Committee approves summer programs, handbooks and calendars; Phelps summer program set for June 23–Aug. 15

The Rockland School Committee approved several calendar and program items at the March 24 meeting, including the Phelps Elementary summer program and the final day for the Early Childhood Center at Eston.

Key program items approved or presented - Phelps Elementary summer program: The committee reviewed a flyer for a summer program organized by Marissa Holdley. The program start date is June 23 and the end date is Aug. 15. Registration is scheduled to open April 7 and close May 30. The published fee is $8.50 per hour; the program requires participants to register for a minimum of three days per week and a minimum of six hours per day. Field trips are planned but marked "subject to change" on the flyer. - Early Childhood Center (Eston): The committee approved the last day at Eston as June 9, 2025, for the center’s current session. - Rockland Daycare handbook: Committee members received the Rockland Daycare Summer Program Parent/Guardian Handbook for review; staff asked the committee to place the handbook on a future agenda for a formal vote. - Global Play Day and in-school visits: Committee members noted upcoming events including Global Play Day at Phelps (planned for March 27) and a visit by high-school drama students performing selections from the school’s SpongeBob production for younger students.

Why it matters The summer program details and the Daycare handbook determine registration windows, fees and supervision requirements for families. The Phelps offering was described by staff as a flexible program families repeatedly choose year after year.

Ending Staff asked the committee to place the Daycare handbook on a future agenda for formal approval; the committee approved the summer program flyer and scheduled items for implementation and family registration.