New Directions has a wide variety of programs, each of which provides assistance in the most effective way for the people that they serve. The importance of education though, is a core value that is shared throughout the agency. We couldn’t be happier then that the educational services provided by the Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School (HGLCS) and the Wayne E. Secord Therapeutic Preschool at our Lockport campus continue to receive outstanding feedback from the parents of our students.
“What I liked most about HGL was the staff. They were friendly and professional and beyond helpful,” says Andrea, the mother of Andre, who started at HGLCS in the fourth grade and attended as a day student until his graduation from high school. “The staff created new ways of learning just for my son, and created class time to help him with his daily living skills. They gave him the attention he required to achieve graduation. My son liked the staff members and his one on one aides. HGL doesn’t take students just to take them. They have the student’s best interest in mind.”
An individualized education and support plan was instrumental to Andre’s success and involved a lot of teamwork to see it through. “My son was one of the first students with Aspergers that attended HGL. We (myself and the school) learned a lot about children with special needs. They helped educate not only staff members, but the transportation company as well. It was a rough ride but the school never gave up on my son and helped him and myself with the challenges that came about.” says Andrea.
“The principle was like none I’ve ever dealt with before. She actually took the time to listen to my concerns and my son’s. She was never harsh on my son even when he acted out. She was always warm and welcoming even when I wasn’t.” For everyone involved, the results were well worth the effort.
“What I gained as a result of my son attending HGL is that my son is more confident. He got an education that was altered to his needs and his learning pace. He was able to retain what he learned during his time there. I gained a better understanding of my son from all the communication and interactions I had from the staff,” says Andrea.
“My lasting impression is that HGLCS is AMAZING!!! The staff was very accommodating and beyond helpful. I’m glad that I kept my son at this school from 4th grade until graduation. Best decision I made. HGLCS wasn’t just a school to us, but they became a second family. I can’t thank them enough for helping my son through the hardest time in his life.”
The Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School operates a 12 month program spanning the regular school year and summer school. Classrooms in 6th through 12th grade are structured using a ratio of a teacher and an aide for every six students. Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms have a teacher and two aides for every six children. All areas of study follow New York Department of Education Learning Standards and Regents graduation requirements.
The Wayne E. Secord Therapeutic Preschool operates Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, with a regular 40 week school year. The program also offers a six week summer session. The classrooms are structured using the ration of a special education teach, a behavior specialist/Counselor and two classroom aides for every eight students.
For more information on these programs, please contact Patricia McMahon, Educational Services Director at pmcmahon@ndyfs.org.
Commenti