Children who may benefit from additional social learning experiences in a school setting will be prioritized for selection, and invited to attend the Dory Program.

CRES Dory Program 2022 will take place on Mondays through Thursdays, August 1-August 18 from 8:30-12:00, at Camden-Rockport Elementary School.

A school bus will transport children to and from the Dory Program. You will be notified as to the approximate time of home pick up and drop off as soon as the bus route is finalized. A parent or guardian must be home at the time of drop off.

We will support all aspects of new learning and experiences. During the first week of the Dory Program, two of the program teachers will accompany children on the bus rides. During the second week one teacher will accompany the bus rides, and on the third week children will have an opportunity to take the bus independently.

You will have the option of providing transportation for your child. Signed forms will be completed indicating your preference, to help us all maintain clear communication and the safety of your child. Please note, however, that the Dory Program bus transportation provides an opportunity for your child to experience a school bus in a supported way!

The daily schedule will include choice activities, a morning meeting (whole group songs, stories and activities), outdoor recess, small group theme-related activities (art, science, and literacy), snack, lunch, and a whole-group closing activity.

Safety is our top priority whether children are on the bus, inside the building or outside.

Families will need to support us with keeping the impact of pests at bay. Nightly tick checks, at home, are encouraged as well as the appropriate clothing protocols during the day. We have also done some tree work in the hopes of abating the impact of the brown tail moth. Staff will conduct daily forest safety checks prior to student arrival. Students will be taught the difference between risks (age-appropriate) and hazards (safety issue).

We will follow our current health and safety protocol, including daily health screenings by family, sanitizing, masking and social distancing until state and district guidance changes.

We think of discipline as guidance and an opportunity to problem solve together to resolve an issue. Through modeling and building relationships, along with positive reinforcement and clear expectations, we guide children to calm their bodies, describe what happened, listen carefully to each other and figure out how to fix the situation. This approach allows children ample opportunities to develop social skills, negotiate solutions and restore relationships.

Choice, play and exploration are key components of our program both inside and out. Research shows that children who “play to learn” experience significant benefits from increased brain development, resilience, creative thinking, communication skills, and emotional regulation, just to name a few.

Lunch will be provided each day as part of the program. Please be sure to communicate any food allergies or other food related issues we should know about.

A healthy snack will be provided each day as part of the program. Please be sure to communicate any food allergies or other food related issues we should know about.

With three teachers and 15 children, we will be able to provide whole group activities with extra support, small group activities of one teacher per five children, and some individual assistance as needed.

Comfortable clothing is suggested. We will spend time inside and outside each day. Children should bring a water bottle each day. There are water filling stations at the school. If any items are problematic for a family to secure, please contact a program teacher or the school.

The Permission Form and Getting to Know Your Child form are due (ASAP) in order to assure your child's space in the Dory Program. Please complete the electronic forms and hit "submit" at the bottom of each form. They will be submitted securely to the organizers of the program at CRES.