THE VANGUARD SCHOOL
Semester Wrap-up NEWSLETTER
HURRICANE DORIAN DISASTER RELIEFCOMMUNITY SERVICE
IN THIS ISSUE, WE'RE COVERING: Hurricane Dorian Disaster Relief Trebuchet Launch Day Athletics Academics Residential Activities Community Service
A STORY BY REBECCA VENABLE As a teacher of students with learning differences, I often hear about the things that these students "cannot do." The week before Thanksgiving, however, eighteen students took on the additional challenge of helping others. I was lucky enough to chaperone these students as we assisted multiple organizations that helped refugees from Hurricane Dorian. At the Humane Society of the Bahamas, our students divided into the dog lovers and cat people. Students walked dogs and snuggled kitties. We were amazed to see that over 200 animals, in various conditions, arrived from the two islands, Abico and Grand Bahama. Our students immediately fell in love with multiple animals. Amanda S., for instance, met "Holiday Monday", a brown, bushy-haired dog. She would have gladly stuffed her new dog friend into her bag and snuck her back into the States!
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Family Weekend Panther Perkhouse International Culture Fair
HURRICANE DORIAN DISASTER RELIEF CONTINUED
The following day, our students visited the Ranfully Home for Children. The Vanguard students were taken aback to see the inside of a dorms: eight sets of bunk beds slept sixteen children as the Home has taken in double their occupancy with the refugees arriving from the islands. Robert commented that the orphanage "was as real as it gets" because the kids there only had beds and books. "They did not even have a TV," he noted. It was cramped and
" They are an extraordinary group of young people and those folks who say people with learning differences are "unable" to do things are wrong.."
cluttered, as donations have arrived from the community, forcing the Home to compact all their supplies into public areas. Our students removed old plaster from a wall in preparation for a renovation. The Home requires additional beds for the new arrivals, and plans to modify an outdoor space into living quarters. One new room will be the library. Vanguard students organized themselves into an assembly line, as
We arrived at our sister school's lunch hour. Matthew, Ms. Valdez, Gage, Mr. Allen, and Adam joined into a game of basketball. Others enjoyed keep away or tossing around a football.
they cleaned and categorized donated books.
Nathaniel, Robert, and Henry teamed up with a
From there, we headed to the Blairwood
group of Blairwood students to start a garden.
Academy for Autism.
They broke up rocks and planted flowers. Henry enjoyed using a pickaxe for the first time, but commented on how cool the kids at Blairwood Academy were. Nathaniel said it was a challenge to learn about setting up a garden. Ethan and Jacob worked with the elementary school aged kids and played Simon Says. Our school day ended with students reading aloud to classes. I was so impressed that students volunteered to read.
HURRICANE DORIAN DISASTER RELIEF CONTINUED That evening, we walked the beach and cleaned up. Of course, Mr. Allen and I cannot stand to miss an opportunity for a competition. We challenged the kids to find the largest item, most amount of plastic forks and straws, heaviest bag, and, my personal favorite, weirdest item. Melisa and Mario found a huge truck tire and spent nearly an hour trying to dig it out of the sand. They were unsuccessful! However, Ms. Valdez found a boat. Yes. A boat. I turned our experience into a science lesson, stopping to show students washed up coral, sponges, urchins, and sea fans. Who knew that hunting for trash would be such a highlight of the trip for me.
Our last day was spent at the Salvation Army. We were introduced to the Major in charge of the Feeding Center for the Hurricane Dorian refugees. We set up two rooms of assembly lines. Students took a bag and added item to it, before handing it down the row. Another competition presented itself! Mrs. Mifsud and my room completed packing over 460 bags, while the other room did somewhere under 400--I smack talked to Mr. Allen for the rest of the day. I was so impressed. Melisa, Amanda S, Adam, and Matthew took charge. They restocked items to place in the bags without being told. Their initiative made me proud, but alarmed the Salvation Army members. They were not expected the speed and efficiency our students displayed as they packed bags! In less than forty-five minutes, we had packed nearly 1,000 bags of groceries!
HURRICANE DORIAN DISASTER RELIEF CONTINUED
The Salvation Army gave us a tour of their School for the Blind. Our students were fascinated by their braille library, and Chris enjoyed "reading" a little kids' book about a puppy. After touring the school, we were happy to meet their students and join them for lunch. During lunch, the choir sang. Gage remembered that "the school chorus serenaded us with a song of worship which was religious by its own rite. The choir lead's passion and devotion was apparent as she engulfed our ears in the glory of her faith." He claims it was a highlight of his experience.
Overall, the students worked hard and had fun. I was so happy to spend time with them outside of the classroom. They are an extraordinary group of young people and those folks who say people with learning differences are "unable" to do things are wrong.
TREBUCHET LAUNCH DAY ACADEMICS The purpose of this project was for students to measure the angular velocity and see which trebuchet model was the most effective. Pictured below is team #1's model. If you look at the exterior, it was built with many key details to execute a successful launch.
In looking at Team #2's trebuchet, it looked like a much simpler version but students assured me it was packed with a punch! I would also like to point out Jan's hat. He mentioned his hat and the strength of the trebuchet were connected. After we saw the launch, I would say I agree!
During 8th period, all faculty, staff and students gathered by the soccer field and watched Team 1&2, prepare to launch. Each team presented their trebuchet and the math calculations to show the velocity of the ball. When it came time to launch, Team #2's trebuchet was a little more successful than the other one. However, we applaud all of our students' enthusiasm and effort towards this project!
ACADEMICS SPIRIT WEEK
UGLY SWEATER TACKY DAY TWIN DAY SPORTS DAY HOLIDAY FESTIVE DAY
INTERNATIONAL CULTURE FAIR This semester we shared our very first International Culture Fair where students shared educational information, arts and crafts and entertainment from Kuumba Dancers & Drummers, Riffle Team Performance and our Panther Perkhouse! Our students had the opportunity to share their talents during our Panther Perkhouse. It was truly an experience!
CONGRESSMAN DARREN SOTO VISITS OUR CAMPUS! Congressman Soto and Representative Vierday were impressed on Vanguard student's behavior, interest, and level of knowledge! Congressman Soto said "I can tell your teachers are so devoted to making their classrooms fun, productive, interactive, and most importantly successful for your student body!" We ended our day with an assembly were the student were amazing answering the congressman's governmental questions! He was blown away with the wealth of knowledge so many of our students already had about the branches of government and what exactly they encompass. The students were cheering one another as they were engaged on various topics from the environment to the national debt. Our Vanguard students had plenty of questions and Congressman Soto was eager and pleased to answer them all. Afterwards we took a group photo to commemorate this honorable visit!
"I can tell your teachers are so devoted to making their classrooms fun, productive, interactive, and most importantly successful for your student body!"
FAMILY WEEKEND INTRODUCING PANTHER PERKHOUSE During Family Weekend, Ms. Tysver and her culinary & drama class put together our very first Panther Perkhouse. The Panther Perkhouse was created as a way to showcase our student’s talents and share them with families and the community. Culinary Arts students offered yummy sweet treats, specialty coffees, and hot drinks and drama students provided entertainment. While enjoying their treats guest were invited to view the Student Art Gallery presentation from the visual art students. Due to our Perkhouse succes, we will be having our second event in December! Stay tuned!
Family Weekend is all about our families and students coming together at Vanguard and showcasing all they have learned in the past 9 weeks. It is also a great opportunity for parents to meet their child's teacher!
FALL FESTIVAL INTRODUCED BY OUR STUDENTS Through enthusiasm and self-advocacy, students proposed bringing back our Fall Festival, an event we used to do a couple of years ago. Students experienced face painting, photo booth, pumpkin gore, worm bobbing, tic tac toe, pumpkin toss, make a mummy, DIY candied apples and candy pong. We also had an APEX competition and best costume where students were awarded an awesome prize!
ATHLETICS SWIM The Vanguard School introduced their very first swim team this year and they had excellent season!
Stella placed second in the 50 free and third in the 100 free and did very well this season!
Ryan Tuckwood also placed third in his event, the 100 free and really enjoyed his season and being a part of a team.
Some of our students are experiencing being a part of a team for the first time. It's wonderful to see some students come from not wanting to go to school, to enjoying a feel good team environment. Vanguard is a safe haven for students in many ways! We are Vanguard!
ATHLETICS Susan Chen has been a top contender since
GOLF
the beginning of the season! Susan attended the District tournament and advanced onto the Regional Tournament. Although Regionals did not go her way, we are working on getting her more lessons this year and next, to make her stronger! We are so proud of resilience and dedication. Go Susan!
ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY
ATHLETICS BASKETBALL
ATHLETICS ARCHERY
FORMAL MEALS WITH MENTOR GROUPS
PRE-PAID TRIPS
Happy New Year from The Vanguard School!