Fifth Annual Special Needs Recognition Awards

EP Local Advisory Committee for Special Education

Fifth Annual Special Needs Recognition Awards

By Bob Rodericks

The East Providence Local Advisory Committee for Special Education, held its annual recognition reception in early May before a large audience at Martin Middle School. The volunteers made up of parents of children with disabilities, teachers, staff and students had decorated the cafeteria brightly and provided for a dinner buffet. "Our committee meets throughout the school year to share information and concerns of educational issues," said committee co-chair, Laurie Brown. The committees’ goals are: To enable parents of special education children to be effective in their advocacy efforts; to jointly advocate for all children with special needs, to aid the East Providence School Department in its efforts to provide quality education for all students and to provide each other with a strong network of support.

Co-Chair Jennifer Enos welcomed the crowd and introduced East Providence School Committee Chairman Joel Monteiro. "Joel has attended many of our meetings and has been a great advocate for our kids. He has been an invaluable resource to our families," said Enos. During his remarks, Monteiro offered praise and support. "I have a good sense for our district. I feel very good. Our Superintendent (Kim Mercer) has a true understanding of the special education program as a whole," said Monteiro.

Awards Master of Ceremony, Sherry Hernandez announced the evening's program winners. "Our award recipients tonight have been consistently outstanding in meeting the needs of our kids. They show a great commitment to the students of East Providence," Hernandez said. A poignant point in the program was the emotional introduction of award recipient Mariah Lobello, an EPHS student. Lobello was nominated by parent, Debbie Davey on behalf of her 8 year old son. "Mariah has been working with my son who has autism. She has brought him out and made him feel comfortable in the community and better about public places. She has taught him things like having to wait his turn, having fun at the playground and how to expand on his ideas," said Davey. The relationship with this young student and Lobello was part of Lobello's high school senior project. Lobello had met the Davey family through her volunteer work with the Autism & the Sacraments Program at St. Brendan’s Church some time ago. "Mariah asked us if she could work with our son for her senior project at EPHS," Davey told the Reporter in an interview later in the evening. "Mariah puts her heart and soul in everything she does. She will make a great special needs teacher some day. I am so glad we met," continued Davey. "Even after her senior project was done, Mariah continued to come by once a week and see our son," continued Davey. "She is so special." For her part, Mariah was unassuming. "He is a great little boy. I hope to help kids like him someday soon."

And so the evening continued. Recipient after recipient was praised by a nominee. "Robyn Janczura nominated Erin Sladen, a Special Education teacher at Orlo Avenue School. "Erin is so dedicated to her school and kids," said Janczura in her introduction of Sladen. "She welcomed my son mid-way through last school year and he has grown in ways I thought were not possible," said Janczura. "She is always supportive and comforting. She always thanks the parents for their help. Tonight, it is my turn to thank her."

Kim Callahan, a special needs teacher at the high school nominated EPHS student Casey Duckworth. "Casey reached out to make all students feel included. She is always friendly and encouraging to my students. It is a pleasure to have Casey at the high school," continued Callahan.

The other recipients and their nominees are as follows: Sue Feiro, a Special Education teacher at Martin Middle school, nominated by Debra Dyer. Lois Boyd, a Teacher Assistant at East Providence High School, nominated by Deb Ormerod. Bridgette Winslet, a student at EPHS nominated by Lois Winslet.

Eileen Tainsh, a volunteer with Riverside Little League Challenger Baseball and East Prov. St. Martha’s Challenger Basketball, nominated by Tim Conley. Kim Ferrara, owner/coach of Wigglekids Special Needs Classes, nominated by Lynn Domenici.

Tammy Primmer, coordinator of the Autism & Sacrements program at St. Brendan's Church, nominated by Stephanie Bernardo and Melissa Phillips.

A Special Acknowledgement to Stefanie Luft, Speech Pathologist at Kent Heights Elementary, by Jenn Enos. Margaret Knowlton, Head of Grace and Carter School, Meeting Street School, nominated by Heather Correia, Gina Wallace and Carrie Verdone.

The committee also recognized other nominees: Kimberly Chapman - Teacher Special Education Orlo Avenue, Judith Fahey - School Psychologist Waddington, Cory Howland - Social Worker Waddington and Sara Gossler –Social Worker Kent Heights.

Co-chairs Brown and Enos also thanked all school liaisons for their help and support in

distributing all EPLAC information: Meadowcrest, Peg Marcotte; Francis, Kristin Branco;

Hennessey, Dena Francescon; Kent Hts., Lisa Goulden; Oldham, Beth Studley; Silver Spring, Paula Fillion; Waddington, Patty Barlow, Debbie Caverly; Orlo, Paula Dionisopoulos; Whiteknact, Karen Rebello; MMS, Marianne Walsh; RMS, Donna Raposa; EPHS, Deb Ormerod.

The committee also thanked the following for their generous donation to the awards reception: Kent Heights PTA, Whiteknact PTA, Friends of Meadowcrest ,Orlo Ave PTA, Riverside Middle School PTA, Hennessey PTA, Waddington PTA and Myron J. Francis PT0.