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Perspective Newsletters
Winter 2001
LEARY SCHOOL, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Page 2
Our first semester of the 2000/2001 school year went very well! We currently have
nearly 90 students in ten classrooms. School wide activities have included participation
in the Youth Athletic League volleyball and basketball seasons and work on a "Living
Mural" project that is soon to be installed. The "Living Mural" consists of individually
painted 6" x 6" ceramic tiles that will line the upper walls of the main hallway
and document, in essence, the creative presence of each student taking part in the
display. Each year, a new set of tiles will be added where the last year left off;
ergo, the title, "Living Mural". This project is a part of our art therapy program
led by our art therapist, Jordan Potash.
We are also very proud to announce that our volunteer reading program has been up
and running for the past few months and has been very successful! A group of volunteers
from the New Fellowship Baptist Church, led by Ms. Lorraine Celestin, Assistant Director,
have gotten us started. They are: Reverend George Horton, Ms. Chellene Mclaugh, Pastor
Marion Hughes, Ms. Lois Alexander, Mr. Charles Archer, Mr. Kendale Walden, and our
newest member, Mr. Gus Ruvulas. Thanks to them all for helping make this program
a great success! If you are interested in participating in this program as an adult
volunteer, please feel free to contact me at (301) 839-5486.
One additional piece of exciting news has just come to us - three of our staff members
have received a grant from the Washington Post Educational Foundation for the establishment
of a drama club at our school. Congratulations to Christy Gregg, Jordan Potash, and
Rachel Beck and a big thank you to the Washington Post for their support of the arts
and Leary School, Prince George's County!
In closing, I would like to also make note of a very special group of people who
work hard on a daily basis to support Leary School, Prince George's County: our dedicated
staff! They are a wonderful mix of administrators, clinicians, teachers and teacher
assistants whose dedication is evident each day of the school year! Thank you all!
Deni Brancheau, Program Director
Leary School, Prince George's County
learyschoolpgc@bellatlantic.net
LEARY SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA
Leary School of Virginia has completed a productive first semester and has also been
working on creating partnerships with local businesses. Harris Teeter, a chain of
food markets, has become our new neighbor and has been very generous. In addition
to donating a complete Thanksgiving meal for all our students, Harris Teeter also
donates bread and pastry products weekly. However, the best gift from Harris Teeter
is our new volunteer, Ms. Cassae Ryan, who is Harris Teeter's store mentor. Chris
Darling, Harris Teeter's regional manager, approached Ms. Ryan with the idea and
offered to release her once a week to tutor our students. At first, Ms. Ryan was
not sure what tutoring at Leary School was all about but now she feels at home. When
asked why she thinks volunteering is valuable, Ms. Ryan explained that volunteers
can inspire and motivate young people and help them see that the help they are getting
is worthwhile. Thank you to Ms. Ryan and Harris Teeter! Many thanks also to our other
devoted volunteer, Betsy Moize.
In addition to partnering with The Capital Area Food Bank and Harris Teeter Food
Markets, we are in the first phases of creating a relationship with Ryan Homes. They
have offered to help us with jobsite supplies. Finally, Windows Plus, a local construction
company, is interested in providing our students with a variety of vocational experiences.
Forging new relationships with local businesses has been an exciting and rewarding
project for the school this year and has been a direct benefit to the students. On
the subject of direct benefits to our students, I would like to close by offering
a very sincere and huge thank you to all our hardworking and effective staff members.
Many thanks to all of you!
Francesca Creo, Director of Programs
Leary School of Virginia
learyschool@bellatlantic.net
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