When classes let out for the summer, the Hudson Falls Central School District shifted into summer programming mode offering everything from Drivers Ed classes to a splash in our community pool.
Academic services are offered spanning all grade levels for all different types of learners. At the Primary School, Summer Success is a program for UPK through 5 grade students based on teacher recommendations. This program puts an emphasis on growth from the school year specifically in ELA and math. Some highlights of Summer Success are the field trips to Dino Roar and Fun Spot and visits from the Saratoga Children’s Museum. This program includes breakfast and lunch for the students and has approximately 100 participants.
Extended School Year, also known as ESY, services our K-12 Special Education population with the goal of maintaining and growing academic levels and promoting routine and structure through the summer months. It takes place between the Primary School and the Middle School, providing breakfast and lunch for the 35 participating students.
STEAM Summer enrichment is a favorite for students entering grades 1 through 6 and takes place at the Intermediate School. For three weeks 150 students are encouraged to explore areas of interest related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) in twelve unique class offerings. The highlight of this program is the STEAM Summer Showcase that takes place on the last day each year where students present projects and perform in front of parents, grandparents and the community. This year the showcase takes place on Thursday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Hudson Falls Intermediate School.
HFCSD also hosts Summer School at the Middle School allowing students to earn actual credit for courses that were not passed during the academic school year. The Middle School Summer School is available to 6 through 8 grade students in need of passing courses to help them advance to the next grade level. This year approximately 60 kids are utilizing the MS Summer School.
High School Summer School offers students in grades 9 through 12 to recover course credit or gain additional credit towards graduating from High School. It also can prepare students for passing Regents exams that are offered in August. The widely popular and less commonly offered Drivers Education Program fills to capacity and enables driving age students an opportunity to gain necessary skills and requirements for the Department of Motor Vehicle and the Driver’s License process. HS Summer School services over 100 individuals.
Meals are yet another essential element to many of our students in programs and The Hudson Falls Summer Feeding Program is available from early July through Friday, August 16. Any child 18 years or younger may receive a free breakfast and/or lunch at the Primary School. Breakfast runs from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and Lunch 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. To date, this program has provided over 200 families meals this Summer.
HFCSD Recreation provides recreational opportunities for families of Kingsbury and Hudson Falls. Highlights every summer are the Community Pool that offers swim lessons in the morning and opens to the public in the afternoons for open swimming 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. Community Nights at Moran-Derby Park are another chance to get out with the family and enjoy a themed night with food trucks, vendors and live music on Mondays throughout the Summer. Community members are encouraged to stop in from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with fun for the whole family. And finally there are sport camps, field trips and arts and crafts that the community can sign up for in advance at little to no cost. The best place to keep up with HFCSD Rec is by visiting their website. Rec provides over 500 children summer entertainment throughout July and August employing over 30 students and staff with summer jobs.
So while the Summer is a time to relax and refresh for the upcoming school year, HFCSD is staying busy trying to provide opportunities for our community. Staying engaged for the summer with fun, safe and educational opportunities has become the Tiger Way.