Dutchess BOCES’ Extended School Year (ESY) wrapped up for another year on Aug. 14, but its 221 elementary, middle and high school students could not end it without sharing all of the fantastic work they did in the form of the ESY Showcase.
This year’s showcase was presented in video form to the varied classes and families due to space limitations in the Resilience Academy, where ESY was held this year as Salt Point Center received much-needed renovations. The nearly 30-minute video presented short clips, interviews and pictures of what students worked on including how to be helpful heroes by washing hands and being kind, making paper gumball machines after reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and learning the alphabet by adding letters to a paper coconut tree, inspired by the classic children’s book “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”
Coordinator of Special Education Meghan McGuinness noted that the showcase shows everyone what a wonderful summer of learning, growth and fun the students had.
“Our Extended School Year Program has been filled with engaging activities, meaningful connections and plenty of smiles,” McGuinness said. “We’re so proud of our students and grateful to our amazing staff for making this summer special.”
In Tracey Smith’s class, Michael Nelson learned an important life skill of being able to write and sign a check using his first and last name. He also gave two thumbs up to Smith. 
“Ms. Smith is the best teacher to ever help me in class,” Nelson said.
Malcolm Frisee, a student in Annie Darling’s class, stepped on a handmade yellow brick road to share about differences between the book and film versions of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“In the book, Dorothy had silver shoes, but in film she had worn red shoes,” Frisee said. “Both the book and the movie of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are special because they are about love, friendship and bravery.”
Adam Sneyd, who was in Megan Kipp’s class, had fun working on an art project spotlighting sea creatures such as octopuses and dolphins. He shared one skill he learned in class by reading the children’s book “The Rainbow Fish.”
“We used ‘The Rainbow Fish’ to label parts of a book,” Sneyd said. “I made a shell and a dolphin.”
At the end of the video special thanks were given to Crisis Intervention Staff Mark Dolan and Peter Iuele, Senior Program Assistants Barbara Donaghey and Amy Pettit and Receptionist Lisa Chanowsky for helping to make ESY a positive experience for all.
There was one more special treat awaiting students before they left for the last day of ESY. They were sent off to enjoy the last three weeks of summer with a big wave from all ESY staff and District Superintendent Dr. Jodi DeLucia.
