Migrant Program Wraps for Summer

Laughter, creativity and collaboration are just a few of the words that describe the colorful halls of Sodus Central Jr-Sr High School during the summer months as the Migrant Education Tutorial & Support Services (METSS) wraps up another session this August. 

This program offers families who have moved across districts or states in the last three years for agricultural work the opportunity for their children to gain bilingual supplemental learning experiences in English and Spanish, within all of the core subjects including art and physical education. With Sodus as the landing base for the METSS program during the summer, seven city school districts — Sodus, Williamson, North Rose-Wolcott, Newark, Marion, Palmyra-Macedon and Wayne take part in closing the opportunity gap for these students. The curriculum celebrates culture, diversity, social emotional learning, and fosters an environment for experiential learning. 

The staff is made up of volunteers and BOCES certified educators that take on learning outside of the classroom. They provide support to families outside of typical schooling hours and offer home visits to those who may need it. This is a mutually rewarding way of learning, as said by Rosario Jaramillo, a teacher within the METSS program: 

“I feel like this program is a part of my family. I’ve known families since the kids were babies. They grow up, go to college, they graduate from college, and they have a job. They’re working with us again. It’s very special, I feel very fortunate to work with them as part of their life.”

The support of community partners such as local businesses and higher education institutions like Nazareth College help make the unique experience possible. Students are able to gain regents preparation, hands-on experiences, in-house field trips and may even be eligible to earn college credit through institutions such as the State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta. 

Jenna Vaccarelli, CiTi Director of Migrant Education, echoed the sentiment of support by saying, “There’s tons of collaboration with the surrounding school districts, which is really neat.”

The passion and dedication toward the wellness and educational preparation of these students has set a strong foundation for a meaningful impact that can be seen for years to come within these families. 

To learn more about the METSS Program, visit CiTiboces.org/Migrant.