CANTON — Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller is pleased to share that the Baker-Polito Administration visited the Galvin Middle School today to announce the establishment of summer learning opportunities and the availability of more than $70 million in funding for school districts and community organizations.
The state programs aim to help students grow academically and socially following a year of hybrid and remote learning. Students at every grade level will have opportunities to take part in a mix of academic and recreational programs offered at schools, after-school providers, community colleges and recreation sites.
“Our administration has long maintained that children are best served academically, socially and emotionally when learning in-person and in the classroom,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “After a challenging school year for students, teachers and staff, the focus must now shift to recouping any learning loss experienced remotely to ensure that our children are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond.”
The Canton Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs each year through the Canton Academy for K-8 students, the Jump Start program at Galvin Middle School, the Bridge program at Canton High School and the Extended School Year program that supports students who require specialized support during the summer weeks.
This year, the district is developing new programs that will supplement and enhance the existing programs. The new programs include Summer Scholars, which will provide in-person learning opportunities for small groups of K-12 students with unfinished learning; and Summer Enrichment, which will provide options through the existing Canton Academy and additional GMS and CHS programs such as summer book club and math support.
These programs are designed to meet the unique developmental needs of students of all grade levels and will provide both academic enrichment and experiences that promote social-emotional development and connectedness with peers. A remote summer option will also be available.
“It is an understatement to say that this past year was a challenge, for our students, their families, and our administrators, faculty and staff. Every individual has been affected differently by the pandemic, including our students,” Dr. Fischer-Mueller said. “Though we are fortunate to have all of our Pre-K-12 students back to in-person learning, we know that our students have experienced many learning challenges this year, resulting in various academic and social-emotional stumbling blocks. It is our responsibility to continue to address these student needs through the end of the school year and into the summer.”
The new summer learning programs in Canton will be supported by an After School and Out of School Time grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Baker-Polito Administration.
Today, the Baker-Polito Administration also announced additional funding opportunities to support summer programs, including Acceleration Academies, Summer School Matching Grants, Summer Acceleration to College and Summer Step Up. Read more about the programs and other grant opportunities here.
“As students and teachers return to the routine of learning in classrooms, it is time to partner with schools and communities across the Commonwealth to provide opportunities to students in all grades to learn and have fun this summer,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “To support this effort, our administration has developed several options schools can choose from and will make funding available to cover the costs.”
Visitors to the Galvin Middle School today included Gov. Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, Secretary of Education James Peyser, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley, Sen. Walter Timilty and Boston After School & Beyond President and Executive Director Chris Smith. In addition to Gov. Baker’s summer learning announcement, the group visited a classroom at the middle school.
###