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Summer Program
AT Summer Program 2009
Brochure This Summer's Theme: "Summer On Screen" The focus of the program will be film and theater technology projects. For the past five years, the Assistive Technology department has conducted a summer program for multiply disabled and learning disabled students using assistive technology. Throughout those years, the program has seen a metamorphosis from a Summer Camp to an Extended Year Program. The summer program grew out of a need to provide a supportive environment where students who use assistive technology could develop, practice and master the tools and strategies needed to access the curriculum and expand their learning. This has become the mission of the summer program. What was once an “Access to Fun” camp has become an extension of the regular school year, under the direction of Assistive Technology Specialists, Louise Ortiz and Farrah Rosenthal, with the support of the assistive technology staff, therapists, teachers, IT support and teacher assistants. The summer program is a very intensive month long assistive technology saturated class full of academics and technology fun culminating in an end of the summer “Parent Day” and a student created newsletter. In the past, themes included: Mad Science, Coming to America, Young Entrepreneurs, and Art and Technology. The summer 2009 theme will be “Filmmaking”. Past “Parent Day’s” have included a science fair, a theatrical production, a craft fair, and an art exhibit. In the past two years, the students have raised money to donate to a charity of their choosing, The Children’s Cancer Fund and Sarah’s Little Wishes. The summer technology program typically includes special events to enhance and reinforce the program’s theme. This past summer special events included visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Author/ Illustrator Neil Waldman was invited for a full day workshop to help introduce the importance of literacy and art to our students. Mr. Waldman has written several children's books and works with schools throughout the area. Since we were studying art, we asked Mr. Waldman to share his book, A Starry Night, a book about Vincent Van Gogh. The technology department planned a strategy with Mr. Waldman prior to his visit. He provided a number of suggestions to prepare for his visit that included art and writing projects tailored to the needs of the students. This included simple journaling to story writing about how each student would be Van Gogh's guide. The book was adapted by the technology department into digital format and furnished to all students. Mr. Waldman read his book and discussed how writers develop their motivation during a school assembly. Then, he visited each classroom. The students each wrote an essay and shared them with Mr. Waldman. Mr. Waldman signed books and chatted with students about their essays and artwork. The summer population consists of multiply disabled and learning disabled students who are on or close to grade level. Most of the students are currently utilizing assistive technology in some capacity or have been recently evaluated and deemed in need of assistive technology tools and strategies. The summer program gives them an opportunity to use technology tools to gain mastery with their devices, software or educational goals. Self-advocacy and problem solving are greatly encouraged throughout the program. When developing the program several goals and objectives were determined. Students are taught to increase their manipulation of the learning environment and classroom tools through the use of low and high tech devices. They will develop access and communication skills in a structured and prescriptive environment. No matter the theme, they are exposed to the arts and vocations through technology. A focus to improve independent navigation of computer operations, applications and the Internet is always present. Students participate in reading, writing and math tasks using hardware and software that is specifically matched to the students needs. All activities, lessons and field trips are directly linked to the NJCCCS and each student’s IEP. If you would like more information about the Summer AT Program, please contact Mary Bosco at extension 6530, or email her at .
Pictures from Summer 2008 Program
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