ASHLEY'S LEARNING CENTER
"WE'REINTHISTOGETHER"
Wednesday, 12 April 2023 - After culturally spectacular performances by international and local musical artists, the audience of the Ashley's Learning Centre for Extraordinary Minds Fundraiser left with full hearts and generous spirits The fundraiser, which was held on Saturday evening at Brayton Hall on Providenciales, showcased a variety of classical and modern-day musical performances second-to-none.
"We were thrilled to host professional violinist, Dr. Nash Ryder and the New World Symphony Miami musicians this year. Nash has performed for the TCI on no less than six occasions and is an avid supporter of the Centre Musicians of this caliber are a real treat to classical music lovers in TCI," commentedAngelaWilliams,FounderoftheAshley'sLearningCentre
The classical musicians were joined by a plethora of top-notch local performers including the indelible Herbert Swann that plucked at the strings of listerner's hearts with a moving guitar solo tributetohislateunclewithanelectricperformanceof'PurpleRain'.Nottobeoutdone,legendaryMr. MarvinHenfieldhadtheaudienceswooningwithromanticnotessuchas'WithoutYou'and'ThenYou Can Tell Me Good-bye'. The highlight of the evening, however, was a passionate performance by the students of the Ashley's Learning Centre There was not a dry eye in the theatre as everyone rose to theirfeettocelebratetheperformancebythemarvelousyoungstudents
"It is clear that Special Needs is not going anywhere. There is no cure for Autism, Blindness, Down's Syndromeandotherseverelearningchallenges.Wehavetorecognizeit,acceptitandincorporateit into our daily lives as a society. ALC, under the leadership and direction of the board, is currently focusedontwomainpriorities:ThefirstistoshowthevalueoftheOrganisationanditsstudentstothe communityofTCI.ThissteprequiresactionandsowetookthefirststepinFebruary2023...ourother priority is to ensure sustainable funding for the operation of our special needs education program Thisisanongoingeffort",saidBenAvenant,ChairoftheAshley'sLearningCentreBoard
NEWSLETTER
APRIL | 2023 VOL: 1 ISSUE:- 4
Classroom News
from Teacher Michelle
“When thinking about a song for the April concert, I looked for one where the words would send a powerful message. The song, " A Million Dreams" was chosen as it related to our students' struggle to be recognised and respected as having the potential to contribute meaningfully to the Turks and Caicos. Our students have dreams just as all other students. I was very proud of them as they performed really well. I believe everyone was touched by their performance.
IMPORTANTDATES
May08th:CoronationofKingCharlesIII
May26th:ALCSportsDay
May25th:NationalHeroesDay Celebration
June26thto29th:Parents'I.E.P.Meetings
5thJuly:ALC'sStudentAchievementDay
THEMOREYOUKNOW!
AutismAwarenessMonth
The month of April is recognized as World Autism Month. During this month, emphasis is placed on sensitizing the public about autism and highlighting the successes and challenges faced by persons with this neurodevelopmentcondition.
In our March edition, we introduced our readers to Brandon, a five year old, diagnosed with autism. When Brandon was first diagnosed his mother had no idea of the uphillbattlesthatawaitedher, particularly in her efforts to havehimenrolledinschool.
While she had experienced challenges during his kindergarten years, she was sure that at the elementary level teachers would be more knowledgeable of her son ' s condition and so would be able to include him in the regular classroom environment. Mom was in for a surprise! Most times she never got beyond the principalwhoquicklyhadone of two responses, " I am sorry mombutwehavenoroomin our classes" or " Our teachers are not trained in Special Education. They would not knowhowtoteachyourson,"
School, after school, after school, after school and the outcomewasthesame.
Encouraged by a relative who lived in Canada, my friend moved to Toronto. There her son was accepted into a schoolfortypicallydeveloping students. He was placed in a self contained classroom, given the academic, social skills and communication skills support he needed and was able to thrive Brandon is now nine years old and continuestomakeprogress Is there a lesson to be learned fromBrandon'sexperience?
MEETOURCHILDREN