For several weeks over the summer, Harris Hill Elementary School plays home to the Penfield Central School District’s Extended School Year program, providing students K-12 with an opportunity to continue learning year-round.

In addition to units on math, reading, science, and PE, students also have access to related services including speech, occupational and physical therapy. The program leaves plenty of room for fun, as students take field trips to area attractions, including Seneca Park Zoo and Wickham Farms, among others.

From camping to heroes to movies, each week has a different theme designed to spur creativity and energy among the students and staff. Classes also explore each theme through the shared experience of creating and enjoying a meal or snack together.

A program-wide collaboration, each class decides on their recipe on Monday, and hands of an ingredient list to high school-aged students, who then travel to Wegmans to purchase the provisions. Working on budget, the students are learning how to shop for the best value and make the most of their finances. They then divide the supplies and deliver them to each class. Throughout the program, they present their budget to program directors Jen Malik and Dr. Tara McManus.

During Camping Week, students in Mrs. Buttaro’s elementary-aged class were making s’mores bars, a fun twist on rice crispy treats. They took turns reading the recipe, and in teams of two, students melted butter and marshmallows, crushed cinnamon cereal bits and chocolate bars, and stirred it all together to create the gooey treat. From there, patience was the name of the game as students waited for the treats to harden. Laughter and giggles ensued as they were finally able to enjoy the fruits of their hardwork.

“The Extended School Year program gives students the opportunity to maintain the skills they acquired over the school year while also having fun,” said Malik, a special education teacher at Harris Hill who has coordinated the ESY program for the past five summers. “Our cooking program, Friday field trips, and weekly themes allow teachers to integrate learning in engaging ways. We want to create a positive experience, so students feel excited to come to school even in the summer!”