Westfield Students Strengthen Skills Over Summer

WESTFIELD, NJ - For the 17th year in a row, the Extended School Year Program in the Westfield Public School District is assisting students through the summer maintain and strengthen academic skills.

The five-week, state-mandated ESY program assists students in preschool through high school who have been identified as those who would benefit from additional instruction and related services during the summer and prepares them for the new school year.

“The ESY program prevents significant regression for students who require direct, intensive instruction throughout the summer,” said Andrea Lo, supervisor of special services for preschool to 12th grade. “I applaud the creativity of our staff who provide academic instruction which is engaging and exciting for their students.”

Instructional specialists in reading, behavior/social skills, speech, occupational and physical therapy join special education teachers, paraprofessionals and a registered nurse in administering the program. Many of the ESY staff are longtime educators and aides with Westfield Public Schools.

Approximately 32 students in grades 6-12 attend the ESY program at Westfield High School, each with a morning homeroom and a rotation schedule of core academic classes. Students at the high school program also receive OT, PT, speech, behavioral services and reading instruction through the Wilson Reading System.

Enrolled in the preschool through fifth grade ESY program at Wilson Elementary School are about 130 students who also receive instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics, along with related services, while learning about conflict resolution through an engaging course called
Peaceful Playground.

“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to supervise the ESY program this year. I love seeing how much students have grown over the years and reconnecting with the parents of my previous students,” said TranLe Hill, a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) at Lincoln. “ESY is the perfect blend of providing students with the opportunity to maintain the academic skills they learned during the school year and strengthening their social emotional skills within a structured and safe environment.”

The ESY program in Westfield Public Schools runs from July 1 through Aug 6.

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