SAUGUS — The new School Committee got a look at how the enrichment programs are doing this year from the Veterans Early Learning Center, the middle school, and the Belmonte STEAM Academy.
Enrichment has been a primary focus in Saugus schools, and the programs have seen growth over time.
Principal Michael Mondello spoke first on behalf of the Veterans Early Learning Center. He noted that, given the students’ ages, the enrichment numbers were typically on the lower side.
Each session had 12 students, and they were run for kindergarten and first grade.
“Thirty families applied, so we’re looking to add more sessions so we can bring more students in. At the conclusion of our program, we always issue a parent survey. I’m happy to announce that at the conclusion of the parent survey, feedback was tremendous,” Mondello said.
He noted that 100% of parents said they would want to return for more sessions, that pick-up and drop-off went well, and that parents saw impacts in social skills, confidence and self-esteem, and creativity and problem-solving.
Mondello said one piece of feedback from parents included wanting to see more pictures and moments from the programs, which he already will have happening for the next sessions.
Traci Rodrigues, the enrichment coordinator at the middle school, was the next to present.
“We kicked off our first fall session with 158 students, and we had an additional 10-15 in our daily drop-ins for our Strategies for Success room,” she said. “In Fall Two session, our enrollment grew to 203 students, along with 10-15 in that drop-off room.”
Something Rodrigues highlighted was a photo of the cafeteria, a place students would typically sit in and stare at their phones while they waited to be picked up. She showed how, in the photo, which was taken after school, the cafeteria was completely empty thanks to the enrichment programs.
“This picture is one of my favorite pictures. I’ve captioned it: lack of lingering and love of learning,” she said. “… We’re really seeing engaging new content; kids are discovering passion and talents, finding inner confidence in things they might not have found before. It’s been really heartwarming to witness the excitement in classrooms and the friendships that they’re making.”
Rodrigues noticed that cross-grade clubs have affected the school immensely, with students connecting more, and the same goes for teachers interacting with students in different grades.
“It’s a great thing to see the impact it’s had on our school climate,” she said.
Brigitte Vaudo, enrichment coordinator at the Belmonte STEAM Academy, spoke on their enrichment programs next.
“It’s continued to be really successful. Through this program, students are given many different opportunities to collaborate, express themselves, and learn something new,” Vaudo said.
The fall enrichment program, which is being offered from September to November, includes 17 learning groups with opportunities for 250 students.
The winter enrichment program, which will run through December, includes 18 different clubs and opportunities for more than 270 students.
“Our programs offer academic supports, cultivate interests in the arts, physical opportunities, SEL (Social and Emotional) based learning, and ways for students to advance their STEAM learning,” she said.
The Committee thanked all the presenters and also all commented positively on how the enrichment programs have grown and clearly impacted the schools and students.
