Frequently Asked Questions

Which school will this program be located in?

Due to the wonderful response from the community, SPARK program is scheduled to be held at two elementary schools: Greenacres and Fox Meadow. We are in the process of deciding which grade level bands will attend which school and will email families with an update in the coming weeks.

How much does the program cost?

The program is absolutely free to Scarsdale Public School students!

Who can attend the program?

Students in the Scarsdale Public Schools who are entering first grade through 6th grade in September are eligible for the program.

Will students with specials needs be allowed in the program?

Yes! We highly encourage students with different abilities to participate in the program. One of the strengths of a project-based learning approach is that it inherently includes all students as they work towards individual and group projects. In addition, one of our co-directors specializing in special education, Kristina Beck, will be working closely with the program to differentiate activities and integrate accommodations to attend to the diverse needs of all our students.

Please note that the SPARK program is not an Extended School Year (ESY) program and arrangements for students who have this designated on their IEP will be provided by another program. While we may have special education teachers and related service providers as part of this program, those teachers will not be providing services and progress monitoring during this program.

Is this a remedial program to help my child with learning loss?

No. This program is not a remedial or traditional summer school program for students who need academic help. The SPARK program is an enrichment program and more about engaging students with learning in a fun and challenging way. We will not be repeating or previewing units offered during the school year curriculum. The SPARK program will primarily focus on integrating and applying skills, strategies, and dispositions in ways that students were not afforded during the Pandemic--applying their academic learning to authentic project experiences, connecting socially to both adults and peers outside of their home, and being part of an academic community that further engages their passion for learning. It is a great opportunity for those children who has been virtual all year long to transition towards in-person learning in a safe and fun way.

Can my child only attend a couple days of the week? Does my child need to attend all three weeks of the program?

Due to the nature of the projects, the short time we have to complete them, and the continuity of connecting / collaborating with peers and adults in the program, it is important that your child attends all days of the week and for the duration of the three weeks. We understand if a student needs to miss a day due to illness, special occasions, and other extenuating circumstances. However, please plan on sending your child for the full duration of the program.

What is the teacher to student ratio of the program?

We are currently keeping the ratio of the groups to one teacher per fifteen students. There are some instances when the ratio will be more or less depending on the activity or accommodations needed.

Will this program be indoors or outdoors?

We plan on utilizing both indoor and outdoor spaces for this program so students have opportunities to learn and process in different ways. For some of our projects, we will be utilizing spaces in the community to install an exhibit or present information to a community group. Please note that If the temperature is above 92 degrees with the heat index, we will make arrangements to mainly work in air conditioned spaces and limit our time working outdoors.

What safety protocols are in place for the program?

We will continue to follow the CDC and New York State health guidelines as well as mitigation plans for working safely in schools during this time. All students will be expected to wear masks while in the program and we will continue to adhere to distancing protocols that are currently in place in our elementary schools.

We will also have two safety monitors to assist us for the duration of the program and will continue the security protocols that we have in place at every elementary school. We plan on conducting safety drills and will be consulting with our district Director of Security to ensure our safety and security measures are in place for the program.

Will the program be connected to the Scarsdale Recreation Camp?

While we do not register, supervise, nor participate in the Scarsdale Recreation Camp, we've partnered with the Scarsdale REC camp so that we can provide transportation for your child to attend the REC camp after our program. Those families who have registered for camp only need to drop off to the SPARK program in the morning and pickup from the designated Camp location when recreation camp is over. Please note that you will need to register for both the SPARK program and separately through the Scarsdale Recreation Department if you wish to send your child to both programs.

Will Transportation be provided to and from the SPARK program?

Transportation for students will not be provided. Families will need to make arrangements for drop off and pickup of students with the SPARK program. For those families who have enrolled in the Scarsdale Recreation Camp, we will coordinate transportation through the Scarsdale Schools bus program to transport your child from our program to the Scarsdale REC camp during our 11AM dismissal.

Who will teach the SPARK program?

Scarsdale elementary teachers from across our five elementary schools who have shown interest will be selected to participate in the program. We are currently selecting our faculty and the teacher list will be posted on our site in May.

Will this be a hybrid program? Will my child be able to attend virtually?

This will be a fully in-person, hands-on experience for students. Although students will, at times, utilize technology within the context of research and their project development, there will be no provisions for video streaming or virtual classes for this program.

Will there be homework for this program?

We do not intend to send students home with work every day of the program and feel that summer should be a time for rest and restoration. However, there will be times when we may assign tasks in support of the project or if a student shows a keen interest in further working on ideas independently (and only at the request and interest of the student!). These tasks may include reading / research assignments, interviewing family members, or developing designs or prototypes at home. Please note that the expectations for all work outside of the program should be primarily done by the student as one of our goals in the program is to further develop their independence and executive functioning.

What kind of parent involvement will be needed in this program?

We want the summer to be restful and restorative for parents as well so we do not expect parents to spend time on the work that we expect the students to do on their own. With that said, we hope to survey parents to find out if there are any "experts" in the community to volunteer to be interviewed or as a consultant for students as they develop their projects. We also plan to have a parent orientation for those enrolled in the program before the start of the program to share expectations, ideas we have for those parents interested in helping the program, and productive ways to discuss the learning and the projects with your child.