Education Program
Classroom Overview
Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania's Linda Lanham Zeszutek School Program provides children with disabilities the opportunity to maximize academic and functional skills, increase independence and develop a solid foundation for continued success. This Approved Private School program provides individualized and specialized educational services to students with any diagnosis along the autism spectrum, neurological impairment, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, speech/language impairment, and Down syndrome. Each classroom is staffed by certified special education teachers and paraprofessionals and is supported by the expertise of classroom team members including:
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech-language pathologist
- Augmentative communication specialist
- Social worker
- Behavior specialist
- School nurse
Individualized Educational Programs (IEP) are designed, implemented, and monitored by the classroom team to guide each student’s programming needs. To ensure student success, ongoing communication is maintained between the family and classroom team through regular written correspondence, participation in scheduled team meetings, classroom/therapy observations, and phone conversations.
Curriculum
School Program students have diverse educational needs. Therefore, the school utilizes a variety of curriculum options in order to develop programs and activities that are individualized to meet the functional and educational needs of our students. The focus of curriculum is to incorporate academics, therapy and ancillary services to develop skills necessary in achieving independent living skills for each student.
- Staff employs research-based approaches that have demonstrated success in students who do not learn in traditional ways.
- Instructional strategies are developed to assure student success.
- Staff is regularly evaluated and trained in the best practices and educational approaches currently utilized in the education and therapy fields.
- Therapy services are integrated within the classroom setting and throughout the students’ instructional day in order to provide a continuum of services.
- Classroom computers which have been designed with computer access devices such as alternate keyboards, switches and touch screen devices are available to all students.
Healthy Snack
Daily snack time within the classroom is designed to provide Easterseals School Program students with a broad range of nutritionally sound eating and drinking experiences within a small and supportive peer group structure. Food allergies and specific dietary restrictions are accommodated. The student is encouraged to interact with foods in non-threatening ways; students are never required to eat or drink. Under the guidance of the speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist, the classroom team collaborates on appropriate choices with varying textures from the following food groups: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and drinks.
Extended School Year (ESY)
Morning programming is offered during the month of July at our school sites for students requiring extended educational programming. This includes educational and therapeutic services on a reduced schedule. Eligibility for extended school year services is discussed during the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) conference and determined based on Pennsylvania Department of Education established criteria and guidelines for consideration.
