Extended School Year Program - August 2010

On a Thursday in early August, students in BC's Extended School Year Program delivered PowerPoint presentations to their peers, participated in team-building exercises, reviewed important Math and English skills, prepared for a family art show and more. The ESY program, which is being held at Eagle Elementary School this year, is run by the Pupil Personnel Service Department to offer summer support to more than 100 students so that they retain the academic, social and communication skills gained from one school year to the next. Continuity is so important to these students, and the skills they retain and build on position them to get the year off to a strong start in September, according to Jacqueline Gaffney, a district social worker coordinating ESY this year. The program serves students in kindergarten through post-High School age in three service areas: math and ELA instruction; related services such as speech and occupational therapy; and special classes that mirror the district's school year classes like Social Communication and Primary Intensive Skills. A typical day depends on the class and services the student is there for; however, in addition to academic instructions, students generally take part in art, teambuilding, music and physical education activities in any given day or week. The state-mandated program is running from July 5 through August 13 this year.