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Yanmife (right) enjoys some computer time at Ryerson Elementary School recently. (SIMON FULLER)

School’s in for the summer at Ryerson Elementary School.

And students, staff and volunteers are enjoying keeping the learning curve alive as part of the CSI Summer Learning Enrichment Program.

This year, the Pembina Trails School Division school became the first outside Winnipeg School Division to become active in the program, which is designed to combat summer learning loss and create good habits.

Twelve inner-city schools, including David Livingstone and William Whyte schools, are currently involved with the five-week program.

Jane Friesen, PTSD’s director of clinical and extended services, said the kids are reaping the benefits of a day-to-day routine structured around study and fun.

The Linden Woods resident said that after starting the day with a collective breakfast, the children are divided up to take part in morning activities designed to strengthen math, reading, problem-solving, language and writing skills.

Under the supervision of teacher and co-ordinator of the Ryerson CSI program, Tiffanny Latour, students from the universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg and Fort Richmond and Vincent Massey collegiates provide support and mentorship.

"What’s really interesting is that we had around 68 students to start off with, we now have 65 and attendance is rarely below 60 on a daily basis," said Latour, who lives in Richmond West, noting that the kids have learned a lot about healthy eating and nutrition under food co-ordinator, Subheen Suboor.

After the morning learning, followed by lunch, the students engage in physical exercise or cultural activities in the afternoon, which have so far included trips to the Manitoba Museum, a scavenger hunt and rocket-making contest.

"We go on field trips and we learn things. The rockets were so cool. We got to design our own and then launch them to see which one went the farthest," said Julius, aged 8, who hails from Rwanda.

Another student, who comes from the Philippines, enjoyed getting creative with a camera. "We did this photography project and took pictures and captions on them for a photo journal," said Maria, 12.

"I totally loved the Manitoba Museum and the Planetarium best, because I learned about planets," added Jimi, 7, who paused to reflect on his Canadian birth. "I’m just the plain old guy around here," he said.

Principal Sheena Braun is excited about Ryerson’s involvement in the program, which is geared to the needs of the community.

"The demographics in Fort Richmond have changed considerably, even in the four years I’ve been here," said Braun, a Riverview resident. "There are now a lot more newcomers to Canada, where English isn’t their first language."

"Even things like eating a healthy meal, wasting less food and sitting at the table are important things to learn. And a child from Somalia has probably never seen something like a shepherd’s pie before."

Braun added that two of the main goals of the program are to "create systematic partnerships for planning and build healthy relationships in the local and larger community."

The school division, the province and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg are key players in the initiative.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com