Start of 2011-2012 School Year

The A.C.H.I.E.V.E.S. students are busily into the start of the year with community based instruction (CBI) activities such as trips to the recycling center, Lollipop Farms, and B.J. shopping.  In school worksite experiences have begun and community based worksite experience are beginning for most students this month.  Classroom experiences have been focusing on helping students prepare for their work experiences as well as meeting their functional life skill goals.   Our projects are well underway with some students volunteering to help with the Gala celebration for the SHC agency's 65th anniversary, some students will be painting pumpkins for the pumpkins on parade event next month, and all A.C.H.I.E.V.E.S. students will be helping with the sale of our school apparel.  We hope to see all families at the Open House on October 20th.

Summer Fun Finale

Our great summer learning adventures culminated with several enjoyable events; carnival day last Friday and this week's talent show.  The ACHIEVES students wrote and performed a mock Alice in Wonderland trail for the talent show and all Holy Childhood classes did an outstanding job.   Have a great vacation!  Looking forward to September and seeing everyone ready to work.

SUMMER WORK

Much has been happening, despite the heat. The Food Service group prepared and served a very delicious lunch last Thursday and I am sure everyone is looking forward to this week's lunch; so don't forget to get your orders in.  The clerical staff was seen busily working throughout the building.  Many cars are glowing in the parking lot thanks to the carwash crew.  The garden crew has been watering the plants daily and busily pulling weeds.  The first harvest has occurred Sugar Snap Peas.  We are enjoying observing the progress of the rest of the crops and are planning a shopping trip this week for additional supplies and plants.  Our literacy tasks have provided many additional educational and entertaining activities for all as we continue to make connections with our selected story and our daily events. 

Summer fun and work has definetly begun!

We have gotten off to an exciting start with everyone busily working in their job areas. Our in-house jobs are: a car wash with Patrick Singer, food services with Cicely Neri, horticulture with Beth Looby, and clerical work with Mark Pincelli. Job sites visited by ACHIEVES students this summer include: the Mother House, Thrifty Shopper, Walgreen's, Stepping Stones, and PWI, .  Our Literacy theme for the summer is a book, movie, and popcorn, and our ACHIEVES classes have chosen to read Alice In Wonderland.  Each lesson begins with a review of the vocabulary words that the students will see within that days reading, followed by the chapter of the day. Last week we got the chance to view the first clips from the Disney movie version. We will be comparing different movie and book versions of this story. We  are exploring of the many intriguing story elements and have begun to make connections  to how they relate to students' personal goals and needs for the future , all while gaining an appreciation for the author's artisisic capabilities.