Life Skills Program

Students in our life skills program participate in a curriculum which teaches necessary communication, social and academic skills and emphasizes the development of independence in mobility, self-care and classroom interactions. The Life Skills program also enables students to learn skills needed for daily living, all in preparation for transition into a program in the student's home district or into the world of adult vocational training and employment.

Embedded in the program for secondary students are activity tracks which provide the opportunity for learning outside of the home classroom. These tracks include exercise in the fitness room, large group art/craft activities and interactive computer programs in the resources room, an expanded library program housing books on tape accessible through switches and environmental control units, independent living skills with work in the laundry room and adapted kitchen, and a lengthened community-based instruction program.

The purpose of these activities is to provide a program based on special education standards which best meets the needs of the students enrolled in our school. The course load is designed to assist a student in developing to their maximum potential. The objective of the program is to help the individual student to successfully perform learning activities designed by the Individual Education Plan team to prepare for transition to adult life.

Therapists and teachers utilize a wide variety of instructional techniques and equipment to assist each student in the achievement of higher levels of independence and mastery of new knowledge and skills. These strategies include the use of:

• Integrated therapy throughout all aspects of the school program.
• Augmentative communication.
• Computer technology applications within the classroom.
• Intensive behavior management.
• A full range of prompting gains initial success in an activity, and then systematically fades to promote independence.
• Creative methods of reinforcement capture and maintain interest and participation in activities.
• Inclusive opportunities with typical peers in a structured and supportive setting encourage optimum peer interaction.
• Community-based Instruction assists students in the generalization of skills outside of the classroom.

Additional Innovative Services:

Advanced fitness program: uses strength training to enhance motor fitness skills and sports performance levels, set up life patterns of healthy choices, prevent injuries, improve psychosocial well-being, and enhance overall health.

Community-based Instruction (CBI) movie program: a multi-step action plan to prepare students to attend movies in the community. Students set up, choose a movie, make popcorn, sell tickets, and clean up within the school.

Competent Learner Model (CLM): an intense, individualized program designed to structure learning environments and instruction patterns focusing on communication, observing, and listening skills

Cooperative gym program with Anthony Wayne Elementary School

Courageous Pacers Wellness Program: a program that incorporates wellness into our school day using ongoing in-service programs and monthly activities related to our commitment to be a Keystone Healthy Zone school.

Evening sign language course: a program taught by the teacher of our deaf and hard of hearing classroom for any parent needing instruction.

Fast ForWord: a neuroscience approach to reading intervention, computer based listening/processing program.

Handwriting Without Tears: an advanced program that uses multi-sensory, hands-on manipulatives and CDs to prepare children for handwriting with a print tool assessment for evaluation and remediation.

Inclusive children's chorus: an excellent opportunity for increased community awareness as we promote social contact through music.

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