Back to school, Back to blogging

Wow, it's been a while since the last blog post!  It's amazing how quickly the months can slide by.  But as we gear up to welcome back new and returning students, it feels like the perfect time to start blogging once again.  To start, I thought I'd take some time to get everyone caught up.  Here's a quick rundown of what we have been up to and what's coming up this fall.

So far

Atlantic Conference on Learning Disabilities - Held on May 12-13, 2011, the conference was a big success.  We were delighted to welcome approximately 300 volunteers, delegates, workshop facilitators, guest speakers to two days of practical learning on learning disabilities.  The feedback we received was so positive that we're planning to do it again!  More details to follow over the coming months.


Graduation 2011 - Attending a Bridgeway graduation ceremony really puts the work that we do into perspective.  I have had the priveledge of attending two graduation ceremonies now.  From the care and attention to detail that all of the teachers put into transforming the gym and creating a program that would make any high schooler proud, to the glowing sense of accomplishment on the faces of the graduates, it is a wonderful site to behold.  But what really puts a lump in my throat is watching parents react to that moment when their child stands at the front of the room in cap and gown with diploma in hand.  It's not uncommon for parents and extended family members to weep openly.  Many will tell me that they never thought that their child would see this day, convinced that the struggle to learn would prove to be too much to take for the long term.  To see them not only succeed, to finish no only high school but have plans for university or college or career, is a treasured gift for every parent in the room.  I shared our 2010 Valedictorian's comments on this blog in the past, and hope to have the 2011 Valedictorian's comments available here soon.  Read and be inspired by the stories these graduates have to share.


Social Skills Summer Camp - A lot of people assume that our schools are closed in the summertime, but nothing could be further from the truth.  We offer several summer learning opportunities in both Dartmouth and Truro through our Turning Tides Community Outreach programs, including tutoring, assessments and our popular (and growing!) Summer Social Skills Camps.  It has been a pleasure watching and listening to these wonderful groups of kids who have spent three mornings at week in our gym, our classrooms and in our playground.  All are here learning essential social skills like first impressions, evaluating friendships, being a good friend, communication, problem solving and avoiding fights.  And the learning is anything but dry and boring!  I have seen the groups participating in puppet shows, sports, water balloon games and dancing, all while learning the skills they need to initiate, build and maintain friendships. 


Still to come

Bridgeway presents...Dancing for our Stars - This is the biggest event we have ever been involved in, and we are so excited!  Six wonderful celebrities in our community have volunteered their time to learn to dance (and fundraise) over the summer.  On September 24, they will go toe-to-toe on the dance floor, competing for the title of the city's best dancer! 

We'll be posting more on the event in the coming days, but in the meantime we invite you to visit the website or the Facebook page for more information or to buy your tickets.  See you there!