Students at High Road School Baltimore County Showcase Talent

More than a dozen students at High Road School of Baltimore County entertained their classmates, staff and family members with song and dance at the school's recent talent show.    The event encouraged students to showcase something they were passionate about. Several students created dance routines, while others showed off moves from TikTok. Other performances included students singing pop, R&B, rap and country music songs. Additionally, one student shared their artwork.   “The talent show served as an opportunity to reinforce important life skills like teamwork, communication and decision-making” said Anthony Aiello, program director. “Seeing staff members and students sing along, clap [...]

Students at High Road School Baltimore County Showcase Talent2023-02-07T10:27:00-05:00

Excel Academy of Roseland Alumna Delivers Meals and Inspiration to Students

If you ask Jakayla Kitt about the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, she’ll tell you it was the best high school she ever attended. Kitt, who graduated in 2015, said she lacked the motivation to go to school when she was younger, which lead to her dropping out multiple times. However, that changed once she enrolled at the Excel Academy.  “I had an apartment and a job,” she said. “I thought I didn’t need a diploma. But at Excel, I felt like someone cared. That made me want to come to school. I felt [...]

Excel Academy of Roseland Alumna Delivers Meals and Inspiration to Students2023-02-02T09:29:45-05:00

Sierra Chefs Program Makes Learning Life Skills Sweet

Students at the Sierra School of Sacramento don’t mind getting their hands dirty when it comes to learning. After a significant amount of interest from the students, staff launched Sierra Chefs, a food-focused program, aimed at teaching life skills – like food handling, money management and shopping – in a fun, engaging and hands-on way. “These life skills are critically important for our students to master,” said Kim Guzman, a Sierra School of Sacramento special education teacher. “The Sierra Chefs program provides an entertaining method for our students to practice key skills they will need throughout their lives.” A bi-monthly [...]

Sierra Chefs Program Makes Learning Life Skills Sweet2023-01-11T16:54:34-05:00

SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Building Relationships

One of the most important aspects of a positive school community is relationships—those between staff and students and between the students themselves. Building strong relationships helps us be proactive and preventative in how we approach student behavior; the better we know our students, the more we know how to help them be successful. Let’s talk about relationships within a school community, why they’re so important to the success of students, and how these relationships can be modeled in day-to-day interactions. Student-Staff Relationships Relationships between staff and students are at the core of a school’s community and culture. In fact, research [...]

SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Building Relationships2022-12-30T15:04:43-05:00

Season of Giving and Gratitude at Excel Academy of Roseland

What better way to bring in the holiday cheer than sharing with others during the season of giving? Students at the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, channeled the spirit of giving back with this year’s “HOLI-Dance”. Staff asked students to bring at least one canned food item for entry to the event. By the end of HOLI-Dance, approximately 75 cans were collected for donation to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church’s food pantry. HOLI-Dance attendees were also entered into a drawing for a free turkey, with student Jakari taking home the traditional Thanksgiving entrée. Excel [...]

Season of Giving and Gratitude at Excel Academy of Roseland2022-12-29T14:22:30-05:00

High Road School of Wright City Students Create Holiday Cards For Community

During December, students at High Road School of Wright City focused on being considerate and inclusive. School staff decided one way to promote inclusivity within the community, as well as considerate behavior, was to organize a holiday card drive for residents of Warrenton Manor, a local nursing home. Students enjoyed stretching their creative abilities to craft individualized holiday cards with cheerful greetings and words of encouragement. The project was such a success that the students decided to extend their efforts to create holiday cards for the local police department two days later! “I know that residents of nursing homes can [...]

High Road School of Wright City Students Create Holiday Cards For Community2022-12-21T12:34:55-05:00

Excel Academy North Gives Back

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Mahatma Ghandi Embodying Ghandi’s philosophy, students at Excel Academy North were in the holiday spirit this fall as they took part in a “Day of Service” to help their community. The school partnered with various local organizations to place students in projects around the city. To benefit Feast of Justice, a local nonprofit addressing hunger, students sorted groceries, stocked shelves and put bags together for food distribution. Another group sorted through fruits and vegetables that were being sent to those in need by Sharing [...]

Excel Academy North Gives Back2023-03-08T12:20:52-05:00

“I’m Thankful For …” Classroom Door Decorating Contest

Students at Sierra School of San Joaquin celebrated Thanksgiving with a classroom decoration contest. The friendly competition took place by class, with the elementary classroom taking home the top prize. Teachers used the contest as a thought starter for students on what they are thankful for during the holidays. "I loved doing this activity because we all not only got to do it together, but also were working toward a common goal – why are we thankful? The overall theme was so positive and got my students to really focus on all the great things that they have in [...]

“I’m Thankful For …” Classroom Door Decorating Contest2022-12-15T13:32:57-05:00

Excel Academy of Southwest robotics team compete in FIRST Tech Challenge

A group of students at the Excel Academy of Southwest have a new and hands-on way to gain a deeper understanding of STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) thanks to Mike Tyler II’s robotics class. And their learning isn’t confined to the classroom. Students on the STEM Bulldogs team are now competing in meets organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Illinois Robotics. A nonprofit, FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Excel Academy of Southwest hosted a [...]

Excel Academy of Southwest robotics team compete in FIRST Tech Challenge2022-12-09T13:53:26-05:00

5 Ways Families Can Support Children with Behavioral Challenges During the Holidays

 By Dr. Diane Myers, SVP, Special Education—Behavior at SESI For many of us, the holiday season is a time for cheer, spending time with family, parties, traditions, and excitement – and a welcome deviation from our normal routines. For others, those deviations, increased social interaction, and different expectations can trigger stress and anxiety. For families of students with emotional and behavioral challenges, extended school breaks bring an additional departure from daily structure that can increase stress and anxiety in the home. Here are some tips to help families prepare for and support children during the holiday [...]

5 Ways Families Can Support Children with Behavioral Challenges During the Holidays2022-12-07T09:57:35-05:00