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Benicia Unified highlights summer preschool and ESY programs; staff emphasize enrichment and community
Summary
District staff summarized summer activities across preschool and Expanded School Year (ESY) programs, reporting field trips, community partnerships, enrichment classes and family events; staff described social, life-skill and regression-prevention work with students.
District staff used the board meeting to showcase summer activities in preschool and Expanded School Year (ESY) programs, emphasizing enrichment opportunities, family engagement and supports for students with special needs.
Bridal Dudley, director of early education and expanded learning, told the board preschool and expanded-learning sites ran themes such as camping and fishing, hosted assemblies and tutoring, and partnered with community groups for dance, STEAM, cooking and athletics. Bridal Dudley highlighted family day events and several field trips including the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Bohart Museum (Davis), Tilden Park and a River Cats game where students walked the field and met players.
Steve Phillips and Christina Moore described ESY (Extended School Year) programming for students with special needs. Christina Moore, this year’s ESY principal and the principal of Robert Semple, described music, art, STEAM and library enrichment as central to the program. Staff described daily family greeting protocols, multiple enrichment rotations per week, and supports such as a therapy dog visit to practice calming techniques.
Teachers and paraprofessionals shared classroom examples of students gaining independence and social skills, including collaborative art projects, turn taking and a student operating a copy machine independently. Staff said the program combined learning maintenance with enrichment and life-skills instruction.
Why it matters: ESY and preschool programming are tied to student regression prevention, family engagement and special-education supports. Trustees and staff framed summer work as part of the district’s broader learning-continuity strategy.
