BEFORE EDUCATORS can attend to students’ learning losses relating to the COVID‑19 pandemic, we must support their mental health and social-emotional needs to ensure they’re ready for rigorous academics.

To provide this support, our 6,000-student district dedicated a significant portion of our Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds to enrichment programs — and we see that investment making a difference.

Summer Joy

Last summer, our goal was to provide every student in the Hamden, Conn., Public Schools with the opportunity to re-engage in school and bring joy to their lives. We offered a range of fun, engaging summer programming focused on addressing learning loss, supporting social-emotional learning and easing the transition back to school.

This included academic intervention programs, STEM camps for elementary school students and a Summer Grind program for high school athletes.

We used ESSER funding to offer programming and busing at no charge from late June to late August. We did not want to leave gaps for parents to fill between school years. To eliminate child-care constraints, we also used ESSER funds to offer extended-day enrichment wrapped around our elementary school schedules. This program was provided by the same partner that provides before- and after-school enrichment at six of our elementary schools during the school year. Making these services available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday not only gave students more time for academic and SEL supports, but it supported working parents.

Approximately 1,700 students participated in summer programming, with an average 88 percent attendance rate. Because 100 per-cent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, we also served nearly 32,000 breakfasts and 37,000 lunches, about 15,000 more meals than the previous summer.

After implementing a hybrid learning model in 2020-21, we returned to full-time instruction on campus in August. Students who participated in our summer programs felt at ease coming back and comfortable with school routines and safety protocols, which contributed to a more positive climate and culture at each school.

To continue to address the pandemic’s effects, we have improved upon what we did last summer with continued use of ESSER funding. Specifically, we will offer the STEM and Summer Grind programs again, while consolidating last summer’s intervention and before- and after-school programming at three schools. This will ensure we can provide the same range of opportunities for students and families while reducing transportation and operational costs.

Outside Learning

Students need more time for learning than a 6.5-hour school day provides. Extended-day enrichment offers an opportunity to deepen and reinforce what students are learning during the school day and in a safe, supervised setting.

One-size-fits-all programs, however, may not work for all families or meet the needs of a diverse community like ours. While other before- and after-school programs have rigid schedules and pricing, the enrichment program we offer can flex with families’ needs, which is one reason why participation doubled in the first year. Parents can sign up for before- or after-school options from one to five days a week or take advantage of drop-in child care.

While affordable to most families, we use ESSER funds to supplement or cover the full program cost for those unable to afford it.

Students who participate in before- and after-school programs can receive an extra two to three hours of learning a day. That time quickly adds up, and it’s integral to helping students recover from the pandemic’s effects. 
The enrichment activities are tied to our state standards and reinforce classroom instruction and bolster social-emotional growth. Parents also appreciate that daily homework help is provided, freeing family time at home.

Maximizing Time

As superintendents, we must constantly ask ourselves, “What do students and families need?” The pandemic has increased the need to provide expanded mental health, social-emotional and academic supports. ESSER funding is helping us do this in various ways. By making the most of the time we have — during the school day, summer and before and after school — we can re-engage students and help them cope, grow and thrive.

JODY IAN GOELER is superintendent of Hamden Public Schools in Hamden, Conn. Twitter: @SuperHamden