Wareham outlines expanded summer programs after nine grants; preschool and transportation funded

Director of Student Services Melissa Fay and Dr. Chandler summarized the district’s summer offerings and grant awards, telling the committee that nine grants will underwrite a full slate of programming and support transportation and preschool expansion.

“Right now we have 31 staff. We have approximately 100 students and we anticipate about 120,” Melissa Fay said of extended‑school‑year and summer programs, noting staffing numbers can shift as permission slips are returned. She said the district hired a family‑engagement specialist to increase preschool outreach and that the CPPI grant will support four full‑day preschool classrooms with about 77 students enrolled.

Melissa also highlighted nine grants written by the office of beyond‑school‑time that together support programming and roughly $30,000 for transportation. The programs include STEM offerings, chess and arts units, and partnerships that will send grades‑five and six students on a week‑long exploration with the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the YMCA.

On the Boost summer academic program, staff cited early assessment comparisons that showed gains among participating students: Melissa reported that 71% of kindergarten‑to‑grade‑one participants improved between spring and fall measures, 73% improved from grade one to two, and other grade bands showed gains as well. Committee members urged staff to continue recruitment to reach more invited students.

No committee vote was required. Staff said program enrollment will continue to update as final permissions are returned, and they will provide follow‑up information about retention and participation rates.