Dear Friend of North Side,
Thank you for your generous support of North Side Community School. We could not have provided our students and educators with the additional support required this past year without you. The pandemic has had a negative impact on our students' academic and social growth. The virtual learning format introduced new challenges, especially for our students with special needs.
Mary Jensen, our Director of Special Education, describes a student she works with: “Dylan is a third grade student who has a diagnosis that affects his speech and language. He is a happy kid who is eager to learn, but it is very difficult for his peers and teachers to understand his speech. He never stops trying! Having a classmate with a disability has taught the other students in Dylan’s class to create an inclusive classroom environment. As he works to adapt his speech and language skills, his peers are also intuitively creating ways to connect with Dylan as they learn to diversify the ways that they communicate and build friendships.”
Dylan is one of 75 North Side students receiving special education services. Our Special Education department ensures that every one of these students is fully evaluated and receives the professional support that they need here at school, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, paraprofessional support and one-on-one nurse support. Though these services are provided at no cost, federal funds do not cover our expenses.
Please consider helping us build the foundation for success for students like Dylan, who otherwise may not have access to the resources, specialized therapies, and inclusive learning environment we offer them.
Thank you for your consideration. We wish you a happy holiday season and happy new year!
Sincerely,
John Grote
Executive Director
