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Perspective Newsletters
Fall 2002
LEARY SCHOOL EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR
Page 4
 The
Leary School Extended School Year program completed its eighth year this past summer.
Both the Leary School of Virginia and Leary School, Prince George's County, combine
to participate in this program at the Virginia campus. The Extended School Year program
provides educational and therapeutic services to students who meet specific criteria
regarding, for example, regression/recoupment of skills and emerging skills. It operated
for five weeks with the school days ending at 1:00 each day.
Each summer, staff collaborates on a specific theme on which to base academics, field
trips, and other events. This year, staff identified our theme as "Proud to be An
American" and patriotic colors were prominent throughout the classroom and hallways.
Some classrooms studied the history of the United States while others focused more
on famous Americans and symbols. Old Navy donated decals and patriotic bags to the
school, which were greatly appreciated by the students. Field trips were taken to
the Museum of American History to see "Old Glory" as well as to other area museums.
 Three
staff members, Mr. Thompson, Ms. Sanchez, and Mr. Dogbatse, helped to organize a
field trip for nine students to see the Washington Mystics basketball team on "Camp
Day" in mid-July.
Two field days were organized by Mr. LaChance, the physical education teacher at
Leary School, Prince George's County. Every student who participated was awarded
a ribbon and those who placed in individual competitions won additional ribbons.
Events included a basketball free throw competition, water balloon toss, water relay,
obstacle course, tug of war and three legged race. Students as well as staff participated
in these and great fun was had by all!
Throughout the program, students earned tickets for positive behavior and were able
to use these tickets at the end of ESY at a "Carnival" that was organized and run
by staff. Students played games to include a football toss through hoops, bean bag
tic tac toe, golf putt putt, ring toss and tennis ball bull's eye. All students who
played won small prizes at each game based on their performance. Again, students
and staff had a wonderful time. Additionally, students who did not use all of their
stickers were able to cash them in the next day for extra prizes.
 The
ESY program concluded with a cookout of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, juice and watermelon
for students as well as staff. Staff members gave their time to man the hot grills
outside on one of the hottest days of the summer. All went home that day with a full
stomach!
The recreation portion of the program consisted of three camping trips, one overnight
to Prince William Forest Park and two three-night trips to the Shenandoah Mountains.
Mr. Peck, Ms. Macdonald, and Mr. Leary led these trips in which the students helped
to cook their meals, pitch tents and maintain their campsite. During the day, students
went on hikes, went swimming and took a six mile canoe trip on the Shenandoah River.
Overall, the ESY program gave the students a chance to maintain skills they had developed
during the school year and provided them with fun and educational experiences. Many,
many thanks to the staff who made this possible for the students.
Michele Sullivan, B.S.
Program Supervisor
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