The late September meeting of the Pine Bush Board of Education is usually when the summer programs give their reports. And this year was no exception. Pine Bush schools are known for the effort that goes into both summer school remediation and summer enrichment via their envied Academies program.

Elementary Summer School Program

The report on the Elementary Summer School Program was provided by Jennifer Fitzgerald of Pine Bush Elementary, Romulo Gabriel of Circleville Elementary, Andrea McKevitt of Pakanasink Elementary, and Loren Soltish of EJR Elementary.

The program is now called “Kid Venture” and as Jennifer Fitzgerald reported, was delivered in two sections, with 72 students in the Northern section and 64 in the Southern section. The report covered breakfasts, lunches and weekend meals. At Pakanasink, 731 breakfasts, 1,005 lunches and 657 weekend meals were provided. At PBE, there were 1,395 breakfasts, 1,511 lunches and 1,134 weekend meals. Some students also took food home.

The program incorporated “Conscious Discipline,” including daily commitments, “wish wells” and breathing strategies. What I Need (WIN) groups also continued, providing targeted intervention, reinforcement and enrichment.

Gabriel reported increased attendance and encouraging progress among students in the early grades. Among post-fourth-grade students, 94% maintained or increased their ELA performance and 87% did so in math. Gabriel noted the discrepancy between ELA and math results could help identify ways to improve the math program.

Soltish discussed the “Science Math Readers Theater,” which included dissecting owl pellets, identifying clouds and performing Readers’ Theater.

Looking ahead, educators recommended increasing dedicated data-analysis time to better organize WIN groups and finding ways to include more students while maintaining the four-week, four-hour program. They also want to continue the annual ice cream celebration.

The teachers thanked the board for its support.

Middle School Summer School Bridge Program

Next came a report from Middle School Assistant Principals Jeannette Mendez of Crispell Middle School and Seth Siegel of Circleville.

The Middle School Summer School Bridge Program includes four weeks of direct instruction in all four “content” areas: Math, ELA, Social Studies and Science. Students attended four periods a day with 50 minutes of instruction each. Tests were administered twice, there were also weekly assessments.

Siegel made the primary point that the object of the Summer Bridge program was to look ahead and enable students to succeed in the upcoming school year. Program attendance was 93% overall. Proficiency increased at each level, scoring 100% in some classes. In addition, ADAC (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council, Orange County) and the Tri County Partnership provided grade level presentations to students about alcohol and drugs.

On the meals front, 304 breakfasts and 569 lunches were served and 381 meal packs were also provided to be taken home. Next summer’s program is already being discussed. And there will be further attention paid to the groups that participated this past summer. Mendez thanked the board for their support of the summer program.

Summer Academies

High School Principal Thomas Breitfeller gave the Summer Academies presentation, which had 197 students participate overall.

The Aviation Academy had 28 students, who gained hands-on experience during nine days at Dutchess Community College’s Hudson Valley Regional Airport, including simulator and flight experiences. Students also met with DEC Environmental Police and the Air National Guard and toured a Boeing C-17 at Stewart Airport.

The Law and Leadership Academy was the largest, with 108 students. All but one earned credit, while 39 earned college credit through SUNY Sullivan. In partnership with the Town of Crawford Police and U.S. Army, students participated in optional physical training and visited Washington, D.C., the Orange County Courthouse and the 911 center, as well as the Pentagon.

Eleven students participated in the Fine Art Academy, learning pottery, plaster casting and carving. They also painted a forest mural at Pine Bush Elementary.

The Medical Academy had 24 students, who received more than 95 hours of instruction, including trauma response training and clinical immersion at Garnet Medical Center. They also trained in emergency field medicine and survival tactics with the Army National Guard.

The STEM Academy had 26 students and included industry connections, cultural trips, welding and fabrication, and precision cutting a firepit designed with AutoCAD.

Breitfeller thanked administrators and 11 former Pine Bush students who returned to assist. Board Chair, Gretchen Meier was impressed by the presentation and said that she wished she could participate, too, especially on the Art Academy.

Transportation

Superintendent Joseph Lenz and Assistant Superintendent Brian Wehr presented an overview of the district’s transportation system. The district is a large one that famously sprawls into three counties, over seven townships.

There are 99 active bus routes transporting 5,278 students, with 4,561 daily bus stops. Transportation is provided by First Student Inc. and Mosdos Satmar of Bloomingburg, which serves only private schools.

The key factors shaping school routes are safety and compliance with New York State regulations, time management and available funding.

Pine Bush elementary students have a one-mile distance limit from school where bus transportation is not provided, while the state allows up to two miles. Secondary students also have a one-mile limit, compared with the state allowance of up to three miles.

Bus stops must have a clear, unobstructed sight line when the bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. A safe, designated space for students is required, but sidewalks are not. Parents concerned about a bus stop can begin a formal review by contacting school administration.

Superintendent Lenz noted that students are not entitled to door-to-door bus service and that local districts can establish their own distance limits. While Pine Bush prioritizes safety, parents are responsible for getting children between home and the bus stop.

Drivers approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights must stop from either direction and remain stopped until the bus moves or they are signaled to proceed. Violations can result in fines of up to $400 and 30 days in jail, with higher penalties for subsequent offenses.