Exceptional Education Outreach Bahamas
Exceptional Education Outreach Bahamas
Bringing New Opportunities to Children and Communities
in the Bahamian Family Islands
November 2009
Fall Newsletter
Open a book, open your mind.  Read
TEN Years of Reaching Kids on Harbour Island and Eleuthera!

From its humble beginnings ten years ago on a bench under a shade tree at Harbour Island All-Age School, EEO has emerged as a comprehensive program that empowers students and communities to recognize and address learning challenges. EEO has helped hundreds of Bahamian children to learn to read, write and overcome their disabilities so they may contribute more to school and society.

Our goal is to create a sustainable program that builds local capacity to ensure that the teachers in the local schools can continue reaching the children with various needs. To mark our anniversary, we are planning a silent auction and fundraiser at Pink Sands Hotel's Blue Bar on Harbour Island December 28th.  Stay tuned for more details.

As our global community is becoming smaller and more connected, now more than ever we need to stay focused on educating the next generation of Bahamians so that they will be prepared to take on exciting new opportunities.

Bernadette Christie, Board Member, May 2004

"When children become frustrated with academics, they often accept failure and seek new ways to gain attention. Developing behavior problems and aggression at a young age can sometimes be detrimental to society later on. By addressing disabilities at the earliest detection stage we can truly build self confidence and determination in students so they may make productive contribution to a community."
 
In This Issue
Starting the School Year off Right
EEO's After School Program on Harbour Island
Upcoming Therapist Visits
Harbour Island by J. Wallace Tutt
Professional Libraries Need a Boost
10 ways that you can honor our 10th anniversary
Quick Links
Join our Mailing List!
Starting the School Year off Right
Visiting Therapist
As part of EEO's efforts to increase awareness and educate local teachers on current special education topics, EEO plans seminars each semester that are endorsed by the Ministry of Education.
 
Dr. Tiffany North of Nova University presented August 27th at Emma Cooper Primary in Palmetto Point to over 60 teachers from all three districts of Eleuthera titled "Learning Disabilities: Current Research and Strategies for the Classroom". The hard working, dynamic educator then presented the next day at Harbour Island All Age Primary School on Behavior Modification.
EEO's After School Program on Harbour Island
Manon ClarkeMy name is Manon Clarke and I live on  Harbour Island.
I volunteered to help with the EEO Reading Club, which started at the beginning of September. I have enjoyed being able to help other students and watch them progress in their reading, It's great to see them become more confident and proud of themselves for achieving a goal. I'm glad I am able to have the opportunity to help out and I hope this will help them improve with their reading.
 
EEO holds after school programs in different communities across Harbour Island and Eleuthera. Volunteers work with struggling students with one-on-one practice. EEO would like to thank these dedicated volunteers for giving back to their communities by helping inspire children to read.
Upcoming Therapist Visits
boy & girl studentsAs part of EEO's Interdisciplinary Team, Occupational Therapist Natasha Bravo and Physical Therapist Andréa Hayward visit each year from Miami. They provide much needed specialized evaluations as well as parent training and teacher workshops. They will be assisting us again January 14th and 15th, 2010.
 
Audiologist and Speech Therapists Paula Bowleg and Sharon Clarke returned November 13th to provide critically needed hearing screenings.
 
Please email Coordinator Gabriella Hudson at EEOBahamas@yahoo.com  if you have a child you would like to have helped.
"Harbour Island" by J. Wallace Tutt
Harbor Island coverOur long time generous supporter, Wallace Tutt, has kindly donated 100 books of his fabulous new coffee table book to EEO's special education and literacy programs. Mesmerizing and fun photos by Cookie Kinkead transport you there in seconds!
 
$75 each for the Limited Edition Hard Cover Book with 100% going to EEO educational programs on Harbour Island and Eleuthera.
 
The book will be on sale at the10th anniversary cocktail party on December 28th as well as available online.  Please contact Anna (info@harbourislandbook.com) and let her know it's to benefit EEO's 10th year!
Professional Libraries Need a Boost
Boy in library
One of EEO's goals is to build local capacity. We aim to do this through our seminars and parent workshops. Another way to continually reach the public is through our professional libraries. The professional libraries are located within the EEO resource rooms in the public schools of each district. They are open to the public as a place where people can find information on different disabilities or learning challenges and watch best practice videos. EEO has a wish list of updated books and videos that we are hoping to purchase for next school year. If you would be willing to assist us in accomplishing this goal, please email us at EEOBahamas@yahoo.com with subject "New Books" or visit Amazon.com and look for "EEO Wish List"  Thank you for your help and care!
 
10 ways that you can honor our 10th anniversary:
If you are unable to support or attend this year's auction, please consider these options:

1.  Make a donation to sponsor two students at the $2,500 level (See website for student profiles slide show)
2.  Come visit our classrooms for a day and share your talents
3.  Visit Amazon.com and search for "EEO Wish List" and buy something for our resource rooms on Eleuthera and Harbour Island
4.  Make a donation to sponsor therapist visits for a year ($5,000)
5.  Tell a friend about EEO and sign them up for our newsletter by sending their email address to eeobahamas@yahoo.com
6.  Connect us with people who may have foundations that give to educational programs
7.  Make a donation to sponsor a teacher in one of our classrooms for a month ($500)
8.  Come read a book to our students in our after school program
9.  Sponsor a parent workshop ($1000)
10. Join our Founders Circle with a $10,000 donation towards sustaining EEO's programs
We hope you enjoyed this newsletter.  We thank you all for all you do for EEO.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lang Hudepohl
Exceptional Education Outreach Bahamas