The Benefits of Extended School Year

The regular school year may end on June 27th for the students and staff of Potential’s Springtime School, but that does not mean that learning and growing head to the shore for the summer. After a short break, students and staff return to the Springtime School refreshed and ready to dive back into their regular daily instruction.

“By the time the school year wraps up, we are all ready for a much-needed break,” says Katrina Biglin, MS, BCBA, LBS, a middle school teacher at Potential’s Springtime School. “Family vacations are important for both our students and staff. It’s the perfect time for students to use the skills they are working on in school.” At the same time, any kind of change in a student’s normal routine can be challenging for students with autism. A long school break can also disrupt a parent’s schedule. Potential’s Extended School Year (ESY) is planned to minimize disruption while still offering much-needed downtime for all involved.

Potential’s Extended School Year (ESY) for 2023 starts on July 10 and ends August 25. 

“Too much time away can impede some of the progress a child made during the school year. It can also create a more difficult transition for the child returning to the school environment,” Katrina stresses.

The Benefits of Extended School Year Extend Beyond Summer School & Summer Camp

It’s important to note that ESY is not summer camp. “The purpose of ESY is to ensure that students with special needs maintain skills over the summer. Our goal is not simply to maintain the skills learned throughout the school year, but also to build on learning,” Katrina adds. “We are continuing the hard work we do during the school year, so that our kids don’t fall behind; that is the big difference from ESY services you may find at other schools.” 

Extended School Year is more than a “nice to have” option for children on the spectrum and their family and caregivers. It is required for some students by the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with the specifics of the child’s IEP. This, of course, applies to all Extended School Year programs.

What Distinguishes ESY at Potential’s Springtime School?

At Potential’s Springtime School, the staff balances an autistic child’s need for consistency with the benefits of a more relaxed summer pace. Children on the spectrum rely on that consistency to feel safe and secure, which is optimal not only for their ability to learn and thrive but also their overall happiness. “We are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of the better weather so we can get outdoors, practice our skills in the natural environment and have some fun,” notes Katrina. “We are targeting the child’s IEP goals as normal, but taking advantage of opportunities to do so in a more relaxed, leisurely way.”

Some of the school’s students are able to go to the NAC (Newtown Athletic Center) to directly target applicable IEP goals, including daily living routines, exercise and pro-social behavior in a meaningful way. There is a water park at the NAC, which is a lot of fun. Staff accompany the kids, and lifeguards are on duty. Yet, water play time requires the kids to use a lot of life skills. They have to be able to show they can manage in the environment. 

“It’s a real motivator for our students. They know they have to hit their goals during the week to be able to go to the NAC on Friday,” says Katrina. “And they have to be able to demonstrate certain behaviors when they are in that environment, like waiting in line or listening to the lifeguards. It’s a great opportunity to use the skills they have been working on in a socially appropriate setting.”

Throughout the summer, Katrina and other staff members find new activities to reinforce critical life skills during play time and school time. What’s most important is that students don’t regress and instead continue to move forward and gain increased independence and self-confidence.

The Springtime School at Potential is a Licensed Private School that provides comprehensive programs tailored to the specific needs of the student and family. Learn more here.

SIDEBAR: 

What Is Extended School Year (ESY)?

ESY services, as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), must be provided to a child with a disability beyond the normal school year in accordance with that child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). These special education services are provided at no cost to the parent, and must meet the standards of the Special Education Agency.

What Is the Goal of ESY?

The goal of ESY is to maintain learning and critical life skills so that students do not regress over the summer months.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Eligible?

A child’s IEP team determines their eligibility for ESY services and the appropriate level of services based on the child’s individual needs. Eligibility is determined annually by the IEP team.

It’s important to note that ESY is not summer camp. “The purpose of ESY is to ensure that students with special needs maintain skills over the summer. Our goal is not simply to maintain the skills learned throughout the school year, but also to build on learning,” Katrina adds. “We are continuing the hard work we do during the school year, so that our kids don’t fall behind; that is the big difference from ESY services you may find at other schools.” 

Extended School Year is more than a “nice to have” option for children on the spectrum and their family and caregivers. It is required for some students by the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with the specifics of the child’s IEP. This, of course, applies to all Extended School Year programs.

What Distinguishes ESY at Potential’s Springtime School?

At Potential’s Springtime School, the staff balances an autistic child’s need for consistency with the benefits of a more relaxed summer pace. Children on the spectrum rely on that consistency to feel safe and secure, which is optimal not only for their ability to learn and thrive but also their overall happiness. “We are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of the better weather so we can get outdoors, practice our skills in the natural environment and have some fun,” notes Katrina. “We are targeting the child’s IEP goals as normal, but taking advantage of opportunities to do so in a more relaxed, leisurely way.”

Some of the school’s students are able to go to the NAC (Newtown Athletic Center) to directly target applicable IEP goals, including daily living routines, exercise and pro-social behavior in a meaningful way. There is a water park at the NAC, which is a lot of fun. Staff accompany the kids, and lifeguards are on duty. Yet, water play time requires the kids to use a lot of life skills. They have to be able to show they can manage in the environment. 

“It’s a real motivator for our students. They know they have to hit their goals during the week to be able to go to the NAC on Friday,” says Katrina. “And they have to be able to demonstrate certain behaviors when they are in that environment, like waiting in line or listening to the lifeguards. It’s a great opportunity to use the skills they have been working on in a socially appropriate setting.”

Throughout the summer, Katrina and other staff members find new activities to reinforce critical life skills during play time and school time. What’s most important is that students don’t regress and instead continue to move forward and gain increased independence and self-confidence.

The Springtime School at Potential is a Licensed Private School that provides comprehensive programs tailored to the specific needs of the student and family. Learn more here.

SIDEBAR: 

What Is Extended School Year (ESY)?

ESY services, as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), must be provided to a child with a disability beyond the normal school year in accordance with that child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). These special education services are provided at no cost to the parent, and must meet the standards of the Special Education Agency.

What Is the Goal of ESY?

The goal of ESY is to maintain learning and critical life skills so that students do not regress over the summer months.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Eligible?

A child’s IEP team determines their eligibility for ESY services and the appropriate level of services based on the child’s individual needs. Eligibility is determined annually by the IEP team.