WESTOVER — For the second consecutive year, Somerset County Public Schools served a record number of students through educational summer programming  — an integral part of the district’s recovery from academic and social-emotional deficits incurred during pandemic school closures and virtual instruction.

Nearly 900 students attended programs during the months of July and early August of 2022 to participate in Remedial Elementary and Secondary Summer School, Special Education Extended School Year (ESY), Early Childhood, Migrant Education, Enrichment and Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps.

High school students requiring credit recovery, in addition to intermediate and elementary students underperforming in one or more class subjects participated in summer session, an 18-day instructional term focusing on math, reading, and meeting graduation requirements at four of the county’s eight schools. SCPS provided after-care for elementary aged students at Somerset Intermediate School.

Special education students returned for ESY summer programming and to recover from services missed during the previous two school years and reach previously set IEP goals.

Rising Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten students participated in summer programs focusing on building school-readiness and social skills. The program provided an inclusive environment, additional family resources and enrichment opportunities including music therapy, performing arts and social-emotional wellness. The Migrant Education Program provided a morning session focusing on Reading, English and Math, and an afternoon enrichment experience including field trips and hands-on educational activities for children of local migrant working families in grades PreK-3 through 12^th.

Enrichment opportunities were also provided through the Summer Enrichment Program featuring seven unique experiences through grade appropriate educational day-camps that included transportation and meals. Camp themes ranged from Environmental Science, Forensics, Band, Art and more.

New in the summer of 2022 was the addition of CTE enrichment camps at Somerset County Technical High School (SCTHS), offering students exposure to seven different vocational fields of study: Automotive, Bio-Medical Sciences, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Interactive Media & Drones, Horticulture and Welding.

Expanded summer program funds were secured through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants available through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), and the Maryland Blueprint Grant.