Children pick out free books and get a t-shirt from the Warren County Public Library Summer Reading Program during the Warren County Public School's English as a Second Language camp Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Warren Elementary School. (Miranda Pederson/photo@bgdailynews.com)

It may be summer vacation for students in Warren County, but it’s almost as if the school year never ended for Curtis Willis and his group of English as a second language students. 

That’s because the students are a part of an ESL summer program hosted at Warren Elementary School. The program is meant to help the kids stay sharp on their English skills over the summer. 

Willis’ class is made up of several different nationalities. There are students from Southwest Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

On Wednesday, students learned about the word “media” and some of the professions in that field by drawing pictures and writing. When lunchtime came, Willis, who teaches ESL at Cumberland Trace Elementary during the school year, quizzed the kids on their English by instructing them to line up based on their characteristics, such as wearing a collared shirt. 

“If you have a ponytail, line up please,” he said. 

The students, who are from Warren, Briarwood, Alvaton and Lost River elementary schools, according to organizers, learned about entrepreneurship from Junior Achievement, learned about obesity from Kids on the Block, and participated in Warren County Public Library’s summer reading program. 

Students also got to learn outside the classroom through field trips, such as visiting Lost River Cave. 

Mohammed Kamaluldeen, from Iraq, is 9 years old and will attend Lost River Elementary as a fourth-grader next year. Mohammed said he enjoyed going on the program’s field trips. His classmate, Lun Pi, 11, also enjoyed visiting Lost River Cave, which helped her remember the rock cycle, she said. 

“I think it’s just a review and a good review,” she said about the program. 

Willis said he’s learned from his students, such as the importance of trying to have a reciprocal relationship with his students. 

“You’re more willing to learn from a teacher that is inclusive,” he said. 

Volunteer Mary Neal said she’s gotten a lot out of the program, which has gotten her out of her house. 

”You learn a whole lot,” she said. 

Janet Yaeger has been helping organize the program since it started about 13 years ago.

The program, which Yaeger said is free to ESL students within the district, began this year on June 15 and will wrap up Friday. She said the program has averaged about 70 participants each day and includes fourth- through seventh-graders. The kids are also provided breakfast and lunch. 

Yaeger described the growth she’s seen in the ESL population as “phenomenal.”

“It grows every year,” she said. 

Skip Cleavinger, director of English learner programs with Warren County Public Schools, said 1,580 students are currently receiving ESL services. The summer program, he said, smooths the transition for ESL students going back to school in August and also helps them adjust to the community and know what resources are available. 

“The more I do this, the more I believe in year-round programming,” he said. 

— Follow Daily News intern Aaron Mudd on Twitter at twitter.com/aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.