While February was a short month, NSSA managed to fill it full of activities!
SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL EAST DANCE
On February 7, the students of Smithtown High School East invited NSSA Adult Program participants and Barell students over the age of 14 to attend a Winter Wonderland themed dance. As always, everyone had a great time dancing, enjoying dinner and refreshments, and socializing with their peers from Smithtown High School East. Thanks to DJ Matt Figuccio for keeping the dance floor hopping!
SPIRIT WEEK
Martin C. Barell School staff and students, and NSSA’s Adult Services participants and staff had fun dressing in themes each day of Spirit Week.
Barell Pink & Red Day
Barell Favorite Sports Team Day
Barell NSSA Day
Barell Fancy Friday
GIRL SCOUTS VALENTINE’S DAY
A Girl Scout mom, who works for Adult Services parent Joe Longo, arranged to have her girl scout troop visit NSSA on Valentine’s Day. They gave out cards they had made to our students and Adult Program participants.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO AUTISM SPEAKS
February 11 marks the 15th anniversary of Autism Speaks. NSSA’s Executive Director, Nicole Weidenbaum, and Associate Executive Director, Kathy Mannion, attended a celebratory event where our colleagues at Autism Speaks unveiled a new re-imagined look and logo and launched a commitment to make 2020 the “Year of Kindness” for people with autism.
Part of the night’s program was a video presentation narrated by NSSA’s own Chris Cortale. Chris did a fantastic job and we are so proud of him! You can view the video at https://www.autismspeaks.org/…/introducing-new-autism-speaks.
Chris is also featured in a video that launched Autism Speaks’ #KindnessCounts Campaign which can be viewed here https://www.autismspeaks.org/kindness.
We are so proud of Chris and his advocacy efforts on behalf of the Autism Community – congratulations, Chris!
Chris with the Autism Speaks social media team
NSSA IN THE COMMUNITY
Some of NSSA’s Adult Program participants spend a few days each week at Winters Bros. in a Lifelong Learning program. They have classroom lessons, fitness sessions in the gym, and do office tasks such a shredding and filing.
NSSA students go out in the community regularly to learn new skills and practice those they’ve already acquired. Here students are shown working at Panera and purchasing reinforcers.
CELEBRATING EVERY SUCCESS
Mikey has been practicing blowing out candles with his teachers and on the day of his birthday party, he did a great job blowing out the candle on his cake. Great job, Mikey!
WE SPREAD OUR WINGS AND FLY
Classroom 4 designed and created this beautiful bulletin board. Students colored each of the wing feathers. Don’t you think it makes a charming photo backdrop?
See you again in March!