Family Support Newsletter

As the school year comes to a close and summer begins, June is a great time to focus on health, rest, and well-being. After a busy year of learning, activities, and routines, summer offers an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends. Whether it's enjoying time outdoors, staying active, getting enough sleep, or simply taking a break from the usual schedule, small steps can support both physical and emotional wellness.

As you plan for the summer months, remember that caring for yourself and your family is an important part of staying healthy and ready for the year ahead. We hope you find time to relax, make memories, and enjoy all that summer has to offer!

The West Seneca District Clothing Closet is here to support families in our community. You can stop by during our walk-in hours—no appointment needed—to pick up free clothing, shoes, school supplies, and hygiene items. We carry sizes for infants through adult. This resource is open to all West Seneca Central School District residents once a month. Please remember to bring a reusable bag!

June 2026 OPEN HOURS:

Tuesday 6/9/26 from 9:00am-11:00am

Wednesday 6/17/26 from 2:00pm-5:30pm

Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program!

• The Erie County Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Buffalo Urban League, is excited to offer paid summer work opportunities for eligible Erie County youth ages 14–20!
• Program Dates: June 29 – August 28, 2026
• Pay Rate: $16.50/hour
• Must be an Erie County resident. Youth receiving SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, SSI, or Temporary Assistance may automatically meet income eligibility guidelines.
• Limited program slots available
• Required application forms must be completed and submitted by: Friday, June 5, 2026

Learn more and access forms at: https://loom.ly/DnbastI

Coming This August!

We know this school year isn't over yet—but it's never too early to get excited for the new one!

Join us for our annual Back to School Event, where families can receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and hygiene products, while enjoying a day filled with fun, resources, and community connections.

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026

More details will be shared soon. We look forward to seeing you there! ✏️📚🎉

• Independent Health and the YMCA are celebrating 15 years of Fitness in the Parks!
• Join us at Canalside for FREE fitness classes all summer long presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Planet Fitness - Planet Fitness' High School Summer Pass™ Returns; Teens Work Out Free June 1 - August 31
• Free Yoga at Veterans Park in Depew
• Niawanda Park Bandshell for our FREE outdoor Stretch & Restore classes

Local Programs

• Free Summer lunches through West Seneca Schools
• West Seneca Youth & Rec Summer Programs
• West Seneca Public Library
• High Five Program - Free sports programs for athletes with disabilities Age K-21

• Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center

Local Publications

• BuffaloSummerCamps.org
• Kids Out and About Summer Camp Listing

• Erie County Youth Bureau Youth Programs
• Parent Network of WNY Recreational & Leisure Directory (under the Directories section, select Recreational Directory)
• Western New York Family Magazine

Academics and Therapies

• Able Summer Learning Program
• ARC of Erie County Summer Programming - Ages 14+
• Associated Physical and Occupational Therapy Services WNY
• BOCES Summer at the Center - For rising 5th to 8th grade students to sample different careers through exciting and interactive activities that make learning fun.
• Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center’s Social Communication Program
• Buffalo Museum of Science Discovery Camps
• Buffalo State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
• Cradle beach
• Daemen University Sports Camps
• Optimal Therapy Associates Services (OTAS)
• Sensational Fun - Summer social skills groups
• Summer Reading & Writing Camp University at Buffalo
• summerMAX 2026 - The comprehensive summer social development program (summerMAX) for 7-12-year-old autistic children without intellectual disability will be conducted 5 days a week for 5 weeks during the summer at Canisius University.
• UB Center for Literacy and Reading (CLaRI)-One to One Reading and Writing Tutoring
• Villa Maria Summer Camps - Grades 8-12

Athletics and The Arts

• West Seneca Camps for Athletes
• Buffalo Soccer for Success - Free soccer program for any child in grades K-8
• Buffalo State Softball Camp - Ages 7-18
• Buffalo State Summer Music Institute - grades 7-12
• Fundamental Baseball Instruction (F.B.I.) Camp
• Gymnastic Sports Academy-Summer Adventure Camp
• Jim Kelly Football Camp
• Miller Tennis Center

• Academy of Theatre Arts Summer Program

• African American Cultural Center

• Arts Access Program - Any individual or family who receives income-based public assistance in WNY is eligible to apply.

• Bristol Hills Music Camp

• Danceability

• Walh Performing Arts Studio

• Agents of Change Summer Camp - Free Leadership Camp for grades 9-12
• Erie County Youth Bureau Youth Programs
• Plymouth Crossroads - Free sports programs and summer programming
• Erie County Summer Youth - Eight-week work program, serving youth between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Placement will be based on youth circumstances and household income.
• Summer Opportunities for High Schoolers
• Teen Treks Travel/Summer Camp

Recreational Camps

• Boys and Girls Club of Boston & Orchard Park
• Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo
• Boys and Girls Club of EMW
• Buffalo Equestrian Center/ Therapeutic Riding Center
• Buffalo Zoo Camp
• Camp Good Days and Special Times Summer Programs
• Camp Turner
• CAOWNY Summer Program
• Cheektowaga adaptive rec program, camps are fully integrated, open to youth with any developmental disabilities or special needs.
• Orchard Park Recreation - Adaptive Rec and a Special Olympics program
• Cradle Beach Summer Camps
• Doodle Bugs Day Camp
• Frida's Rebel Garden Summer Camp - for Youth Ages 9-17
• Girl Scouts of WNY Summer Camps

• Hilbert Summer Camps

• Jewish Community Center Camps
• Lions Camp Badger-Home of Empire State Special Needs Experience
• Nardin Summer Camps
• USAChess Summer Chess and Video Game Creation Camps
• Park School Summer Day Camp
• Sahlen's Sports Park Summer Camps
• UB Summer Camps
• YMCA Camp

*This is not a comprehensive list of summer camp options. West Seneca Schools does not sponsor or endorse these programs; they are shared to help families explore available resources.

Storytime Registration Opens June 1st!

Think stories + dancing + art + STEM + hands-on play = the ultimate family activity for little learners ages 0–8.

Join us for EPIC Storytime, a FREE 8-week interactive program where learning and play go hand in hand.

Register Here

Once a month, Au-Some Evenings give children with autism and sensory processing needs, their friends and family an opportunity to play and learn together in an understanding and supportive environment FOR FREE. In addition to a fun night of play with access to the museum space and exhibits, we have special programming for families!

• Sunday, May 17 (9:30am-11:30am)
  • SPECIAL MORNING AU-SOME
    • The museum will open to the general public at 11:30am
• Friday, June 12 (4:30pm-6:30pm)

Register Here

Register Here

Need help staying cool this summer? The HEAP Cooling Assistance Program is open for eligible Erie County households.

HEAP Call Center: 716-858-7644

Learn more: https://loom.ly/rzuJrYA

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Email: mbrindamour@wscschools.org
Website: https://www.wscschools.org/domain/114
Phone: 716-677-3377