STUDENT INTERN - Education Program Description
The goal of the Education Program at Thistledew is to provide an Individualized Education Program for each student enrolled at Thistledew.
Within two weeks of a student's enrollment, he receives an l.E.P. or P.E.P. staffing with a staffing team composed of teachers, caseworkers, teaching assistants, the education director and the school district's psychologist, parents and, when possible, social workers or probation officers. Based on extensive diagnostic data, previous school information and staff team consensus, students will enroll in an education program that is commensurate with their needs.
Coursework may include:
- Continuing Education for those students returning to public school.
- G.E.D. prep for those students whose circumstances negate a return to the public school system.
- Basic Skill Development/vocational orientation for those students who are not going back to the public school setting but are going to be entering the world of work.
Regardless of the curriculum chosen, every effort is made to continue to develop strengths and remediate skills when necessary.
All classroom teachers at Thistledew are certified in teaming Disabilities (L.D.) or EmotionaUBehavioral Disorder (EBD) to best serve the special needs of our students.
If diagnostic screening indicates a need for additional assessment for learning disabilities, students, with parental permission, will be assessed using the following tests:
PIAT READING or MATH TESTS
WOODCOCK-JOHNSON WRITTEN LANGUAGE TEST
A school psychologist will also perform the WISC Intelligence test.
If a severe discrepancy in achievement exists, students will be eligible for special L.D. services in that subject area.
All students who enter the program at Thistledew Camp with an l.E.P. (INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN) from their home schools for LD or EBD will continue to receive these services during their tenure at Thistledew Camp.
The academic classes run from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. each weekday. The afternoon, from 2:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. will include opportunities for afternoon work experience activities., including Woodshop, Photography, Arts and Crafts, Community Service, Food Services and recreation.
Thistledew also has an on-going work experience program to teach basic work habits. Some of the work projects will include extra bonus pay.
During the last three weeks at Thistledew, students participate in the Challenge phase of our program. Challenge is similar in concept to Outward Bound. Students receive training In outdoor living and survival techniques and participate in a three night and four day wilderness solo camping experience.
One day of Challenge is devoted to rock climbing and rappelling or down hill skiing during the time between the solo camping experience and the wilderness trek experience.
The last week the students participate in an extended wilderness expedition. This includes backpacking in the spring and fall, canoeing in the summer and cross country skiing or snowshoeing In the winter.
Upon arriving back at Thistledew from the wilderness expedition, students prepare for their graduation ceremony which begins at 3:00 P.M. their last Friday at Camp.
The graduation ceremony is a time of recognizing the students for their achievements and issuing their awards. This is a special time for our students who are graduating and parents are encouraged to make every effort to attend.
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