It’s that time of year again, when our graduating seniors are taking their final exams, saying goodbye to high school and starting to plan for college, or the military, or a job in the skilled trades. Those are great options for most of our district’s seniors, but what about those who are “graduating” from one of the high schools’ special education classes? Those same options are really not available to them.
Thanks to a collaborative program between the Webster Central School District (CSD) and St. John Fisher University, those students are not cast out rudderless into the professional world. Instead, they can continue their education and learn important life skills at the Webster Postsecondary Program.
The program, now in its 13th year, serves as a transitional step for special education students ages 18 to 22. Its mission is to assist young adults with disabilities to strengthen their daily living, social/personal, and occupational skills, with the ultimate goal to guide their transition to living as independently as possible.
Three districts participate in the program: Webster, Brighton and West Irondequoit. Webster special education teacher Jen Hackett describes it as “kind of like a mini-community before (the students) hit the big community.”
Classes follow the regular Webster CSD calendar, and each week focus on a different set of life skills. They’re the kinds of skills which most of us take for granted and are critical to living in the greater society — like sending emails, opening and maintaining a bank account, taking a bus and making a 911 call — but which can be challenging for these young adults. Other lessons focus on eating healthy foods, managing personal space, improving communication skills and honing their workplace skills. And because taking care of yourself is equally important, there’s also time set aside every week for exercise — walking or working out in the weight room.
Every Friday, the theme culminates in a group activity which reinforce the week’s lessons, like going to a restaurant and ordering from a menu, or visiting the 911 call center and practicing making a 911 call.
It’s all about introducing functional skills, then practicing them a lot and role-playing so the students feel confident and comfortable interacting in the greater society.
One of the most important parts of every day, however, happens most afternoons, when the students leave the classroom and take buses to work actual jobs. Several local businesses partner with the program to provide practical work experience, including Bill Grays, Walmart, the YMCA, St. John Fisher and CDS Monarch.
In every instance, it’s been a win/win situation for everyone.
“We have some really hard-working students here,” Hackett said. “Our employers tell us they’re always on time, and they work harder than other students because they take it seriously and are reliable. … They have great skills and they take a lot of pride in their work.”
And that’s what it’s all about: helping these kids acquire the life skills that will lead them to fulfilling, independent lives.
“If you ask the students, they want to be independent,” Hackett said. “It’s about self-determination and helping students to figure out what they want in their life. It’s whatever their real dreams are and helping them to get to their dreams.”
Hackett would love to hear from any business owners who would like to provide work opportunities for students in the WSCD Postsecondary Program. Even one-time projects would work, like setting up for a big event (like a grand opening), doing some landscaping or assembling a mailing.
“We like to give them a taste of different jobs,” Hackett said. Job coaching will be provided, as well as transportation to and from the job site.
If you’re interested in partnering with the WCSD for this great program, email Jen Hackett at Jen_hackett@webstercsd.org.
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(posted 6/10/2024)
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