Summer Adventures In Learning (SAIL) 2025

Educational Programs for Students

Session A: July 1st – July 17th
Session B: July 22nd - August 7th

Charles K. West and Kyle C. Letendre
SAIL Program Co-Directors

The mission of the Old Rochester Regional School District/Superintendency Union #55’s SAIL program is to provide an enjoyable and supportive learning environment, prevent regression of previously learned skills, and engage students with opportunities that strengthen their educational foundation. 

#101 Ready to Go - Grade: Pre-K | Teacher: Courtney Aarsheim 

Course Description: Students will be introduced to a variety of topics related to literacy, mathematics, and social skills. Students will be engaged in games and activities to help sharpen their kindergarten and school readiness skills. Focuses will include, but is not limited to, letter identification and sound, high frequency words, shapes, colors, and numbers. Students will develop a sense of community and learn how to be part of a group. Students will learn through a variety of developmentally appropriate kinesthetic, musical, visual, intrapersonal, and numeric activities. Each week will have a different theme through which children will have the opportunity to explore topics and let their own curiosity and discovery guide their experience.

Teacher Biography: Ms. Aarsheim has been teaching at Center School in Mattapoisett for nineteen years. She has taught kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and being outside. Ms. Aarsheim is looking forward to getting to know you this summer!

#102 Summer Fun - Grade: Pre-K  | Teacher: Alexia Pacheco 

Course Description:  Preschool students will engage in a variety of learning activities to help develop, maintain, and promote their school readiness skills. Learning will be explored through fun summer related themes that focus on literacy, math, fine motor, science, and movement.  

Teacher Biography:  Ms. Pacheco is the Rochester Project GROW teacher. She has taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade and now preschool. She enjoys spending time with her family and her dog and enjoys going for walks and playing pickleball. Ms. Pacheco can't wait to have a fun summer with you!

#103 Summer Deep Dive - Grade: K |Teacher: Ginny Perriera 

Course Description: Students will be engaged in games and activities to help develop their school readiness skills. We will develop a sense of community and learn how to be part of a group through the Responsive Classroom approach. Students will be introduced to a variety of topics related to literacy, mathematics, problem-solving, and social skills. Focuses will include, but are not be limited to: letter and sound identification, high frequency words, shapes, colors, numbers, and fine and gross motor skills. Students will learn through a variety of developmentally appropriate, kinesthetic, musical, visual, and numeric activities. Come join us as we develop and sharpen lifelong skills! 

Teacher Biography: Ms. Perriera has a master’s degree in Special Education and an Education Specialist degree in Assistive Technology from Simmons College. She has taught grades K-6 in Mattapoisett since 2001. She currently works in kindergarten and first grade at Center School. Ms. Perriera enjoys antiquing, reading, puzzles and spending time with her family and dogs.

#104 Summer Success - Grade: 1 |Teacher: Marissa Hughes

Course Description: Calling all explorers! Get ready for a summer packed with excitement, discovery, and adventure. Students will explore and learn using various summer themes through hands-on projects, books, games, and activities that focus on foundational skills all while fostering their social/emotional needs. 

Teacher Biography: Ms. Hughes has been teaching in the Mattapoisett Public Schools since 2002. She has taught Project GROW, Kindergarten and Grade One. She lives in Rochester and loves spending time with her family and dogs. She also enjoys running, biking and playing pickleball.

#105 Summer Strides - Session A Only - Grades: 1-2 | Teacher: Scott Pease

Course Description: Students will build on their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Through a well-structured, balanced literacy philosophy, students will take part in read-alouds, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, and word study. Students will also strengthen their writing skills using the writer's workshop model, which will involve imaginative and creative writing. In math, students will learn how to do story problems, which will help reinforce math knowledge and skills.

Teacher Biography: Mr. Pease went to Wagner College, where he received a B.A. in Sociology/Criminal Justice. After college, he joined the Boston Park Rangers and was part of the mounted unit patrolling the parks. Wanting more, he decided to go back to school and get his M.S. in Education. He has been teaching kindergarten at Federal Furnace Elementary School for the last seven years in Plymouth, MA. He previously taught kindergarten at Davis Elementary School in Bedford, MA.  

#106 Eric Carle Author Study - Grades 1-2 | Teacher: Patricia Cooney 

Course Description: Students will dive into an author study on Eric Carle. Throughout the session, students will create an interactive notebook where they are comparing different fan favorites of Eric Carle. We will explore and develop their love for reading!

Teacher Biography: Ms. Cooney received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Framingham State University and her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with Special Education from Merrimack College. Ms. Cooney has spent time teaching at both Center and Old Hammondtown Schools before taking a position at Wareham Elementary School as a 2nd grade teacher. Ms. Cooney enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, walks with her dogs, and loves to go to the ski country in the winter. 

#107 Create, Learn, & Grow - Grades: 1-2 | Teacher: Kate Oleson 

Course Description: In this course, students will reinforce and expand their reading, writing, and math skills through a combination of engaging learning and hands-on creative projects! Each day, students will enjoy fun and captivating read-alouds designed to spark a love for reading while strengthening comprehension and vocabulary skills. They will practice essential math and literacy skills through a mix of structured lessons and engaging art-based activities, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable. Creative projects will bring concepts to life, encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking, and confidence-building in a dynamic and supportive environment. This balanced approach ensures students are prepared for the next school year while having fun along the way!

Teacher Biography: Ms. Oleson received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Sociology, and Human Services from Framingham State University and a master’s degree in Special Education from Regis College. Currently, she is teaching fourth grade in Marlborough, MA and has been working in elementary schools for the past eleven years. Ms. Oleson enjoys baking, art, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

#108 Summer Spark! - Grades 3-4 | Teacher: Kristen Sunde

Course Description: Build your brain this summer! Students will practice thoughtful reading, explore character traits, and story settings, and become confident problem solvers through engaging math activities. It’s the perfect program to keep students sharp and smiling all summer long. 
Teacher Biography: Ms. Sunde is a longtime teacher of grades four and five at Old Hammondtown School. She received her undergraduate from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree from Lesley University in Creative Arts in Learning. Ms. Sunde enjoys walking, being outside, and spending time with her bernedoodle. 

#109 Island Adventure - Grades 3-4 | Teacher: Sydney Swoish

Course Description: This course uses project-based learning to foster students' reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills. The storyline places students on an island where they have to figure out how to provide for themselves. Each day, they will get the next part of the story as well as a new challenge. In order to complete these challenges, students will need to use problem-solving as well as academic skills to be successful. During the course, students will read articles and stories accompanying the daily challenges. To complete each challenge, students will have to solve a math challenge. Students will also keep adventure journals to document their journey throughout the course. 

Teacher Biography: Ms. Swoish is a graduate of Bridgewater State University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and English. She received her Master's Degree as a reading specialist in 2024. Ms. Swoish worked at Sippican Elementary School as a paraprofessional for 3 years before receiving a special education teacher position at Casmir Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Ms. Swoish loves reading, crafts, Disney, and her cats, Loki and Willow.

#110 Summer Sports Squad - Grades 3-4 | Teacher: Lauren Harper

Course Description: Join our team as we look into the history and mathematics of some of your favorite sports. Throughout the session, you'll take on the role of a sports analyzer, journalist, and athlete as we read, study, and play some classic sports. This is an opportunity to improve your reading, writing, and math skills, while also brushing up on your agility and coordination. As always, teamwork is key, so we will also be learning some effective team building activities that will help improve your communication and performance both on the field and in the classroom. 

Teacher Biography: Ms. Harper received her bachelor degrees in English and Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University and her Master of Education in Curriculum Design from Fitchburg State University. She is currently a fifth grade teacher at the Rochester Memorial School. When not teaching, Ms. Harper enjoys writing, playing a variety of sports, and going on long walks with her family.

#111 Summer Novel Study: The One & Only Family - Grades: 4-5 | Teacher: Susan Swoish

Course Description: In this course, we will do a novel study of The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate. The novel study will include lessons aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for grades 4-5. This comprehensive unit will include vocabulary practice, comprehension quizzes, constructed response writing prompts, skill practice, and language arts lessons. We will also review math skills daily, to help reduce regression over the summer months.

Teacher Biography: Ms. Swoish is a graduate of Fitchburg State University where she received her bachelor’s degree  in Elementary Education. She currently teaches fourth grade at Sippican Elementary School in Marion. In the past she has taught first grade and kindergarten and has spent time in grades first through sixth as a special education paraprofessional. When Ms. Swoish is not teaching, she enjoys cooking, the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

#112 Learning through Sports - Grades: 5-6 | Teacher: Mark Ponte

Course Description: Strengthen your math, reading, and writing skills by learning and playing some of your favorite sports. This course will provide a small group setting to enhance learning while working out both the mind and body. 

Teacher Biography: Mr. Ponte has been teaching with the SAIL Program for fourteen years. He holds a master’s degree in Education from UMass Dartmouth, and is currently going into his eleventh year of teaching at Bourne Middle School focusing on ELA and history standards. He has coached for multiple years in many different sports at the high school levels. 

#113 Creative Minds, Creative Writing - Grades: 5-6 | Teacher: Sonya Wilkinson 

Course Description: Students will explore elements in a story and learn how to incorporate “show, don’t tell” into their writing. They will practice using figurative language, including similes, metaphors, and personifications. By the end of the course, students will include sensory details into their writing and will put together a booklet of their own short stories. 

Teacher Biography: Ms. Wilkinson is a graduate from Bridgewater State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and English, and master's degree in Special Education. She is a sixth grade humanities teacher at Ford Middle School in Acushnet, and enjoys spending time with friends and family, writing, and being outdoors.

#114 Living Creatures - Session A Only - Grades: 5-6 | Teacher: Tanya Bungert

Course Description: From molecules to microbes, mice to mammoths, this class is a fun study of all creatures great and small! Students will have their minds opened by intriguing animal studies, hands-on projects, and artistic activities to reinforce Math and ELA concepts. Highlights from this course include studying fossils and extracting DNA from strawberries. In addition to learning about animals in our community that need our help to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Teacher Biography: Mrs. Bungert is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where she earned a bachelor's degree in science. She received her master's degree in education from Lesley University. She has been teaching science in the Wareham Public School system since 2019. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, going on nature walks with her dog Hazel, as well as traveling.

#115 Moving through Middle School Math - Session A Only - Grades: 6-8 | Teacher: Jennifer Pease

Course Description: Students will focus their efforts on learning, reviewing, and previewing the major standards used in middle school math. These standards include expressions and equations, geometry, the number system, and statistics/probability. Time will be spent each morning using games and puzzles to teach and review mathematical skills. The later part of each day will provide students with the opportunity to practice these skills either on a computer, or by collaborating with peers through games and real-life situations. Students will have daily opportunities to reflect on and evaluate the work they did for the day in a math journal, sharing out ideas whenever they feel comfortable doing so. This course focuses on math skills, while building in daily group activities to promote social and emotional well-being and comradery.

Teacher Biography: Mrs. Pease has a master’s degree in Education from Merrimack College with a concentration in middle school math and moderate disabilities. She is a teacher at Hastings Middle School in Fairhaven and has taught 8th grade math for the past 12 years. Mrs. Pease is a Mattapoisett resident, mother of four children, and frequently participates in local races to support the community.

#116 Smooth Sailing into 7th Grade - Grade: 7 | Teacher: Melanie Smeaton

Course Description: This course is designed to ease students’ transition into junior high school. Led by an ORRJHS special education teacher, students will complete a summer reading book (determined and provided by the instructor), summarize each chapter in writing, review foundational math concepts, go on a scavenger hunt of the jr. high, and get to know each other before entering 7th grade.

Teacher Biography: Ms. Smeaton is a graduate of Stonehill College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Ms. Smeaton is also a graduate of Bridgewater State University, where she received a master’s degree in Special Education. Ms. Smeaton has been teaching for seven years, and currently teaching fourth grade at Sippican Elementary School. Ms. Smeaton enjoys going to the beach in her hometown of Westport, spending time with her family, and running! 

#117 Smooth Sailing into 8th Grade - Grade: 8 | Teacher: Faith Marrano

Course Description: This course will practice the skills necessary to find success with the eighth grade curriculum. Students will complete the summer reading book, review foundational math concepts, and build social and emotional skills as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

Teacher Biography: Ms. Marrano holds a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Education as well as a CAGS in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. She has been teaching special education for eighteen years from elementary through high school and currently works in the New Bedford school district. In her free time, Ms. Marrano enjoys reading, running and spending time with family and friends.

#118 High School Summer Learning - Grades: 9-10 | Teacher: Kelly Ochoa

Course Description: Refresh your reading, math and other learning skills in order to have a successful 2024-2025 school year. Students will complete their summer reading book and refresh their basic math skills. They will work on social, emotional and organizational skills to help them be successful in the upcoming school year.

Teacher Biography: Ms. (Señora) Ochoa has a Bachelor’s degree from Union College and a Master’s degree from Wichita State University. Señora was in the Peace Corps in Honduras in Central America before coming home to Mattapoisett. She has been teaching Spanish in the ORR district for over 25 years. She taught for 15 years at ORRJHS before moving up to ORRHS. In addition to teaching at ORR, Ms. Ochoa has also tutored at all grade levels in various programs in the Greater New Bedford area. When not working with students, she loves spending time with her dog at the beach. She looks forward to helping students brush up on their skills in order to have a successful new school year.

Newly Added: #119 C-Squad Explorers - Session B Only - Grades: 1-2 | Teacher: Caitlyn Coelho

Course Description: Get ready to join the C-Squad Explorers, a curious crew of adventurers ready to learn, discover, and create! This engaging summer class for grades 1 and 2 brings learning to life through exciting weekly themes and hands-on exploration. Each day, the C-Squad will take on new missions solving math mysteries, crafting creative stories, decoding clues, and exploring number challenges. Through teamwork, imagination, and a spirit of adventure, students will build confidence and sharpen their reading, writing, and math skills all while having a blast. Summer learning has never been so fun!

Teacher Biography: Ms Coelho has been a dedicated educator since 2014, working primarily with early elementary students. With over a decade of experience, she brings both structure and creativity to her classroom, believing that the best learning happens when students feel curious, confident, and supported. She has a strong background in teaching foundational reading, writing, and math skills and loves finding fun, hands-on ways to bring lessons to life. Whether it's through themed activities, interactive stories, or team challenges, she's passionate about making learning both meaningful and memorable. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys crafting, baking and spending time with her goddaughter, Calynn. She's excited to bring her energy, experience, and love of learning to the C-Squad Explorers this summer!