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On November 2
nd
join us as we celebrate student success, recognize generosity and welcome new friends at the
4
th
Annual Legacy Gala
. The event will be held at The Farmhouse at People’s Light in Malvern with cocktails and silent auction starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and special recognition of people, partners and programs. For details on sponsorship and attendance costs and benefits go to
http://bidpal.net/legacygala
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Student & Staff Spotlight
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Mr. Tanney began his career at Pathway in September of 2016 as a speech therapist. Over the past two years he has developed strong relationships with his students, offered to lead the secondary program’s Boy
s’
Club and spends time working in the classrooms to support the students and their Speech Services identified in their IEP. He also volunteered to serve on both the
FORE! the kids
Golf Committee and the 403B Board Committee. Pursuing his education further, in 2017 he completed course work to become a Certified Autism Specialist.
Mr. Tanney was promoted to the Head of the Speech and Language Department with the start of the 2018/2019 school year. In this role he oversees the speech therapists, provides individual supports to students, and works in collaboration with the teachers to provide social skills instruction. His positive energy and willingness to lend a helping hand is appreciated by both students and colleagues.
Thank you, Mr. Tanney for your enthusiastic spirit and dedicated commitment to the Pathway community.
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Mayer enrolled at Pathway in January of 2017 and has made significant gains in all areas. His current teacher reports Mayer is very outgoing and enjoys sharing his opinions on a variety of topics/subjects throughout the day. He shows a maturity and takes accountability for his actions. Mayer is described as brave and likes the challenge of learning and attempting to do projects that may be new and unfamiliar. He is creative and enjoys sharing his projects with classmates. Mayer’s academic strengths include math, research projects and science.
Congratulations, Mayer, for being chosen as October’s
Student Spotlight
. It is a well-deserved honor!
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Continued Success for John Madison, Class of 2017
John enrolled at The Pathway School early in the school year of 2008 when his home district agreed that he needed more support than they could provide. He had been placed at 2 other small private schools prior to coming to Pathway, but his parents had not felt his most recent placement had been the right fit for him and were eager to find a school where he could grow in all areas of life. While touring the school, John felt that it seemed like a nice school that he would like to attend – a raving review for a 12 year old boy.
Throughout his time at Pathway, John developed as a young man – academically and socially. He put 100% effort into all he did, was a supportive friend and a role model for others. It was clear to see that his confidence was building and that he felt comfortable and safe enough to make mistakes and learn from them.
On a lovely evening June 15
th
of 2017, John Madison proudly walked across the stage to receive his diploma. His family could not have been more proud of him and the Pathway community shared in the joy of all that he had accomplished and had confidence that he would move on to great things.
Over the last year, John has had some incredible experiences. He continues to be involved in the community learning new skills that increase his independence. He is receiving support from community agencies to expand his budgeting and shopping skills, as well as how to navigate the community. Recently, he made a full-course meal for his family to enjoy. His mother shared how nice it was to come home from work and have a tasty well-balanced meal on the table. His involvement in Special Olympics allows him to continue his passion for basketball. At the Southeastern Pennsylvania Special Olympics Championships held at Penn State recently, his basketball team won the Silver Medal – this topped off a wonderful weekend with his friends.
This fall, John begins the next exciting step in his life. John is one of 10 students selected from a group of 30 applicants who will be participating in Temple University’s
Academy for Adult Learning
program. This new program provides Temple University student mentors and tutors for young adults like John, so they can experience college and continue to prepare for adult life. This is a highly sought after program, and the selection process included an application, recommendations from staff and an interview in front of the selection panel. It is no surprise to those who know him, that John impressed the selection panel with his good communication skills and obvious dedication to growth. He will be taking 2 courses at the college and his student mentors will help him get to know campus and become integrated into the Temple Owl family and all that it has to offer.
John wants to thank The Pathway School for being patient with him and helping him grow. He is especially grateful to Ms. Prestia, his first teacher at Pathway, and Ms. Graham, Pathway’s Transition Coordinator. Both of these professionals supported his opportunity with Temple through the work they did with him and the glowing recommendation they provided. His parents are also grateful to The Pathway School and share that they “couldn’t have made it without Pathway”. We take pride in the growth of all of our students and are privileged to be a part of the journeys of all Pathway alums!
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Student Council Continues to Support the Community
Student Council has welcomed 5 new members this school year and plans have started to select projects that will be meaningful and give back to the community. Many of our students gain work experience at PAWSibilities, a local animal rescue shelter. With the recent damages from Hurricane Florence almost 40 cats were transported to the shelter and supplies are desperately needed. Student Council has been collecting items for the shelter such as cat food, litter, litter boxes, toys, old sheets, towels and other needed supplies.
Each year Student Council selects multiple charities to support. They see the impact of giving and the satisfaction that results in paying it forward. Margaret Mead once said, "
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has
." People who give to others are not just showing them that they matter. They are showing that action matters; that taking a stance matters. We are so proud that Pathway’s Student Council is choosing to take action and make a difference!
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Students Exhibit Art at Macy’s, King of Prussia
The staff from Macy’s, King of Prussia reached out following their Pathway volunteer event in August to welcome students and to display their art in the store. On September 19
th
art teacher, Ms. Donath, and four of our talented students displayed some of their art projects and created new pieces during their time at Macy’s.
Additional collaborative opportunities are being discussed for later this fall. More to share in upcoming newsletters as this relationship continues to grow. We are so excited to add Macy’s to our growing list of community partners!
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Homecoming, 2018
On September 22
nd
students, parents, staff, families and alums gathered for a great afternoon of reconnection and celebration. The day began with a visit from The Elmwood Park Traveling Zoo, bringing with them an iguana and a opossum for all to see and experience the uniqueness of these animals. Seventeen community resource providers displayed materials about their services and answered questions for our families. Lunch was generously donated by Chick-fil-A, Audubon along with our own Hot Spot staff preparing hot dogs and offering home-made cookies for dessert.
Arts and crafts, lawn games and temporary tattooing by Ms. Suzanne Thomas continued throughout the day. Mr. Jermaine Fisher brought the guests to their feet, dancing to the tunes provided by DJ and Pathway’s IT Associate, Mr. Doug Michel. A soccer game concluded the afternoon, with both students and adults participating.
In addition to Chick-fil-A’s generosity, we also thank Lintons Food Service Management for donating the bottled water and Balford Dairy for their donation of soft drinks. Wegmans and Shannondell at Valley Forge both gave a monetary contribution to the celebration. Our community partners help in so many ways and we are very grateful for their support!
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The Pathway School | 610-277-0660| www.pathwayschool.org
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