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The Community Skills Program began in the
district in 1987 when Project Homecoming was
initiated state-wide. This project brought students
with disabilities back from segregated regional pro-
grams to their home communities to learn. It was a
time of great awakening and immense action. Dis-
trict-wide, schools opened their gates and worked
hard to develop program services that would meet
all students needs. That year, Community Skills
served seven students with a staff of one.
In the next few years changes came rapidly.
Ideas for program development came quickly and
the district administration stood by the program in
spirit and in funding. The program soon mush-
roomed to serving 40-50 students annually. We
developed off-campus learning programs, swim and
recreation programs, and Independent Living Skills
Classes. Middle school programs were offered.
Career Clubs and Partners Club was started (1991).
New classes were designed and instructed. Part-
nerships with non-profits and businesses started
solidifying into real relationships.
Many services that were initiated by Commu-
nity Skills were later adopted as “standards” in pro-
gram services to be instructed by school based
educators. Summer Services, under Community
Skills program coordination for it’s first decade, was
shifted to CVU in the mid- 90’s and now is a com-
plex array of services with several educators staff-
ing services.
At the federal level, IDEA was implemented in
law and then revised twice; the program adapted
and learned. We’ve moved seven times! Over the
years, Community Skills has built a reputation of
being available, creative and flexible. For a system
that changes rapidly, and with the complexity of
students needs, we work with teams to find solu-
tions within our school and community resources.
We can look all around and outside the box for con-
nections and ideas.
Our staff is now about 3.5 fulltime workers.
Collectively, we’ve worked for CSSU 46 years! We
work in five schools with about 35 youth during the
school year and 15 during the summer.
The best part: it’s great work for all of us. We
laugh, we connect with great educators and busi-
ness people, we build new options, we teach, we
adapt, we learn and mostly work hard to assist a
student make their hopes and dreams a reality.
This newsletter is a glimpse into that experience.
21 Years of Community Connections:
A Program Overview
Community Skills Program
NEWSLETTER
Fall 2008
Summer Adventure Group 2008: Lake Learning on the go! It was a great summer for community-based learning and adventures.
Twelve CVU students and several staff were Wednesday regulars on
the shores of Lake Champlain. Rain seemed to gravitate to the week-
end leaving the group with some fine weather days to explore.
Students from CVU spent five Wednesdays learning about all the
different ways you can explore and experience Lake Champlain.
Here’s how they did it!
1. They crossed the lake on the ferry (Burlington to Fort Kent).
Students ate lunch on the upper deck and experienced how wonder-
fully big the lake is! 2. They swam in it at North Beach. On a hot day in July
it felt wonderful! 3. They paddled it in kayaks. From Oakledge Park, students
learned how to paddle about in safe shallows. 4. They walked along it’s
trails and then escaped a rainstorm at a local movie theater. The lake isn’t
always in the same place, sometimes it falls! 5. And finally...They had a
cookout at Sandbar State Park and played sports next to the lake. They
learned about the vulnerability of the lake on our final day, no access due to
bacteria!
What else? See photos of our summer adventures on the next page>>>
Chittenden South Supervisory Union
Summer 2008 2
Partners and Award 3
CVU Transition
Night Nov 11th
4
Work Crew checks
in
5
The Big Picture 6
Our Partners in
Business
7
Some articles
Inside this issue:
“Charting a new course for youth”
Andrew Kelly at work.
Community Skills Program Page 2
Page 3
Business Position Business Position
Bike Recycle Vernont Mechanics Training (paid/DOL grant) Shelburne School Library Library Worker
Healthy Living Grocery Store Internship Kovals Coffee Shop Intern
Passport Video Video Store Trainee Showtime Video Store Intern
Hannafords, Williston Front End Worker (paid) Annettes Daycare Child Care Worker
Shelburne Supermarket Stocking Position (paid) Hinesburg EEE Program Child Care Worker
Shelburne Museum Crew Helper Victor Chaput Farming Skills
Shelburne Farms Dairy Farm Worker (paid) St. Michaels College Sports Mailroom Intern
Flatlander Farm Horse Barn Intern Recycle North 2 paid Internships
Carpenter Carse Library Library Worker FYE Store, U Mall Store Intern
Nordic Farm Dairy Farm Internship Shelburne Preschool Childcare Helper
Shelburne Farms Store Store Intern SCHIPS Treasure Resale Shop Store Helper
City Market Prep Cook and Cafe
CVU Library Library Worker
Businesses and Partners this year: A huge thank you to all!
Department of Labor and Linking Learning to Life
CVU Summer Collaborative with Lake Monsters Baseball
“They learned to work as a team and learned the
elements of ballpark maintenance.”
Batter Up! Trevor Mobbs, Steven Gabaree and Gaven Prytherch
all spent six weeks (12 hours week) of their summer on Centennial
Field in a special collaborative work crew hosted by Linking Learn-
ing to Life. CVU students worked with students from Burlington,
Winooski and St. Albans. Students were sponsored by the Vermont
Department of Labor, who monitored students progress towards
work goals and provided the attendees with wages.
Students used bucket loads of green and gold paint to spruce up
the bleachers; they maintained the indoor facilities; cleaned equip-
ment and helped take care of the field. Dayna Collette (AmeriCorp
Vista), Jim O’Brien (Park Manager) and Jake Rutter (Stepping
Stones School staff) supervised and instructed the awesome crew.
Participants learned to work as a team and learned the elements of
ballpark maintenance.
A special feature of the Lake Monsters Crew is great benefits!
The crew members were treated to great lunches, ball game tick-
ets, learning adventures in town and an evening ball game. They
also participated in a 3 session training in personal budgeting by
the New England Federal Credit Union staff.
Students finished their work experience by proudly hosting a
luncheon and giving a tour of all the work they accomplished to
their sponsoring school staff. It was a Big Hit!
...and many more community partners
who have helped us along the way and
have hosted our visits and students over
Luncheon and Student led tour of ballpark. 2008
Community Skills Program Page 4
Ryan Martel, a Sophomore at CVU, is causing a stir in
the art community in Chittenden County. His recent color-
ing book was featured at the Burlington South End Art
Hop. His design was selected for a hooked rug to be cre-
ated by CVU’s Diane Burgess. whichwill be on display at
the Shelburne Museum this Fall (November 8-16). Soon,
Flying Pig book store will display his book. Note cards
featuring his designs sold out quickly at a CVU Fundrais-
ing Event.
What makes his work unique? Ryan can work at light-
ning speed, exploring the complex twists and quirky ex-
pressions of students eating lunch in the cafeteria. He
can draw Disney characters to exact precision. Returning
from a field trip where he saw a black bear while hiking,
his pencil quickly translates the casual lumber of a happy
bear in a field. The detail is astounding, with small birds
peeking behind trees or cats bounding off pages. A small
penguin may be surveying a Vermont farm scene from the
corner adding a touch of humor to the pastoral scene.
It’s not only the art, it’s the artist that dazzles. Ryan
has spent much of his life learning ways to communicate
his feelings and thoughts with limited access to speech.
His gentle mannerism, quiet study of the world and buoy-
ant exuberance upon discovering something new makes
him a joyful companion. But even more so, Ryan’s art is
a wonderful snapshot into a type of intellectual brilliance
many people envy.
The Community Skills Program is helping Ryan de-
velop his artistic skills and creating avenues for his entre-
preneurial spirit. Since his start in the vocational program
in the 7th grade, Ryan’s art and love of nature has stood
out. Once a week, staff host an observation adven-
ture...heading to farms, the Echo Center or woods to
study the intricate and beautiful natural world that Ryan
gravitates to. Embedded in these experiences are oppor-
tunities to navigate and learn about the larger world be-
yond school. Another morning each week is devoted to
interpreting those observations to paper through a proc-
ess involving image study and companion drawing.
Although Community Skills typically looks to busi-
nesses to provide the structure for skills instruction, for
Ryan it has always been simply opening doors to the hid-
den talents and skills he already possesses.
His Coloring Book is sold at the CVU Store as a bene-
fit to Access Scholarship Fund and Partners Club. A sec-
ond edition is in the works! The limited printings is bound
to sell out.
Student Artist Work Celebrated
sentatives from various organizations to explain services
and eligibility. There will be plenty of time for questions so
that each family can get the answers they are looking for.
Please come!
Contact Jenna Kapschull for more
information: 482-7191
The Special Education Department of CVU is de-
veloping a Transition Night on November 11 at 6:30 p.m.
for parents, students and family. The night will bring to-
gether teachers and representatives from adult agencies
to share information about “Life After High School”. Par-
ents of students who are within 1-2 years from graduation
are especially encouraged to attend.
The evening will include presentations by repre-
CVU Transition Night on November 11
Page 7 Page 5
We do not know what the magic force was behind our
success. Front Porch Forum, a neighborhood e-mail fo-
rum connecting us to great customers? Our own zealous
community of supportive educators who have asked for a
helping hand? The excellent deal of $30 for a boat load of
yard work? Or simply the stellar reputation our crew has
gained for itself each year? What we know, we are out
straight with work orders, and the crew is learning skills
every minute of their afternoon.
CVU Work Crew starts each year with 4-6 students
interested in learning basic landscaping and maintenance
skills. Students work 1/2 day on White Days all school
year under the supervision and guidance of two Commu-
nity Skill staff members. The first 12 weeks of “Crew”,
students work for local community members on a dona-
tion basis. This year they have stacked wood, cut trees
and brush, scraped and primed a garage, turned soil for
new gardens, moved furniture and raked.
The Work Crew is serious business for the students
who participate. The students fill out weekly time sheets
that establish goals for the group. Students are evaluated
and given performance feedback weekly. Customer dona-
tions are converted to incentive gift certificates, and fund
snacks, water and occasional field trip fees.
When colder weather starts biting through work
gloves, Crew members are shifted into more individual-
ized Occupational Training. Students spend five or six
months in their internships.
Each year, half the crew advance to the Training
Programs at Recycle North. Students train in Appliance
Repair (Large or Small), Retail, Computers, Building Ma-
terials and Deconstruction, or Office Work. This year,
David Hebert was selected for the Computer Repair Pro-
gram and Tim Provost was chosen for Large Appliances.
Recycle North keeps the bar high and require that interns
make a serious commitment to the work training program.
Students receive stipends at Recycle North, raising the
stakes and sweetening the deal for participants.
For students who do not attend training programs at
Recycle North, individualized internships are developed.
Trevor Mobbs will work for the Grounds Crew at the
Shelburne Museum and Eric Chandler will work for a lo-
cal farmer.
Tim, a sophomore at CVU says he wishes Crew hap-
pened all day, every day. “It’s my best class, I love school
on Crew days.”
Crew Pride is a big factor each year, participants often
develop nick names based on their skills. Each participant
is required to wear a Crew T-shirt and ready to work each
day. There’s no excuses, no waiting.
Work Crew is a significant stepping stone for students
interested in trade occupations. Students learn work eth-
ics, job skills and problem-solving within the safety of a
school-instructed program. Community members are con-
tinually impressed by what the students accomplish. The
crew model is being explored for teaching students human
and social service skills in the future.
CVU Work Crew...back on the road! Year 3!
Work Crew 2008-2009
Front: Peggy MacDonald and Trevor Mobbs
Back: David Hebert, Tim Provost, Eric Chandler, Sharon Ogden
Preparing Students for the World of Work: From Middle School to Graduation
Ryan Mallette at City Market
Pancakes! Ryan uses his cooking skills
during a Partners Camping Trip with
the help of his friend, Bryant Grey.
His community experiences are a part
of his Graduation Challenge.
A typical Community Skills participant starts services in the 8th grade (but can start anytime
in high school too) and stays on board until graduation. As graduation dates may vary, we can
sometimes be an advocate and coach for a student up to nine years! (But six years is about aver-
age.) What do we do with all those years? How do we move a student from an uncertain 12 year old
to a confident and skilled 19 or 21 year old? Here’s a snapshot of the steps we take!
1. We get the heads up! A phone call, e-mail or referral form lets us know that there is a case
manager interested in discussing a new student referral. We call back and have a general conversa-
tion with the referring case manager. Most referrals start in the 8th grade to help facilitate transition.
2. We meet with the case manager. We explore eligibility, family and student
goals/values/concerns, we talk about the students challenges and best learning environments. If it
looks like a good match to our program services…
3. Peggy or Sharon attend the student IEP Meeting. We have a chance to meet the family
and hopefully the student. We decide as a team what the goals of Community Skills will be. Goals
are individualized based on the students strengths and needs! We consider all potential individual-
ized community and transition activities. A schedule for services is established.
4. The case manager sends us student records with goals; forms are mailed to the fam-
ily...They come back and we’re ready to roll!
5. We assign a staff person to the student. The staff person reviews the students records
and sets up scheduled dates of service.
6. Finally, Services begin! A middle school student begins with interviews, discussions and activi-
ties to help them understand their personal interests. Some students have individualized services,
other are in a small group. Middle school students meet with staff weekly for 1-2 hours.
7. We’re off to community-based learning! It’s our time to get to know a student and for them to
gain confidence in their direction. We visit jobs, work for a couple of months for a business, help in a
community service project, we visit the high school several times, we collect all work in a mini-
portfolio. Thanks to our long-time partnership with many local businesses, we can design some inter-
esting learning options for students.
8. We attend the 8th Grade Transition Meeting. We make recommendations for a student’s
Freshman year and possible summer services. At this point we have a good idea of what the stu-
dents strengths are and can help the team craft some good options for future learning.
9. It’s summer and the student may attend our weekly community adventure program based at
the high school. Some students continue work experiences during summer months.
10. Freshman Year... the student may take our Career Class at CVU, or they may continue with
a work-based internship. A student Transition Portfolio is introduced,,,we use it to collect arti-
facts for all the experiences to come. Several assessments are done to help a student identify
their interests and strengths. Typically, services are one class block or 10 hours a month.
11. Sophomore Year...this is a big year for the Transition Plan. Students work on their own
Transition Plans and get ready for their Transition Meeting. Goals and a hoped-for Graduation
date are discussed. Students continue to participate in varied work-based and community learn-
ing. Work Crews, Career and Transition Classes, Summer Experiences?
12. Junior to Senior (+) Year….there’s increasing focus on skill development towards employ-
ability skills. Most students head to individualized internships! Ideally, a students own Transition
Plan guides these years. Student community hours increase as independence is gained. Most
students have community-based learning 2 hrs. day.
Graduation… Students have had several years of excellent work-based learning, they have worked on developing goals and
advocating for their future, adult services are on board or identified for future assistance, they have worked on skills to be success-
ful in post-secondary schools, and they can move into adulthood more confident and with a clearer direction!
Page 7
Let the Good Times roll! Partners Club is off to a great start.
The bi-weekly friendship and recreation club meets after school
on Thursdays (white) in the CVU Learning Center. Partners Club
brings students of all abilities together. Almost all students from
last year have returned, and several new students have joined
us. About 16 students regularly attend Partners Club this year.
Students have been in the gym playing kickball, basketball
and floor hockey. November and December are bowling
months; Champlain Lanes will be hosting the group on Novem-
ber 6 and 20th. Our winter plans will include a party, movies,
sledding and more. This promises to be a great year with stu-
dents already planning for our annual camping trip and adven-
ture next Spring.
New members and volunteers are always welcome.
Join Us!
Many thanks to the folks who help us keep this
Club going! Sharon Ogden for 15 years of
coaching and enthusiasm! Mary Stearns who
substitutes for staff and entertains us too.
Joe Shook for making snacks for the club.
Mary Ann Gatos who lends us the DUO Van.
Sean McMannon for helping us fund the pro
gram. Ryan Martel for creating a beautiful col
oring book and cards for our Partners Club fund
raiser. Eddie Krasnow for helping us find new
ways to do practically everything and who al
ways gives us a warm welcome and a big “Yes”.
Deb Higgins for giving us gym space and
encouraging all the students. All the parents
who pick students up on time and provide behind
-the-scenes support!
adventure during a picnic lunch and then rode on amusement park
rides. A hike on the boardwalks brought us to families of monkeys and
glass covered sidewalks with lions draped over our heads.
Most students returned to Grand Isle State
Park for a second night of camping. They had pizza at
a local restaurant and returned to a campfire, s’mores
and more than creepy Joe Citro ghost stories.
All participants were excited and grateful for the
funds that brought us on this spectacular adventure.
Hemmingford, Quebec—- Fearless zebras, charging os-
trich and playful bears amazed everyone in Partners Club last June.
Club members were treated to an international adventure to Parc Sa-
fari after we were awarded $500 through the Valerie
Gardner Trust Fund. With van doors open for the slow
drive through, several students cowered in the back
seat to avoid curious tongues. A few visitors were a
little shy of being licked, but everyone was closing
doors and windows as fast as they could when the
assertive ostrich popped through the window like a
java-jolted Cuckoo bird. Students laughed over their
Valerie Gardner Trust Grant Award takes Partners to Canada!
PARTNERS CLUB 2008-09
Partners Club students on Grand Isle
Camping Trip and Parc Safari Day.
June 2008
From left to right: Crystal Bluto, John Paul Feldman, David Hebert, Andrew Kelly, Joanna Hart, Ryan Mallette, Bryant Grey, Steven
Gabaree, Trevor Mobbs, Timmy Provost + John Hall (hiding), Andrew Baldwin, Joe Shook, Suzanne Tetreault, Eric Chandler.
Yo
Community Skills Staff 2008-2009
The Community Skills Program is sponsored by Chittenden
South Supervisory Union. It provides:
Community Access and Training
Assessment
Transition Planning and Adult Services Links
Community-based Vocational Skills Training
Social-recreational programming
Career and Transition Skills Classes
…for students receiving support services in grades
7-12 district wide.
Alicia Kroll, Program Assistant
Schedule: Wed., Thu., Fri.
alicia@cvuhs.org
Or call at the office number and leave a message for
any of us. .
Peggy MacDonald, Program Coordinator
Schedule: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
peggy@cvuhs.org
Sharon Ogden, Assistant Program Coordinator
Schedule: Mon., Tues., Wed,. Thu.
sharon@cvuhs.org
Denise Myers, Program Assistant
Schedule: M-F
dmyers@cvuhs.org
“A program that’s
working!”
c/o Champlain Valley Union High School
363 CVU Road
Hinesburg, Vermont 05461
1-802-482-7196
Community Skills Program
Time to Get Back to Work!
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