News article

Our neighbor writes for our town’s local newspaper. It is published once a month. She had actually interviwed us back in September, before all of the chaos insued with school. We decided it was in the best interest of other parents, to have the article published. It just seems to bring more awareness to the situation at hand. Without further to do, here is the article :

Couple sees positive impact for everyone

from integrated preschool program at Burgess

By Stephanie Richards

 

 

Three years ago, Tony and Kelly Brunetti were ready to move out of their condo in Charlton and buy a house. Working full-time in Framingham, the couple came to the area because it was affordable and fell in love with its history and surrounding beauty.

 

Their son, Tyler, was two years old at that time and school was the most important factor in their decision to relocate. Tyler has hydrocephalus(water on the brain) where his body can’t regulate spinal fluid. He also has Cortical Visual Impairment (deaf/-blind) and was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. They wanted to find the best school in the area with services to help Tyler with his special needs.

 

After talking to early intervention, Sturbridge offered the best resources for Tyler as he would move into a traditional preschool setting. He began Burgess Elementary at the age of three, attending five days a week during the school year and then six weeks in the summer. “The teachers from the school came to our house to see Tyler in his own environment. It made it easier to relate to him seeing him in his own surroundings,” Tony said.

 

As with all parents, Tony and Kelly were apprehensive about Tyler transitioning to Burgess. “Letting go was and continues to be hard, because Tyler is not a typical child. Even though there are trained teachers and staff, it’s still difficult. But I don’t know if we have any more fears than other parents,” Tony said. Kelly remembers the concern she had with Tyler starting at age three. “When he started he was three but had the functionality level of a 12- to 18-month-old and would have to take naps for a short time. But he adjusted and we have seen changes, especially from the social aspect. We could not put him in daycare because of his disabilities, so this was his first

exposure to a classroom with other kids.”

 

In the preschool program, one half of the 92 students have special needs, according to Burgess Principal Daniel Carlson. Students attend two, three or five days a week depending on their needs and work with special education staff. During school hours on Monday through Thursday, Tyler gets physical, speech, occupational and vision therapy. But on Fridays, Kelly and Tony asked that he would stay in the classroom and have time just to play and be a kid. “He use to have therapy once a week with early intervention; now he gets it daily. Physically he has improved and is walking now,” Kelly said.

 

The couple is pleased with the atmosphere of the classroom as well. “The classrooms are a warm, inviting and accepting environment. When they do a theme for the week, the teacher incorporates sign language in to coincide with the theme for Tyler. At the same time, other kids are learning it too. And Tyler is encouraged to do better by being with other students,” Tony said. The response from staff at Burgess to Tyler’s needs has been welcoming, Kelly said. “When Tyler was little, I took him to Perkins School for the Blind. Parents would talk about the transition into school and how difficult it would be to get services. We went to the meeting with notebook in hand all set to fight. But when we said what we thought he needed in terms of services, they didn’t bat an eye. They were very willing to do anything to help him.”

 

Tony and Kelly both recall there were not many kids with disabilities in the classroom when they were in school and they see how it is a benefit for everyone. “I think the integrated classroom allows the kids and parents to learn to break down barriers (in terms of differences),” Kelly said. “Parents need to talk to their kids.” As with everything, there are always areas for improvement. “There are normal growing pains as with anything. We were told the school hadn’t had a deaf/blind child in 20 years. Communication is the hardest, especially with Tyler’s capabilities,” Tony said.

 

Overall, it has been a positive experience for Tyler. “This community is really good and we haven’t run into adversity. We know that some kids will make fun of him at some point in time. But so far, most are very accepting,” Kelly said. “We were talking to a friend who has a severely autistic child about the anxiety of going to birthday parties—if Tyler was going to be OK—because it can be uncomfortable. Their child has never been invited to a party. Tyler has been invited to several parties and has been welcomed.”

 

What advice do Tony and Kelly have for parents of special needs children transitioning into school environments? “Communication is the key for everyone involved. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or put your foot down if necessary,” Kelly said. “Sometimes you can feel like you are alone. But, you are not the only one going through this and  you won’t be the last. It helps to talk with other parents of special needs children.”

 

There is an outlet to do just that in the Assist Special Kids-Parent Advisory Council (ASK-PAC). “We provide an environment for parents to come discuss their issues and concerns, get useful information and receive support,” said Jen Hermann, ASK-PAC Coordinator for the last four years. “The more information parents can get the better. The goal is to have a parent walk away from a meeting with a golden nugget that is useful in their child’s education.” Mandated by the state, PAC groups are separate organizations that report to the school district. However, Hermann said not every district has a group like Tantasqua. Thus, parents have attended the group from not only Sturbridge but surrounding communities like Charlton, Spencer, Dudley and even Holden. ASK-PAC meetings, which are free and open to anyone interested, are held on a monthly basis from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rehabilitation Resources, 1 Picker Road, Sturbridge.

Halloween Pictures

I hope everyone had a nice Halloween. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for our little ghouls and gobblins. The temperatures were in the high 50’s and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Here are some pictures of our little angel in disguise