Sierra School of San Diego’s ACT Program hosted the 2022 Thanksgiving Feast. Coming back from COVID restrictions and the school tripling in size, the ACT program created a new and improved Thanksgiving Feast! The ACT students grocery shopped for the food items, prepped all the food, cooked the food the day of and served the food/drinks to our guests. The feast menu included: water, lemonade, rolls, salad, gluten free and regular chicken nuggets, mash potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, vegan friendly stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pies. The ACT Program had fellow classrooms prepare Thanksgiving Feast decorations such as a welcome [...]

The lure of a sunny landscape, birdsong, and crafts with friends can be a welcome reprieve from a classroom. At Sierra School of San Diego in San Carlos, students in first grade up to age 22 can learn about bees, how to grow food, and later develop recipes from a growing area they share with San Carlos Community Garden. They can also practice social skills, teamwork, and communication—skills that often don’t come naturally. These youth are learning with autism spectrum disorders, emotional or intellectual disabilities, and other health issues, which can be challenging. However, outside, among the flowers and trees, as they focus [...]