Extended School Year (ESY)
Extended School Year (ESY)
School(s): All Schools
Grade(s): PreK-8
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The provisions of IDEA require schools to provide ESY services for those children with disabilities who require such services to ensure an appropriate educational program. All children with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be considered for ESY, but typically only those who will be severely impacted by an extended break in instruction should be enrolled.
All children "regress" - lose progress, forget, and revert to previous behavior - to some extent between school years and during school breaks. When an IEP team considers a student with a disability eligible for summer services, they must first determine whether a child's regression would likely be substantial, and whether the child would require greater than usual time to "recoup" -to get back to the level the child had achieved before a break in service. In nearly all cases, projections of summer regression-recoupment are to be made based upon data gathered during school breaks.
Decisions about ESY programs are to be made on an individual basis, taking into consideration the unique needs of the child. These are situations where the nature of the student's disability and other factors would be considered in the ESY eligibility process.
Extended School Year services are available only to students with disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria for ESY. It is not a "one size fits all" program. ESY is individually designed by the IEP team to prevent substantial regression in those critical skill areas that are likely to be impacted by an extended summer recess. Critical life skills may include but are not limited to: self-help, social skills, emotional support, physical mobility, communication, assistive technology, academics and vocational skills. -
The Lincoln Public Schools employs and retains highly qualified teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers who meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) standards. Because ESY services are determined on an individualized basis, the staffing fluctuates from summer to summer and from student to student.
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The ESY instruction is based on the individual student's IEP goals and while it may address academics, instruction may also focus on self-help, social skills, emotional support, physical mobility, communication, assistive technology, academics, and vocational skills.
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The range of services varies widely depending on a student's individualized needs. The type and frequency of service are decided at the Team meeting. Parents and special education teams collaborate to recommend programs. The hours of programming vary depending upon the news of the student.
Direct Services
Tutorials:
- 1:1 and/or small group instruction
- Academic instruction to prevent regression of skills as identified by the Team
Programs:
- Lincoln Preschool Program (IEP students identified as requiring ESY)
- Summer Transition Extension Program (STEP)
- Strategic Targeted Academic Resource Room (STARR)
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Related services assist a child with a disability in benefiting from special education and to reach their IEP goals and objectives. The related services that students may receive during the extended school year include:
- Adaptive Physical Education
- Assistive Technology
- Behavior Therapy
- Counseling
- Hearing / Audiology Services
- Health Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Social Skills/ Pragmatics Instruction
- Specialized Transportation
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Vision / Orientation and Mobility Services
July 6 – August 6, 2026

Lincoln Campus
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Preschool Programming
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Foundations Programming
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STEP Programming
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Comprehensive Programming
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Lincoln Academic Tutorials
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Related Services (e.g. Speech, OT, PT, Counseling)
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Lincoln Rec Camp

Hanscom Campus
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Academic Tutorials for Hanscom Students
Program Details
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ESY Coordinator: Jessie Wiggins

Phone: (781) 259-9400 ext. 1126 (until the end of the school year)
Email: jwiggins@lincnet.org
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Attendance
We understand that summer schedules can include vacations, camps, and other family plans. Attendance at ESY is not mandatory, however consistent attendance during Extended School Year (ESY) programming helps students benefit the most from their services and maintain the progress they have made during the school year. The more consistently a student is able to attend, the more meaningful the experience will be for them.
If you are aware of specific dates your child will be absent due to planned events, please notify the classroom teacher and ESY coordinator in advance. If your child will be absent on a single day due to illness or another reason, please also inform the teacher and coordinator so that attendance can be recorded appropriately.
Illness
Illness Policy from the LPS Student & Parent Handbook:
Children who are ill are to be kept home until they have been without fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for 24 hours. Howver, children with ear infections or sinus infections may return to school before 24 hours of antibiotic therapy have passed if the child is feeling well enough.
Children who are in school and develop symptoms of any of the above will be sent home. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide transportation home for his/her ill child.
**If your child is sick and cannot come to school, please contact the school nurse, teacher, and the ESY Coordinator. ** -
Lincoln Campus
Preschool Programming, Foundations, STEP, Comprehensive Programming, and Academic Tutorials:
Location: South Entrance (Preschool Entrance)
Directions:
1. Turn into the Lincoln Campus.2. Continue straight and take your first left into the parking lot.
3. Teachers will meet students and parents on the sidewalk between the two playgrounds (red and preschool green playgrounds).
Rec Camp
Location: Reed Gym
Directions:
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Turn into the Lincoln Campus
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Bear right and follow the road past the Hartwell building.
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Pick up/drop off will be in the first bus circle you come to.
Hanscom Campus
Academic Tutorials will be taking place at the Hanscom Primary School in the Main Office area.
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Program Hours
Programs run Monday through Thursday from 9:00-1:00 except where noted below.
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Preschool Programming: 8:30-12:30
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Foundations Programming
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STEP Programming
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Comprehensive Programming
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Lincoln Academic Tutorials: Can run from 8:00-2:00
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Related Services (e.g. Speech, OT, PT, Counseling)
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Lincoln Rec Camp
Sample Schedules
Preschool
8:30-9:15 - Arrival and Free Play
9:15-9:30 - Whole Group (Greeting, Movement, or Read-aloud)
9:30-10:00 - Snack Time
10:00-10:30 - Bathroom & Books
10:30-11:15 - Teacher Stations & Choice Time
11:15-12:00 - Outside Fun (Water Table, Sprinklers, & Bubbles)
12:00-12:25 - Snack & Bathroom
12:25-12:30 - Goodbye Circle
Foundations (Grades K-5)
9:00-9:30 - Arrival/Morning Meeting
9:30-9:40 - Snack Group
9:40-11:00 - Academics
11:00-11:20 - Recess
11:20-11:45 - Lunch Group
11:45-12:25 - Academics/Centers
12:25-12:55 - Water Play
12:55-1:00 - Pack up/Dismissal
STEP (Grades K-3)
9:00-9:20 - Attendance/Morning Bins
9:20-9:50 - Epic Adventures
10:05-10:35 - Snack
10:35-11:10 - Centers
11:10-11:40 - Recess
11:40-12:20 - Change for Pool/Lunch
12:20-1:00 - Pool
Comprehensive Programming (Grades 4-8)
9:10-9:10 - Attendance
9:10-9:30 - Connections
9:30-10:10 - Math
10:10-10:40 - Snack/Recess
10:45-11:00 - Quiet Time
11:00-11:30 - Reading/Writing
11:30-12:00 - Epic Adventures
12:00-12:30 - Lunch
12:30-1:00 - Pool/Dismissal at 1:00
Academic Tutorials (Grades PreK-8_
Schedules vary depeding on student needs. Staff will contact families directly.
Parks & Rec. Summer Camp
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Items for ESY
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Snack
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Water bottle (with student name on it)
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Lunch
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Bathing Suit/Towel
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Sunscreen
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Extra change of clothes
**Teachers may also include other recommended items to bring with students**
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Water Play & Pool Activities
During ESY, students will have the opportunity to participate in water play or free swim at the Codman Pool.
Water Play: This includes playing with water toys, water tables, sprinklers, and slip-and-slides. These activities are designed for younger students and for students who may not yet be ready or comfortable going into the pool.
Free Swim at the Pool: ESY staff will accompany students to the Codman Pool. Students will remain on the stairs and in the shallow end unless they have successfully completed a swimming test to access the deep end. Multiple ESY staff members will supervise students in addition to the pool lifeguards to ensure safety at all times.
If you feel strongly that your child should not participate in water play or pool activities, please contact Jessie and your child's teacher to discuss accommodations or an alternative plan
