A Message from the Assistant Superintendent of SELPA & Equity 

As we welcome the summer season, I want to take a moment to thank our families and community members for your continued partnership and support throughout the school year. Summer provides an important opportunity for students to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful experiences with family, while also maintaining the academic, social, and emotional skills they have worked so hard to build.

To help students continue growing over the summer months, I encourage families to create simple daily routines that include reading, conversation, exploration, and opportunities for independence. Maintaining skills can be supported through activities such as practicing math facts during everyday errands, journaling about summer experiences, visiting the library, engaging in educational games, and encouraging students to help with household responsibilities that build life skills.

Reading remains one of the most powerful ways to prevent summer learning loss. Best practices for summer reading include setting aside at least 20 minutes each day for reading, allowing students to choose books that interest them, reading together as a family, discussing stories and vocabulary, and visiting your local library regularly. Making reading enjoyable and consistent helps strengthen comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence.

We are also pleased to offer several summer learning opportunities for eligible students, including Extended School Year (ESY), the Intensive Reading Workshop, and our Summer Social Skills Camp. These programs will be offered at both Sultana Elementary and Lincoln Elementary to provide continued support and meaningful learning experiences for students throughout the summer.

Please be sure to register your student for ESY if it is offered as part of your child’s IEP. Detailed information regarding eligibility, schedules, and program specifics can be provided by your student’s case manager, who will be your primary point of contact for support.

Our goal is to ensure every student continues to feel connected, supported, and prepared for success in the upcoming school year. Thank you for your ongoing collaboration and commitment to student achievement.

Wishing you and your family a safe, joyful, and enriching summer.

Warmly,
Dr. Alana Hughes-Hunter
Assistant Superintendent, SELPA and Equity
Ontario-Montclair School District