MDC News!!!!!

See article on BPS News April 2019 from Brevard Public Schools: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectASD/photos/a.1467281856862612/2347024465555009/?type=3&theater

Following content and pictures are from the above article.

Southwest Middle School in Palm Bay has established the first-of-its kind learning strategies classroom to address the needs of students with ASD. It's called "Home Base" and like in the game of tag it's a safe place where a student can come and then get back to their academic day.

Students who are part of Home Base receive academic support, but also a social personal class where they learn about understanding the expectation of social interactions, seeing others perspectives and gain emotional regulation skills. These classes are taught by a certified special education teacher, Deanna Irwin, with support from an instructional assistant, Dale Daley.

What makes Home Base so unique is that it is addressing the needs of student with ASD holistically. Core teachers (Math, English, social studies and Science) have received special training to understand these students' needs. Ms. Irwin and Mrs. Dale attend core classes in support of these students. When overwhelmed students can travel back to the Home Base classroom to receive support and regroup.

Many students with ASD enter middle school with discipline plans and behavioral accommodations. The intention is that if you address the students' core needs, these issues tend to disappear, and some students will no longer require these plans and interventions.

Currently, the Home Base classroom sees six 7th and 8th graders on a daily basis. Students rotate for core classes together with their peers, with support as needed, and may break for more independent academics or electives. They typically attend the Home Base classroom for one class period of social personal class. This is often a time to reflect and reset to be ready for the rest of their day.

Students are welcome to drop in anytime they're feeling overwhelmed, upset, or in need of additional support with homework or problem solving. Ms. Irwin and Mrs. Dale are there to help them tackle the daily challenges of being a middle schooler, to foster and encourage independence. They do this while working on social skills, such as raising their hand in class, knowing when to ask a question, or conversations regarding friendships, expectations of school, as well as emotional regulation.

Ms. Irwin keeps in constant contact with the students' teachers and parents. She knows all their schedules, their interests and how they're doing academically. She is extraordinarily patient, and understanding. She can engage at their level and yet still commands their respect. The students listen and respond to her, because they know she is there to help them, but more importantly, to hear them.

"You can't tell these kids apart from their peers," says Southwest Principal Ron Shaw. "We're helping them to assimilate to the middle school just like everyone else."

As a result of Southwest's proactive approach to providing flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences, referrals have decreased significantly. And while Home Base is primarily for students with ASD and other related exceptionalities, general education students will sometimes pay a visit for help coping with similar issues.

It is important to recognize that support for Southwest's student population (those with Autism and other exceptionalities and those considered neurotypical) isn't contained to this one classroom. It is pervasive throughout the school and inherent to who these teachers and administrators are as educators and as people. Southwest is embracing the differences of every student and striving to meet them where they are.

As a result, the Home Base classroom concept was recently recognized as a Mentor Demonstration Class for the University of Central Florida's Project ASD.

Words can't describe what this team brings to the table in terms of talent, experience and hear," says Principal Shaw. "They have these kids' hearts and souls in their minds and in their hands on a daily basis."

Ask a middle school student with Autism Spectrum Disorder what they want you to know most about them and they will say:

Kathy Meena and Special Hearts Farm are having a baby goal contest!

Their moon spot goat "Rain" is expecting her first kids anytime from Feb 1st -15th!

Can you guess how many kids she will have, the due date, and the gender?

Take a look at the photos below to help you guess!

Winner coming closest to guessing all 3 answers will receive these beautiful handmade goat milk soaps (blue or pink and number of each dependent on gender and number of kids born).

Please provide your guesses on the Special Hearts Farm Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/thespecialheartsfarm/

Kathy Meena and Special Hearts Farm are selling Valentine's gift baskets! See the pictures below! If interested please go to the following link to place your order: https://specialheartsfarm.com/shop/

Special Hearts Farm will also soon be selling Fresh Eggs and Vegetables!

https://specialheartsfarm.com/about-us/

April is Autism Awareness Month!!!

Our MDC Teachers along with their students are supporting Autism Awareness at their Schools.

Highlight: Kathy Meena and her students run the Special Hearts Farm Store. Ms. Meena and her students create handmade items to raise money in support of their ESE program at Dr. Phillips High School. See below for some of the wonderful items that may be purchased from the Special Hearts Farm Store to support Ms. Meena's fabulous students and educational program!

Also, check out this news report about Kathy Meena and her Special Hearts Farm at the Walk for Autism Festival in Orange County, FL! Click on the Link : https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/walk-for-autism-festival-will-benefit-dr-phillips-high-schools-special-hearts-farm

Kathy Meena continues to provide a valuable and therapeutic work experience for students with autism and intellectual disabilities on the Special Hearts Farm at Dr. Phillips High School.

Congratulations to Jessica Simmons who was named a finalist for Lake County Teacher of the Year! Jessica is an MDC teacher at Gray Middle School in Lake County. The winner will be chosen on Feb. 11 at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora.

Jessica Simmons and her student run the store complete with Employee of the Week!

Gray Middle School's Best Buddies Donut Party

Gray Middle School's Jessica Simmons and her students at a Special Olympics Track and Field Event

Dr. Vasquez, Dr. Pearl, and Samantha Mrstik at the Office of Special Education Project Director's Conference in Washington DC presenting on the Mentor Demonstration Classrooms.