The Island Trees YES (Youth Education Summer Program) has just completed another successful year. Run by Stokes School principal Madeline Montone, and Sparkes School principal Mary Modica, the goal of the YES program is to provide the opportunity for students to enjoy learning. Students take classes in computers, science, math, reading, recreation, and arts and crafts. This year the program ran from June 29 until July 30, and had 863 students in grades 1-6 enrolled. The enrollment figures represent 60 percent of the entire grade 1-6 students population of Island Trees. Certified teachers and trained high school students ran the various classes offered to the children.

There were 95 high school students in grades 10-12 selected for employment on the basis of academic standing, school involvement, and individual responsibility. Superintendent Richard Segerdahl feels that the YES program has, "as much value for the high school students as it does the elementary students." Segerdahl feels the program can provide a learning experience for those students wishing to become teachers. He believes that the high school students are an important asset to the program.

Every child in summer YES has the opportunity to read, share, and discuss literature. Additional reading support was provided to students who could benefit from more intensive reading instruction. The Reading Support Program was offered to selected students. There were approximately 10 students in each group, as well as two trained high school counselors, and a teacher in each class. This ensured personal attention for each of the students. "The Reading Support Class was a wonderful addition to the program this year. The students were able to receive the needed individual instruction to move forward in their educational careers," commented grade one teacher, Janine Collier. No doubt this program helped to spark and cultivate a genuine interest in literature for the motivated children of the Island Trees School District.

"The YES program is very well accepted within the district," commented Segerdahl. There was an overwhelming amount of positive feedback concerning the success of this year's program. New York Commissioner of Education, Richard Mills, stated in a recent letter to Segerdahl,"The Island Trees staff is to be commended for the high level of commitment to not only raising achievement, but focusing on early literacy intervention. It is a key foundation block for learning." Mills goes on to say, "The Island Trees Youth Education Summer (YES) Program is an excellent model for reinforcing and building on the literacy skills learned during the school year." The Island Trees School District has taken the initiative to raise educational standards for the children attending their schools. The administrators and teachers are proud of the summer programs put in place at the very inexpensive cost of $3 per student.