The Hicksville School District hosted 125 elementary school students in the Summer Academic Program held at Dutch Lane Elementary School.
In its first year, the program focused on math, reading and narrative-writing skills for students who need extra support in foundational skills.
Program principal Anthony Lubrano explained that student enrollment was based on the scores of local assessments. The five-week program, which was held five days a week each morning, was designed to help students become better prepared for September.
“It also helped these students prevent the summer slide and to make them more confident with the approach of a new school year,” Lubrano said.
Learning activities included use of instructional technology with iPads and Smart Boards. Students learned narrative writing through the Columbia University Teachers College Writing Project, and special assemblies helped to reinforce foundational skills taught in the classroom.
During an assembly with the Singing Bus Driver, Joe Guida, the students took a proverbial trip on a school bus and learned about basic bus safety. Guida also engaged the students’ imaginations while they accompanied him in the singing of such original songs as “The Dinosaur Walk,” the “Macaroni and Cheese” song and the “Circle Dance.”
— From the Hicksville School District
