Popular West Orange Summer School Program Breaks Enrollment Records

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The West Orange School District held its popular Summer Enrichment Program at West Orange High School from June 26-July 21 and broke program records with the highest enrollment ever.

Concluding on July 21, a total of 523 students signed up for enrichment courses, which were staffed by 32 teachers, five paraprofessionals, and 40 high school volunteers. Scott Tomlin, band teacher at Hazel Elementary School and Enrichment Program Director since 2015, Dr. Denise Makri-Werzen, WOHS registered nurse, and Instructional Aide Kenson Felix orchestrated the Enrichment Program and have developed it into the great success it has become. Supervisor of Fine Arts Lou Quagliato helped to oversee the program.

"We provided a full slate of arts courses including dance, theater, instrumental music, and art classes," began Tomlin, "and we also offered physical ed, baseball, STEM classes, book club, math, coding classes, digital imaging, and a prep division for our second and third grade students."

"The prep division students follow a course of studies that includes math, ELA, dance, music, phys ed, and art," he continued, "and provides an extended program that continues until 4:00 pm every day," he added.

Courses are offered in Preparatory (Grades 2-3) and Secondary (4-8) divisions in a wide array of Art, Music, Theater, Dance, Science, Math, Coding, and even ESL classes. To see a full list of 2023 courses offered, go HERE.

"We made sure that all courses, health and safety, and transportation ran smoothly," noted Dr. Werzen.

While the Enrichment Program has been in operation since the 1980s, it has seen more success in the past 10-15 years.

"This year's program was exceptional," Tomlin said.

"We had the largest enrollment we’ve ever had and I feel like we provided a very valuable service for the families of West Orange. This program started over 40 years ago as an opportunity for students to continue music lessons through the summer to what it has become today: a complete second through eighth grade school. It's a school that is built, run, and broken down all in the span of 18 days. Because of increased enrollment, we provided more support staff for our teachers, which I believe helped greatly. As for where we go from here, I think we are always looking for ways to grow and develop our offerings. There is always room to grow," he concluded.

See slideshow videos here and here.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.