Sargent Spotlight

September 2024 Newsletter

Welcome!

Our newsletter, Sargent Spotlight, is your source for all things Sargent Center! Our goal is to keep you informed, engaged, and connected with all the events and activities within our school community. We'll share inspiring student stories, staff recognition, news articles, information on upcoming events, and valuable resources. From academic achievements to extracurricular highlights, we'll bring you the latest Sargent Center news. Thank you for your interest in our programs and your continued support!

Use the link below to download a PDF of this newsletter:

Sargent Spotlight (PDF)

Student Spotlight

Shinbi J: Achieving Independence Through Assistive Technology

This month we have the pleasure of sharing a heartwarming story about Shinbi, a student whose determination and use of assistive technology is nothing short of inspiring. It's also a reminder of how these tools can help increase independence and accomplish daily living tasks.

Shinbi visited Dunkin', where using her eye gaze communication device and power wheelchair, she independently placed an order for food and coffee. Her eye gaze device allows her to communicate, and her power wheelchair provides her with the ability to navigate her environment.

Assistive Technology empowers students like Shinbi to achieve their goals and experience the joy of accomplishing tasks that many of us may take for granted. Her story is both a personal victory and an example of the impact assistive technology can have.

Visit our website to learn more about how our Assistive Technology Services can help support students in school, in their community, and at home.

Learn More

Staff Appreciation

Ava Malmberg

Teacher Assistant

This month, we are excited to recognize Ava, one of Sargent Center’s incredible Teacher Assistants who has recently stepped up in a significant way.

With the classroom’s teacher out on a temporary leave, she rose to the occasion. Ava took on more responsibilities in the teacher's absence, and she excelled at the challenge. Ava's commitment, kindness, and helpfulness have made a tremendous impact on not only the students, but on her fellow TAs as well.

Ava’s willingness to go above and beyond her regular duties showcases her exceptional dedication to the work that she does every day. All of us at Sargent Center are incredibly grateful for her hard work and the positive energy she brings to our entire team.

Thank you, Ava, for your outstanding contributions!

News & Events

The mission of the Family Resource Center is to enhance student success, equity, and access by fostering strong family-school partnerships through the provision of resources, support, and engagement opportunities for families in Rhode Island.

This school year, the Family Engagement Series at Sargent Center is excited to offer Rhode Island families a variety of resources and workshops focused on important topics to support students with special needs. Sessions will include Early Childhood Education, Transition to Adulthood, Assistive Technology, Brain Injury, Social Emotional Supports, Blind and Low Vision Services, and more.

These family-friendly events will be held on the following dates:

October 23, 2024
November 13, 2024
January 15, 2025
February 26, 2025
March 12, 2025
April 9, 2025
May 7, 2025

Topics will be announced soon.

It is our vision to create a collaborative community-based support where families feel empowered, informed, and actively involved in their children’s education.

Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!

Flutie 5K for Autism

Sunday, October 6th at 9:30am

JWU Harborside Campus | 60 Harborside Blvd, Providence, RI 02905

Join us and the brothers of Theta Delta Chi to run, walk, or roll at this annual race to benefit the Rhode Island autism community!

Labor Day Sale:

Take advantage of this weekend’s Labor Day Sale and register using the code LABORDAY before end of day on September 2nd for 20% off registration fees!

T-Shirt Deadline:

All participants who register before end of day on September 6th will secure a Flutie 5K t-shirt in their size! After that deadline, t-shirts will be first come, first served.

Resources

Preparing for a new school year involves not only gathering supplies and organizing schedules but also ensuring students are set up for success. Here are some tips to help navigate the school year with confidence:

Establish a Daily Routine: All children benefit from getting into a set routine. Visual schedules can be especially helpful for younger students or those with autism, providing a clear roadmap of daily activities.

Communicate with the School: Establish a relationship with teachers and support staff to discuss your child’s specific goals, needs, and accommodations.

Involve them in Gathering School Supplies: Take your child school supply shopping with you and involve them in selecting any specialized items that may be needed.

Encourage Self-Advocacy: Students should be empowered to advocate for themselves by speaking up about their needs and preferences. Self-advocacy skills can boost their confidence and help them feel more in control of their educational experience.

Promote Social Connections: Social skills are essential for emotional well-being and can enhance a student’s school experience. Encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities that help them build connections with peers.

Work on Skills at Home: Work on structure, discipline, and habits such as waking up and going to bed at a set time.

Prioritize Mental and Emotional Health: Transitioning back to school can be stressful for students. Just talking about the upcoming year can help reduce some of that back-to-school anxiety.