. Other highlights include trips to Lakeview Park and Presser Arts Center, a foam party and a water day.

Dr. Troy Lentz, Mexico School District superintendent, said there are a number of reasons to attend summer school, but the primary one is that it helps with the “summer slide.”

“You can get extra days in the classroom,” Lentz said. “You’re going to be more likely to retain knowledge that you acquired during the school year.”

And, Lentz said he thinks summer school is fun, especially at the elementary level.

“The kids have a good time at summer school, and they need to be out of the house,” he said. “They need to be around kids and they need to be around teachers.”

There is a financial incentive for the district to offer a summer program as it boosts weighted average daily attendance, but the district’s summer programs are free to participants.

Summer School registration is open and students can be enrolled at any time before or during the program. However, to ensure transportation on the first day, the district asks that registration be completed by May 9.

Enrollment may be done online at mexicoschools.net through May 30, in person at Eugene Field Elementary at 704 W. Boulevard St., by calling DeOnna Wieberg at 573-567-7410 or Eugene Field Elementary School at 573-581-5268. Parents and guardians of Eugene Field Elementary students can also call the school to request a paper copy to be sent home with the student and returned to the school’s office.

Summer school was just one small part of the afternoon.

As part of Hawthorne’s first “Get Ready for Summer” event, the local elementary schools, including the private schools as well as local homeschool groups were invited to meet with representatives from the Mexico Area Family YMCA, Mexico Optimist Club, Mexico-Audrain County Library, City of Mexico Parks and Recreation, Boy Scouts Troop 57, Arthur Center Community Health and Presser Arts Center, Audrain County Health Department and Central Missouri Community Action.

There was also a Scholastic Book Fair in the library and more than enough face paint to go around.