This year our students from the Summer Enrichment and ESL Program had a summer to remember!

Both programs provided students with the opportunity to learn about animals, communities and Science. The children were able to go on field trips to educational destinations such as Franklin Park Zoo, Smolak Farms, The Butterfly Place, The New England Aquarium and the Discovery Museum. They also enjoyed in-person field trips thanks to The Wingmasters Jim Parks, who brought four different kinds of birds to LFDCS that can be found in the City of Lawrence. The kids enjoyed learning facts about these lovely animals, and they also learned about helping animals in danger. “This is my dream come true,” as one of our upcoming second graders described the experience! The McAuliffe Discovery Center will also bring a fun educational experience by turning our students into scientists for a day by having them create and launch their own rocket ships.

Ninety-two students have enjoyed these field trips and many other planned activities and completed them in the building, thanks to their leaders! Leaders provided activities from different areas such as music, arts and crafts, cooking, STEM and sports. The children have been very busy learning all kinds of concepts and ideas while having fun with teachers and classmates. Making a healthy fruit pizza, creating yummy constellations using marshmallows and learning how to be a team player by playing capture the flag are examples of students' activities during our program. Other activities included the social-emotional element that schools are starting to plant in young minds across the country. Students take deep breaths and think of things they were grateful for during the past school year and in their personal lives. In addition, the kids learned how to work in groups and how to be kind to one another.

Twenty-four of our students who enrolled in our ESL program also had the opportunity to enjoy and learn many valuable lessons and create great memories with friends and teachers! The children followed a schedule that includes strengthening their vocabulary, practicing literary skills, such as reading and writing, and having conversations with teachers about different topics such as our community which enhanced their speaking skills. As a result, students built solid relationships and social skills. The ESL program provides them the tools they need to succeed in our school and grow as individuals.

Staff members from the LFDCS Summer Enrichment and the ESL program are pleased to have worked with these children who have a bright future ahead of them. We look forward to seeing them again this upcoming school year and hope they enjoyed part of their summer with us!