Students at Salt Point Center’s (SPC) Extended School Year proudly showed off what they learned over the course of the six-week program during the annual ESY Summer Showcase on Aug. 14.
Families, teachers and Dutchess BOCES administrators, along with New York State Senator Rob Rolison and his Chief of Staff Lydia Biskup were greeted in the lobby with a program before viewing student projects ranging from dioramas inspired by Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory to homemade slime.
SPC Principal Melissa Murphy praised ESY staff for their dedication, patience and care to make the program fun, while also noting how proud she was of students for what they accomplished.
“You guys worked hard, tried new things and showed teamwork and creativity,” Murphy said to the students. “Keep working hard, believing in yourself and remembering all the great skills you learned.”
The event closed out with performances by students and their teachers and a sing along and dance to the Kidz Bop version of the Calvin Harris hit “Summer” led by students in Krystine Nardozzi’s class.
Emma Dematteis-Darby showed off a slideshow with her classmates highlighting their favorite ESY memories and short videos introducing themselves. Her favorite memories included watching a movie on PBIS Fridays, feeding the class lizard and playing with the homemade slime.
“We did it, we played it there for everyone to hear it,” Dematteis-Darby explained about her class’ project. “At the slime thing, we decorated the slime.”
Jon Genord is appreciative of ESY because his sons, Otto and Jasper, are consistently learning throughout the summer and enjoying it. He was proud of the work they accomplished for the Summer Showcase.
“It really helps transition from school year to school year,” Genord said of ESY. “Being here to see them in their space, it just means a lot to them.”
While it was tough to pick one, Rolison said his favorite project was the “Eruption Disruption!” where students filled a homemade volcano with vinegar and other ingredients to make it erupt.
“I had never seen anything like that before, that was sweet and it really does bubble up and have a mini explosion,” Rolison recalled. “There’s magic happening in this building and here on this campus.”
Rolison appreciates that BOCES offers ESY for students who may need extra assistance so they do not lose ground when returning to school in the fall.
“Learning is a process every single day and the more that you can offer children and their families helps with the development of our future generations,” Rolison said. “The love that I saw and the care and the concern that the staff have for their students, it’s just remarkable.”
Students had one more day in the program on Friday and were sent off to enjoy the last two weeks of summer with a big wave from all the ESY staff.
