Developing Life Skills and Life-long Skills

Radiating smiles show the brilliant success of the Anne Hathaway Public School Self-Contained Developmentally Delayed Classrooms swimming program held at the Spruce Lodge pool.

Thirty students from three Anne Hathaway classrooms had four separate opportunities to expand their horizons and reach several curriculum goals at the same time. The activity provided new sensory experiences through the physical therapy in the water. Students also practiced water safety skills, public transportation skills, money handling skills, and had the opportunity for social interaction in a new locale.

These field trips helped students like MacKenzie develop life-long leisure and recreation skills that promote increased independence into adulthood. Teacher Fran VanderSchot also noted that the program helped raise awareness in the community about what the students are doing.

A grant from the Community Foundation supported costs for transportation and pool rental.

Supply teacher Maureen Kramer and Anne Hathaway Public School student MacKenzie Ballantyne, 11, enjoy their time in the Spruce Lodge pool.
*Photo credit: Scott Wishart - The Beacon Herald