School
of the Holy Childhood
100 Groton Parkway
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone:585 359-3710
Fax: 585 359-3722
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Map to School ]
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 About
The Children's Program
The Children’s Program
offers comprehension and therapeutic services to children
ages five to twenty-one. Those enrolled in the program are
classified as Mentally Retarded or Multiply Disabled. Students
come to Holy Childhood from over thirty different school districts
in Monroe and outlying counties. The overall curriculum focuses
on the development of the “whole” child/student
with emphasis placed on academic, social, physical, vocational
and recreational growth.
Referrals to the Children’s Program are made by school
district officials (CSE), parents, medical professionals and
other community/school agencies. Students referred to the
Children’s Program must go through an Intake Process.
The Intake Process consists of a tour, application, review
of records and observations. Initial referrals should be made
directly to the Principal of the Children’s Program
- Suzanne Caruso.
The Principal works directly with an Intake Committee to determine
whether or not referrals can be accepted into program.
Students enrolled at the School of the Holy Childhood follow
a modified New York State curriculum. Students also participate
in the New York State Alternate Assessment. All students have
an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan is generated
collaboratively by the home school district and Holy Childhood
staff.
The Children’s Program works directly with the Helen
H. Heller clinic which is also part of the School of the Holy
Childhood. The clinic provides and/or contracts for the related
service needs of the children.
The Children’s Program consists of four 8:1:1 classes
and seven 12:1:1 classes. The 8:1:1 classes are generally
for our elementary aged students (ages 5-10 years). Curriculum
in these classes focuses on the following areas:
Cognitive/Academic Skills – readiness
abilities, phonics, reading, math, science and social studies.
Language Skills – receptive and expressive development,
total communication, vocabulary building, articulation and
short/long term memory pragmatics.
Fine Motor Skills – handwriting development,
development of small muscular strength and control necessary
for writing activities, play, daily living and table-top tasks.
Social/Behavioral Skills – improving
attending skills, classroom independence (i.e. working without
supervision, transitioning without assistance, etc.), learning
to relate and interact with peers and adults, development
of play skills, expressing wants and needs.
Self-Help Skills – dressing, eating, personal care and
hygiene, showering and consolidation of toileting skills.
Our 12:1:1 classes are for our intermediate and secondary
students. Students in these classes begin what we call a “transitional”
program. This program requires students to move from classroom
to classroom independently. Students attend all of our vocational
classes. Individual schedules are developed based on needs
and interests.
Emphasis is placed on preparing students for adulthood/life.
Our “transitional” program focuses on job completion,
following directions, accepting criticism, cooperation, time
management, self esteem building, self advocacy, taking pride
in one’s accomplishments, eye/hand coordination and
fine motor skill development.
Our
teaching staff is comprised of highly trained and motivated
instructors who are exceptional in their personal commitment
and involvement in the lives of our students.
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Vocational
Classes reinforce
occupational therapy, self-discipline and concentration and,
often, cross-curricular skills. Students work on projects
according to their individual capabilities and dexterity.
They work on "real jobs" for the community so quality
control is highly important. In some classes they may work
on take-home projects to allow them to use more creativity
and make personal choices. All of these classes make
items for the agency's Annual
Craft Sale which raises funds for the agency
and allows the general public to witness the talents and skills
of our students. Please click on the options below to see
details of each program:
Ceramics – students
learn about a variety of production techniques. Students
also work on individual projects as
well as the completion of other specific pieces. The
handcrafted items are sold at the Agency's Annual
Craft Sale in November as well as to the
general community throughout the year. The classes also produce
a limited amount of wedding, shower and anniversary favors.
Several organizations in the Rochester community also support
the program - St. Louis Church in Pittsford, NY purchases
5,000 ornaments each year, which they sell in the community
to raise money for missionary projects and orphanages.
 Life
Skills/Cooking
– the focus is on developing independent living skills
both in the home and the workplace. Students learn practical
skills such as simple meal preparation, laundry care and cleaning
skills for the home. Emphasis for beginner level and intermediate
level cooking is on personal lunch preparation. The lunches
are made and packed in their individual lunch bags during
class time. Advanced level students gain basic training for
food service vocations and learn to use kitchen tools and
appliances safely. At all levels proper workplace behaviors
and skills are addressed.
Sewing
–
students learn about clothing construction, sewing notions,
correct measurement, cutting and stitching on a straight line.
Students choose patterns and material for the completion of
a project appropriate to their skill level. Students also
learn sewing terms and develop safety practices.
Weaving
- Students learn basic weaving structure by working on looms.
Students also work cooperatively to complete specific projects
involving the selection and coordination of colors and materials.
Scarves, placemats, table runners and floor rugs are a few
examples of items made in this class. The patience, perseverance,
discipline and concentration acquired from this program are
vital skills that can assist in any job outside of the classroom.
 Woodworking
- Students operate a variety of industrial
machinery. All machinery has been safely guarded and adapted
to meet perceptual and cognitive needs. Students also assemble
products ranging from simple to complex depending on their
ability levels. Portable power tools (gross motor) are used
as well as hand tools (fine motor) for developing motor skills.
Items made in the Woodworking shop are
available for purchase during Holy Childhood's Annual
Craft Sale or at the Holiday
Woodworking Sales in December. Depending
on availability, wood products may also be purchased anytime
during the year.
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Additional
Instruction
All
students ages five to twenty-one receive instruction in Adapted
Physical Education, Aquatics and Computers.
Adapted
Physical Education (APE) – Students
participate in many of the same activities as their non-disabled
peers. Instruction is geared toward the ability level of each
individual/child. Ability levels are expanded and built upon.
Students learn fitness and games in an environment filled
with fun and laughter. Constant reinforcement of healthy lifestyle
habits are provided. Curriculum includes individual and team
sports and activities. The APE program stresses the importance
of an active healthy lifestyle throughout life.
 Aquatics
– Adapted Aquatics is designed to give
all students the opportunity to participate in a Red Cross
Learn to Swim Program. This program is adapted to individual
needs and abilities. The swim curriculum is also designed
to support the classroom teaching process as well as the overall
fitness of our students in a warm and safe environment. Our
overall mission is SAFETY for all of our students in and around
water.
Computers - The
computer lab program is designed to prepare students to function
as independently as possible in the world of technology. Students
learn to use computers as tools for design, information processing,
communication and learning. These skills can aid our students
in other areas such as with assistive communication and household
and recreational activities. By providing these tools and
resources, we prepare our students to more effectively express
their needs, wants and preferences, access information, pursue
vocational interests and communicate with friends and family.
All students, age 5-21, receive computer instruction in our
computer lab one period each week. Early computer instruction
focuses on basic skills necessary to access the computer.
Educational software programs, games and internet programs
familiarize students with technology, develop basic computer
skills, and support what they
are learning in the classroom. Intermediate students learn
to identify computer parts and functions, how to use Windows,
and how to search for information on the internet. They begin
keyboarding instruction, creating and editing projects using
printing/graphic programs as well as create simple graphs.
Advanced students learn more complex features of word processing,
printing/graphic design and multi media presentations. They
use the internet for research and information to complete
curriculum-related projects. Assistive technology - touch
screens, specialized keyboards, a simplified interface program,
text to speech and text reader programs - are available to
facilitate student access to computer technology.
Human Growth & Development
– focuses on a wide range of topics for children and
young adults. Students participate in discussions (using a
variety of visuals), concerning nutrition, personal hygiene,
drugs and alcohol, peer relationships, stress management,
dealing with feelings and sexual education awareness.
 A.C.H.I.E.V.E.S.
Program - prepares students to transition
from school to the adult world. Students become informed about
the world of work by working in a variety of community work
sites, assisting them in making more informed choices about
their vocational future. Senior students have an opportunity
to work in the Holy Childhood Adult Program, half days. Academics
are functional in design. The skills that the students have
are presented in real-life situations and students are educated
in how to use them effectively, with an emphasis on independence.
They are encouraged to be responsible and to practice good
self-advocacy skills and assess their own work skills and
behaviors. This assists the students in becoming more self-aware.
Kids
Klub – An after school program of community-based
weekly activities for students 12-21. Staff accompanies participants
to local parks, museums, the movies, local restaurants, the
mall, the library, the firehouse, the ambulance, the zoo,
etc. It is a social opportunity for peer interaction and community
awareness.
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