Malden Public Schools English Learners Summer Enrichment Program was a success

About 100 students participated district wide and continued their learning in the summer

By Steve Freker

The summer break did not stop the learning for about 100 Malden Public Schools (MPS) students who took advantage of the Malden Public Schools English Learners (EL) Summer Enrichment Program. The program was held at two sites: Malden High School for students entering the 9th grade in the fall up to those entering their 12th grade year and the Salemwood K-8 School for younger students in the district.

“It was a great summer, the students really worked very hard at many language skills and other activities that were designed to enhance their progress,” said Jessica Gold Boots, who headed up the program which operated at Malden High this summer and is an EL Coach at MHS during the regular school year.

The Malden Public Schools and Malden High School in turn are recognized in various evaluations as the “Most Diverse District” and “Most Diverse High School” in Massachusetts with one of the higher percentages of students enrolled in the district who receive EL education classes and other resources.

On Thursday, Gold Boots hosted an end-of-the-year lunch outside in the Courtyard at MHS for the 30-plus students enrolled in the program to celebrate their success. She was joined by program staff as well as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy and Assistant Superintendent for English Learner Education Ellen Kelleher-Rojas. Kelleher-Rojas came aboard at Malden Public Schools this summer.

“This is an amazing program which benefits so many of our English Learner students and also their families, as their children improve their skills,” Supt. Dr. Noriega-Murphy said. “The students will be better prepared when the new school year begins.”

The first day of school for the 2023-24 academic year is set for Wednesday, August 30 for most MPS students.

Gold Boots said that, in addition to instruction and activities in a classroom setting this summer, the EL Summer Program students at the high school level were treated to memorable field trips to such locations as the New England Aquarium in Boston as well as to the local Malden Public Library, among others.

“We truly believe this program makes a difference for the students that participate,” Gold Boots said. “Our goal is to help ensure they have every opportunity available to succeed with the best skills they are able to develop.”

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