ESSER Funded Summer Programming - 2023

ESSER is the elementary and secondary education relief act. This funding is to help ensure that districts and schools can continue to operate safely; support sustained access to in-person instruction; and address the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students due to the impact of  (COVID-19.) One of the initiatives that this funding has supported is the Summer Enrichment Programs. 

This year at NSES Summer Enrichment ran for 4 weeks and families of incoming 1st-5th graders had 7 programs to choose from each week.  These programs included topics on science, reading, writing, art, poetry, STEM, health, and team building.  Over 95 families signed up for at least one summer enrichment program, many families signed up for multiple weeks. We also worked closely with Camp Phoenix as well as ESY so students could participate in multiple school programs.

Here are a few examples of the offerings:

• Read it. Write it. Say It!: Through both reading and art students will be encouraged to stay positive, to use their imagination, and to be kind. Throughout the sessions we will read books, draw, dream, create, and write.
  
• Folk Tale STEM: Students will discover the STEM in their favorite folk tales—inspiring them to use hands-on materials to design, build and test one-of-a-kind creations…then improve upon them like real engineers!
  
• T.E.A.M! (Together Everyone Achieves More): Work together, build confidence, and have fun through team sports and challenges.

The Summer Enrichment program at the secondary level was met with much enjoyment and success. Teachers created a variety of offerings for students entering grades six through twelve. Over seventy students participated in an array of positive and uplifting educational and broadening programs not offered in a traditional academic setting, a few of the offerings included:

• 9th Grade and New Student Orientation - Students were guided, toured, and learned about the high school schedule, graduation requirements, the various sports and clubs the high school has to offer. They were given a “lay of the land” by participating in a scavenger hunt in the physical high school building earning prizes on this “hunt”.
  
• Greenhouse and Gardening -Students “dug into” the art of landscape and gardening where they learned about plant care, landscape design, greenhouse maintenance and native plant species. They cultivated tomato seedlings, protected them with gardening fencing, fertilized and nourished them. Additionally the students grew dahlias, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs, and also installed a few trellises for climbing plants near the greenhouse. This rewarding process developed skills of self sufficiency. 
  
• Financial Literacy Support - Students were welcomed to seek out support in completing the EverFi modules that will fulfill the new graduation requirement
  
• American Red Cross Babysitting Course- Students learned about child care basics, first aid, leadership and the creating activities for children. All students completed the coursework that allowed them to earn the American Red Cross Babysitting certification. Students earning this certification could then market their newly earned skills to earn money, develop self sufficiency skills, develop a sense of responsibility and self worth.

We are incredily appreciative of our teachers who facilitated such engaging and meaningful programs for our students. I would like to personally thank our program coordinators: Sarah Glover, Christine Welch and David Daigneault for thier time, energy and efforts.