Questar III’s Extended School Year (ESY) program, known more commonly as the “summer program”, provides opportunity for special education students to practice school skills throughout the summer to prevent regression of skills that were learned during the school year. While students in the ESY program are required to have 12-month educational programming, students receive both academic and social opportunities to support their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Students at Sackett Educational Center work in their Citizenship Garden
This year, there are over 200 students enrolled in classes at four Questar III facilities: George Washington School in Troy, Rensselaer Academy in Rensselaer, Sackett Educational Center in Schodack, and Catskill Academy in Catskill. Students in Questar III’s district-based classes during the school year like those at Goff Middle School and Red Mill Elementary School in East Greenbush are housed and/or supported by Questar III’s academy settings. In addition, there are many students who are referred by component districts for summer programming who are not Questar III students during the school year.
There are a few differences between ESY classes and classes during the traditional school year. Perhaps the largest difference is the age range of students within a building. For example, district-based classes at Goff Middle School (which holds grades 6-8) are placed at Sackett for the summer, which functions as a high school during the school year. However, what doesn’t change is the program students receive. If a student’s IEP requires them in a class with six students, one teacher, and two teaching assistants (6:1:2), that student would be placed in a class with the same ratio during the summer.
Questar III Assistant Director of Special Education, Kimberly Rockenstyre says there is a continued focus during summer program on reading and math literacy instruction as well as meeting IEP goals.
“Continuity of programming is crucial for our students. We want students to maintain their school skills they left with in June,” Rockenstyre said.
Rockenstyre says the other benefit to summer school is that it keeps students in a structured routine. She says for many students with disabilities, routine is very important. The ESY program helps keep that school routine in place. While schedules can be, and usually are, slightly different during the summer, keeping routine can make a big difference for a student being prepared for school in the fall.
In class, students are doing a variety of activities that help them learn in a fun, engaging manner. Colleen Agostinoni’s class at Catskill Academy has been studying the ocean, and doing experiments and other activities to bring their lessons to life. Maybe the biggest one? Discovering how big whales really are by measuring their length in the parking lot with chalk! Her class is also working on money and social skills by weekly field trips to get ice cream- what better way to practice those skills in the heat of summer?
Tiffany Gilberti’s class held an alphabet scavenger hunt and learned sign language this summer. They’ll also be making butter out of cream, painting bread with edible paint, and making oceans in a jar.
Students at Sackett have been working in a vegetable garden established in spring by Ms. Melissa to provide opportunity for students to participate in an experience to lead and serve as well as practice good citizenship- the theme for summer school this year. They’ve grown various types of peppers and even helped trim bushes and trees around the school. Students at Sackett will present their learning related to leading and serving to other classes on August 10.
At Rensselaer Academy, four classes took a group trip to the mall using CDTA busses to see “Night at the Museum” and will putting on a talent showcase on August 7.
Students at George Washington School will host an “Around the World” exhibit on August 7 to showcase the work they’ve done this summer learning about different countries and cultures around the world.
To learn more about Questar III’s Special Education programming, visit our website.
