On June 11, 2009, Crystal Springs School held its 4th graduation ceremony for our students who were transitioning to adult programs. As in previous years, the graduation consisted of our students receiving their Certificates of Completion during commencement, while family and friends and staff took lots and lots of photos. The evening portion began with dinner for students and their families and was topped off with a very special prom. We congratulate all of our 2009 graduates: David, Daniel, Amanda, Shana and Victoria.
On March 11, 2009, Crystal Springs School held its third science fair. As with previous science fairs, each classroom developed a topic and provided hands-on demonstrations which allowed students to participate in. The students used a variety of switches to activate their experiments and used their communication devices to explain their findings. Featured in this year’s science fair were exploding volcanoes, lessons on the continental drift, evolution, plants, crystal formation and fossils. It was a fun and educational day; and everyone who attended had the opportunity to make a lava lamp.
Providing an innovative curriculum, the School provides a comprehensive, caring environment for children under 22 years of age with severe-to-profound mental, physical, and behavioral disabilities. The School is specially equipped for developmentally disabled children, adolescents, and young adults unable to live at home due to the severity and multiplicity of their handicaps, and the need for 24-hour skilled care. Cognitive functioning levels range from 4 months to 36 months.
Educational Services and Children's Residential Services comprise Crystal Springs School. The Children's Program also offers Recreational Services, which involves the children in after-school and weekend activities, and a broad spectrum of Medical Services, Clinical Services, and Adaptive and Therapeutic Services.
Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, IDDI's Crystal Springs School Program is approved as a 766 Special Education School by the Massachusetts Department of Education. In July 2008, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) issued IDDI’s Crystal Springs School a three year license, recognizing it as a program that provides quality services to children in residential care. Classrooms are staffed by teachers and aides who guide students through activities of daily living skills, language and motor skills, socialization and behavior skills, all within the context of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The Education Department's classrooms offer a five-day-a-week year-round school curriculum.
Students are assigned to classes by their functional (cognitive/physical) level. There are specialized classrooms for students with intensive medical issues; a low-vision specialist who creates strategies for our teachers to adequately instruct students with visual issues; an Orientation and Mobility specialist who works with visually-impaired students to help them become as independent as possible; and a Music therapist to effect positive changes in the physical, cognitive or psychosocial functioning of individuals with disabilities. Upon admission, a multidisciplinary team of specialists meets with parents to develop an individual program for each child so that s/he may reach his or her full potential. The team works with the family prior to and during admission and offers ongoing support so that parents are better able to understand and participate in all phases of their child's treatment.
For more information on IDDI's Children's Program, contact the Director of Children's Services, John Kershaw at 508-644-3101, ext. 3437, or email jkershaw@iddicommunity.org