1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
For some students, a long summer break can mean losing hard-earned skills that took months to build during the school year.
This summer, Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU)’s Extended School Year (ESY) program helped 1,308 students maintain those critical skills and return to school ready to continue making progress. It is the largest number of students served by the program in Bucks IU history and represents an 18 percent increase over the last two years.
Over five weeks during the summer, students received instruction and support designed to help them maintain skills in areas such as communication, mobility, self-care, behavior, academics, and preparation for life after graduation.
“Many of our students work incredibly hard all year to gain skills that help them communicate, navigate daily routines, and become more independent,” said Kelly Housman, ESY Coordinator at the Bucks IU. “A long interruption can make those skills harder to maintain. ESY helps students keep building on the progress they’ve already made so they can start the new school year ready to move forward.”
Helping Students Keep Momentum
Extended School Year services are provided to students with disabilities whose educational teams determine they need continued support during the summer months.
For families, that support can make a significant difference.
Students participating in Bucks IU’s ESY program continued practicing and reinforcing skills they use every day, helping prevent setbacks that can occur during an extended break from school. Services include specialized instruction, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing support, behavior services, vision and hearing services, sign language interpreting, and job coaching for students preparing for adulthood.
During the five-week program, Bucks IU staff delivered more than 3,000 instructional and support services tailored to students’ individual needs.
“Every child deserves the chance to come back to school in September ready to learn and succeed,” Housman said. “ESY gives students that opportunity. It helps preserve the gains they’ve worked so hard to achieve and provides families with confidence that progress will continue.”
A Glimpse into Progress This Summer
The moments inside ESY classrooms explain why the work matters. In one classroom for students who are largely non-verbal, staff say two students reached milestones this summer that took weeks of practice to achieve. One student, asked if he wanted to play with bubbles, answered simply, “no.” It was the first time he had used a spoken word to independently communicate a preference. Another student began using his communication device on his own to request the items he likes best, without a staff member prompting him first.
In an Enhanced Autistic Support classroom, where two staff members work alongside every student, a new student joined and settled into the class this summer. Staff built the summer around hands-on learning that kept students working toward their individual goals while having a good time doing it, including building a solar oven to make s’mores, making ice cream in a bag, and getting messy with sensory art projects.
Across the county, ESY students also took part in a petting zoo visit, a firetruck visit, sing-alongs, and a carnival, giving them a chance to practice the skills they were building in the classroom out in the real world.
Growing to Meet Increasing Need
As demand for summer services continues to grow, Bucks IU has expanded its programming to serve more students and families. This summer, the organization operated classrooms at eight schools throughout Bucks County. Bucks IU staff also supported ESY programs in all 13 Bucks County school districts.
Supporting those students required a team of 756 employees, including teachers, therapists, nurses, counselors, behavior specialists, interpreters, job coaches, and paraprofessionals.
“The program only succeeds because of the people behind it,” Housman said. “Every year, hundreds of staff choose to spend part of their summer helping students continue learning. The difference they make in our classrooms is incredible.”
For the students and families across Bucks County who count on it, Bucks IU’s ESY program means the progress a child makes during the school year doesn’t disappear during the summer break.
ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU):
For more than 55 years, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit has partnered with schools, families, educators, and community organizations to expand opportunities for learners throughout Bucks County. Through exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business and technology services, the Bucks IU helps schools and communities meet the evolving needs of those they serve. Learn more at www.BucksIU.org.