For 30 or so kids around St. Clair County, the past two weeks have been filled with three hours a day of music and movement, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, life skills, academic goals, art, and — of course — playtime. It is the two-week program called the Extended School Year program that is for children ages 3 and older.
Occupational therapist Melinda Crow runs the two-week program while several teachers, aides and volunteers help teach and instruct. The program is funded through special education money.
“This program is for students within the county school system who have special needs that require services throughout the summer so they will not regress in skills that were taught to them,” Crow said. “We want them to be caught up when we start school in August.”
This is the fourth year for the school system to have this program. The first three years were held in Odenville and this is the first year to hold it at Springville Elementary School. When asked how important this program was for these children, Crowe said it was huge.
“For a lot of these children, two months in the summer without speech therapy, physical therapy and educational goals being met, they regress,” Crow said. “They lose their skills so this program keeps them on track. That way, when we start back in August, we are back where we were in May and not have to play catch-up.”
Crow said they serve kids from all over the county
Judy Dixon, coordinator of Special Education for the school system, said the ESY program participation is an Individual Education Plan (IEP) team decision determined by the individual student’s regression in IEP goals and state standards for their grade level.
“We incorporate each child’s individual goals and needs in a meaningful yet fun learning experience,” said Dixon. “Music activities, physical movement, arts and crafts, a sensory motor room, and direct instruction are all part of the program designed around our students’ unique needs. The ESY staff makes our program a huge success by not only working hard, but by the love and compassion they share with our children.”
