Webutuck Central School District’s summer programs have a temporary home, but the expectations are the same as some 80 district students will be participating in the summer programs at Maplebrook School in Amenia.

“We hope they have fun; we hope they are engaged, and we hope they retain their skills. Those are our three main goals for the summer,” said Lauren Marquis, director of curriculum, instruction and technology.

The summer programs are being housed at Maplebrook while work is being done this summer at Webutuck’s campus as part of a $12.56 million capital improvement project that was approved by district voters in December 2022.

“We are very grateful to have Maplebrook in our backyard,” said Marquis. “Working with our community partners and having that monthly meeting for the community partners really has brought a lot of the stakeholders together to work collaboratively for what’s best for our school community as well as our greater community.

“We hope to continue to work with our community partners.”

There are 50 elementary and intermediate school students in the program's three classes. A fourth class will be added July 22 when teacher Monica Baker begins the English as a new language program for students. The summer programs will conclude on Aug. 16.

 “It’s fantastic and it’s great to see kids in a different setting,” said Jennifer Hengen, district administrator. “I like the fact it’s a new setting and they have to learn to adjust to a different setting. We have the same expectations that we have in our school building but in a different setting.

“What we’re trying to do is stop a summer slide, which is regression of not being exposed to math and reading for two months. It’s not any new curriculum, but reviewing things they know and doing fun activities.”

Students will attend the program for three hours each morning, and started their first day by touring their temporary home. Field trips also are planned for students and staff.

Students will be served a breakfast and lunch prepared each day by the North East Community Center, a community partner. Breakfast on the first day included cereal, an orange and milk, and lunch featured pasta with diced tomatoes and mozzarella, applesauce and chocolate milk.

“It’s exciting to see them back,” said Lisa Marino, a summer programs instructor and a third-grade teacher in the elementary school. “Even over just the last two weeks, they’ve grown, and there are smiles on their faces.

“We’re ready to get started, and see where this takes us.”

Troy Stickle, who is a rising fourth grader, is happy seeing his friends and started his summer break by reading a cookbook.

“I want to learn how to cook,” said Stickle, who can cook a grilled cheese sandwich and breakfast foods such as eggs.

Marco Morales Bones said he enjoys the summer programs because he sees his friends and goes on field trips. He will be a fourth grader in September at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School.

“I’m excited to go to a new school,” he said. “I’m going to have my friends there.”