Frequently asked questions FOR 2022

What's new for 2022? for the fifth year, the STEAM academy has returned with an updated schedule, new courses, and new projects for students to engage with across all four of our course groups!

• In group 1, students will now have two course offerings with a greater variety in themes and exciting activities to take part in!

• In group 2, new resources, software, and materials have been acquired to continue to stay current with industry trends!

• In group 3, new courses have been created, such as a revamped graphic arts course that combines design, production, photography, and multimedia all in one! The Maker Craft course has returned in a new setting that is offered every week to allow students to always have an exciting hands on environment with new challenges from week to week!

• In group 4, our courses continue to follow real-world trends and themes to prepare our students for what may one day become their future careers! New courses such as Innovation and Invention in Environmental Science and the Investigation of the Human Body offer learning opportunities that are not only current and relevant, but also allow for greater exploration into content that we don't have the opportunity to cover during a typical school year in a fun and engaging camp-like setting!

• For 2022, the STEAM Academy has returned to Madison High School which will accommodate for all of our new resources and exciting new courses.

• Lastly, the schedule has been modified to allow for a greater intermission between sessions for students who participate in multiple programs throughout the summer and more support to foster a fun learning environment for all of our students.

General Program FAQ

How do I enroll my child in the 2022 STEAM Academy? Enrollment for the 2022 STEAM Academy can be accessed here through our MHS Athletics Portal. Please note, the STEAM Academy is not limited to students of Madison High School or residents of Madison, NJ. Enrollment is rolling and will remain open throughout the duration of the program and the summer of 2022. Enrollment for each week of the STEAM Academy will close 5 calendar days before the first day of the session. Please note, enrollment for the 2022 STEAM Academy closed on Wednesday, July 27th.

How much will the STEAM Academy cost? The cost for each half-day course is $250 per week. A 20% discount will be applied if two half-day courses are selected to comprise full-day enrollment during a single week. That means the cost to a student who participates in two courses during one week would be reduced to $400. Extended day before care and after care are available for an additional fee during enrollment.

Is tuition assistance available for the STEAM Academy? Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch services through the school district. If you are interested in learning more about whether tuition assistance may be available to your family, please reach out Jennifer Biondi, Confidential Secretary, at biondij@madisonnjps.org.

What if my enrollment situation changes and I need to request a refund? We understand that circumstances may change for families and will happily process any refund request that is submitted at least 5 calendar days prior to the start date of the class. Because of the planning for staffing and materials that is required to ensure an amazing camp experience, no refund will be processed if it is requested fewer than 5 days prior to the start date of the class. To request for a refund, please reach out to Dwayne Ortiz, Confidential Secretary/Accountant, at ortizd@madisonnjps.org.

What preparations are in place for social distancing and in-person learning? Learning from this past school year, we will continue to ensure we have cleaning protocols in place to keep our students and staff safe. We will also continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations set by health officials and continue to adapt our plans as these guidelines are established. A full-time nurse will also be on location to assist with allergies, COVID prevention, and other medical emergencies should they occur.

What protocols are in place for students with allergies? During the enrollment process, parents will be asked to inform the STEAM Academy staff of any allergies their students might have. No eating will occur within the STEAM Academy instruction classrooms, and students will be distanced from one another during lunch. Additionally, a full-time nurse will be on location to assist with handling medication and other medical emergencies should they occur. For severe allergies or other unique needs, parents should follow up with STEAM Academy staff prior to their child attending the program to share any additional information that may be relevant.

What protocols are in place for students eating lunch at the STEAM Academy? We have established the following procedures and protocol in order for our full-day students to eat lunch safely at the STEAM Academy:

• Students who attend for a full day will be able to eat lunch on site between the AM and PM sessions.

• Staff should be made aware of any allergies students may have in order to prepare for a safe lunch experience.

• Students will use the cafeteria and outdoor seating areas (weather permitting) to be able to ensure that food is not eaten in instructional spaces.

• Students should bring a water bottle to use during the day, which can be refilled using the bottle filling stations at MHS.

When will the STEAM Academy Take Place? The 2022 STEAM Academy will run for six week-long sessions starting on June 27th and concluding on August 5th. Each week long session will offer AM, PM, and Full-Day programs Monday through Friday of each week. *Note, the second week of the STEAM academy will only be 4 days due to the celebration of Independence Day on July 4th.

Where will the STEAM Academy Take Place? In-person courses will be held at the Madison High School in Madison, NJ. We will be utilizing the recently renovated Makerspaces as well as other instructional spaces that will be specifically outfitted for STEAM Academy courses.

Are virtual classes still being offered? No. For the summer of 2022, all STEAM Academy courses will take place in-person at the Madison High School in Madison NJ.

Enrollment and scheduling FAQ

Do I need to enroll my child for all six weeks? No. Each week of the STEAM Academy offers unique courses, topics, and challenges for students. This allows students to have an engaging learning experience whether they attend for just one week or for all six weeks.

Can my child attend for a half day or do they need to come for the full day? Students may enroll in AM, PM, or full-day course offerings on a week by week basis.

Do I need to be a Madison resident for my child to attend the STEAM academy? No. The Madison STEAM Academy is not limited to residents of Madison NJ!

Is the STEAM Academy open on Monday, July 4th? No. The STEAM Academy will be closed on Monday, July 4th, in celebration of Independence Day. The week of July 4th will be the only 4-day week of the 2022 STEAM Academy. Classes will start on Tuesday, July 5th, and will conclude on Friday, July 8th. The cost for the week will be reduced to 80% of the normal rate, so in-person courses are $200 per course per 4-day week.

Can I drop my child off early (or pick them up late)? AM student drop off is between 8:45 am and 9:00 am. A before care option that allows students to be dropped off as early as 7:30 am can be added during the enrollment process for an additional fee. PM student pickup is between 2:30 pm and 2:45 pm. An after care option that allows students to be picked up as late as 4:00 pm can be can be added during the enrollment process for an additional fee.

Are the 2022 courses the same as last year or the year prior? Many of this year's Course Offerings and Course Groupings are newly revamped for the 2022 Madison STEAM Academy. Some courses of popular topics or current themes may offer similar content and discussions to previous years, but with new challenges and activities for 2022.

course selection FAQ

Which Course Grouping should my child be in? Course Groupings are designed for students of a certain age group or prior skill. In general, students entering grades 1-3 would be in Group 1, students entering grades 4-6 would be in Group 2, students entering grades 6-8 would be in Group 3, and students entering grades 9-12 would be in Group 4. Some overlap may occur for students on the edge of a group based on prior experience, which would allow them to work in the group that best suits their unique needs.

My 6th grader has attend the STEAM Academy before. Should they be in Group 2 or 3? Students entering grades 3, 6, 8, or 9 are on the border of our recommended ages for Course Groupings. In these instances, we recommend students choose the group that best suits their prior experience and interests. As an example, a child who is entering 6th grade that has completed STEAM Academy courses before would likely fit well into Group 3 if they are taking courses with similar topics and themes to those previously taken.

If my child takes a reoccuring course, will they repeat what they did earlier in the summer? While many of the STEAM academy courses are entirely unique for specific weeks, some of our more popular courses occur more than once throughout the summer. While similar topics and content will be discussed, challenges and activities will be unique for each week to allow new students and repeating students to have an engaging and successful experience.

Who teaches at the Madison STEAM Academy? Teachers from throughout the Madison learning community can apply to instruct at the STEAM Academy. All teachers are highly skilled, trained, and passionate about the content of the courses they instruct. Trained high school students also often volunteer as instructional assistants to share their own passions as well as obtain real-world skills along with our STEAM Academy students and teachers.

policy and practices FAQ

Will the High School adequately support elementary and middle school students at the STEAM Academy? The decision to hold the STEAM Academy at the Madison High School has been made to cater to the needs of the entire student population, while considering offerings, other programs, and district projects occurring throughout the summer. The Madison High School contains a variety of instructional spaces, including two fully-equipped makerspaces, art design students, and computer labs that will all be further equipped and modified prior to the Academy in order to better support our course offerings, and our student needs. The gymnasiums and grounds at MHS will also allow for more engaging and supportive activities to occur both inside, and outside of the classroom.

How will information be shared with families? A confirmation email will be sent to a child's primary point of contact the week prior to the start of their course(s) at the STEAM Academy. This email will included pick up and drop off info, important things to bring, and preventive measures for COVID. A recap will also be emailed to all parents of students enrolled at the STEAM Academy throughout the week and #projectoftheday posts can be viewed through the @MrErdreich social media page. Additionally, fully-virtual students will be provided with a link and login information for their own unique student access portal that will be used to attend our virtual classes and contact their virtual instructor. This information will also be sent to the student on the week prior to the start of their course(s).

Will photos of STEAM Academy students be shared publicly? No. As with our normal in-school policies, safety and the privacy of our students is our top priority. While photos of projects and the learning taking place will be taken, no photos of a student will ever be captured or shared without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Who can I contact if I need more information? For questions in regards to tuition, enrollment, or payments for the Madison STEAM Academy, please contact Patti Cleary at clearyp@madisonnjps.org. For questions in regards to Course Groupings, Course Offerings, or week by week occurrences and information pertinent to your child's experience at the program, please contact Jason Erdreich at erdreichj@madisonnjps.org.