Under the leadership of Framingham Public Schools new Director of Community Resource Development, students will be able to participate in a number of programs this summer.

A host of programs are on the agenda to keep Framingham elementary, middle and high school students active and engaged this summer, according to Joseph Corazzini, Director of Community Resource Development for the Framingham public schools.

Corazzini, who has been on the job in Framingham for just over five months, gave a lengthy report at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting. He briefly outlined the programs that are or will be in place and offered his vision of where after school and summer activities are heading.

The summer programs will serve more than 200 Framingham students during July, according to Corazzini. He indicated he is working on a number of other programs that will include more of the district’s children and he is having meetings with grantors and potential sponsors in the community.

“The summer is a crucial piece to the school year,” said Corazzini in an interview after the meeting. “When students leave in June it is important they come back in August with a rich summer experience. Summer slide is real and it is crucial that we provide fun learning opportunities that can keep students engaged and learning.”

To that end, all the programs blend curriculum with athletics and other activities to keep participants involved and engaged with school life through the summer.

“I envision our programs offering academic enrichment while also complementing the good work being done during the school day,” said Corazzini “Students work hard during the school day so it is incumbent upon us to provide an educational setting that is stimulating, challenging and fun. Through strong
partnerships with the community we can create opportunities and curriculum that provide students with the skill sets they desire today that will also be necessary tomorrow.”

The majority of funding for summer programs comes from 21st Century grants, which the district receives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This summer the district plans to have:

• A middle to high school transition program
• Wilson Elementary summer program
• High school summer program
• A partnership with Access Framingham for middle school students
• A partnership with Framingham State University's McAuliffe Center for middle school students
• A partnership with the MetroWest YMCA, which received an After School-Out of School Time grant through DESE to run a summer camp. The YMCA will work with school staff to build a curriculum.

After Corazzini’s presentation, Town Meeting member Herb Chasen told the School Committee that, “the Hoops and Homework program is going strong. We would like to coordinate the program with the other after school programs available.”

Chasen was successful in getting funding from Town Meeting for the Hoops and Homework program, which is a basketball and study program in Framingham’s southside neighborhoods.