Summer School Celebration Day
Summer Celebration Day, Friday July 15th, marked the last day of this year's Bayfront Migrant/ESL Summer School Program. Over 75 students speaking more than five languages, from eight different countries, ranging in grade levels from one through eight participated in this year’s activities which focused on language arts and included math, wellness, computer skills, art, boating and water safety.
Students with their family members and staff gathered for award presentations and lunch.
Students, family members, and program staff before lunch at the presentation ceremonies.
Students and teachers proud of the mural they created.
After the meal, the first and second grade students and their parents went sailing. The older students played soccer, bean-bag toss, and basketball in the yard.
Bean-bag toss, soccer, and basketball (behind the wind turbine).
Students sailing BMC's new Maine Cat 22 and Taco the Town, our 34' racing catamaran.
However, many of the students chose to work in the boatshop with the new ShopBot CNC Router. Wanting to stay inside on a perfect summer day is a measure of the attraction this digital fabrication equipment has with our students. The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), program being created by Harold Rinn at the Bayfront Maritime Center in conjunction with this new cutting edge equipment is aligned with Pennsylvania State Educational Standards.
All the students love designing and creating their own projects on the new ShopBot digital fabrication equipment.
We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Department of Education—Migrant Division, the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5, the School District City of the City of Erie, the Erie Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, AmeriCorpsVista, KRISE Transportation Services, Edinboro University, and Tickets for Kids, as well as all the great summer staff who helped to make this a fantastic summer learning experience for all of the students.
This is the thirteenth year of the Bayfront Summer School Program. This year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education- Migrant Division, is one of eight finalists out of 62 entrants, for the national Excellence in Summer Learning award from the National Summer Learning Association; the Bayfront Migrant IU5/ECSD Summer Program is part of this.
The award contest is rigorous and highly competitive. Its emphasis is on innovative and effective summer programs that implement partnerships, collaborations and best practices. We're pleased to be a finalist, and are eagerly awaiting the announcement of this years award winners. Stay tuned!