dancers at Anne Arundel THE PATHFINDER

September, 2014

NEWSLETTER OF THE PATHWAYS SCHOOLS/CROSSWOOD, INC.

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A lively non-traditional kickball game in progress on the field at the new Pathways-Northwood.

Comments from Students, Parents, and Public School Representatives about Pathways-Northwood:

When you enter, it feels and looks like a real school!

It's really spacious and I like the color scheme.

To know my son has access to a field for his level of energy is great.

The therapy room is inviting.

The sensory room is such a good option. I know my child will need that at times.

To be in a fresh new environment is worth the extra distance.

The conference room is comfortable and professional.

2014-2015 Pathways Theme:

Creating Paths to Success

The road to success is not a path you find but a trail you blaze.

Robert Brault

The Pathways Schools, for more than 30 years, has created numerous paths to success for our students. This year we will focus on the many ways in which we accomplish this. I too will be forging a new path this year as Pathways' Executive Director and CEO, helped by the staff, parents and families, and the wider Pathways community. My memories and experiences of more than 26 years with Pathways inspire me as I learn from the successes of the two previous Executive Directors while preparing to blaze a new trail for our future.

Each year, the Pathways administrative team chooses a theme that will guide our efforts. This year's theme "Creating Paths to Success" has a familiar ring: since its founding in 1982, our school has been doing exactly that as we carry out our mission to enable our students to acquire the skills they need to succeed in school, career and life through individualized education and supports.

As the year begins, there is a great focus both nationally and locally on strengthening Career and College Readiness skills and on addressing the mental health needs of our youth. Maryland is among the states emphasizing these efforts. It is evident that these are not new goals for Pathways. They have been our priorities for more than 30 years!

Indeed, Maryland continues to be one of the highest performing states in the country in education thanks in part to nonpublic schools such as ours. We enable the state's most challenged students to thrive and succeed by helping them blaze their own trails to graduation, continuing education, independence, the world of work and career, and lifelong learning. We look forward to continuing to stride down this road in the year ahead.

Dr. Tania DuBeau

Executive Director/CEO

The Pathways Schools

The Career and College Bulletin Board at Pathways-Crossland Re-entry

A Community for Learning

Ms. Mical greets a student at the door of the new site.

This August Pathways-Northwood students walked into a new school setting designed to encourage learning, personal growth, creativity, cooperation, and responsibility. It looks like a typical school, so students can avoid the self-consciousness that sometimes accompanies being in a "different" educational setting. Morale was high from the very first day as the students experienced the serene environment that, in addition to classrooms and computer lab, includes a separate group room for therapy which is invitingly and tastefully furnished and a library with a section where books can be borrowed with no due date--ever. Nor is that all: a sensory room provides a place for students to further physical and cognitive development by using balls, mats and an elliptical. It even has a steel drum! The outdoor environment contributes too. A large field provides space for exercise and fun, which last week included a spirited game of non-traditional kickball played by both staff and students, topped off by ice pops.

The new environment is a supportive backdrop for fostering positive behavior in which an emphasis is placed on every student becoming a contributing member of the learning community. One way this is done is by having each student take responsibility for a job of their choice that fills a real need of the school. For example, the Clerk of the school store takes regular inventory of items needed; the DJ chooses the theme song of the week to be played as students enter each day; the Artist in Residence is in charge of the Student Success bulletin board; the Social Director researches ideas for field trips and activities; and the Photographer takes pictures of occasions and events.

There have been enthusiastic responses to the new environment and atmosphere. For example, one young man, who claims he has always hated English class, is delighted to be borrowing and reading books under the new "never a due date" system. Students have followed through with their job responsibilities and are seeing the positive impact their work has on making Northwood an effective--and fun--place to go to school.