Town Meeting 2024

Saugus Public Schools seeks approval of a $500,000 proposal for student afterschool enrichment programs

By Mark E. Vogler

School Superintendent Michael Hashem and the administrative staff of Saugus Public Schools are developing a $500,000 afterschool enrichment plan to improve education on all levels of the school system during the 2024-25 academic year. Money for the program is already available from the Supplemental Student Support Reserve Fund that was introduced by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree at a Special Town Meeting in the fall of 2022 and approved by Town Meeting members. But in order for the Saugus Public Schools to access these funds, the Superintendent and School Committee must submit a detailed plan to the Saugus Finance Committee, which will determine that the plan supplements current educational programming, and does not supplant it.

The proposal, which is listed as Article 10 on the warrant for the May 6 Annual Town Meeting, is the first one submitted since the fund was created in late 2022 with $3 million set aside. Article 10 targets enrichment activities for students outside of school hours. “This would include afterschool programming, tutoring, and other enrichment activities,” according to the plan submitted by Saugus Publics Schools on March 29.

The plan notes that its priorities are:

• To develop and provide enrichment programs outside of the school day, including summer school, evening school and before and after school programs not currently existing in the school budget
• To deliver at-home tutoring for students who have been identified as needing one-on-one support from a qualified educator
• To procure and administer norm-referenced student assessments to identify individual student deficiencies in mathematics and reading
• To develop and implement parent/guardian communication and training programs that will help facilitate student learning and success
• To supplement existing ESL/ELL learners including, but not limited to, materials and properly credentialed staff to support these learners
• To ensure access to technology for students who have been identified as not having such at home
• To develop and implement extended day programs for students as needed
• To develop any program deemed appropriate and proven effective with the goal of bringing about student academic and social recovery from two years of remote learning

“This would allow for funding for six (6) six-weeks sessions that would expand school hours to serve our students outside of the traditional school day,” the plan said.

“This proposal and funding would be used to stipend a person to serve as Enrichment Developer/Coordinator, whose purpose would be to design and oversee this extra-curricular expansion. Many of the programs would be free of charge but could be limited by enrollment numbers,” it continued. “Some programs would require some charge for participation, but hopefully at a minimal rate.”

The plan would allow for staffing and resources for activities at all levels in the town’s public education system. The funding would pay for the supervision, cleaning and service providers, as well as any resources for the given programming. A supervisor would oversee the programming and coordinate and schedule the offerings.

Veterans Early Learning

Programming for academic advancement, support and enrichment; suggested offerings include: Early Literacy Skills, Math Support Program, Lego Club, Arts and Craft Club, Fitness Activities and Music/Movement. (This would occur for an hour and a half after school each day Monday–Thursday).

In addition, there would be programs for Special Education extended day enrichment offerings for targeted populations. This would occur for an hour and a half after school each day Monday–Thursday; four six-weeks sessions two afternoons a week for an hour and a half each day.

Belmonte STEAM Academy

Programming for academic advancement, support and enrichment; suggested offerings include: Math Program – Einstein’s Math; Homework Help; Book Club; Keyboarding Skills; School Newspaper; Theatre and Creativity Performance Group; Robotics Club; Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Group; Arts and Crafts; Individual Sports Club (Archery, Pickleball, Tennis, Cardio Fitness); Board Games: Puzzles and Fun; Robotics Team; Girls on the Run.

Special Education extended day enrichment offerings for targeted populations would include Social Awareness, Functional Math, Social Education and Vocational Skills. This would occur for an hour and a half after school each day Monday–Thursday; four six-weeks sessions two afternoons a week for an hour and a half each day.

Saugus Middle School

Programming for academic advancement, support and enrichment; Middle School Enrichment activities and classes focused on STEAM and/or student interest activities. Activities related to technology, the arts and social development games would be focused on the MS. Suggested offerings include: English Language Arts Tutoring, Math Tutoring, Book Club, Keyboarding Skills, Robotics Club, Newspaper Club, Debate Club, Chess Club, Fitness Clubs, Math Club, Graphic Novel Group, Garden Club, Photography Club, Drawing and Art Club, Crochet/Knitting Club, Fitness Club, Middle School Homework Club.

Special Education extended day enrichment offerings for targeted populations would include Social Awareness, Functional Math, Social Education and Vocational Skills. This would occur for an hour and a half after school each day Monday–Thursday; four six-weeks sessions two afternoons a week for an hour and a half each day.

Saugus High School

There would be programing for Early College Courses, Alternative courses for students working outside of the traditional school day and Tutoring Hub. Special Education extended day enrichment offerings for targeted populations would include Vocational Skills, Social Awareness, Functional Math, Social Education, Open Spaces–Staffed, Open Gym (when available), Open Fitness Center and Open Learning Commons Special Education Activities. As stated for each school, there would need to be a person on duty as administrator in charge for the hours that this program is open. There would be no cost for students and the program would be based on funding. This would be open for up to four hours after the close of school Monday–Thursday.