In May 2020 , Markel Hall , the third building added to the Richmond campus for the capital campaign , was completed . A 16,000-square-foot two-story building , Markel boasts a welcoming foyer and four large , flexible-use classrooms on the first floor , and a multi-functional boardroom , patio , and administrative offices on the second floor . A large playground on the south side of the building was designed specifically for the toddlers who occupy our first-floor classrooms .
Markel Hall houses Faison ’ s Early Education Center ( EEC ) which serves children ages 16 months to five years old . There is ample research demonstrating the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to improve outcomes for children with autism . The younger they can begin receiving autism specific services , the more likely they are to develop skills and behaviors that will help them throughout their lives . toddlers who we serve into integrated classrooms where they learn alongside West Hampton ’ s preschoolers . This partnership enables those in our Early Education program to participate in more traditional classroom settings while also continuing to benefit from individualized instruction .
The impact of this kind of learning environment is tremendous . Kristen M ., a program manager with the EEC , has seen just how powerful the experiences are for children in the EEC and Westhampton Day School : “ Academically , socially , and emotionally , I don ’ t think ( my student ) would have been able to grow that much without our inclusive program . And , the Westhampton kiddos learned to embrace his differences and to love him for who he was , which was so sweet .”
Our curriculum integrates toddlers with autism with their peers without disabilities as part of an expanded partnership with Westhampton Day School . That partnership allows Faison to blend the
“ It ’ s great that Westhampton kiddos get to see that everybody is different , it ’ s okay to be different , and to embrace people for their differences .” - Kristen M ., EEC Program Manager
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