Summer School
(Article published in HWW June 2008)
by Marne Lenox, New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) at Advocates for Children
Under the law, children living in shelters must get the services they need to do well in school. Summer programs give students the chance to pass to the next grade when they are at risk of being held back in school.
How do I know if my child has to go to summer school?
If your child needs to go to summer school, you will be told at least 14 days before the end of the school year. If you do not know if your child has to go to summer school to pass to the next grade, you or the Family Assistant (also called the on-site liaison or Department of Education Worker), should contact your child’s school to find out.
Do I have to pay for my child to attend summer school?
No. Summer school is free.
Can my child get transportation to summer school?
Yes. Children in grades K-6 can get busing if its available and older students can get a free MetroCard. To check to see if busing is available for your child, call (718) 392-8855. If busing isn’t available, your child should get a free MetroCard and if you need to go with your child on the subway or public bus, you can get a free MetroCard too. For help with transportation, talk to the Family Assistant (Department of Education worker) at the shelter or call the Students in Temporary Housing (STH) Content Expert in your borough. (Please see below for contact information.)
Who can help me enroll or get transportation for my child to summer school?
The Family Assistant (Department of Education worker) or the Students in Temporary Housing (STH) Content Expert can help. During the regular school year, Family Assistants help make sure students in shelter are enrolled in and get transportation to school. In the summer, there may not be a Family Assistant in your shelter. If there is no Family Assistant in your shelter this summer, or if you cannot talk to the Family Assistant, you should contact the STH Content Expert in the borough where you live. (Please see below for contact information.)
If my child does not have to attend summer school, are there any other summer programs she may go to?
Yes. Flyers with information on summer programs should be put up in shelters at the beginning of June. Please contact your Family Assistant or the STH Content Expert in the borough where you live for more information. (Please see below for contact information.) Also there are many other FREE Summer Camps:
• There are 280 Out-of-School Time Summer Day Camps. For more information call (800) 246-4646 or visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/afterschool/out_of_school_time.shtml
• Coalition for the Homeless has a sleep-away camp, Camp Homeward Bound. There are three 16-day sessions beginning June 23. To register call (212) 776-2020 or email:
camphomewardbound@cfthomeless.org
•The Fresh Air Fund runs the Friendly Town program (a one- or two-week visit with one of their volunteer host families) and sleep-away camps. For more information call: 1-800-367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org
Contact Information:
If you have problems with enrollment or transportation, please contact your Family Assistant and STH Content Expert. If they cannot help you, please contact Susana Vilardell, Students in Temporary Housing Senior Program Manager, at (212) 374-2530, or Nicole Fenice, Students in Temporary Housing Program Coordinator, at (212) 374-0860.
2008 SUMMER SCHOOL CALENDAR
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
July 1, 2008 First day of Summer School
July 4, 2008 Schools and Central Offices Closed – Independence Day
July 31, 2008 Last day of Classes
Aug. 4, 2008 ELA Testing for Grades 3 – 8
Aug. 5, 2008 Math Testing for Grades 3 – 8
Aug. 6, 2008 Makeup Exams for Grades 3 – 8 ELA and Math Exams
Last day of Summer School for Elementary and Middle Schools
HIGH SCHOOLS
July 1, 2008 First day of Summer School
July 4, 2008 Schools and Central Offices Closed – Independence Day
Aug. 12, 2008 Last day of Classes
Aug. 13, 2008 Regents Examinations (See Regents Exam Schedule for subjects)
Aug. 14, 2008 Regents Examinations (See Regents Exam Schedule for subjects)
Last day of Summer School for High School
* Schools will have the option to schedule different start and end dates and times than the standard schedule listed above. Elementary and Middle School students must commence on July 1, 2008 but actual program end dates may vary by individual schools with the proviso that programs end no later than Aug. 6, 2008. High Schools may schedule different start and end dates and times.
