Camden Central School District -

CAMDEN, NY - The Camden Central School District is pleased to announce that it has received a 2022 “Outstanding Program” Award from the Genesis Group. The award was presented at the 16th Annual Genesis Group “Celebration of Education” held at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro on Thursday, November 17th.

This year, the District earned an award for its Special Education Summer School program. It was one of just six programs honored from area school districts and colleges. 

The program served 36 students from first grade through graduation in the summer of 2022.

Its stated goal is to prevent regression of basic skills among the students served by the Camden Central School District’s special education offerings over the summer break. Providing a structured daily program over the summer months can be especially beneficial for this portion of our student population. It affords the students continued growth and enrichment opportunities, while also maintaining an important sense of routine during a quieter time of year.

The program runs for six weeks, and has a central theme to tie course content together. Through this year’s theme, the animal kingdom, students had a great time exploring and learning about different animals. Along the way, the instructional staff is able to include social studies, mathematics, and English Language Arts content into their themed curriculum.

A highlight of the program is an experiential learning component. Each Thursday, students take a trip to a location of interest and have an opportunity to learn by doing. For many students, these trips may go to places they have previously never been. Examples of destinations include the Syracuse Museum of Science and Technology and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. These trips keep students focused, and provide them with a place to see what they’re learning outside of the classroom setting.

The program is led by Nicholas Pulizzi, Director of Special Education for the Camden Central School District.

“We are thrilled to receive an Outstanding Program award from the Genesis Group for our Special Education Summer School program,” Pulizzi said. “Sherri Noyes, Shannon McPheron and I created this program about 6 years ago, and it has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to maintain their skills over the summer. We set out to make the program as enriching, engaging and fun as possible, and I think we have been successful on all counts. The Special Education Department will do whatever it takes to provide our students with the programs and services that they need, in order to live happy and productive lives. I think that this program is a great example of a way that we can meet those needs.”

In recognition of their contributions and enduring vision for the program, Noyes and McPheron accepted the award alongside Pulizzi.

This award continues a strong tradition of Camden receiving recognition at this prestigious regional event. In 2021, the Camp-Sum-More-Fun Summer Enrichment program was an honoree.

The District would like to thank each individual who makes this program possible, and congratulate our fellow award winners in the “Outstanding Programs” and “Outstanding Educators” categories.

The Genesis Group is a civic and community organization dedicated to adaptive leadership to meet new challenges and to create positive and transformational impact in the Mohawk Valley region.