By Susan Gonsalves, Contributing Writer
WESTBOROUGH – Westborough schools will offer general education programs for all grades in addition to its usual special education summer sessions this summer.
Assistant Superintendent Daniel Mayer described the offerings to the Westborough School Committee, April 28.
Federal law requires a “robust” summer program for SPED students at risk of summer learning loss, he said.
Those sessions run July 6 to August 1 either 8 or 9 a.m. until noon.
New will be general education classes, also with a component for students for whom English is a second language.
The K-6 program begins July 12 and ends July 29, running from 9 a.m. to noon.
Grades 7-8 runs with those same dates and times. However, at the high school level, there are two separate programs.
The first, spanning June 29 to July 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is for students who want to bring up their grades and grade point average from a D. Superintendent Amber Bock said this “targeted recovery,” is limited to 10 points being added to a grade.
The second, runs from July 6 to July 29 and is geared to kids who failed one or more course.
The summer programs have literacy and numeracy themes, Bock said. Higher grades also have science and history.
Parents who have children in need will receive invitations to sign up for the free programs.
Busing will be offered because of the availability of COVID-19 reimbursement funds. After initial slots are filled, classes will be open to families who feel their children need extra help because of the pandemic shutdown.
Superintendent Amber Bock emphasized that the schools don’t want to raise anxiety and parents should be re-assured that “recovery” efforts will continue year-round.
“Our experience tells us, you cast a wide net for who is going to be interested,” Mayer said. “Then you have to juggle matching the teachers you’ll need with the number of participants.”
Administrators are unsure how many participants may enroll.
