Sharing best practices and promoting inclusive opportunities for students with special needs
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Executive Director's
Message
Dear LABBB Colleagues and Families,
Wow! It is unbelievable how fast this school year has gone! All of a sudden, we are “wrapping” things up -the end of the school year is always busy, we are tying up one school year and planning to kick off the next year! BUSY!!
We are embarking on a new summer schedule this year, our programs are running Monday through Fridays, a full day exactly as the school year calendar. Our summer programming starts on Monday, July 8th. If you have any questions, please contact your Program Coordinator.
Mr. Jimmy Kelly, our High School Program Director, is retiring at the end of June - this is truly a bittersweet moment. Jimmy is a legend at LABBB. He started working in a LABBB classroom as a teaching assistant working with Patric Barbieri (previous Executive Director extraordinaire!) became a teacher and finally landing as a Program Director. Jimmy's strong, unwavering commitment to LABBB and the students who attend and participate in our programming is outstanding - he loves LABBB and is committed to each and every student's success. A believer in the strength and importance of relationships and collaboration, he is committed to making sure that staff have everything they need to provide the most outstanding experience for all of our learners. A true advocate for all of our learners. His enormous shoes will be filled by Ms. Melissa Allen as the Interim Program Director. We are in good hands through this transition - Jimmy has mentored Melissa throughout her career here. I'm certain that we will see Jimmy in some capacity here at LABBB in the future! We’ve promised to let him enjoy some of his retirement before we bug him! Best of luck Jimmy! You will be missed.
As we end this school year, a repeated note of gratitude - for collaboratively working with us to support your children, for your patience as we navigate challenges, for your smiles as we share successes, for sharing your ideas and feedback to make LABBB flourish, and for being with us on this journey.
With gratitude,
Pam
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Planting Flowers!
By: Taylor Brown
The students in both rooms at Wellington listened to some stories about flowers and what they need to be able to grow, including Grow Flower, Grow and Planting a Rainbow. After, they went outside to plant some seeds of their own! Each student got a container and was able to plant some flower seeds. The students all took turns scooping dirt into their containers, putting some seeds in, and then using the spray bottle to water them. The containers were then placed next to the window in their classrooms, and students will water them daily. We are excited to watch the flowers grow, just like how all the students have grown over the course of this school year!
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A Unique Learning Experience
By: Gina Ruscio
As a newer teacher, I wasn't sure what to expect when I first stepped foot in Classroom 822 at LABBB Collaborative. My goal was to create a fun and engaging learning environment; what I didn't realize is that I would find a new passion for learning—this time, from my students rather than from teachers. In our 822 cohort, we strive to make learning as engaging, fun, and rigorous as possible. Whether we are heading out into the community or going on a bigger adventure, these students show up, make real-world connections, and are unapologetically themselves.
So, how do we make learning fun? We make games out of our lessons. We step out into the community to make connections. We give and receive feedback. We collaborate with one another and strive to create an accepting and positive environment. This journey is not just about teaching; it’s about learning together and creating a space where every student can thrive.
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Summer Reading Fun
By: Katrina Wright
Reading doesn't stop once school ends. Reading is a skill that takes regular practice and exposure, and it can be hard to keep your child reading over the summer months. It's important to create engaging learning/reading activities as we transition into a more relaxed time of the year. Summer reading offers ways for families to switch up their kid's routines and have interactive ways to practice reading. Reading with family members is a great way to motivate your child to read and continue to explore during the summer months. Below are some reading ideas from Waterford.org Happy Reading!
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Friday Nature Walk
By: Peggy Sheehan
Now that we’re enjoying the spring weather, Ottoson’s Room 237 likes to go out on Friday mornings to take a nature walk on the Lincoln Park walking trail in Lexington. During these walks, students have been noticing the changes in nature around us throughout the spring. We also use this time to do different outdoor scavenger hunts while we’re walking. Students bring a few clipboards with lists of things to look for on the walk and everyone takes turns checking them off as we find them. A fun way to add some language and learning to our outdoor activity!
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Transition Department: A Role and Purpose of Transition Services
By: Brian Walsh
It has been said that the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life however, is to give it away.
Across the school year, aside from the traditional and sound transition services provided by LABBB, i.e., development of one’s work readiness skills, essential skill building (professional and effective communication, following directions, attention to detail, information gathering, and critical-thinking), and guided occupational education classes with soft-skill trainings, Burlington High School LABBB layers in guest speakers who share invaluable lessons and experiences across the continuum of those transition related services.
Mr. Steven Higgins, Executive Director at Independence Associates, Inc., provided students with information on his role in service, and spoke at length about his efforts to have more inclusive participation for individuals in the workplace, in their communities, and does so by advocating across the political, business, and educational realms. Making connections to The Americans with Disabilities Act, and extensions to one’s IEP made lasting impressions on the students.
In December, Ms. Zohreh King, BA, CPS, Director of Recovery Services, The Edinburgh Center, and three young adult mentors, lent their unique voices, thoughtfully, skillfully walking us through challenges they faced in high school and in their post-secondary lives, only to find support from counseling and therapy services, leading to their present roles as mentors for The Edinburgh Center, making themselves available for others who are seeking new and fresh beginnings. Their gifts of story telling were on display and resonated wonderfully with our Burlington students.
And finally, in late May 2024, a former graduate of our program, Rebecca Zive, initiated and advocated to arrange a guest speaking spot with us, as a way to ‘return home’ and demonstrate to those still in high school, how through self-determination, through perseverance, through use of advocacy for accommodations and or/supports, was able to hi-lite how she has successfully navigated her path, graduating from LABBB to her on-going continuing education at Middlesex Community College where she is pursuing studies in music and psychology. In Fall 2024, Rebecca will add Math for Liberal Arts and Computer Applications to her resume of skills and abilities. Thank you for ‘coming home’ to serve others, Rebecca!
Dr. King affirms our beliefs and recognition of the vast services under the LABBB transition umbrella and that is this: “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”
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LABBB Adapted Physical Education, Recreation and Social Opportunities
The LABBB Recreation Department has made some changes with all mailings: Any dance, monthly trips or special activities will now ONLY be in our emailed LABBB newsletter and on our website (www.labbb.com). In other words, LABBB Recreation mailings will no longer be sent home via USPS to LABBB families. Please check the newsletters and website each month for Recreation information that is coming up.
The LABBB Recreation brochure will be in the LABBB newsletter in August. It will include all Fall 2024 activities and all full year activities. Please look for the online newsletter as it will not be mailed to homes as in previous years.
The Lexington Lions Club Carnival is once again holding a special date and time for LABBB families and those with sensory issues. From 3:00PM – 5:00PM on July 3, 2024, entrance and rides will be free. Please email Prizzo@LABBB.net if you plan on attending. Pre-registration is required to get a wristband at the entrance.
August newsletter: Look for the Recreation Brochure.
Remember to follow @LABBBREC on Twitter
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Registration is on a first come, first serve basis and enrollment is
limited. Please register early to secure your spot.
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services
Interested in fitness or arts programs for your child? Check out these resources.
This information is offered as community resources that may be of interest to our families. LABBB does not have any specific affiliations to these programs.
Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events
Family Support Center Directory by Town
Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress
20 Burlington Mall Road, Suite 261
Burlington, MA 01803
781-221-0024
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Merrimack Valley Disability Transition Fair: Virtual Event with the Lawrence Public Schools. https://bit.ly/3Mo8Lmq
Riverside Family Support
Housing Navigator Massachusetts
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LABBB Collaborative
123 Cambridge Street, Burlington MA. 01803| LABBB.com
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