|
Perspective Newsletters
Summer 2004
Leary School, Prince George’s County
Page 2
 I would like to take the opportunity to share with you some of the highlights of
the 2003-2004 school year at Leary School, Prince George’s County. As you are already
aware, the school year began with major changes to the program. In an effort to improve
our academic programming and increase opportunities for our students to learn socialization
skills, we moved from a self-contained classroom model to a ‘pod’ system. We began
the year with two pods. Students rotated between classes within their respective
pods, changing from the single teacher model to each student working with three or
four different teachers. We maintained a self-contained classroom as well to accommodate
the needs of all our students. Students and staff got into the swing of changing
classes and enjoyed it! This, of course, did not occur in the absence of a learning
curve. We are in the planning phase for next school year and will make some changes
for 2004-2005.
Once again, we participated in the Youth Athletic League (YAL) team sports in volleyball,
basketball and softball. Instrumental in the success of the teams have been coaches
LaChance, Highsmith, Bonham and Sewell. Their dedication to seeing to it that the
students have opportunities to experience league play has made a difference for many
students who might not otherwise have had the experience. While they served the front
lines, the rest of the staff gladly covered for them back in the building, exhibiting
outstanding teamwork and dedication to our students.
Leary School, Prince George’s County, celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with a
turkey dinner and all the fixings for each classroom again this year. A generous
donation was made on behalf of the students from Hope Presbyterian Church who supplied
the meals and all the trimmings. We thank them for their kindness and support that
has spanned the last several years! A special bulletin board in the hallways was
dedicated to messages from staff and students about what we each are thankful for.
It serves as a daily reminder to keep the positives in life foremost on our minds.
In January, we celebrated the achievement of 15 students who earned honor roll for
the first semester! Each of the students received a $20 gift card good at any AMC
theater. During the second semester, 12 students earned the honor, one student with
straight A’s!
May brought Career Week under the direction of Job Placement Specialist Cynthia Petty.
This year, the focus was a career in the armed forces. Many students requested information
that prompted us to devote the week to several of the service organizations involved.
This annual event has been a popular one with students and staff alike. The Science
Fair also took place in late May, hosted by Ms. Ghadegesin and Ms. Warneka, our science
teachers. Several students participated in this event.
Our End of the Year Assembly was held in June. Several students received awards for
their achievements over the course of the year. These awards are voted on by the
entire staff. One of our middle school students was voted Student of the Year for
his consistent participation in the program and positive attitude towards learning.
Another student earned Most Improved Student award for his overall gains over the
course of the school year. Several students earned the Presidential Award for Educational
Improvement and the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement. These awards are
embossed with the official seal of the White House and were signed by President Bush.
One student also earned the Best Attendance award.
Two special seniors were awarded a gift from a great friend of Leary School, Ms.
Peaches Pearson. She gave a graduate from each school a laptop computer, complete
with carrying case! It was a delight to see the look of surprise and amazement on
their faces as they received their gift on stage during graduation. Ms. Pearson has
donated computer equipment and much more to both schools over the last several years,
along with many other school items. We thank her for her continued generosity and
support to our students and our programs.
In retrospect, the year moved by quickly. We survived Hurricane Isabel, the continuation
of war, and the loss of a student who was dear to us. Sometimes, when I reflect on
the job we do together each year, through the happiness and the sadness, through
the times when we are tired but forge ahead anyway and through the times filled with
the high energy and drama of our student, I realize that “work is love made visible”.
As one staff member aptly said to a student in a mediation meeting, “You know Leary
School is about love.” I found this remark to be a poignant one, one that accurately
expresses, I think, the reason we all work here.
We need volunteers! Parents and friends of Leary School are urged to think about
volunteering at the school in the upcoming year. Current volunteer opportunities
include working one to one with students as a reading tutor and assisting in coaching
any one of the three team sports we participate in through the Youth Athletic League
(YAL). YAL teams are drawn from nonpublic schools through D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in volunteering at the school;
we can work with any schedule!
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to my wonderful staff who work hard each and
every day to help our students grow and learn. Their dedication and efforts continue
to make Leary School, Prince George’s County, a successful student environment and
a true place dedicated to growth and learning.
Deni Brancheau, M.A.
Program Director
|
|
|
