BOCES 2 Department for Exceptional Children

Students in Jolie Thorp's class completed activities to strengthen their knowledge of colors, shapes, numbers and letters based on the theme "America 250." They strengthened social skills, along with gross and fine motor skills. They had so much fun this summer!

Lots of art therapy has been going on in ESY this summer! Jennifer Montanino has been providing programmatic art therapy services.

Nyis R. painted for the first time on canvas, using posca markers to create a cat. He is a student at Ridgecrest who really enjoys art!

Will P., Jedrek B. and Josiah M-C. made patriotic butterflies in Mark Straub's Ridgecrest class.

Collage work was completed by Westview students Joshua L. and Morgan P., creating Uncle Sam and a star, respectively.

Well done by all!

Students in Theresa De Mattia's class at Ridgecrest have been learning about water safety. Sarah Shellard and Darcy Spinello led the lessons each week, discussing a key rule for water safety each time. Students learned about wearing life jackets this week.

To reinforce the information students learned, visit www.colinshope.org. The Colin's Hope foundation's mission is to provide water safety awareness, education and resources to prevent children from drowning. This class used the information provided from this organization.

Students in ESY Preschool worked on fine motor skills and learned the color red while painting, then used shaving cream to write their letters. Messy, but fun!

In the Extended School Year program at Ridgecrest, weekly cooking groups take place in Kelly Adkins' class. These sessions help students practice academic, motor and life skills in a fun, hands-on way. Students build math, reading and science skills while strengthening coordination and fine motor skills. They also learn teamwork, patience, and important safety and hygiene habits that support greater independence. The treats were all very yummy, too!

Students and staff in Teacher Linda Ruggles’ classroom spent part of their summer collaborating with Instructional Specialist Tina Bonfiglio on an exciting balloon car STEAM challenge. Using the Engineering Design Process, students designed, built and tested balloon-powered vehicles before competing to determine which car could travel the greatest distance. Through hands-on learning, students explored concepts of energy, motion and measurement while enjoying the thrill of racing cars constructed from bottles, caps, straws, balloons and skewers.

Extended School Year students in the Medically Fragile class ride the Fowler Express through the halls at Ridgecrest Academy - all aboard!

Westview Senior Commencement Ceremony was held on June 24. Staff members spoke about each student, and then students received their certificates and goody bags. Congratulations to Anthony, Josiah, Drake, Dominic, Ali, Dylan, Nathan, Skye, Josh and Finnegan!

Donna Tebo's class at Bernabi Elementary had their preschool graduation today. Congratulations to Christopher, Aurora, Beau, Ian, Brooklyn, Calla, Grayson, Cooper, Jasper, Nico, Presley, Ra'ma and Zoe!