Sensory Room Renovations Complete
The popular bubble columns are once again captivating Children’s Academy students thanks to a renovation of the sensory room. Additional improvements include replacement of the mat around the columns, replacement of the fiber optic cascade and mat, and installation of new projection equipment and images.
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- Before: non-working bubble columns were removed
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- After: new mat and newly-installed bubble columns add depth and soothing effect
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- Before: existing fiber optic cascade had shorted out, limited color display, and sagging mat in need of replacement
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- After: 8 color-changing fiber optic cascade provides visual stimulation while chunky cloud 9 mat delivers tactile sensory relief
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- Before: area in which swing is located and images will be projected
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- After: modified swing in use while new projector beams space imagery
The sensory room is an integral part of occupation therapy. It helps to calm or awaken Children’s Academy students and enables them to return to the classroom refreshed and better able to learn.
This renovation was made possible thanks to a small grant from the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, and a donation from Charles Dieteman, a student at Lewiston-Porter Middle School who has cerebral palsy and who raises awareness and funds for cerebral palsy each year at home with help from the Builder’s Club.
Sensitive Santa
Tristan and Adalyn tell Santa what they want most for Christmas
Once again, Empower offered Children’s Academy students and families of children with special needs one-on-one, quiet time with Santa. Some children with disabilities, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder, are more sensitive to and are unable to process bright lights, loud noises or crowded areas that go along with this popular tradition. Sensitive Santa ensures that every child gets the chance to visit Santa, to share what they most want for the holidays and to preserve the memory by having a photo taken. Families appreciated having this fun, anxiety-free option.
Halloween Parade and Haunted Hallway
Everyone had a frightfully good time on October 31 when Children’s Academy teachers, students and parents paraded throughout the building in imaginative costumes for treats. Bravery was required to enter the Haunted Hallway. Students and even staff proceeded with caution, daring to enter the darkened hall between school wings in order to receive goodies from witchy teachers peering out from creepy classrooms.
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- Children’s Academy students paraded the halls in their costumes on Halloween
Students Celebrate the Seasons
In honor of Veteran’s Day, students in Michele Senay’s class, including Alexis and Camden (pictured), made cards to thank veterans for their service.
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- Students in Michele Senay’s class, including Chiara and Jack (pictured), decorated ornaments to contribute to Empower’s Christmas tree on display at the festival of trees.