Where Children Learn How To Learn

Transcription

1 S C H O O L 275 PINNACLE ROAD I ROCHESTER, NEW YORK I THE NORMAN HOWARD SCHOOL I N D E P E N D E N T, C O - E D U C A T I O N A L School for Students with Learning Disabilities Where Children Learn How To Learn

2 is an independent and New York State Education Department approved special education program for students with learning disabilities. Member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). How the Admission Process Works The Norman Howard School accepts applications for admission of students who meet the following requirements: Have a written diagnosis of a language and/or learning disability Have an average to above average cognitive ability Are in grades 5 through 12 Are free of any primary emotional and/or behavioral concerns Seven-Step Admission Process Parents call to request an admissions packet which includes an application and The Norman Howard School Admission Preview Schedule. Parents attend a Norman Howard School Admission Preview. Parents submit a completed application with requested supporting materials. The Admissions Committee reviews the completed application. Applications are accepted throughout the year, regardless of spaces available. The applicant will be invited for an interview and school tour if The Norman Howard School determines it can provide the student with an appropriate program. The applicant may then be invited back to participate in a classroom visit for one to three days. The Admissions Committee will make a final decision of admissions. The Norman Howard School does not discriminate in its admissions policies because of race, sex, color, creed or national origin. More than 80% of graduating seniors continue their education. The Norman Howard School gives students the strategies, knowledge and confidence to pursue their dreams. 13

3 admits students selectively based on diagnostic testing, personal interviews and information pertaining to a student s academic history. By following strict admissions criteria to identify students the Norman Howard School can appropriately serve, we are better abe to uphold our mission. Learning for Life The Norman Howard School is an independent, co-educational school accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. The Norman Howard School is a New York State Education Department approved special education program for students with learning disabilities, offering innovative programs that address individual learning needs and differences. The Norman Howard School is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of learning disabilities as a resource to educators, parents and the community. Helping Students Feel Good About Themselves The Norman Howard School understands that more than anything, students want to be like everyone else. They want to fit in with their classmates and feel accepted by their peers. That s why The Norman Howard School has created the ideal environment of trust for students with learning disabilities. For the first time in their lives, children can feel comfortable, safe and confident when they go to school. The Norman Howard School opened its doors in School founders, Bill Hoskin, Madeline Roeding and Shirley Cass honored Norman Howard then headmaster of the nationally acclaimed Gow School in South Wales, NY for his inspirational guidance and support, by naming the school after him. 1

4 is different. We help students become independent, lifelong learners. We offer innovative teaching strategies and take a personal interest in each child. Our classroom instructors are specially trained to teach children with learning disabilities. We help students learn how to learn. The Arts The Arts Program at the Norman Howard School is designed to develop each student s creative expression, while providing a cultural and historical perspective in conjunction with the school s social studies, English and science curricula. In addition to required coursework, students have electives from which to choose. Industrial Arts provides a hands-on experience that allows students to enjoy the art of creation using physical materials such as wood, steel, glass, paint, etc. The Drama Club performs at the Norman Howard School s state-of-the-art P. Ken Dennis Theatre where they showcase their production talent and creativity in dramatic and musical performances. Other Innovative Programs The Norman Howard School frequently updates its elective course offerings to bring students unique learning outlets. The pioneering and award-winning Hospice program gives students the opportunity to study the physical and cultural aspects of dying, and participate in an internship in a hospice setting. The curriculum was recognized in the 2003 National Association of Independent Schools Leading Edge Recognition Program for Community Relations. Community Service is an integral part of the senior-class curriculum. Each month, high school students enrolled in the participation-in-government class reach out to the local community to provide support for those in need. Orienteering gives students the ability to learn map reading and compass skills, while enjoying hiking on a pre-selected outdoor course. A F T E R S C H O O L P R O G R A M S:* Art Attack Yearbook Drama Chess Soccer Darkroom Ski Club International Cooking WNHS News Team Poetry Basketball 11 * After-school programs are subject to change based on student interest and advisor availability.

5 encourages students to express their creativity through a variety of mediums. What Makes The Norman Howard School Different In the first few years of school, children learn to read. After that, children read to learn. That s when many students with language deficiencies (reading, writing, listening) start to quickly fall behind. At The Norman Howard School, highly qualified and experienced teachers and administrators are dedicated to helping students become independent, lifelong learners who possess the confidence and skills to achieve and succeed. Our curriculum is enhanced by innovative, instructional strategies and a holistic view of the child that take into account everything that s going on in the student s life. The Norman Howard School faculty is trained in the nationally renowned Schools Attuned model, giving our classroom instructors the knowledge, skills and teaching strategies they need to ensure that each student with learning disabilities can find academic and social success. Teachers focus just as much on how to learn as on the course material. Students are taught how to organize homework assignments in order to make tasks more manageable. They are also taught alternative learning strategies to compensate for learning challenges. At the same time, language development is a central component of instruction at The Norman Howard School in every subject area throughout the school day and at all grade levels. The school was granted a charter by the state board of regents in 1983 and became accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools in In 1990, The Norman Howard School became a New York State Education Department approved program, removing the burden of private pay for a majority of students. 3

6 develops language skills throughout the entire school day. Innovative reading programs. One-on-one and small group reading labs. Separate writing labs and English literature courses. Visual tools and strategies help students solve problems and organize information. Enriching the Educational Experience The Norman Howard School offers an exciting and innovative array of elective courses and extra-curricular (after-school) programs. E L E C T I V E S: Outdoor Education Monthly activities are designed to build self-confidence, as well as effective listening and leadership skills. Annual field trips as diverse as white water canoeing, hiking and rock climbing give students the opportunity to interact outside of school while practicing the skills they have acquired. (Requirement in the Middle School. Elective in the High School.) Photography The Norman Howard School s on-site darkroom gives students the opportunity to learn basic and advanced photographic techniques, and make photographic prints of the pictures they take. Students interested in building their photographic skills even more can also sign up for the after-school Darkroom Club that is run by an organized and supervised group of students who not only learn photography, but gain management and leadership skills. Video Production Students work individually or in teams to conceptualize, plan and create a finished video production. Students have access to The Norman Howard School s advanced non-linear, digital editing workstations that facilitate the storage and manipulation of video and audio elements and the incorporation of dazzling special effects. Students with special interest in videography can also participate in the nationally recognized and award-winning after-school WNHS news team. Students participate in physical education from grades five through twelve. While The Norman Howard School does not offer an interscholastic sports program, students are eligible to play sports in their home school districts. 9

7 offers a wide range of electives and after-school activities. Helping Students Learn How to Learn Over the years, The Norman Howard School has embraced a number of multisensory instructional techniques. Thinking Maps, for example, are teaching tools that assist the learning process by organizing and presenting information through the use of visual aides. EmPower is another instructional technique that is used across curriculums. It is a writing strategy that helps students Plan, Organize, Write, Edit and Rewrite. Hands-on projects support classroom activities and enhance learning. Multisensory Approach to Reading At The Norman Howard School students with reading difficulties of any kind learn how to read step by step as participants in our Wilson Reading Program. This proven system of instruction emphasizes decoding (breaking words apart) and encoding (spelling). Our staff includes more than 20 Wilson-certified reading teachers who meet daily with students, one-on-one or in small groups, to develop reading and comprehension skills. As part of an integrated language development curriculum, the Wilson Reading Program is complemented by separate writing labs and literature-based English classes to stimulate a quest for knowledge, improve subject matter comprehension and achieve writing proficiency. Course content is presented in a way that allows each student to apply his or her particular area of strength (listening instead of reading, for example). Instruction is very visual and hands on. Required written responses are geared to each student s ability level, which is continually enhanced by a structured, step-by-step approach to composition that encourages ongoing skill development in a positive and supportive learning environment. The Norman Howard School staff is our greatest resource. They take a personal interest in every student, and continually strive for professional and personal growth. 5

8 goes beyond the lesson plan to help students learn. School s Attuned trained teachers. Coordinated lesson plans. Development of interpersonal communication and social etiquette skills. Weekly team meetings to discuss each student s progress. Students meet daily with academic advisors. A Better Way to Learn Teachers at The Norman Howard School coordinate their lesson plans whenever possible to give students multiple views of the same topic. This helps to reinforce information retention in all subjects. For example, the topic of exploration would be taught in social studies, AND be the subject of a composition in English, AND be supported by a hands-on project (such as boat building) in industrial arts. Enhancing Social Skills The Norman Howard School works closely with our students on a daily basis to develop their interpersonal communications skills. From learning the etiquette of joining a conversation already in progress (survey the scene) to conflict resolution, students are taught to own their behavior, solve problems and make good choices that can affect their lives and ability to learn. Keeping Students on Track At The Norman Howard School, our dedicated professional staff goes to great lengths to make sure no student is ever lost in the shuffle. To fulfill this promise, weekly grade-level team meetings are used to discuss the skills, attitudes and interactions of individual students to help make sure that each remains on course throughout the school year. In addition, students meet with their academic advisors during the last period of each day to answer questions about their homework assignments and address any issues or student concerns. Advisors also meet periodically with parents to review student progress and strategies for improvement. Our individualized curriculum is designed to address each student s unique learning needs in both one-on-one and small classroom settings. 7