ESC Schools- Fall 2008

It was a very busy and productive summer at the ESC Schools with regards to educational programming. ESC Educational Programs hosted 5 summer programs; 3 remedial summer school programs, 1 ESY (extended school year) and 1 Reading and Writing Clinic.

The remedial programs were hosted at Franklin High School in Somerset County, Delaware Valley Regional High School and ESC West Amwell Campus in Hunterdon County. Enrollment boomed at Franklin High School this summer with a record number of students attending the program. When all was said and done, 247 students were enrolled in 11 courses for the month of July from 6 different school districts at the ESC Franklin Summer School Program; 239 from Franklin, 1 from Hillsborough, 2 from Hopewell, 3 from Manville, 1 from Timothy Christian Academy, and 1 from the Hackensack. ESC Summer School at Del Val had 50 students registered, 46 from Del Val and 4 from Hunterdon Central with a total of 14 different courses offered. ESC Summer School at West Amwell had 53 students registered, 42 from Hunterdon Central, 2 from Del Val, 5 from Hopewell Valley, 1 from Montgomery and 3 from South Hunterdon with a total of 15 different courses offered. Teachers from Hunterdon Central, Voorhees High School, Delaware Valley, and Franklin High School were hired to support the mission of remediating students to earn credit.

A summer reading and writing clinic was offered by ESC at the East Amwell Elementary School. The program had 6 students made up of grades 1-6 from East Amwell and Flemington-Raritan School Districts. The program was taught by three East Amwell teachers/supervisors who split their time working with students to strengthen writing and reading. Students created written assignments about butterflies and fish. This new program is something that ESC will look to continue to support at East Amwell and replicate in the northern part of the county next year.

Extended School Year was offered at the ESC School at West Amwell. ESC staff members served thirty-four students. Students from Del Val, South Hunterdon, South Brunswick, Readington and Trenton attended. The summer theme centered on the Olympics. Students were provided instruction in content areas with the focal point being geography, history of the Olympics, and how to apply math/science in Olympic events. Students studied the metric system, created replica flags, tasted foods by a variety of cultures and as a culminating event participated in ESC Olympic events. Superintendent Dennis Cox and Program Director Andrea Romano handed out medals and ribbons.

Aside from summer programming at ESC Schools, curriculum planning occurred at both schools. Administrators were busy with updating curriculum to reflect changes in NJCCCS and implementing changes into the management systems of running busy school programs. Teachers volunteered to come in and meet to discuss curriculum, plan schedules for the new school year and build on their skills sets through professional development.

Changes were made in some physical structures of the buildings to enhance school security. Locks and doors were changed in areas that can be seen as safety concerns. Signage for exterior of buildings was identified as enhancing security concerns. The themes of safety and security were stressed with summer school staff and examined to reflect the state of how building administrators can better manage the buildings.

School goals of accountability, responsibility, respect and pride were announced to staff in their Back to School letters by ESC Administration and the focus of the students’ first day back. The ESC Academy at Tewksbury's first day community meeting focused on student culture and school climate with particular attention on the following values: Respect, Responsibility and Accountability. Future community meetings, classroom lessons and artistic interpretations are planned revolving around these values and other pillars of character education. Preliminary plans for community service with the Hunterdon County Parks System as well as volunteer opportunities with a local therapeutic riding program have been initiated. Scheduling for the Rutgers Extension Nutrition Program is underway as well as enrollment in the state of New Jersey's Financial Awareness Program for high school students.

The ESC School at West Amwell has a host of activities for the students lined up for the school year. Many of the activities focus on the themes of character education. Not all students will participate in every activity but every student will have the opportunity to experience the dynamic and energized resources HCESC will sponsor this year.

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