Trident Academy Provides the Latest in Educational Opportunities for its Students with Learning Differences

Mary M. Silgals

When it comes to keeping up-to-date with the most current research and newest educational approaches for children with learning differences, Trident Academy is a leader in the field. The assistive technology lab continues to demonstrate student successes as the program continues to expand. New technologies are reviewed and new initiatives are under discussion. Meanwhile, the new Trident Academy Health and Wellness Center is near completion. Exercise equipment arrived this week and students will soon participate in a training and fitness curriculum specially designed for our students with learning differences.  

Liz Mullen, middle and high school science teacher and I will be attending the Learning and Brain Conference in Boston this weekend. Liz will attend the pre-conference workshop, “Creative Teens/Young Adults: Creative Thinking in the Classroom,” and I will attend the pre-conference workshop, “Instruction & Curriculum Tools for 21st Century Minds and Brains. Over three days of session offerings, we will have the chance to hear more than 40 experts discuss how schools and teachers can provide the cognitive skills students will need to succeed in the new global economy. As stated in conference materials: “To compete, today's students must adjust to rapid technological and social changes, navigate vast flows of information and learn to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and cultures. Experts will discuss some of the cognitive skills, tools, teaching techniques, and 21^st Century curriculum schools can incorporate to better prepare students to succeed in the new millennium.”

A Former Student at Trident Academy Reminisces

Recently, I received an email from a former student, David Tate, who attended Trident Academy for several years before moving out of state. He had attached a story he had written about 911 and how the event reminded him of a special day at Trident Academy. The story also reminded me of how teachers at Trident Academy influence childrens' lives. Here’s his story:

                                      Tragedy And An Exciting Early Christmas Present

            On September 11, 2001, two airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon was attacked, and an airplane that was bound for the White House crashed in a field in Pennsylvania killing EVERYBODY on board.

            At the World Trade Center, an enormous number of people died. They were civilians and 343 FDNY firefighters including Chaplain Mychal Judge, Chief of Department Peter Ganci, Jr., First Deputy Commissioner William Feehan, 23 NYPD police officers, and 37 Port Authority of New York/New Jersey officers. At the Pentagon, 125 people who were on Flight 77 died, and 64 people who were inside the Pentagon died.

Later, 44 people died on United Flight 93 in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania including famous passenger Todd Beamer who shouted “Let’s Roll!” After those words were uttered, the passengers beat the terrorists who were controlling the airplane. President Bush declared a “War On Terror,” which is still going on and the military (Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Army) went on the hunt after Osama Bin Laden (died in May of 2011), a radical Islamist who was and is believed to be responsible for the attacks.

Three months later in December of 2001, I decided to write a letter to Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas (who retired seven years later in 2008.) Why? Because, I have admired firefighters since I was a child. In the letter I told Chief Thomas that he was a good man and that I appreciated for what he has done for the City of Charleston.

A few days later, when I was in class (I’m not sure which one it was), Mrs. Driver (or some other teacher) came in and told me that someone special was there to see me in the library. Who was it? That certain someone was Chief Rusty Thomas of the Charleston, South Carolina Fire Department. Chief Rusty was in the library waiting to see me. When I saw him, I felt like I received an EARLY Christmas present.

Chief Rusty had his jacket, an Olympic torch and his helmet on the table. It was a marvelous sight! Chief Rusty greeted me, shook my hand and told us about his firefighting career and I told him about reading about him in the “Post & Courier.” He dressed me in his jacket and his helmet. I also told him that I met some of his firefighter friends and heard about some of the other friends he had.

Chief Rusty told me, the other kids, and the teachers why he had the Olympic torch. The explanation he gave was interesting. After the talk in the library was over, the other kids and I got to go outside of the library and I stood in the center of the American flag with Chief Rusty’s jacket and helmet, and the other kids were reaching for the Olympic torch. Shortly after that, I stood in front of the front of the American flag with Chief Rusty while I was in nearly full gear. 

My picture was taken and the news story was published in the Trident magazine. Later, Chief Rusty asked me if I would like to pose as a real firefighter putting out a fire, and commanding firefighters with his radio. It was then time for Chief Rusty to go. Before he left, I told him “Thank you!” and he said that he was happy to meet me. 

In my opinion, the pictures that were taken will go down in Trident Academy history and go down in my firefighter admiration history. This was one of the best things a *ten (now twenty) year old kid (now adult) could ever have, especially during the Christmas season. A few days or months after that special school event, I received a photo album of that famous school event. I still have it and I will keep it as a collectible. I also included other firefighter visits in my album.

What We Did On Our Summer Vacations

One of the most popular writing activities teachers often ask their students to do upon return to school is a short paragraph or two on what they did on their summer vacations. Summer vacation for many of our teachers provides “free” time to explore educational development. Here’s what some of us did on our summer vacations.

Mrs. Waterstradt attended a RAVE-O class in Atlanta.  This program was designed by Maryanne Wolfe, a professor at Tuffs University.  It is a reading program that focuses on vocabulary with an emphasis on multiple meaning words.  The program has been thoroughly researched using children in the 2nd through 5th grades, reading at least one grade below grade level.

Robin Greig and Julie Stephenson began collaborating over the summer on a children’s book about lionfish and invasive species.  They hope to see Leo the Lionfish (working title) on the bookshelves next year!

Therese Kristiansen and Corbin Bettencourt traveled to Pride’s Crossing, Massachusetts to attend the Landmark School Outreach program on expressive language disorders and practical strategies for reading comprehension.

Jo Beth Edwards received training on new computer development software which will help track alumni giving. This new software will be used for the upcoming Trident Academy 40^th anniversary.

Mary Alice Satterfield attended a training course on how to be a trainer for Framing Your Thoughts, a program used at Trident Academy to teach writing. The Language Circle/Project Read Written Expression Curriculum and instructional strategies inspire and energize students as they learn the fundamentals of writing.

Kathleen Loveland conducted a week long session at Trident Academy on writing. The successful Writing Adventures of Seafaring Turtles is in its second year.

Travis Whetzel attended the SCISA Athletic Directors conference in Myrtle Beach.

Marc Simpson conducted a camp for students who wanted to learn about robotics. Students used Alice software to design a three dimensional world. They used LEGO Education’s Robo Lab application to program the robots they built.

Sheila Costello held an Orton-Gillingham Associate level training course for two weeks at Trident Academy. Thirteen attendees came from the Charleston area and from North Carolina, Florida, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Summerville, SC.  

Liz Mullen traveled to Ireland where she learned about geographic formations and the culture.

Mary Silgals attended the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in Philadelphia. She attended sessions that were focused on technology for students with learning differences. She also presented at the Upstate Technology Conference in Greenville, SC in June.

Social and Emotional Learning and the Start of School

The new school year is closely approaching. I would like to share with you an article I just read from the online edition of Edutopia. The article provides wonderful suggestions on how to start the school year with positive feelings and optimism. Both are essential for a successful school year for our students, parents and teachers.

Reprinted from Edutopia by Maurice Elias

From a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) point of view, the most important consideration at the start of the new school year is to create positive feelings and optimism about school. This has many practical implications for both educators and parents.

Here are seven ideas to keep in mind:

Number One

Make a special effort to greet children in a positive and uplifting way at the start of school. Create a festive atmosphere, not a "get down to business" factory atmosphere.

Number Two

Highlight all the good and exciting things that will be happening at the beginning of the school year, as well as throughout the year.

Number Three

Give students a chance to share good memories about the summer, what they are looking forward to for the new school year, and something about themselves that they would like classmates to know. Time spent helping the students in a class bond in positive ways will bring large dividend later in the year as students work together in pairs, teams, and groups.

Number Four

Allow students to have input into setting the rules for the classroom, in terms of both "do's" and "don'ts."

Number Five

Give students an opportunity each day to reflect on what they are learning. Ask them to keep a journal and write down, at the end of the day, three things they are taking with them from the school day. Have them keep daily journals in one or some or all subject areas where, at the end of a class period or unit or project, they write down three things they are taking away from that unit of work.

Number Six

Parents, the parallel of all these apply to you. Keep the first days of school very positive. Allow time for routines to kick in. Don't get upset if your child is running late, or forgets things. Make it clear that you understand and expect by the end of the first week of school, routines will be set and work well. Ask your child for suggestions about ways to modify the routines that are not going well.
Also, after school, ask your child to share the best parts of the school day. Later, ask your child what they are looking forward to most the next day. Please note the words, "best" and "most." These are relative terms, so there will be a "best" part of a bad day and something to look forward to "most" even where the day is dreaded. In that way, you keep the focus positive. Remember, school is much more than classes. Asking about hallways, announcements, and things other than academic classes may garner special conversations.

Number Seven

Teachers and parents should share what the school is doing around social-emotional and character development, health, and such key areas as prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Parents, if you are not given this information proactively, seek it out. Teachers, your best hope for continuity and reinforcement of school messages out of school is if parents know what it is that their children are being taught!

The essence of SEL is to be sure that the adults dealing with children understand that the gateway to learning is through children's social and emotional skills and experiences. Opening that gateway at the start of the school year will lead to a smoother path during all subsequent days.

"7"

Anne Hall

The wonders of the ancient world, from Babylon to Rhodes,

The colors of the rainbow, the multiplying loaves,

Bright menorah candles on dark December nights

The stars of Ursa Major, those familiar twinkling lights,

The spots of lucky lady bugs, munching on the lawn,

And perhaps most famous of them all…the dashing Mr. Bond.

These things I’ve listed share a trait, a fascinating tie

Within the mind of humankind, and in nature earth and sky

For seven is their hallmark; seven stands apart because

Seven is a magic number, if ever one there was.

And so I think it’s fitting, even if it makes us blue

That I’ve had seven splendid years at Trident and with you.

Years one through three were tough ones; I taught a lot of boys,

Only Matt remembers the classrooms and the noise.

They say what doesn’t kill you only makes you strong

And thus my teaching skills improved as those years passed along.

6^th grade ancient studies was what changed everything

And many students here still know their rivers, maps, and kings.

Years four though six were seamless, I taught, I learned, I laughed

We did yoga in the lunch room, made masks and other crafts,

Ate fruits with Esperanza, built castles for Crispin

I’ve heard them say they wish that they could do it all again!

The food, the fun, the field trips, the contests, and the games,

We learned so much that none of us will ever be the same.

Yes, myself included, you’ve taught me all I know

My cup is running over, and now it’s time to go.

We’ve had seven back to school nights, seven Mardi Gras parades

Seven times I’ve made you read your poems up here upon this stage

Seven years of watching as you change before my eyes

As you learn new things and try new wings and then take off and fly.

I don’t know how to thank you; I’m not sure what to say

So I’ll dedicate this poem instead to all of you today

To all your perseverance to all your grit and drive

To all you bring to every day you come to school and try.

You are amazing students, and I’m lucky to have been

For seven years, your teacher, your leader and your friend.

An Unexpected Wonder

     I was asked to go on the Upper School trip to Costa Rica, and of course, said yes. My rationale was that with my own child starting off as a college freshman next year, trips for me would be far and few between. Yes, I knew that Costa Rica was made up of rain forests and cloud forests and had volcanoes, but I truly was not prepared for the incredible number of birds and the variety of wildlife that lived in and around these locals. To see leaves that an adult human could use as a place to curl up and read a book, or flowers that you and I pay good money for each spring growing wild along the roadside, should have been my first clue, but it took waking up to the sound of howler monkeys and the sight of steam coming out of an active volcano to really drive it home.

     It was hysterical to watch the students react to certain situations: unknown foods, “wildlife” such as spiders or lizards in their rooms (hello, this is a rain forest!), and doing without a lot of technology. It was gratifying to watch some of them overcome some real fears to participate in some of the activities and to have them force me to do the same. I was not big on going down that zip line and I KNEW a shark was waiting just for me when we went snorkeling, but if they could do it, I had to do it too. And it was great!  

     Many of the students were glad to pay the $8.00 bill for an American hamburger and fries when we got to the airport to come home, but I was already missing the plantains and the wonderful coffee. All of the people that went on this trip experienced things that we had not seen, heard, tasted, or experienced before from seeing cacao beans processed into chocolate (one of my personal favorites) to riding horseback along a ridgeline or deserted beach; bathing in pools heated by volcanic heat or having a science lesson in a tidal pool on a beach with tapir tracks; eating fresh coconuts or watching iguanas come tumbling from trees and ceilings to steal bananas from each other. These and so many other experiences truly made this an incredible trip. Not to mention the variety of planes, buses, and boats we took to reach our destinations.

     So, the next time you come by the school, talk to some of the students that went on the trip and check out some of the photos on the wall. Then try to figure out which student won a rodeo contest, “screamed like a girl” when he saw a spider, caught a blue sailfish, fell into a tilapia pond, lost his shoes in the river, went jet skiing three times, landed on a dirt road in a small plane, carried his luggage to a boat to be loaded from the beach, swam in a rainforest waterfall pool……You get the picture. It was wonderful and surpassed anything I was expecting. I would go back in a heartbeat, but just in case it doesn’t happen; I brought back as much coffee as I could fit in my suitcase.

Lalla G. Boatwright

Costa Rica Blog

By Frankie Holmes

Costa Rica was beautiful. There were so many things to do and places to see that I want to go back! When we arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, I could tell there were a lot of differences in “here” and “there”. In Costa Rica, the traffic is crazy or maybe it was just the drivers. Costa Ricans are very good drivers, but their methods of driving consist of swerving, texting while driving motorcycles, and letting ten year-olds drive a motorcycle with younger kids on the back! When we got to our first hotel and we were assigned to our rooms, I noticed how big this hotel really is. It has little apartments spread out over a lot of land, and it took a good bit of time to walk from the lobby to our room.

            The first night, we had our first Costa Rica meal while watching a horseshow and some of us got to participate in it. Although I did not participate, I had a bunch of fun watching and eating. The next morning, we headed to the Arenal volcano where our next hotel was located. The volcano was awesome and you had a great view from almost every room in the hotel. The trips we went on in Arenal were very fun and amazing. We went on two hikes, zip lining, and to a hot springs resort that is heated by a volcano. My favorite thing in Arenal was the hot springs because it was the most relaxing and fun! There were slides into the hot spring pool, and they were rough. On one slide you would hit your head on the inside of the slide and it hurt, but it was still fun though.

            Our next hotel was far away from Arenal, and we had to take a small passenger plane to a place called Drake Bay, Costa Rica. It was beautiful. There was a great view of the Pacific Ocean and every afternoon there were tons of blue butterflies flying around the hotel. In Drake Bay, we went on a hike, snorkeling and whale watching. My favorite thing in Drake Bay was snorkeling and waiting to see if we were going to see some of the tsunami that hit Japan. We waited on the shoreline, waiting to see the reported 6 foot wave coming from Japan that was supposed to come around 4:00, but it never came. The next day, we found out that it did come around ten that night. It had sunk the tour boats we were supposed to use that day, but luckily, they had replacements. Our next stop was also on the coast called Manuel Antonio. We got to hang out on the beach, go jet skiing, and walk around the town, and that meant a lot of sunburns! My favorite activity was jet skiing of course! It was so fun, and we saw some beautiful beaches and a great view of the sun (which even our sunscreen couldn’t protect us from). Sadly, like every trip you have to come home eventually, but I will never forget the things I did and saw in Costa Rica. I hope to go back some time in the future!