Our gold-standard education team provides unparalleled expertise to develop, implement and evaluate custom-design individualized education plans for each student which imposes tremendous and intensive emphasis on high-level scholastic achievement. Through the use of a highly positive nurturing environment we are able to provide a multi-sensory scholastic program that is warm, inviting, stimulating and extremely conducive to learning.

Additionally, we have a low staff-to-student ratio which allows intimate and healthy student-teacher relationships to flourish resulting in increased academic success and an increase in positive socialization skills.  Related services are also provided in the form of therapists, physical therapy, counseling, one-on one support and absolutely any other resource that the student would need to become responsible, independent and successful within their school, family and community.

It is our goal to make learning fun and exciting using an individualized educational program coupled with a highly structured rewards-based behavioral management system.

Class of 2011 

High Road School is proud to announce that we have two graduates.  Tamara and Shannon look forward to receiving their High School Diploma’s. Tamara will graduate from Unit 5 Public School District on May 28, 2011. Shannon will graduate from District 87 Public School District on May 29, 2011.

Tamara’s future looks bright.  She has enrolled in a CNA class that will begin in June.  She is looking forward to receiving her nursing assistant certificate and pursuing employment as a CNA at a local health care facility.  Tamara’s compassionate and caring personality will be an asset to the clients that she assists at her place of employment.

Shannon has a promising future ahead of her.  She will head to Heartland Community College to pursue an Associates degree in Criminal Justice.  From there, Shannon would like to attend Illinois State University to complete her bachelor’s degree and seek employment as a corrections officer or police officer.  Shannon’s energetic and charismatic personality will assist her in her future employment position.

The staff and students at High Road have enjoyed getting to know these two students and would like to wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors.

Social Skills Outings

High Road School of Bloomington promotes social skills outings. Social skills outing are any outings that facilitate interaction and communication others. Social rules are created, communicated, and changed in verbal and nonverbal ways.The process of learning such skills is called socialization. High Road School of Bloomington believes that providing structured social outings will help our student increase their social skills which will enable them to build better relationships with peers and adults.

Service Dog Graduates

Angel K-9
Chip attended one of the best dog training facilities in the United States for specialized training. Angel K-9 is located in Ellicott City, Maryland. Chip successfully completed Service Dog Boot Camp with honors on March 23, 2011. The Angel K-9 team utilizes operant conditioning alongside motivational and traditional training methods to accomplish dog obedience.

Lead Student Service Dog Trainer

Dustin is the lead student service dog trainer.  Dustin volunteered to attend training classes throughout his winter break.  Dustin works hard each day to complete his assignments so that he can reinforce training and teach Chip many new tricks and skills. Dustin has a natural gift with animals.  He plans to become a chef post graduation. He is interested in training dogs or working with animals as a part-time job.

Enrichment Experiences

High Road School of Bloomington always seeks opportunities to increase student’s extra curricular activities and experiences. Several of our students have participated in enrichment courses offered at Heartland Community College.  Several of our students have attended Microsoft Office 2007, Build Your Own Computer, Cheesecake with Bill, How to Purchase and  Maintain a Car, Equestrian Therapy, Digital Zoo Photography, just to name a few.  High Road School of Bloomington’s students benefit from these activities through positive social interaction opportunities peers and adults. Many of these classes also give the students an excellent opportunity to learn more about a career of interest.

High Road School of Bloomington Special Olympians are Going to State

Nearly 10,000 athletes around the state competed at Spring Games in their local areas over the past few weeks. High Road School of Bloomington Team A students are fierce contenders at the local and state level Special Olympics games. On May 1, 2011, Cody, Josh, and Jordan competed in Track and Field events at the regional competition, earning gold medals. Cody won a gold medal in the 50-meter race. Josh won a gold medal in the softball throw. Jordan won a gold medal in the standing long jump and the 200-meter race.  Our three students in Team A will go on to compete at the state level on June 10-12 at Illinois State University. This year, High Road School of Bloomington has become its own agency with head coaches Crystal Soto and Susan Allensworth.  Michelle Parac and Clarisse Slater are chaperone coaches.

Service Dogs Support Children in School

High Road of Bloomington would like to welcome our newest staff member "Chip". Chip is a Yorkshire Terrier dog.  High Road of Bloomington has an uncompromising commitment to educate with excellence the most challenging children and adolescents in the country; consequently, it has been determined that success will require creativity, ingenuity and bold thinking.  An ESA (dog) at High Road of Bloomington would propel our school forward concerning educational innovation. ESA (dog) would provide therapeutic support to severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents through companionship, non-judgmental positive regard and affection.  Perhaps the greatest benefit is that the dog (Chip) would significantly enhance the individual’s focus as has been demonstrated in the literature (Emotional Support Animals, 2009). 

It has been powerfully and clearly demonstrated that students receive comfort from the mere presence of emotional support animals (Service Dogs Support Children in School, 2006). Emotional support animals provide Emotional Support dogs have proven to be instrumental in within the school setting in serving as social bridges between children, decreasing aggressive and violent behavior, and even in increasing reading time.  A cross categorical special education teacher reported that she began taking her dog to school to provide emotional support for the students and that the dog was remarkable in helping the children to de-escalate and in focusing (Service Dogs Support Children in School, 2006).

The road to becoming an ESA requires a lot of hard work by Chip.  Chip was selected from his littermates because of this mild temperament.  He was examined by the veterinarian to determine if he had a suitable temperament to work with children.  Chip has a private trainer who will come to the school to train him in the school setting.  Chip also will attend Puppy Kindergarten at Heartland College. He has 40 minutes of training daily with his handler.  Chip is excited and motivated to work with the students.  All of his training and expenses will be sponsored my his handler.


BENEFITS OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL

BETTER SOCIALIZATION

PROMOTION OF SAFETY

INCREASED ATTENTION SPANS

LITERACY SUPPORT

IMPROVED BEHAVIOR

REWARD FOR POSITIVE BEHAVIOR

A Positive Impact

Since being in Bloomington, our school has had such a profound impact our students, families and our local community. Below you will find a few testimonial statements from school administrators and parents.

If we didn’t have High Road Schools we would probably have to look at residential placement for some of these students. They would have to leave their parents and live in other facilities

Dr. Chuck Hartseil, Unit 5’s Director of Special Education.

“I’m very pleased with the programs and services they provide. It is nice to know it’s there.”

Former Superintendent of District 87 Bob Nielsen

“As parents, we want our children to be positive, contributing members of society,” said Phil Carr of Hudson, whose son Jordan attends the school. “Every single person at this school deeply cares for children. They really find out what works for each child.”
 

Graduation 2010

High Road School of Bloomington is honored to announce that Joshua Sterrett has earned his High School Diploma. Joshua’s academic achievement can only be described as lessons in perseverance and determination. Joshua’s determination to succeed is further exemplified within his remarkable work at High Road School of Bloomington as a recreational assistant for the Extended School Year Program. Joshua’s work as a recreation assistant was exemplary and invaluable to the students and staff.
In the fall, Joshua plans to begin a new academic challenge in which he plans to attend Heartland Community College, with a long-term goal of becoming a Certified Adaptive Physical Education Teacher.
We are all so proud of Joshua and wish him well in his post-secondary path.

Bloomington Public Library

“High Road School teacher Valena Claiborne of Bloomington, center, works with her students Cam W, 13, left, and Antione L, 12, right, as they select books at the Bloomington Public Library Wednesday morning April 14, 2010.” (The Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK-NEISLER) April 13, 2010)

For full article, click here.

Special Olympics

Cody P. participated in the Basketball event for Special Olympics this winter. Cody earned a silver medal at district level. 
Josh S competed in district level bocce ball, bring home two gold medals. Josh will be going to the state competition this spring.
Cody and Jordan will compete in the 50 m run, Cody and Josh HH in the softball throw, and Jordan in the standing long jump at the track and field events at IWU (district) on Sat., May 8.

High Road School 'New Remedy' for Students

Josh Sterrett wondered where he would go when the Occupational Development Center closed.

Tamara Quinn attended school only a few hours a day — and not every day. Cam Wilken got so agitated in junior high that he’d run outside near a busy street. Now, Sterrett, 20, is both a student and a paid helper at High Road School, 814 Jersey Ave., Normal, where Wilken, 13, sometimes relaxes by playing piano and Quinn, 16, has perfect attendance and hopes to graduate this spring. “She’s a worker,” said director JoAnn Ziegler, whose school caters to students with learning, language, social and behavioral challenges. Most of the students have multiple disabilities.

High Road is part of Pennsylvania-based Specialized Education Services Inc. The local school, which marked its one-year anniversary Tuesday, is funded by the state and through tuition paid by districts whose students are enrolled. High Road has 21 schools nationwide. The local school is the only one in Illinois and would take students from any district in the state. Current students are from District 87, Unit 5 and Olympia. “They’ve offered us a new remedy for students,” said Unit 5 Superintendent Gary Niehaus. “It’s an option we’ll try to keep.” The idea is similar to districts supporting the Bloomington Area Career Center instead of each district duplicating programs, resources and costs, said Olympia Superintendent Brad Hutchison.

At High Road, 17 people work with 18 students in grades junior high through high school. Staff includes three certified teachers, two teaching assistants, seven paraprofessionals, a director, activities coordinator, social worker, administrative assistant and vocation coordinator. The school contracts out occupational, physical and speech therapy through Easter Seals. Ziegler said the goal is to help students get back into public schools.

Olympia, for instance, had been looking for an option to help students with special needs. The district paid $6,000 in tuition for one student; 80 percent of that is reimbursed by the state. “If we didn’t have High Road and Hammitt schools we would probably have to look at residential placement for some of these students. They would have to leave their parents and live in other facilities,” said Chuck Hartseil, Unit 5’s director of special education.

District 87 chief financial officer David Wood said the per-student daily rate varies from $199 to $377 depending on student needs. “That sounds really expensive, and it is, but it’s a program we can’t really do ourselves,” Wood said. Added District 87 Superintendent Bob Nielsen, “I’m very pleased with the programs and services they provide. It is nice to know it’s there.” High Road’s course offerings are in sync with state and local requirements, and the idea is to eliminate obstacles.

Staff members may take a student with attendance problems to a doctor’s appointment and bring him back to class. They also provide strong security, personal connections with students, and supervise places for students to regroup when the day gets unmanageable. “As parents, we want our children to be positive, contributing members of society,” said Phil Carr of Hudson, whose son Jordan attends the school. “Every single person at this school deeply cares for children. They really find out what works for each child.”

Students earn money for meeting behavioral expectations. The rewards are a financial management tool but can be used for savings or for purchases, Ziegler said. For Sterrett, High Road is a place to prepare for college and to offer his own experience as a teacher’s assistant. He wants to be a veterinarian. Quinn, who volunteers at Westminster Village retirement community, wants to become a certified nursing assistant, said teacher Holly Armstrong. Other students have been inspired by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or taking culinary training. “Everyone in this school cares about everyone else,” said Wilken, who has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism. “That’s the best thing about this school.”

The school is located in a building owned by Mount Moriah Christian Church. New Beginnings Church, located at the same site, is not related to the school.

Article written by Phyllis Coulter of The Pantagraph

Success Story

Before I came to High Road School of Bloomington I felt like I was not treated with respect or just simply misunderstood.  I would only attend school two hours a day before I would just leave.  I had the ability to succeed but I was not working to my potential because of intense frustration and too many distractions.  My primary goal was to drop out of school and start a family.

I was one of the first few students to enroll when the school opened.  I really did not know what to expect and had given up on school.  When I first arrived I spent a lot of time with the social worker.  She was always available and I could she cared about me and my family. The social worker, teacher, teaching assistant and the director worked hard to assess my needs and help me set goals for my life. Since I have been at High Road School of Bloomington my attendance has improve greatly and I have been recognized for perfect attendance.  Due to all of my hard work and academic gains I received permission to take extra credits so that I can graduate on time.  The director adjusted the curriculum so that my classes would meet my requirements.  My teacher has worked extremely hard to make sure she provides individual educational programming.  It is now my dream to graduate.  Before High Road School of Bloomington this was only the dream of my parents.

I am thankful to all of the staff and family for all of their support.  I am also thankful the Unit 5 Schools gave me the opportunity and privilege to attend High Road School of Bloomington.

Unit 5 Student

Related Services & Programs

The following is information on Enrichment classes provided to High Road School students through Heartland Community College’s Youth Enrichment Programs.

Horseback Riding
Several of our students attended the “Horseback Riding classes for kids”. Our students were able to use their skills in Language Arts, Math and Science to learn how to ride and care for the horses. All lessons in horse riding and horse care are taught by degreed professional educators. Upon completion of this class, students received a Certificate of Accomplishment including a record of individual equestrian achievements which will be used in planning their next horseback riding experience.

Using Windows 7
This class was a great asset to our students at High Road School. We strive to keep our students educated with current technologies. This class taught our students location of apps as well as how to access and organize files using the new Snap, Homegroup, and Library features. They were also taught how to personalize their computers by using the ribbons and available gadgets.

Build Your Own PC
Our Students were excited to learn how to assemble working computers from the ground up using base components. After completing this class, High Road students were able to identify various computer parts and functions. They have also gained valuable hardware and software troubleshooting skills. Each student was able to take home the PC and monitor that they built.

Car Maintenance
This class introduced our students to the basics of car care and care maintenance to prevent and prepare for future car troubles. This class will provided lecture, demonstration and hands-on activities involving tires, engine, various fluids and oil, and other auto parts that require regular maintenance.

High Road School of Bloomington has a partnership with Easter Seals to provide occupational, speech and physical therapies.

The Easter Seals Mission

Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

The vision of our speech and language services is to maximize a student’s potential in the area of communication to support and increase the student’s participation in their educational curriculum.

Our speech and language program includes a coordinated and individual approach.  Our certified speech therapist help students to correctly produce the correct sounds in words, increase speech intelligibility, develop vocabulary knowledge and understanding and utilize appropriate conversational skills.  Emphasis is placed on pragmatics; such as taking turns, topic maintenance, voice projection and socialization.  Grammar, syntax and written expression are also addressed.

Our occupational therapy services may be direct or indirect, within the classroom or private room to reduce stimulation. Services also may include screenings, assessment/reassessment, team collaboration, monitoring, consultation, in-servicing of classroom staff/parents, standardized evaluations, parent conferences, planning and placement team meetings.

Our occupational therapist help students with sensory, perceptual, and motor problems meet the daily demands of their environment. Our therapist use directed play as the primary method of treatment; however classroom consultation directly with the teachers and assistants regarding student’s abilities is also key to the student’s success.  Directed play includes activities such as mazes or target games to develop student’s eye hand coordination or ball games to increase coordination between two sides of the body.  Through the use of movement and touch and other functional activities the student better develops the skills that are need in the classroom, home and community.

Our physical  therapists work closely with the classroom staff and other team members to promote the highest level of function possible for each student while he/she pursues his/her educational goals. These goals are determined by the student’s individualized educational program (IEP) through the IEP process.

The Focus of Physical Therapy Services includes:
Assisting the student in acquiring the functional abilities needed to utilize educational materials and participate in classroom activities and typical educational routines.
Incorporating strategies to maximize each student’s physical capabilities within the classroom by working with classroom personnel.
Assisting students to develop and use safe mobility techniques to mobility within the educational environment.

Decker Industries

Cassie is a Unit 5 student that participates in the Unit 5 work program.  Decker Industries provides a place where Unit 5 students can learn job, life skills and work in a sheltered environment.  About 20 students, ages 16 to 22 work at the training site for a potion of their day. Tasks include computer work, folding boxes for Alexander Manufacturing in Towanda, creating business cards, shredding documents and learning custodial skills.

Although Cassie spends a majority of her day at High Road School of Bloomington she still has the opportunity to participate in activities and programs offered by her zone school.

Career Link

The Transition Program of High Road School of Bloomington recognizes the need to prepare our high school students with the skills they need to reach their post graduation goals.  Our Transition Coordinator teaches job readiness skills and individualized training in preparation for competitive community placement.  Working with job coaches, each student receives the support necessary to prepare for community employment.

We understand some students do not know what career path they would like to take.  Here at High Road School of Bloomington we are dedicated to giving all of our high school students’ ample opportunities that will peak their interests.   Students will complete a variety of career interest inventories, participate in our career exploration program, research careers and complete profile sheets.  This will help our students identify prerequisite skills needed for each career of interest.  Our young adults will have an opportunity to visit and volunteer at local businesses to learn about various careers. These opportunities will develop skills to put on their resumes.

The unique opportunities presented to our students will enhance their skills and knowledge; provide endless possibilities for independence and success. It is our ultimate goal to build the competence and confidence in all of our students.

May Activities for Transition

May 4
All About Auto
•    One student will go to learn about car maintenance and get hands-on experience

May 5, 12, 19, and 26
Recycling
•    2-3 Students participate in recycling
•    Students will collect recyclables from classrooms and drop it off at the Recycling Center

May 6, 13, 20, and 27
Group Transition
•    Al Transition students will participate in group activities and exercises
•    Students will learn Life Skills for Vocational Success
•    Students will learn about different careers while building their basic reading, writing, and comprehension skills

May 7, 14, and 21
Vocational Experience
•    One student will volunteer at Westminster’s Village
•    Call out BINGO
•    Landscaping/ Grounds keeping

May 11
Careerlink
•    Transition Students will visit the Careerlink facility to learn about resources available in the community
•    Build a career profile
•    Create Resumes
•    Learn Job searching Techniques

May 18
Barnes & Noble
•    Transition Students will visit Barnes & Noble
•    Learn about what goes on Behind-the-scenes
•    Have fun with a Scavenger Hunt
•    Purchase books with their gift cards

May 21
Six Flags St. Louis
•    Eligible students will enjoy an End-Of-The Year Field Trip to Six Flags
•    Students must be on Blue Level to participate

May 25
Krispy Kreme
•    Transition Students will learn about the different positions available
•    The donut making process
•    Make their own donuts!

Ms. Bosby's Transition Activities

Ms. Bosby has formed a partnership with Heartland Community College.  Heartland Community College has offered to allow our students to attend these wonderful workshops.

College Workshops

College Workshops

Six Flags - High Road School of Bloomington students have an opportunity to attend an end of the year field trip to Six Flags in St. Louis on Friday May 21, 2010.

Spring Special Olympics - will be held on Saturday May 8th 2010 at Illinois Wesleyan University. We excited to have students participating in the 50 m run, the softball throw, and the standing long jump. Events will be held at the track and field events at IWU (district) on Sat., May 8th.