Dutchess BOCES’ Extended School Year (ESY) started July 7, a day later than anticipated due to severe storms over the weekend, but it was buzzing with 221 elementary, middle and high school students ready to have a blast learning in a different location.
This summer’s proceedings are being held at the Resilience Academy, as Salt Point Center is receiving much-needed renovations. Many of the students attending are enrolled in both schools, so they are familiar with the BOCES style, and many of their teachers, teaching assistants and other support providers, returned to work at ESY, making for a smooth transition.
“A lot of faces are familiar even if the building is not familiar for some of our students … the high school kids are familiar with the building, so they know how to navigate it,” ESY Co-Principal Geomari Fermin said. “We’re building a routine for them and for us to make sure their transition to the building is smooth and their time in their classroom is great.”
Fermin noted that ESY’s main goals are to assure students are comfortable and safe in their new surroundings and that they do not regress on the progress they made in speech, social skills or academics during the previous school year. On the first day of the program, students worked with colored clay, selected the correct color from two choices and chose words to make poetry.
“We want to continue on where they left off so that when they come back in September they start the school year strong,” Fermin said. “Some of the students are so happy to be here.”
What makes ESY stand out are themed activities students can partake in on Fridays called “Community Connections” and they include making arts and crafts, having a dance party and watching movies.
“It’s going to look a little different than what was done at SPC, due to space constraints, but it’s still keeping the theme of community, ” Fermin explained. “It is still summer for them, so you also want them to have fun.”
Matthew Imperati, who attends the Resilience Academy, appreciates having a regular school schedule during the week, but looks forward to the Friday activities, at which he hopes to have the chance to make bracelets.
“School’s a little fun, but on Fridays when we get to do the activities it’s more fun,” Imperati said.
Dylan Paraszti, who also attends the Resilience Academy, predicted he will have a good summer where he will keep up with academics.
“I think I’m going to do good with learning over the summer as long as I focus,” Paraszti said. “Last year, I was so focused.”
In mid-August, a walkthrough gallery showcasing what students learned during ESY, as well as performances, will be held for families and administrators, appropriately titled “ESY Showcase.” The program ends August 14.
“Similar to how it was at SPC last year, it will be a lot of displays in the hallway,” Fermin said of the student showcase. “It’s great, they get to be proud of their work.”
