Outstanding Community Members Give Back To WED

Special students, teachers, administrators and community members are helping the Woonsocket Education Department to provide some very special educational opportunities for students and teachers.  We examine students who are helping to gain community awareness and teacher professional development for Autism and a committee of educators, parents and community members that are creating an impressive boundless playground that will provide academic benefits as well as enjoyment for the students of Woonsocket in our future. 

The Autism Benefit Concert

The Woonsocket High School Music Department hosted an Autism Benefit that began as the idea of three friends.  The benefit was a kick off for autism awareness that culminated at the 9th Annual Imagine Walk (http://www.theautismproject.org/events_imagine.php) at Goddard Park on Sunday April 10, 2011.

Fun was had by all at the Woonsocket High School Music Department Autism Benefit.  It proved to be a stellar event.  Over 30 gift baskets were raffled off.  A silent auction took place with items including celebrity autographs, a jersey signed by all of the Colorado Rockies professional hockey team, Microsoft software, and a complete computer system.  Performances from local celebrities included Louise Tetrault and the Woonsocket School Committee Member Linda Majewski.  Student group performances included the Woonsocket High School Jazz band, Percussion Ensemble, Chorus, and Select Chorus.

Historically, people typically give back to their schools and community after they graduate from high school.  At Woonsocket High School, we have three very special students who are giving back to the school before they graduate.  Adam Brunetti, Richard Gramstorff, and Jamel Williams.  When asked why they began this quest and they were all very passionate in their responses. 

Adam relayed his story about challenges he had encountered in earlier grades but how that changed at Woonsocket High School.  The combination of some teachers who understood autism and outstanding support services including Dr. Sullivan, administrator, Ms. Cohagen, WHS guidance councilor, and the school nurses.  All of these educators helped to make smooth transition to Woonsocket High School for him.  He feels lucky that he met these teachers and councilors at the high school because when he was younger, there was less of an awareness of autism. He said it was a different feeling in high school.  Adam also identified that the outstanding Music and Drama programs we provide helped him to enjoy school more and ultimately helped him become more academically successful over all.  These teachers, councilors, and administrators had the knowledge about Autism and as a result helped him make his high school years wonderful. Adam is continuing his education after graduation at New England Tech for game design and film.His favorite quote is "knowledge is power and ignorance is intolerable."  That is why he is on a quest to raise money for the RI Autism Project.

Richard Gramstorff said that this event helped to make him feel like he contributed to a cause that is a community need.  He wants to positively contribute to his community and he is starting now!  Ricky told me of a story that happened in his sixth grade class. He said that his sixth grade teacher must have known about autism because of how she taught him and his classmates.  They had a new student in their class who was diagnosed with autism and she not only helped the new child transition to the new classroom, but she taught Ricky and the other children how to respect each other's differences.  Ricky was quick to point out that many people with autism are gifted academically but have challenges with socialization.  He said "There is always a price with a gift."

Jamel Williams recognizes that autism is the fastest growing medical diagnosis.  One out of every 98 boys born has some form of autism.  He has always felt it is important to "help the community, help the world and help our schools."  He will be attending Johnson and Wales next year but he wants to come back and make this event bigger each year.  He will be studying bakery and pastry arts and hopes to be the first musical chef. He is hoping that with earlier promotion, they may be able to fill the Stadium Theatre next year!

This group of students created a team name for the Autism Imagine Walk.  They will be "The Musical Notes."  They hope to raise over $10,000.  The RI Autism Project will provide 30 teachers with a ten week training about students with autism for free if they can raise that amount.  Any funds raised at this the Woonsocket High School Autism Benefit will be combined with the funds that they will raise at the Imagine Walk Benefit. 

Adam's mom, Mrs. Brunetti, should also be commended for all of the work that she has put into this effort.  She personally worked with the principals and community members to arrange all of the donations that will be raffled or auctioned off to increase the fundraising.  She is also very passionate about the need for parents and the public to learn more about Autism.  

The Globe Park Boundless Playground

Carole Lerner is the Woonsocket Education Department Director of Special Education.  When the America Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds were awarded, Mrs. Lerner chose to make enduring purchases that will serve the community for many years to come.  When she realized she had a significant amount of money ($75,000) in the IDEA Part B Federal Grant portion of ARRA funds, Mrs. Lerner called Principal Rob Desrosiers. He put together a team of teachers, support staff and parents that have been meeting every week for the past three months to create a “playground with access for all.” Jessica Frechette, the chairperson of the playground committee and the team worked aggressively to interview contractors and select specific equipment that would make up the design of the playground. 

The purpose was to build an inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play and learn together in a fun and welcoming environment.  Globe Park School was selected as the site because of the high number of specialized classrooms and the location of the medically fragile classroom. The specialized classrooms consist of students with significant physical disabilities, cognitive delays, sensory-motor delays, vision impairments, deafness, and autism. The vision evolved as the playground team took into consideration the need to create a place where ALL children have the opportunity to gain the developmental and health benefits derived from play. This playground will embrace all children, regardless of individual abilities and provide a higher level of inclusive play.

Specialized recreational areas of this type do require a huge undertaking in the design and planning phase.  Not only do physical limitations need to be considered when planning pathways, ramps and protective surfacing, but students who need sensory-rich play experiences are also accounted for. Other design factors include fencing, shade for those with sensitivity to sunlight and equipment that provides play experiences for children in wheelchairs. The playground will be located in an area of the parking lot abutting , and will be approximately 3317 square feet.

As the design began to come to fruition, the priority was to make the playground an enduring community structure. It was important to include a rubber “Poured in Place” surface. Poured in Place surfacing is an impact attenuation safety surface that provides accessibility that is immeasurable to a child with mobility limitations. This flooring is extremely permanent and lasts for the length of the playground surfacing which exceeds 20 years. With flooring being such an important piece in the design of the playground, the committee knew that it would cost approximately $35,000 to install, leaving approximately $40,000 towards the rest of the playground.

Although it sounds like a large investment, the reality is playground equipment designed for individuals with special needs is very costly. For example, The Sway Fun Glider is an amazing playground apparatus that can be used by multiple children and adults including two wheelchair users. The Sway Fun is a play event that gives children the ability to experience a unique vestibular stimulation without leaving their mobility devices. It is truly an inclusive play experience as the users in wheelchairs actively participate in gaining momentum in the Sway Fun. Other pieces of equipment include a Roller Slide, Double Swoosh Roller Slide, Curved Track Ride, Pod Climber, Seesaw with back supports, corkscrew climber and a variety of play panels designed to provide visual and tactile experiences.  All equipment provides a therapeutic experience for persons with significant physical, cognitive and medical needs and can be incorporated with support services such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Vision Services and Adaptive Physical Education.

Even though Globe Park Elementary School has been awarded ARRA monies for an accessible playground, we as a school community felt it was important to begin fundraising to cover the cost of the rubber poured in place surfacing so that there would be more options with the budget provided. The Woonsocket Elks Association and Rhode Island Elks Association have been working hard to contribute to the effort. Our sincere thanks go to the Elks Association and other local community businesses for any monetary donation they are able to contribute to help with the cost of the equipment. We are still accepting monetary donations of any denomination and if you would like to contribute please contact Globe Park Elementary School at 401-767-4830. All donations of $100 or more will be recognized within the area of the playground. Please consider making this important investment in our students’ future and our community residents.

In addition to our fundraising efforts for fencing, accessible benches and shading structures, the playground committee will be extending an invitation to our Woonsocket residents and business owners to our Community Build Day.  By incorporating a Community Build day we are hopeful that we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with community members, families, and schools. We are reaching out to our Globe Park families and the Woonsocket community to participate in the assembly of the new playground. This is a great way to have Woonsocket residents, businesses, and families of our students involved in this historic event. This provides us all with a sense of ownership and pride in the new boundless playground. The Community Build Day will be scheduled for a Saturday in June 2011, please be on the look out for details and if you are interested in assisting us on this day please contact Jessica Frechette at 401-767-4835 to have your name added to the list. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to support the addition of an accessible playground in our community. Our playground truly provides a safe place for all Woonsocket children to grow!

Sincerely,

Robert J. Gerardi, Jr., Ph.D.                          Jessica Frechette, M.Ed.

Superintendent of Schools                            Severe and Profound Special Educator

Woonsocket Education Department             Globe Park Elementary School

"Knowledge - that is, education in its true sense - is our best protection against unreasoning prejudice and panic-making fear, whether engendered by special interest, illiberal minorities, or panic-stricken leaders."

Franklin D. Roosevelt