The Orange Public Schools
SUMMER SCHOOL 2024
Gerald Fitzhugh, II, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
PLAN FOR SUMMER LEARNING
Application Links for Staff Only
The Orange Public Schools will be offering a variety of summer programming options in Summer 2024 that serve the purpose of remediation, enrichment, credit recovery, and extended learning opportunities for our students. We are prioritizing our largest summer programs; high school credit recovery and Extended School Year (ESY) for students with IEPs. These programs will begin in early July and will all be offered in in-person learning formats. We are working with district, schools, Community Based Organizations, colleges and After School/Summer providers to develop summer programs and opportunities for students to ensure a diverse and comprehensive array of offerings. All programs will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 to observe the Fourth of July holiday. More information about the status of other programs this summer will be communicated as decisions are made.
While the research is clear that summer learning programs can benefit students, not all summer learning programs studied have resulted in positive outcomes for enrollees (Kim, 2004; Borman, Goetz, and Dowling, 2009; and Kim and Guryan, 2010). Research studies and best-practice literature show that effective programs providing high-quality academic opportunities share a number of features:
structured instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Instruction should be consistent with state and local content standards and match students’ academic needs.
adequate intensity and duration of instruction. Experts recommend that academic instruction last at least three hours a day, five days a week, for five to six weeks.
certified teachers providing academic instruction. Academic instructors should hold the appropriate certification and be selected because of their interest in and appropriateness for summer instruction of low-achieving students.
lower student-to-adult ratios than those in the regular school year. Lower ratios permit more attention to the needs of individual students.
enrichment activities to supplement academic content. Enrichment activities often involve music, art, sports, and community service and may entail reading and writing where academic content is integrated into enrichment activities.
consistent daily attendance. In order for students to benefit from the summer
program, they must regularly attend.
Below details that strengths of our various offerings.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Provide access to high-quality curricular materials and targeted content
Standardize curricular goals and objective across district sites
Provide strategies for differentiation in curriculum materials to accommodate at least two ability levels
Provide guidance around program structure to ensure sufficient time on task
Provide support to students with special needs
Provide access to materials that students would regularly see in their typical school programs
TEACHER SELECTION
AND TRAINING
Using performance-based measures in the recruitment and the hiring of motivated, certified teachers
Develop rigorous selection processes to recruit motivated teachers
Provide teachers with sufficient training and ongoing support to familiarize teachers with the summer curriculum and how to teach it
Help teachers, as needed, tailor the curriculum for students with different aptitudes
Provide direction to teachers regarding the set up their classrooms in advance.
TIME ON TASK
Operate district-wide program for appropriate durations of time to include five weeks for remediation and recovery.
Schedule three to four hours per day for academics and focus on academic content during those hours
Promote daily instruction that supports concise, conversational, and active environments coupled w/intermittent breaks for collaborative and independent work
Promote time on task that includes modeled instruction, “instructional pauses for student practice, check-ups, and reflection” and lesson closure
Promote interactive games and movement to make the learning environments more dynamic
Integrate opportunities for SEL throughout the day
Enrichment Activities
Conduct careful planning if enrichment is supposed to be integrated with academics.
PROGRAM COST AND FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS
Staffing of teachers, paras, tutors, administrators to achieve desired student-to-adult ratios
Equipment and supplies for teachers (i.e. dry erase boards, document cams)
Equipment and supplies for learning (i.e. manipulatives, journals, flashcards, etc.)
Operation of full-day five-week programs
Breakfast and Lunch Services
Costs associated with ESY and Related Services
Cost associated with data analytics and assessment