MUSD students benefit in different ways through 2020 Summer Bridge Program

More than 1,400 students in grades K-12 engaged in summer learning through MUSD’s 2020 Summer Bridge Program, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The additional instruction gave our students the extra time that they needed to develop and strengthen their math, reading and writing skills,” said Director Raquel Kusunoki.

MUSD team members shared their summer successes, challenges, and experiences with the Board.

At Rose Elementary, summer programs included Love4 Literacy, Kinder camp, First-grade Bridge and Second-grade Bridge, Early Literacy Reading Program, and English Language Development.

“All of our teachers were very committed and very passionate about giving our students every opportunity to get back some of that learning lost during the pandemic,” said Summer Bridge Elementary administrator Lori Nuno.

Kindergarten teacher Wendy Lundeen piloted a group of five students for in-person instruction for 75 minutes Monday through Thursday.

“The students did a great job social distancing from one another, keeping masks or face shields on, and hand sanitizing," Lundeen said. "I felt like we got through a lot more learning and this group was very focused.”

Principal Nichol Klein led the high school summer program that included credit recovery and English Learners. In all, MUSD served 768 students, with 28 summer graduates who joined Calaveras Hills grads for a special commencement at Excite Park in San Jose.

“The majority of students did come out receiving their credits,” said Klein, nothing that they increased offerings for ELs this summer. “It was really a wonderful opportunity for our ELs to really take part in and dive deeply into rich English immersion.”

Another successful program was the Extended School Year (ESY) Hybrid Pilot Program, which enrolled 15 high school students over the summer. It expanded from having one student come in once a week for a 45-minute, in-person instruction to two students coming for 75 minutes.

“They were able to get a lot of instruction based on their IEP goals,” said Behavioral Intervention and Student Support Services Manager Surabhi Bains, who added that 160 students with special needs were served this summer.

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