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Reading, Speaking and Riding: What Horses Teach  Students from Pathways-Springville and Pathways-Edgewood this fall and winter had the opportunity to learn about, care for and ride horses through a remarkable program at Rock Creek Horse Center. This is the ninth year that Pathways has participated in therapeutic horseback riding. The dedicated and experienced staff at the Rock Creek Horse Center has year after year seen students undergo real change and growth, emotionally, socially and academically, as they encounter and develop positive relationships with the horses. This year Pathways was faced with the possibility of having to cut back due to financial constraints. The committed staff of the Rock Creek Horse Center went beyond what was necessary and applied for a grant from Rock Creek Riders, Inc. that made it possible for our students to continue to benefit from this unique program.
In therapeutic riding students learn far more than how to sit on a horse. Once a week they visit the stable where they engage in reading, writing and hands-on activities to help them learn horse psychology, horse handling, horse care, as well as the importance of teamwork to maintain safety amongst large herd animals. The students establish relationships with their horses and are taught how to ride them. The latter involves following directions closely, overcoming fear, cooperating with the horses and having the confidence to guide them firmly and kindly. At the end of the program, each student sits proudly atop his or her horse and is able to speak to an audience of adults and peers, introducing horse, self and teaching team before demonstrating mastery of basic riding skills. Equally important, the student feels empowered by a new sense of control in her life and by the discovery that he can establish mutual trust and respect, an ability that is good for the group as well as the individual. It is no wonder that Pathways students value and enjoy therapeutic horseback riding and that the staff at the Rock Creek Horse Center sees the positive impact that the program has on these young people who grow tremendously in both physical coordination and self-esteem.
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HoopEd Comes to Pathways-DuVal-Re-Entry
For many years, Pathways students have benefitted from  a unique program that uses basketball to teach life skills. This year, for the first time, HoopEd has expanded to one of our re-entry programs located within a public high school in Lanham. Eleven students, 9th - 12 graders, are attending the eight-week program. To participate, students must commit to coming every session. Coach and program leader Jonathan Scribner challenges the students to try new skills, make different choices in response to tense or unfamiliar situations, cooperate with other players, cope with mistakes, and handle both frustration and success with grace. These are difficult requests, particularly in the midst of a fast-paced drill or game, but the students are already responding well to the challenge and to each other and are developing in communication and self-control. Each session is characterized by lots of energy, learning and fun. At the end, Coach Jonathan gathers the group to discuss the session and to give and receive feedback. The conversation among players and coach reveals the growing self-awareness, leadership and life skills of the students that makes HoopEd a valuable part of their Pathways school experience. |
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Pathways Joins Effort to Bolster Non-Public Special Education in Maryland Pathways' Director of Programs, Dr. Tania DuBeau, went to Annapolis earlier this month with parents and staff from schools who are members of the Maryland Association of Non-Public Special Education Facilities (MANSEF). The purpose of the visit to Maryland state legislators was to inform them about the value and necessity of schools like Pathways, which meet the unique needs of the state's special education students in ways that are not possible in mainstream school settings. Many legislators are not aware of the critical role that non-publics have in the education of Maryland's special needs students. Although MANSEF schools are at the forefront of special education, providing high-quality, challenging academic and therapeutic programs in small, success-oriented settings, they are neither private nor elite. In fact, they only serve students referred by the special education offices of the public schools. In Pathways case, this often means meeting the needs of students from low-income and at-risk populations who otherwise would fail to finish high school. Pathways and our sister non-public schools can point to the success of thousands of Maryland's special needs students. In these difficult economic times, it is essential that our state and local governments continue to provide funding so that children with many obstacles to overcome are enabled to learn in programs tailored to their needs and all Maryland's youth can succeed in their education. |
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Run for fun ... and to help Pathways! Each year the "Journey to Better Pathways" 5K Fun Run/Walk supports the academic and therapeutic programs that enable our students to change their lives and reach their goals. The Run/Walk route winds through the lovely trails of Sligo Creek Park and the quiet streets of the adjacent neighborhood.  Fun family activities follow, including the award ceremony and a raffle drawing. This year's Fun/Run is coming up on Saturday, May 1, 2010 Find out more! Click here:
Fun Run Information |
THE PATHFINDER
