Middle Country Central School District students from Kindergarten through high school were afforded the opportunity to attend the District’s Extended School Year Program from July to August.
The Extended School Year Program runs for approximately six weeks to maintain, support, and reinforce subjects in the school curriculum. Next year will make 10 years since the program opened. It has grown from 50 students to approximately 150 students.
“The Extended School Year Program allows our students to continue all the skills they have worked on throughout the school year,” said Katie Haggerty-Ankner, Coordinator of Special Education-PPS and principal of the Extended School Year Program. “The teachers and staff create opportunities for our students to grow academically, socially, and independently. An important part of the program is the community outings that provide real-life experiences for these students as they work hard to maintain their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.”
During the Extended School Year Program, students have the opportunity to go on bowling trips to the Centereach Bowling Alley and to the Middle Country Public Library. The outings encourage the students to focus on school work during the week and help students to become part of the community. It also provides an opportunity for general education students to volunteer their time during the summer in service to the special needs students and add to their community service hours.
