Summer Fun, 2022: Expanded Learning Program for K-8 Students
Windham School District
Grade level/Age Range of Students in Program: Grades K-8.
Total Enrollment: 460 students.
Primary Student Needs Program is Designed to Address
This summer school experience for students, K-8,was designed around a Project Based Learning(PBL) model, which has been an instructional focus across the district. The main purpose of this program was to increase student mastery of grade level expectations. The use of ESSER funds has allowed the district to increase student enrollment, nearly doubled time spent learning and expand course offerings to include Art, Music and Physical Education classes.
Elementary Summer Fun, 2022: Some of the grade level themes explored within this program included Animals, Community, Survival of the Monarch Butterfly and Designing an Aquarium.Field trips and special events included trips to Mystic Aquarium and the Connecticut Science Center, and connections with Two Right Feet Arts and Literacy and School Readiness. Some fun school-based events were the use of Weekly School Wide Google Meetings, STEM Accelerator Kits, Social Emotional Learning focus on each Fun Friday, STEM Challenges, Field Day and the end of summer Student EXPO.
Middle School Summer Fun, 2022: Grade level themes included aquatic life, oceanic conservation and the importance of aquariums.Special events for the middle school program included a field trip to Mystic Aquarium, student experiments and exploration in and around oceanography.
Most Innovative or Successful Elements of the Program
- programs built around a Project Based Learning model --- one which served to enhance the district’s
instructional focus; - curriculum-based field trips and special events;
- the rental of portable air conditioning units to provide a comfortable climate control learning environment;
use of technology as a tool to enhance student learning; - comprehensive staffing supports, competitive salaries for both certified and non-certified staff;
expanded educational offerings, including Art, Music & Physical Education; - ample instructional supplies;
- attention to subgroups, e.g. special education, fringe H.S. students and ESL learners;
- a district mini observation protocol for administrators was initiated that will result in increased instructional feedback for Windham teachers. The implementation of this protocol is intended to be a core strategy for improving student achievement during the 2022-2023 school year.
How Are the Outcomes of the Program Measured
- exhibition of project-based learning at a summer expo;
- administrative protocol of providing feedback to teachers;
- a “control group” check on benchmark data between our spring and fall scores will be done. It is the district’s hope that the students who attended summer school will post stronger data than those who did not.
Operational Features
Dates, days and hours of operation of the elementary and middle school Summer Fun programs: July 11th- August 5th , Monday-Thursday (8:45am-2:45pm & Friday 8:45am-11:45am).
Transportation was made available to all registered summer school students.
Strong connections were made with outside educational and social institutions to support summer learning.
Staff Selection/Recruitment Procedures
Summer school positions were posted. All staff members were invited to apply. Teachers were strategically placed according to their interests and grade level experience.
Student Selection/Recruitment Procedures
The summer program was open to all students in grades K-8.
Program Contact
Dr. Tracy Youngberg, Superintendent | tYoungberg@windham.k12.ct.us