Quite an
Adventure
B
ob Chuey and the Canon-McMillan School District like to
“test the limits” of a highly-successful L.I.F.T (Learning Is Fun
Together) extended school-year program.
So each summer, Chuey and his helpers plan “at least three off-
site” activities for the children who attend the program.
These kids, some who are non-verbal, are special needs and
autistic students in the district’s elementary and intermediate
schools.
This summer’s “big trip” took the kids and the helpers to Laurel
Caverns in Uniontown.
“It was quite an adventure,” said Chuey, Canon-McMillan’s
coordinator of special education. “Everyone had a lot of fun.”
The nine-year-old program has grown through the years,
according to Sara Cambotti, a behavioral specialist with Family
Behavioral Resources (FBR), Pittsburgh.
“We try to change every year,” Chuey said. “We try to keep the
program fresh and effective. We refine things and try to support
our kids the best way we can.
“We’ve had to adapt to higher levels of need, with more
participants. We have more kids moving into the district, more
special needs kids. I don’t want this program to get stale.”
In addition to planning and going on the big field trip, the kids
are exposed to some sort of store where they learn about the
exchange of money and purchasing goods.
Chuey said the staff and the individual interaction with the
students is a clear reason the LIFT program has endured and
remains strong and successful.
He said he had a roster of 36 this year and that required the
addition of another teacher.
“We had five teachers,” he said. “They all want to be here. It’s a
great bunch of educators. The teachers and para-educators are
all Canon-McMillan people. We have two behavioral specialists
from Family Behavioral Resources. They work with us through the
school year. They know the kids. That is invaluable.”
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Cambotti sets up the classrooms. She said the kids are socially
and academically engaged with one another.
Chuey added that Family Behavioral Resources’ expertise is
something he “looks to and values.”
“I trust the folks I work with,” Chuey said. “We may disagree but
we work it out and we reach an outcome, which works for the
kids.”
The planning for the program begins in February.
In past years, field trips have included visits to Oglebay Park,
near Wheeling, WV., movie theaters, various local parks and they
include treasure hunts and exercise venues.
“We like to keep the kids active,” Chuey said.
Michael Daniels, Canon-McMillan School District’s
superintendent, said the program is outstanding and thriving.
“We are extremely proud of the LIFT program and the success it
continues to have,” he added. “The dedicated people who design
and work the program and the kids who participate and learn in it
make it very special.”
Chuey, an experienced school psychologist and special
education teacher, said the ultimate goal is to provide academic,
social and behavioral instruction to prevent regression over the
summer.
“The program is therapeutic because of the occupational,
physical and speech and language instruction provided by
professionals certified in those areas,” he added.