While school is out, the learning continues
About 200 take part in extended school year program in Middletown
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — For most kids, the summer months are a time to kick back, relax and unwind from a long school year.

But for many years in Middletown, there has been a select group of students who have actually volunteered to sit in a classroom. This summer, about 200 such young people took part in the extended school year program at New Monmouth Elementary School.

The program, which has been around for about 15 years, is designed to supplement what the students learn during the regular academic year.

“We have a very good academic structure here in our summer program,” said Jack Saylor, teacher-in-charge of the program. “We also allot time for recreation, art and computers as well. I think it’s been beneficial for the kids here and they can get lots out of it.”

One of the components of the program, art instruction, has also been used to help educate students.

“Art is really a reinforcing type of thing here, and it tends to go hand-in-hand with the academics,” said district art teacher Christin Tumillo, now in her first year with the ESY program. “A lot of the kids have been able to have fun with it. It’s almost been like a second home for our students.”

Among the highlights of the program, which ran from July 6 until yesterday, were Safety Week and an art show on Monday which allowed students to showcase their creativity.

“I try to allow the students to combine their academic and creative sides all in one,” Tumillo said.

Saylor has been involved in the program for 14 years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

“Originally I wanted to be an administrator, and so that’s why I wanted to participate in the program,” Saylor, an adaptive physical education teacher in the district, said. “This has been a great experience for me and I have truly enjoyed doing it.”