Sewanhaka's Extended School Year Program Fosters Independence

Sewanhaka Central High School District’s special needs students received academic lessons, learned to shop for groceries and showed off their cooking skills as part of the curriculum in the Extended School Year Summer Program.

“Our goal is to provide enriching and unique experiences for our students with disabilities,” Kate Trainor, a summer school coordinator, said. “We are trying to promote independence through these programs.”

The program is made up of the Promoting Academics through Life Skills (PALS) Program and is held at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. It provides academic support, life skills and vocational skills to 54 of the district’s most challenged students in grades 7-12 and hopes to prevent learning regression over the summer.

“Having the students in the summer provides consistency,” PALS teacher Kaitlyn Eymold said. “We see regression when the children have spring break or a long weekend.”

During a recent lesson, Eymold helped students identify and sort coins and dollar bills before asking them to create a shopping list of ingredients needed to cook English Muffin pizzas. Students were asked to figure out the cost of the ingredients and how much money they would cost, “paid” for the items with play money and figured out how much change, if any, they would receive. The lesson ended with students preparing, cooking and eating their meal.

“We emphasize writing steps down and how to follow directions,” she said. “This is so important because some of the students have off-site jobs and following directions is vital.”

In a Developmental Learning Center (DLC) class, teacher Robyn Coleman helped students to improve their receptive and expressive language. Kids worked on beginning sounds and putting together complete sentences on the SmartBoard. They also played “what’s in the bag,” a game where students look inside their bag and choose words to describe what’s inside without revealing what it is.

The program offers a variety of educational experiences, including field trips and visits to a local swimming pool to learn about water safety. Students also receive related services for speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy.