Tuttle School Brochure

the

Tuttle School

a school for children with developmental delays

Program Description The tuttle School was developed for children, ages 5-21, with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders. It is a non-graded program designed to teach ageappropriate functional, academic, life and social skills within a school or community setting. Our school strives to teach the individual to lead successful and personally fulfilling lives at his/her ability level. Because of the unique needs of the Tuttle School population, additional emphasis is placed on the teaching and application of functional and pragmatic skills. The Tuttle School utilizes research-based programs as part of the curriculum.

Who we serve We have served children with Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, among others.

Many of our students do not have a diagnosis other than Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. We are a school focused on teaching functional academics and vocational skills, as well as social skills. Each students’ progam is individualized to help them meet their highest potential.

Success Happens Here THE TUTTLE SCHOOL APPROACH To ensure maximum learning, each classroom is staffed with a teacher and an

assistant for 8-10 students. Emphasis is placed on instruction using a multisensory approach, daily repetition and review. To increase learning opportunities, students are taught through a system of structured teaching referred to as Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), which was developed at the University of North Carolina. A structured teaching environment includes the following: physical and visual structure, schedules, and independent work systems.

Students typically spend two or three years in one academic homeroom before transitioning to the next homeroom. Matriculation occurs on an individual basis and is determined by a variety of factors including age, social maturation, and class groupings. Although the Tuttle School program is not transcript-based, students receive a school-issued diploma upon graduation.

Tuttle School is successful because of small class size, well-trained and dedicated educators, research-based curriculum, and a highly structured, yet nurturing and affirming setting.

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Former Tuttle School Parents Kathy & Ken Burke

The Tuttle School gave our son the opportunity to learn and practice the life skills he needed to become an independent and responsible member of society. The supportive and nurturing environment of The Tuttle School encouraged Patrick to be aware of others’ needs as well as his own. Today Patrick is a very happy and confident young man. The confidence Patrick gained in his years at The Tuttle School, combined with the learning opportunities provided by the wonderful teachers and staff, are gifts Patrick will use the rest of his life. We are forever indebted to The Tuttle School.”

Contact Us

The Tuttle School 12207 Whittington Drive Houston, Texas 77077 281.493.1070 281.493.1343 Fax www.briarwoodschool.org

T h e t u t t l e Sc h o o l

Spectrum Math series

Reading/Language Arts Curriculum

• Everyday math applications and standards-driven math instruction.

Manipulatives

Unique Learning System • •

K-12 Standards-based instruction Foundational skills • Print concepts • Phonological awareness • Phonics and word recognition • Fluency • Writing • Vocabulary acquisition and use • Comprehension

Primary Phonics and Primary Phonics Reader Series • Systematic phonics-based early reading program • Multi-level skill-based readers • Decoding, comprehension, and fluency practice.

Raz-Kids • Web-based interactive e-books for children • Vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency practice.

Reading A-Z • Web-based leveled readers • Reading comprehension focusing on higher-order thinking • Instructional and assessment tools for phonics, phonological awareness, vocabulary, and fluency.

Explode the Code Series • Reading success through phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and spelling • Development of comprehension skills through reading in context.

Spelling Series • Building Spelling Skills • Instant Spelling for Writing • Skills Sharpeners, Spell and Write.

Vocabulary Series • Daily Language Review • Wordly Wise and Wordly Wise 3000.

• Counters, money, clocks, calendars and number lines.

science/ social studies Science Spin Handwriting Handwriting Without Tears

• Curriculum developed by Jan Z. Olsen, OTR • Uses a developmental approach to teach handwriting skills through multisensory activities, grouping letters by similarity and difficulty.

Loops and Other Groups Handwriting • A kinesthetic cursive handwriting system developed by Mary D. Benbow, MS, OTR/L • Teaches basic letter formation through grouping letters according to movement patterns • Motor and memory cues help students visualize and verbalize while experiencing the “feel” of the letter.

Math Curriculum Unique Learning System K-12 Standards-based • Counting and Cardinality • Operations and Algebraic Thinking • Fractions Measurement and Data

Touch Math • Comprehensive multi-sensory approach that uses touch points to engage students with varying abilities and learning styles.

Math Skills sharpeners series • A comprehensive series designed for remedial or small group instruction.

• Monthly classroom non-fiction magazine incorporating reading and science.

Scholastic News • Weekly classroom non-fiction magazine for grades 1- 6 comprising current events, seasonal science, social studies, concepts, and geography.

News-2-You • Developed for students with special needs • Weekly symbol-supported news articles, worksheets, games, and activities with four levels of difficulty for beginning readers through high school-age students.

Unique Learning System • A web-based science and social studies standards based curriculum.

Providing monthly age respectful units of study.

specialty classes Students typically attend specialty classes 4-5 days a week, 30 minutes/class.

Art • Students learn about art elements & principles, cultures, artists, history and styles through multi-sensory and meaningful experiences.

Music • Music education and exploration are included.

Life Zones • Students learn in a classroom environment skills for independence and successful everyday living in the home. The curriculum and activities provide opportunities to learn basic survival skills, personal grooming & health, food preparation, and housework.

Motor: Sensory Integration/ Physical Education/Fitness/ Ready Bodies Learning Minds

“Tuttle School has fed and grown our boy, in both his head and his heart. If we were to count the blessings they would include teachers who give him strong doses of encouragement and exhortation, the practical training in trying new foods and preparing meals, social skills training reinforced in all his classes and activities, and Special Olympics coaching that has made him part of a winning team. But the greatest blessing of all has been watching friendships develop, nurtured by the atmosphere here. He has had true friends who joke and laugh with him, and invite him to birthday parties and outings.

That is priceless.”

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Educ ational Technologies

Assistive technology is functionally integrated into each classroom on a daily basis. It enhances the learning process, is routine in each classroom, and supports our curricular goals.

• Tech support and training are provided for the teaching staff • Hardware and software evaluations and upgrades are an on-going process • Age-appropriate, motivating, and interactive technology are provided, e.g., iPads, apps, desktop computers, Apple TVs, projectors, Smart Board Access, etc.

• Apps to facilitate communication are provided on all iPads

Fitness Sensory Integration offers direct instruction to students with processing deficits. Provides opportunity to learn specialized motor planning skills.

• Students learn about sports, fitness, and recreation through games, which promote cooperative play.

Dance, yoga, and other fitness activities concentrate on improving cardiovascular health, core strength, flexibility, and balance.

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Tuttle School Parents Bronwyn & Mark Turner

Workforce • Students are provided opportunities to develop and improve job readiness skills, learn appropriate work behaviors, and establish a positive work ethic.

• For qualifying students, an off-campus work/training site is provided at the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, one day a week • Alternative sites are researched for qualifying students.

Summer c amps

For Currently Enrolled Students Only Summer Horizons A three-week day camp that explores the greater Houston area.

Camp Sunrise A five day/four night camp spent at Camp for All in Burton, Texas.

Camp S.O.A.R. (Summer Opportunities & Recreation) A five day/four night camp spent at Camp Aranzuzu in Rockport, Texas.

T h e t u t t l e Sc h o o l

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Tuttle School Parents Robin & Jim Vaiana

“We consider Josie’s opportunity to attend The Tuttle School to be one of the true blessings of our lives. Before Tuttle, Josie had a difficult time in a combination of both public school and home school settings. At the former, insufficient resources in terms of qualified special needs educators and overcrowded classrooms resulted in an inability to connect with an appropriate curriculum and other students. At the latter, much better focus on specialized education but continued challenges in the social aspects of being a student. Either way, school was not something that Josie looked forward to.

All of that changed at The Tuttle School. At Tuttle, Josie has experienced an especially unique combination of highly qualified special educators, carefully managed class sizes, and a well-rounded curriculum of academic, vocational and therapeutic recreation classes, all tailored to individual student needs and abilities. Josie has also been able to participate in a wide variety of in-school and outside social events and opportunities. Tuttle creates an atmosphere where students feel challenged but comfortable, safe and loved. School is now a place where Josie wants to go; where she has real friends and real opportunities.

She has blossomed.

So, would we recommend The Tuttle School to parents with a special needs child? We would – emphatically, unequivocally, and with a wish and prayer that their child enjoys all the blessings that our Josie has enjoyed at Tuttle.”

Additional curricular activities Special Olympics • Special Olympic Motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

• The program offers students, ages eight and older, the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics sports, including baseball, bowling, volleyball, basketball, track, and tennis.

• All practices occur during the school day. Scrimmages are scheduled in the evening.

• Students under the age of eight years may participate in Youth Athletic Program (YAP), which is designed to introduce the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility.

Student Council • This is a service club for the older students. Officers and homeroom representatives are elected for a one-year term.

• Past service projects include: Pull Tab Collection for Ronald McDonald House, Food Drives, Blanket Drive, Clothing and Shoe Drives, Children’s Book Drives, Pet Supply Drive, Grooming Kits for the Star of Hope, and Easter Baskets for the Elderly.

Community-based Instruction • An opportunity for instruction within the community as well as an environment to generalize skills mastered in the school setting is provided.

Community-based Vocational Instruction • An opportunity for vocational education within the local workplace.

Students learn and generalize skills in real work settings such as Kroger and JSC Childcare.