Autism Awareness at Edward Murphy Elementary School

 Autism Awareness inspires #newfriendships at 

Edward Murphy Elementary School

This past April during Autism Awareness Month, Edward Murphy teachers Ms. Alana Goodings and Ms. Cynthia Fugnitto decided to change things up. Their goal was to create programming that involved all students and staff, and give them the opportunity to get to know, understand  and befriend their peers with autism. Their creative, multiple programs not only heightened awareness about autism, it created new friendships. Here's what they did!

FUN 15 WITH FRIENDS EQUALS #NEWFRIENDSHIPS

Autism class teachers Ms. Alana Goodings and Ms. Cynthia Fugnitto initiated Fun 15 with Friends, a reverse integration program where mainstream students and staff spend time with students with autism to increase awareness and social interaction. Over 80 students and staff volunteers spent their morning recess, on a rotating basis, interacting with students in their two autism classrooms. 

Goodings and Fugnitto held a sensitization session prior to starting Fun 15 with Friends, where Issues like how to be a friend and sensitivities that a person with autism may have were discussed. Each of the 17 “friend groups” created an artistic tree that was displayed on a wall board outside of one of the autism classrooms, symbolizing new friendships. Goodings and Fugnitto would like to see this type of initiative continue, and hope to do so next year.

AUTISM AWARENESS LOGO CONTEST 

Teacher Alana Goodings with logo winners Daniella Alessi, William Campbell,
Jacob Caligiuri, and teacher Cynthia Fugnitto

Fifty-eight Edward Murphy students participated in a logo contest to promote autism awareness. The goal was to have students think about autism and what it means to them, and put it in their own words and drawings. The logos were displayed on a wall board, and reviewed on May 10 by judges Krista Leitham, coordinator of the Autism Speaks Canada – Montreal Walk, Wendy Singer, managing editor of Inspirations News, and Dolores De Michele, school secretary at Edward Murphy. 

The judges were impressed and touched by the sensitivity and beauty of each logo. The winning logo depicting a super-hero style “A” was created by Grade 5 student William Campbell. It was chosen for its message of strength and encouragement, and its replicability. Campbell’s prize was a pizza party for his whole class! 

Logo winner William Campbell beside his winning design "A"

Second prize went to Grade 2 student Daniella Alessi for the sincere message of help and friendship that her logo portrayed. The third winner was Jacob Caligiuri, Grade 1, whose logo shared love and friendship, synonymous with Fun 15 with Friends. It also had no words, representing the many people with autism that are non-verbal.  

2nd prize -  Daniella Alessi

3rd prize -  Jacob Caliguiri

1st prize - William Campbell

AUTISM AWARENESS LIBRARY 

Edward Murphy has also embarked on a fundraising campaign to create a book and resource collection of autism-related material in their library. These English and French-language publications are for kids with autism, their siblings, and teachers. Edward Murphy teachers have also began sharing lesson plans. They welcome your support by either donating at Go Fund Me – Autism Awareness Library Initiative 2018 or purchase a book on their wish list at Amazon.ca – Autism Awareness Library Wish List or Chapters Indigo Wishlist – Wish List: Alana Goodings. 

AUTISM SPEAKS CANADA – MONTREAL WALK - MAY 27, 2018 

JOIN TEAM INSPIRATIONS EMSB!

Join Team Inspirations EMSB to walk and raise funds and awareness for autism, and have a fun Sunday morning! This year, Team Inspirations, EMSB is co-chaired by Alana Goodings and Cynthia Fugnitto. To register, visit www.ascwalk.ca, and search for Team Inspirations EMSB. Walk dollars raised support access to resources, inclusive programming, services for young adults, community grants, and world-leading research. For information, contact Alana at agoodings@emsb.qc.ca or kristaleitham@autismspeakscan.ca. 

Ms. Gooding and Ms. Fugnitto would like to thank the Edward Murphy team for helping to make these projects work. They include Ms. Joyce Palmer  (behaviour technician from the ASD class), Ms. Fatima Beg (ASD child care worker), Ms. Karina Macri (school child care worker), Ms. Melissa Cacchiotti (school child care worker), Mme Aurore Chategnier (grade 1 teacher), Mrs. Alana Byer (grade 3/4 teacher), Ms. Elisa Giampa (Phys Ed teacher), Mme Alex Rubino (Resource teacher), Ms. Shirley Douglas (ASD behaviour technician took over additional supervision duties so we could run groups). A special thanks to Principal Mrs. Cristina Celzi for her supportive efforts, and Ms. Dolores, school secretary. Goodings adds: "We also had several student help set up the bulletin boards etc. I was so overwhelmed by all the people who offered their time and help."

Leaders on Wheels give back

The Leaders on Wheels give back 

to the Montreal Children's Hospital

By Wendy Singer

The Leaders on Wheels (the Mackay Satellite class at Westmount High School of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB)), are committed to giving back to their community. Over the past four years, this class of eight students in wheelchairs has donated over $6,000.00 to the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH). They are passionate about giving back to the hospital that provided them with excellent care. 

Thanks to an EMSB Entrepreneurial grant, the Leaders were provided with seed money to bake brownies, make a spice rub, and their uniquely delicious BBQ sauce, which they sell year-round. The profits of their sales are donated to the MCH. 

The Leaders presented their cheque in the amount of $2,124.75 to Angelica Maselli, Tribute Program co-ordinator at the MCH Foundation. Leaders on Wheels teacher Rose Sondola requested that the funds be used to purchase one piece of equipment.

The Leaders on Wheels staff and students donate to the MCH.

The Leaders are not only great in the kitchen. They also are fabulous at promoting their products. Watch their promotional video for their spice rub here. 

Teacher Rose Sondola with graduating student Brian at the MCH.

If you are in need of brownies, spice rubs or BBQ sauce, you now know who to call!

Congratulations to the Leaders on Wheels students and staff. We all learn how to support our communities through your example. And now, it is time to take a break from your hard work and enjoy the  summer!

Life after 18 seminar

Life after 18: 

 Transition planning for youth with disabilities

On June 8, we were delighted to welcome over 70 guests to the EMSB to address the concerns that parents, teachers and caregivers are facing when it comes time for their children with special needs to transition from the support of the education sector into adult life. 

This free seminar aimed to redefine what is possible for people with disabilities, providing educational support and resources for families of children with special needs between the ages of 12 to 22 and beyond. 

Nathan Liebowitz

The seminar included a presentation by Nathan Leibowitz, senior investment advisor with Manulife Securities, who informed about financial, legal matters, and government benefits that are available to families.

Leibowitz provided a wealth of information, such as answers to questions such as who will take care of my child after I am gone, and what money will be available for my child to live, public curatorship, and disability tax credits.

Linda Mastroianni, Life Coach and founder of Speaking Autism spoke about the importance of transition planning. "Young adults with special needs require different support and resources than their neurotypical peers. Securing the righ support for them requires proper planning," she shared. "A transition plan will also help prepare the 
youth for the changes and opportunities that lie ahead."

A transition plan will include: helping the youth identify their likes, skills and develop these abilities during their school years; help identify opportunities while setting short and long term goals; detailing and implementing strategies to achieve these goals; and ensuring the individual secures the right support. Transition planning should begin a few years prior to the individual leaving school, usually between the ages of 14 and 15. 

Linda Mastroianni

Key individuals that Mastroianni recommends be involved in the planning are teachers, principals, resource teacher, child care worker, therapists such as speech language, occupational or psychotherapists, etc., parents and caregivers, and their health and community workers such as CLSC, CRDI, CSSS, rehab centres. The plan will integrate everything from transportation to self-care, socializing, sports and leisure, and housing.

Jacques Monfette

Jacques Monfette, principal of Marymount Adult Education Centre in Cote Saint-Luc, spoke about the programs that are available for adult students with special needs at the centre, including Social Integration Services (SIS) and the Social Vocational Integration Services (SVIS) programs. In addition, the school houses a collaborative program between the EMSB and Giant Steps School for students with autism, and the C.A.R.E. Centre for people with physical disabilities.

Monfette stated: "In education we tend to forget something very important. It's called happiness. Many of our students have gone from failure to failure to failure. We try to find something that will make them happy and change this cycle." Galileo Adult Centre also has SIS and SVIS programs, as will John F. Kennedy 
in the coming school year. Consult the EMSB website to see more adult and vocational centre 
options.

To round off a most informative evening, social workers Natalie Correia and Alexandra Leblanc Etienne, from CSSS de la Pointe-de-l'Ile, Equipe DI-TED, spoke about the multitude of resources available to families to access through their CSSS, CLSC or CRDI, to help navigate through the transition years. 

Natalie Correia and Alexandra Leblanc Etienne

Special thanks to Marla Vineberg for bringing this seminar to Inspirations and the EMSB and organizing the seminar, and Pina Evangelista, TEVA (Transition école vie active) Consultant, Student Services Department, EMSB for her support in planning the event. 

Guests had the opportunity to visit exhibitors prior to the seminar including representatives from Action Main-D'oeuvre, I Can Dream Theatre, The Big Blue Hug, and Inspirations.

  It is safe to say that seminar attendees left with a great deal of information in hand. What was clear is that the discussion has only just begun, and must be continued. Stay tuned for a feature article about TEVA in our Fall 2016/Winter 2017 edition.

Read our Spring / Summer 2016 print edition at http://www.inspirationsnews.com/pdf/Editions/Inspirations_summer-160418.pdf

Breakthrough, by John Grant High School students and David Hodges

JOHN GRANT STUDENTS RECORD HIT SONG 

BREAKTHROUGH

Special needs students at John Grant High School in Cote Saint-Luc were mentored by recording artist and producer David Hodges. The result is a remarkable original song and video that gives us a look into their souls.

On April 18 and 19, 2016, John Grant Highs School teacher Marie Francis invited David Hodges to the school. Over these two days, Hodges guided several of the students in produced an original song titled Breakthrough. These novice recording artists have special needs, including selective mutism, speech impediments, and literacy difficulties. Together, these students created a touching and catchy song that provides insight into their thoughts and lives while inspiring the public to reach for their dreams.

The impactful lyrics demonstrate that students were eager to take the opportunity to teach what they have learnt on their journeys. And the tune will stick with you; it's that catchy! 

Their words include: “We’ve all been searching for a light in our souls. Cause we all feel alone.” The chorus is highly encouraging: “We’ve got to break through. Don’t let it change you. It may hurt sometimes. Ya, but we’ll learn to fly. So just hold onto your dreams. Don’t you fall to your knees. Let your light become your saving grace. Cause everyday we can change.”

Teacher Catherine Rendell-Green explains that the song's lyrics tell the life struggles of the students, and come straight from their hearts. "The experience taught us more about the students and the struggles they have had in their lives. It really opened them up. They had the courage to share their stories." she shared. 

This collaboration was made possible trough the Culture in the Schools grant program.  Ms. Rendell-Green created a video to accompany the song. 

To view the video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkbFSXjvCQ.

“As their teacher, I am extremely proud and honoured to witness their growth and maturity,” shared Ms. Francis while encouraging the public to enjoy the music her students created. “The lyrics reflect their lives, their emotions, and their perceptions of the world.”

TUNE INTO GLOBAL MONTREAL TONIGHT AT 5:30 p.m. to see the students interviewed about their song.

Read our Spring/Summer 2016 edition at http://www.inspirationsnews.com/index.html#editions