District highlights ESY, hires social worker and secures STEM grants ahead of school year
August 20, 2021 | Blackstone-Millville, School Boards, Massachusetts
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At the Aug. 19 meeting, district staff reported on summer programming and special-education services, introduced a new district social worker, and highlighted grants to expand STEM and career-exploration opportunities.
Staff said the Extended School Year (ESY) program identified more than 100 students in need of services; about 86 families confirmed participation and roughly 70 students attended regularly. The ESY program included special-education staff (BCBA, SLP, OT, PT), paraprofessionals and some staff borrowed from neighboring districts; staff said the program was fully staffed, included both indoor and outdoor activities and provided meals for students. The district said it provided more than 410,000 meals to the community during the relevant pandemic period.
Superintendent introduced Sarah Rodriguez as the district's new social worker; Rodriguez said she brings roughly 20 years of experience in child protection and community-based work and will advocate for families and help keep students safely engaged in school.
Middle- and elementary-school principals described several grants and program expansions: a three-year Project Lead The Way grant of $22,000 for middle-school design and modeling (year one) and green architecture/medical-detectives units for grades 6–8, and year two of a $100,000 American Student Assistance grant to expand STEM and career-exploration offerings (district purchased hardware and additional robots to support programming).
Officials also previewed after-school and late-bus offerings and said they will send detailed orientation and transportation information to families before school opens.
Staff said the Extended School Year (ESY) program identified more than 100 students in need of services; about 86 families confirmed participation and roughly 70 students attended regularly. The ESY program included special-education staff (BCBA, SLP, OT, PT), paraprofessionals and some staff borrowed from neighboring districts; staff said the program was fully staffed, included both indoor and outdoor activities and provided meals for students. The district said it provided more than 410,000 meals to the community during the relevant pandemic period.
Superintendent introduced Sarah Rodriguez as the district's new social worker; Rodriguez said she brings roughly 20 years of experience in child protection and community-based work and will advocate for families and help keep students safely engaged in school.
Middle- and elementary-school principals described several grants and program expansions: a three-year Project Lead The Way grant of $22,000 for middle-school design and modeling (year one) and green architecture/medical-detectives units for grades 6–8, and year two of a $100,000 American Student Assistance grant to expand STEM and career-exploration offerings (district purchased hardware and additional robots to support programming).
Officials also previewed after-school and late-bus offerings and said they will send detailed orientation and transportation information to families before school opens.
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