May 27, 2011
    
Congratulations on a Fantastic Year!

See what's happening! Click here to view the entire online calendar.
 
 
 
Fun Run Attracts Huge Crowd    
Nearly 600 runners registered for the Atlanta Speech School's annual Fun Run on May 7 that supports the Wardlaw School.  With winners in every age group starting at 5 and under, Olin Broadway in Robin Hilker's 6th grade class and Virginia Bernot in Laura Weiner's 3rd grade class took home the Miz Maggie award for fastest boy and girl students.  Organized by the tireless volunteers of Wardlaw's Parent-Teacher Study Group (PTSG), this School-wide event raised $20,000 that will be used for classroom needs that directly support the work of the children.    
 
Spelling Bee W-I-N-N-E-R-S Declared    
Recently more than 30 students from Wardlaw and Hamm Center competed in our annual Spelling Bee, displaying their vocabulary skills.  While the most difficult word for students was "pacify," the winning word was "critical."  Our champions for this year pictured left to right include:  3rd place - Jake Carter in Kelly Schreiner's 5th grade class; 2nd place - Cole Bergman in Laura Weiner's 3rd grade class; and 1st place - Parker Hammond in Robin Hilker's 6th grade class.  On the national scene, the Scripps National Spelling Bee will be broadcast on ESPN on June 2 at 8:30 p.m.
Ernie Earns a Well Deserved Retirement    
For five years, Ernie the Reading Dog has been a faithful friend and listener to hundreds of Wardlaw students while everyone at the School has showered him with love and affection when he and his owner Kathy Simmons visit each week to encourage students to read. As several students have said, "You inspired me to read more," "You made me a better reader," and "It's like you're really listening when I read to you."

At nine years old, Ernie is retiring from the weekly schedule but would like to come visit on a more informal basis. Initially trained to provide pet assisted therapy at hospitals and nursing homes, Ernie became a certified Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) and began visiting the School in the Fall of 2006. We are thankful to Kathy and Ernie for their love and dedication to our students. Please click on the image to the right to view our video to honor Ernie at his retirement party.
A Teaching Moment...    
Recently, Molly Goodson’s 2nd level Wardlaw class experienced a hands-on science project like no other—an edible experiment using graham crackers as tectonic plates and chocolate icing as magma. When students applied pressure with their hands, the “magma” was forced out between the “plates,” demonstrating how the earth’s tectonic plates move under pressure and cause volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and mountain formations.

From the students’ perspective, this sticky, gooey experiment was a pure delight and a lesson they will remember for a long time. For teacher, Molly Goodson, and speech-language pathologist, Macy Brown, the multi-sensory project reinforced students’ understanding of a difficult lesson. Students learned how to approach information with a plan while acquiring language and science skills through fun, exciting activities. The outcome is that students are better able to understand the complex scientific concept of the earth’s cycle and are able to learn, store, and recall the associated vocabulary.

“This hands-on project helped us mold the curriculum around each child’s learning profile,” said Molly Goodson. “While these activities take some time to plan, they resonate with the children so Macy and I can better gauge the effectiveness of the instruction. This is helpful for monitoring progress and for future collaboration.” Diagnostically, this interactive learning model targets each student’s receptive and expressive language capabilities, making it easier for them to receive, interpret, retain, retrieve, and express the information.

As evidence of the success of this activity, during a writing assignment with no pre-planning involved, one student reported on the earth’s rock cycle that, “The rock cycle starts out as magma erupting out of a volcano and then its lava. Next it goes down a hill and into the sea and then it turns into rock. Last it goes under ground and heat and pressure turn it back into magma and it starts all over again.” It appears that this memorable graham cracker and icing activity helped both teacher and student find that teachable moment.
Interns Reflect on Their Experiences    
As the school year comes to a close, our interns from the spring semester share their thoughts about their experiences at the Speech School. We are grateful to them for their contributions and to everyone on staff who made their internships such meaningful experiences. Interns' comments match their positions L-R in the photo.



Jenna Mattox (SLP) - Jenna graduated with her Master's degree on May 6 and is staying in the Atlanta area. She plans to follow her passion to work with children, but may work with adults in the future. "My experience at the Speech School has been challenging and rewarding. I feel that my time in the speech-language clinic has significantly augmented my academic learning; I have learned more in my few months working with Candace that I ever could have in the classroom. Callie has helped me learn how to better serve children with hearing loss by providing me with advice, articles, and even book chapters-she has been a great mentor."

Kelli Spivey (Deaf Education) - Kelli will be completing her course work at Georgia State University and graduate with her Master's degree in Deaf Education in May 2012. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career working with deaf/hard of hearing children in listening and spoken language in the Atlanta area. "My experience at the Atlanta Speech School is the best I've ever had as an intern. The School is a warm and inviting environment where I was encouraged and supported as I learned how to be an effective deaf educator. I have never experienced a place where the people believed in me and trusted me as much as the teachers in the Hamm Center."

Amy Gilmore (SLP) - Amy will begin her medical internship at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, graduate with her Master's degree in July 2011, and hopes to pursue a career working with children in the Atlanta area. "My experience at the School far exceeded my expectations. It was rewarding for me to watch students flourish in an environment that integrates education and clinical services in order to meet the needs of each individual. Not only did I learn more about the speech-language pathologist's crucial rule in the school system, but I realized the importance of collaboration with teachers, occupational therapists, and school psychologists."

Mallory Denmark (OT) - "After leaving the Atlanta Speech School, I plan to graduate, complete a final internship, and take a certification exam to become a licensed Occupational Therapist. I have loved this experience and am looking forward to what lies ahead!"

Cherina Williams (SLP) - Cherina plans to complete her course work at the University of West Georgia and graduate with her Master's degree in July 2011. "My experience was amazing! My supervisors were very supportive and encouraging. I truly believe I am a better clinician because of this experience."

Separate picture:
Sonia Bee (Early Childhood Education) - Sonia will continue her coursework and prepare to become a student teacher and complete the Birth Through Five Early Childhood Education program at Georgia State University. She will also continue to work full time at the Lanette L. Suttles Child Development Center at GSU as an assistant teacher.

Not pictured:
Ashley Olsheski (OT) - "After this semester, I will continue classes for the fall and spring semesters during which I will have an internship in the mental health field and geriatrics. I will continue classes for the next full year before beginning level 2 fieldwork and the thesis project. I am very pleased that I was able to do my fieldwork at the Atlanta Speech School this semester and look forward to keeping in touch with the therapists I have met along the way."



    
 
 
 3160 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 • Phone: (404) 233-5332 • Fax: (404) 266-2175

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