As someone who has navigated the educational landscape for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, I can personally attest to the significant benefits that Extended School Year (ESY) programs provide. These programs are designed to prevent the loss of skills during long breaks, such as summer vacation, when children who are D/HH may otherwise experience regression in language, communication, and academic skills. From my experience, one of the primary advantages of ESY is the continued exposure to sign language and American Sign Language (ASL) that children receive. This consistent practice is vital for their language acquisition and fluency, which can otherwise be difficult to maintain without immersion in a signing environment. ESY programs often accentuate communication development alongside academic learning, offering a well-rounded approach tailored to the unique needs of D/HH students. Moreover, ESY can serve as a supportive setting where students are surrounded by peers and teachers who understand their challenges, creating a positive and encouraging learning atmosphere. This social-emotional benefit helps children improve self-confidence and social skills, which are often critical components of their overall development. Incorporating summer school or summer programs as part of ESY can also help bridge the gap for children transitioning between school years, making the regular school year less overwhelming. The additional instructional time enables reinforcement of concepts learned during the year, ensuring that D/HH students maintain their academic momentum. Parents and educators should consider ESY as a proactive service that supports continuous growth for D/HH children rather than just extended classroom time. Collaborating to create individualized plans that focus on communication skills, social development, and academic progress during the summer can make a remarkable difference. From personal observation and discussions with other parents, this approach leads to improved retention of learned materials and greater readiness for the next school year. Lastly, programs like Shameless Snacks, which appear in the community discussions, highlight the importance of community engagement and identity-building among D/HH youth. These elements enrich the ESY experience by connecting children to their culture and peers, fostering a sense of belonging that is essential for holistic development.