RSEC Academy Students Gain Experience Outside of the Classroom

Stonehenge, soap, sculptures and hoops were just a few of the subjects that RSEC Academy students were exposed to as they traversed New Hampshire and Massachusetts during their annual Intensives Week, held January 22–25. Each year, the RSEC Academy Intensives program provides students with opportunities to gain new experiences outside of the classroom. Students are divided across five different groups, each of which participates in a specialized theme. The five Intensive’s themes this year were Novelties, Art, Shipping Up to Boston, Fit 4 Life, and Get a Job.

The Academy’s Novelties group visited popular New Hampshire attractions including America’s Stonehenge in Salem, the Stonyfield Yogurt Factory in Londonderry, Stonewell Farm in Keene, Swan Chocolates in Merrimack and Clark Summit Alpacas in Deering, as well as toured Van Otis Chocolates in Manchester. The four-day Art Intensive focused on the innovative art of Mark Jenkins who introduced packing tape as a new medium used to create sculptures. Students also traveled to the Sharon Arts Center in Sharon where they explored various artistic techniques.

The Shipping Up to Boston group spent the week visiting Boston to learn more about the city. Students enjoyed a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt on the Boston Common, visits to the Museum of Science and Faneuil Hall, lunch at the Hard Rock Café, a tour of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and a Celtics game at TD Garden.

The Fit 4 Life Intensive was packed with sports, new adventures, and a focus on lifelong fitness for the body and mind including the basics of martial arts at Prevail Martial Arts and Fitness Center in Amherst; a swim at the YMCA; and training in Kung Fu and Tai Chi and meditation at The Training Station in Manchester. Highlights from the rest of the week included ice skating at Conway Arena in Nashua, bowling at Leda Lanes, a UNH basketball game in Durham, and an overnight stay at the school followed by games and swimming at Hampshire Hills in Milford.

Students who took part in the Get a Job Intensive will apply their four-day experience to RSEC projects focused on transitioning out of high school. Students participated in workshops and completed a day-long job shadow in places such as the Bedford Animal Rescue League, Sunrise Children’s Center in Amherst, and the Parent Information Center in Concord. Two students were also able to experience training on computer networks at Enterasys Networks in Salem. The week for these students was rounded out with tours of the Union Leader in Manchester and the Anheuser-Busch factory in Merrimack.

“This is a special week for our students—one they help plan and one they will always remember because it’s about experience. I want to thank the many organizations that opened their doors to us and helped make these visits substantive and meaningful,” said Janet Reed, director of The Academy.

Regional Services and Education Center, Inc. (RSEC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity created to provide school districts in southern New Hampshire with a variety of high-quality educational and special needs focused programs and services. RSEC currently administrates three programs, including Sunrise Children's Center, an inclusionary early childhood educational center, The RSEC Academy, a junior and senior high school program serving students with learning disabilities, and an alternative high school program, the Longview School.