We will be in full bloom again!
|
|
Did you know?
As a tradition, each year we hold a May Crowning in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (whom our JPII garden is named after). After celebrating the day with Mass, our students, adults, and staff process through our garden to lay flowers before our very own statue of Mary before she is finally crowned. It's a wonderful devotion. Unfortunately, we cannot be together this year, but the garden will continue to grow and flourish, and we will be back together in that garden again soon!
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this land of exile.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
|
|
|
|
Golfers! Get out those clubs! This is the moment you have been waiting for!
|
Golf courses are opening up and we have some fabulous golf packages available on our weekly auction starting on Monday, May 4. Courses include:
May 4 Auction:
May 11 Auction:
Check your email, social media and our website at noon on Monday, May 4 and Monday, May 11 to start bidding on a course you've been dreaming of playing this year!
|
|
Join us! Registration is open!
|
|
Registration is underway for the 2020-2021 school year for new and returning students.
|
|
Our Building Is Closed, But Our
Programs Are Not!
We're zooming through the end of our school year - literally! We're connecting with our students and adults with weekly Zoom prayer sessions, online learning and mailed packets of schoolwork. Our teachers and staff are growing in ways they never thought possible and we are using new ways to keep in touch!
|
|
Mrs. Cosgrove's Home Classroom
|
|
Transitioning to distance learning can present challenges, but as Mrs. Cosgrove is finding out, it can also be a positive experience for our students.
To help her students feel more comfortable with Zoom sessions and a new way of learning, she’s transformed her basement into a replica of her classroom.
“I set up a mini-classroom in my basement with a calendar, hanging alphabet card chart with pockets, and magnets with pictures that students use to tell me the beginning letter sound of each picture,” Mrs. Cosgrove says.
During these 1:1 sessions, Mrs. Cosgrove and the students also read short books together and complete counting activities.
|
|
|
|
|
Creating this replica has positively impacted the students. To really feel as though he is in the classroom, Simon insists on wearing his JPII uniform when he attends the sessions.
|
|
Some of her students are adapting well to this new format of learning, which she points out, is one of the few positive results of the quarantine situation. The stimulation/sensory overload that was found in the classroom is no longer an obstacle during these sessions, so she has seen some students excel in this new environment.
Since beginning the 1:1 sessions with Xavier, Mrs. Cosgrove is amazed at the length of time he is able to remain on task, actively participate and still have a little fun at the same time.
Xavier's mom, Lissette, says, "I would like to add my feedback to our unexpected change of routine. I was so worried on how all this situation could've had Xavier fall back on his education but then Zoom came along! And WOW! I could not be happier! Xavier enjoys and looks foward to his group meetings. Everyone has gone above and beyond to make this work.
Mrs. Cosgrove has made an excellent home set up to be able to do his 1:1 sessions and he has been doing amazing! His ability to stay on task and focus is unbelievable. It also gives me the opportunity to learn how you work with him."
The flip side is the loss of social interaction, which is so very important for the entire special education community. The Zoom sessions help, since the students get to see their friends and teachers and interact with each other.
|
|
Adult Classroom News: A New State of Mind….
|
In the past week, the adult program has started limited virtual programming. Our folks have been split into small groups where they meet with each other and a couple of staff members once a week. We will be socializing, doing art, reading books, listening to songs, and other fun things! Ms. Long is also conducting music therapy sessions once a week. In some cases our family members and pets have joined in too! It has been emotional and exciting to see one another again. Providing services in this way is not natural for any of us, so it has been a new learning experience. Although we would rather be together, this is a start to thinking about new ways in which we can serve the needs of our JPII family!
|
|
Ms. Long sings familiar songs about spring and staying home and encourages participating with instruments and singing. Almost everyone brought a "guest" to one session!
|
|
|
|
Keeping Busy During Quarantine
|
"Vince has been kept busy during these days in quarantine. To ensure he doesn't regress from the advances he has made in program, we have engaged him in many activities. Instead of connecting digitally with online computer or video options, we have focused on family sessions of cooking, baking, puzzles, basketball, nature hikes, and gardening.
His sister is an Occupational Therapist and assists with wonderful projects that focus on sensory and tactile functions plus life skills. He has joined in helping to sew face masks for the community. He measures, cuts and uses the machine with assistance and is very proud of his work.
He has been painting, playing matching cards, Bingo and practicing piano and craft projects. He smiles and likes to have his picture taken with his accomplishments. He continues to grow emotionally, showing more affection and empathy during these challenging times. We are making the most of our time together." - Vinny's mom, Nancy
|
|
|
|
Make sure you like our
Facebook and
LinkedIn pages to stay connected with us, our students and adults and our programming.
Don't miss out on the positive and uplifting content we share daily!
|
|
 |
Participate in our online weekly auctions. We have an ever-changing variety of items for anyone in your family.
Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation to keep JPII moving forward!
|
|
|
|
Enter for your chance to win a trip for two to Saint Thomas! What's included?
- Round-trip airfare for two
- Seven nights at The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
- Three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath condo
- Sunset sail for two on the Lady Lynsey Catamaran
- BVI motorboat trip for two to Soggy Dollar Bar
Winner will be drawn at our 10th Annual Legacy Gala on August 22, 2020.
|
|
|
|
Treat your child to a good book! Once books are ordered, Mrs. Berkhammer will be notified and can arrange for delivery. If you have questions, please
contact her here.
|
|
Class Activation Code (
HG6HC).
Orders are due by May 22 or June 26!
|
|
John Paul II Center for Special Learning | 1092 Welsh Road, Shillington, PA 19607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
