Whew!  What an amazing week we had!  Between the STEM Expo and our Ability Awareness Week, our campus was buzzing with activity and learning. 

So very impressed with the STEM Expo and how much thought and learning went into each of the students’ projects.  Again, a huge thank you to all involved but especially to Mrs. Lombardi and the LAEF. Without their support, students would not have these science, tech, engineering, and math growth opportunities.

Ability Awareness Week

Here are some highlights from the week:

• Each student rotated through 6 stations to simulate different challenges that some of us live with every day such as, fine motor, PT, sensory, dyslexia, 6^thsense, and even learning English for the first time. 
• “This week I learned how hard it is for my cousin because she has dyslexia.” Student quote
• 4^th and 5^th graders reached out to each other during recess to play and not just for one day but throughout the week!
• “This week I had a chance to know how it would be if I had a challenge.  This gave me a chance to open my eyes a bit more and try to be kinder and help understand my friends.  Thanks for this opportunity.”  Student quote
• With Project Cornerstone’s support, students sat with a new friend during lunch and learned new things about them.  They were then encouraged to play together at recess. 
• “This week I liked and learned how it feels to invite a new friend.”  Student quote 
• Mrs. DeRego read several books to students in the library including: “Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome” AND a book about Down Syndrome called “We’ll Paint the Octopus Red”.   She said,“These stories have helped the students make some great connections and some very thoughtful responses.”
• “This week was very special to me because I learned how it really feels to have different challenges.  A difference makes people think being different is a bad thing-- though really even this kind of difference makes someone special.  Someone once told me ‘Normal is a setting on a washing machine!’ I am grateful for this week.”  Student quote
• On Friday, we enjoyed ZUMBA with Yulissa Arescurenaga who is the first certified Zumba instructor in our country with Down Syndrome.  She “brought the house down!” 
•  “It was a very special week to be able to dance on Friday.  I loved it and thought it was very enjoyable.”  Student quote

The week would not have been possible first, without Annie Morgan from SELPA 1 CAC and second, without Project Cornerstones’ partnership, but also without a group of parents who gave their heart to the week and supported our challenge stations.  Please join me in thanking: 

Patty Hurley, Kira Sasaki, Sandy Tierling, Rachael Klausner Ann Akthar, Beth Cala, Sara Akhavi, Christine Bruckner, Tina Hulse, Sara Hurst, Noelle Lipari, Jennifer Makower Tami Nguyen, Jen Denebaum, Courtney Copeland, Alissa Farris, Victoria Oliver, Margaret Petit, Megan Crissman, Amanda Boschken, Seema Mehta, Elaine Wang, Stephanie Dauer, Michelle Lee, Laura Schmidt, Nicki Selden, Phil Shemanski, Mona Ahuja, Audrey Lund, Tara Roussel, Heather Rose, Marta Kenehan, Christina McLeod Murray, Jody Vandergriff, and Agnes Charrel-Berthillier.

With so much gratitude,

Nadia Oskolkoff, Principal