Enrollment is now open!
https://enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com/login

Do you have questions or are you feeling confused?
Please contact your team leader for support and information.

Enrollment Questions:
Rebecca Lamb
Director of Enrollment
(413) 534-2000, Option 1
Send Enrollment Team an Email

Transportation Questions:
Dean Santiago
Transportation Specialist
(413) 534-2000, Extension 1640
Send Transportation Team an Email

General Questions:
Samantha Garcia
Manager of Enrichment & Extended Learning
Send Samantha Garcia an Email

ESY Summer Intensive PreK-8:
Christina Trudeau
(413) 437-0541 CELL for families/staff
Send Christina Trudeau an Email

Jericho:
Ryan Bowler
(413) 237-5017 CELL for families/staff
Send Ryan Bowler an Email

Tim Britton
Send Tim Britton an Email

Transitions Academy:
Phelipe Johnson
Send Phelipe Johnson an Email

TIP:
Kristal Torres
(413) 297-8777
Send Kristal Torres an Email

Question and Answer Guide on Special Education Extended School Year Programs 603 CMR 28.05(4)(d)

Qualifying students in gradesPreK-12 can now register for Extended School Year programming. Read below to learn more about each program. If you are unsure if your child qualifies for ESY programming, you can check your child’s current IEP or ask your child’s special education teacher or building team leader. You may send an Email to Enrollment for assistance with online registration. ESY programs will begin on July 8 and will end on August 8, 2024.

The 2024 PreK-8 Extended School Year Summer Intensive (ESY) Program, which provides a range of special education learning opportunities.

This program was informally known in the past as "the Donahue program." While the program has been formally renamed this year, it offers the same services but with more inclusive access. ESY programs will be offered alongside the Summer Learning program providing additional access and inclusivity for participants.

For PreK Integrated: Theme-based curriculum emphasizing language, social, motor, and academic readiness skills. Similar to our integrated preschool program throughout the school year. Peers accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on classroom availability.

PreK-2 and ABL/RISE: Multi-sensory and ABA-based instruction for maintaining academics, social skills, communication, and independence. Similar to our ABL and RISE programs throughout the school year.

Multi-sensory and ABA-based instruction for maintaining academics, social skills, communication, and independence. Similar to our ABL and RISE programs throughout the school year.

For Grades 6-8 ABL/RISE and SHINE: Multi-sensory and ABA-based instruction for maintaining academics, social skills, communication, and independence. Similar to our ABL, RISE, and SHINE programs throughout the school year.

Therapeutic Intervention Program Sullivan: Rising K-8: Therapeutic curriculum for maintaining social, emotional, academic, and independence skills. Similar to our Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) settings throughout the school year, with inclusion opportunities at Jericho

Other Extended School Year offerings are also provided.

Theme-based curriculum for maintaining academics, communication, social skills, motor skills, and generalization. Instruction is embedded into recreational/physical activities in both indoor and outdoor settings. Typically designed for students in RISE, Functional, TIP, SIP, and Inclusion settings during the school year. Peers accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on classroom availability.

Focus on various facets of life including employment,  post-secondary education (i.e. functional academics, college, training) maintaining a home, involvement in the community as individually appropriate, and enhancing satisfactory social and personal relationships. 

Related services such as speech/language therapy/AAC, occupational therapy, vision, and physical therapy are provided as drop-in service or included within ESY programming as determined by the IEP team. Related-services providers will contact family members for individual scheduling.

Decisions about ESY programs are made on an individual basis, taking into consideration the unique needs of each child. These discussions occur as part of your child’s IEP Team meeting.

One of the factors that IEP teams consider when determining ESY eligibility is whether a student substantially regresses or falls behind during break periods during the school year (referred to as “regression”). The team also determines whether a student needs a substantial amount of time to build back the skill levels they had attained prior to the break period (referred to as “recoupment”).   

Teams must also consider other factors such as the degree of the impairment, rate of progress, behavioral and physical issues, availability of alternative resources, as well as the transitional needs of the student based on guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Data is also collected throughout the school year through observations, assignments, and informal assessments, with teachers monitoring students' progress on goals and objectives and keeping records when a student falls behind.

All IEP team members complete an ESY Eligibility Tool during every annual IEP meeting, where they also present data collected throughout the school year and discuss the child’s need for services. Parents should be an integral part of this process. 

If your child qualifies for ESY Services, your child’s IEP Team will review available service and program options to ensure your child is placed in the most appropriate program to meet their needs. 

If your child qualifies for ESY services, this information will be found in the Service Delivery Grid of your child’s IEP, with an explanation documented in the “Nonparticipation Justification” section of the IEP.

Please reach out to your child’s IEP Team Leader at their school if you have additional questions.

If your child’s IEP states that they qualify for Extended Year Services (ESY), but you are unsure which program your child’s team has recommended, please contact your child’s Special Education Team Leader.

If your child does not qualify for ESY programming, please visit our summer learning web page to view the many other free summer learning options that HPS has to offer.