Salt Point Center hallways and classrooms were filled with students and their families Tuesday night for this year’s Open House.
Teachers, administrators, teaching assistants and aides were present to answer questions and share with parents and guardians how their children were doing.
In Jennifer Whalen’s class, students created pages filled with pictures and words that represented them, asking visitors the question: “Who am I?” Students who accompanied their parents asked them to pick out which one belonged to them. Whalen is in her ninth year at SPC and teaches in the Providing an Education for Autistic and Communication Impaired Children Effectively (PEACCE) program. She explained how she creates a structured learning environment, uses visual cards and cues to help students with their activities and schedules and how each student has a Star Card for rewards.
“Each day I ask students what they want to work for today,” she said. Students indicate it on their sheet and must earn five stars to get their reward. “It’s not just about work. They can get stars for being kind, helpful,” she said.
Luz Collazo, great-grandmother to student Cameron, said she came because she wanted to get to know Cameron’s teacher and find out how he was doing. “They’re wonderful. He likes it here and is doing well. I like how she has it structured and the way she is teaching,” she said.
Stevie Beatty, whose son, also named Stevie, is in the class, said he came “to support the kids and the teachers and see how he is doing.” Beatty left with a sense of the routines the class follows. He and his wife are going to begin using some of the tools Whalen uses in the classroom at home.
Down the hall, Samantha Coachman met with her daughter’s teacher, Valerie Cantone. “I wanted to get to know Abigail’s teachers and TAs and see the school,” she said, adding that this is Abigail’s second year in the program. “This is an excellent program. My daughter has flourished and really has come a long way.”
Principal Melissa Murphy looks forward to the event each year.
“It was wonderful to see so many proud families and excited students showing their parents, siblings, and extended family where they learn and spend their school days,” Murphy said. “The welcoming classrooms and happy staff made the evening feel warm and inviting. We truly appreciate all the time and effort everyone put into creating such a memorable night.”
