HMS has completed the process of developing a strategic plan to guide us through the next five years. A survey of HMS’ constituents focused our discussions. While respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction overall, we do have gaps to address. We will build on our strengths in addressing six areas: Programs, Financial, Human Resources, Visibility, Expanded Outreach and the Board. For each, we have developed a long-term goal statement, supported by specific objectives and an implementation timeline.

We will put our energies in the program area up front. Our goal: To be the leader in the design and implementation of services that assist each student in achieving his or her maximum potential. To that end, we are committed to developing appropriate program-outcome measures and to regularly collect and analyze data that will allow us to evaluate program quality and establish quality assurance procedures school wide.

We also will establish and evaluate functional outcomes for each student to optimize individual development. We will improve our efficiency and effectiveness in gathering and sharing information for external reporting requirements, but will also examine outcomes apart from these requirements.

Finally, we will expand our transition process to better prepare students, families and staff for the post-HMS, often the post-graduation environment. We plan to strengthen existing preparation activities, explore partnering opportunities to train students and/or providers for improving transition and to further educate our staff about transition planning.

While I cannot summarize the full plan in a brief column, I will add that our focus on expanded outreach goals falls midway through the five-year period. Here we plan to further explore opportunities for sharing our unique expertise with non-student clientele who could benefit from our services on a reimbursed basis. This will involve identifying the needs for HMS services, as well as staffing, administrative supports and marketing efforts required for success.

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Transitioning to a Community School: HMS Orchestrates the Process

MOVING ON. . .Kwame (left), whose HMS team has worked for two years on transition planning, prepares to leave this fall for a classroom in the Philadelphia School District. Kwame will miss good buddies like Anthony.

This fall, eight-year-old Kwame expects to leave HMS for a classroom in the Philadelphia School District. With a collaborative HMS team addressing his many needs, in five years Kwame has made striking progress. After careful deliberation, his team reached consensus to initiate this momentous move.

Transition to a community school may not be a frequent event at HMS, but it can present a growth opportunity for those students whose supported educational and social development ultimately enables them to thrive in a larger, more challenging setting.

Changing a child’s placement entails a process that may vary from district to district, but always involves key elements. The HMS team, the parents and the local school district work together to determine the appropriate course of action.

Kwame’s team initiated the process two years ago. Special education coordinator Sallie LaMorgia says, "The team feels that he will continue to grow and develop by being challenged with peers working at his level. We can push him more in a community setting where he can also experience greater social and emotional growth and develop friends closer to home."

For parents, this proposal can be troubling despite trust in the HMS team. "We’re asking the child and family to stretch their horizons," says Ms. LaMorgia, "As much as you plan…they’re going to the unknown."

Last fall, Kwame's mother and Ms. LaMorgia visited the specialized Widener School and a supported learning classroom at Kwame’s neighborhood school. Considering Widener, Kwame’s team also met with representatives of the district’s Regional Academic Office, including an occupational therapist and school psychologist. The district has since conducted a full medical evaluation and an IEP meeting was held at HMS in June with Kwame's team.

HMS has prepared Kwame over the past year for the upcoming change. With his increasing maturity and physical competence, Kwame has typically been "top dog." His teacher, Allison Davis, together with colleague Nancy Barrow, arranged for Kwame to spend two days a week, starting in April, in Ms. Barrow’s classroom of older students. Ms. Davis says, "Kwame is used to a set routine with the same group of children, so adjusting to different routines, interacting with another teacher and class and even changing classrooms is good for him." He has responded well in Ms. Barrow’s class, meeting increased expectations and interacting successfully with her students.

Christina Coia, HMS special education supervisor, emphasizes the HMS team’s willingness to partner with school districts, to visit and to share information and expertise in preparing both student and new teachers for a smooth transition. When Kwame leaves, HMS will not sever ties. "We’re always available for consults," says Ms. Coia. "We want to ensure that our recommendations are carried out as much as possible. Kwame has received a lot of support and will continue to require educational supports to be successful in his new program."

As this newsletter went to the printer, Kwame’s classroom assignment was not yet finalized. HMS staff are optimistic that Kwame, who readily makes friends, will do well in the right classroom. Ms. Davis says, "The next teacher who has Kwame will be very lucky. He’s the most helpful child you’ll ever meet."

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THANK YOU DR. ALBUM. . .Mindy Olimpi, HMS student services coordinator, has a hug for Dr. Manuel Album, dental consultant to HMS for 47 years, after her singing tribute to him at a farewell luncheon marking his retirement.

Have you heard the one about the dentist who planted a garden? Answer: A month later he was picking his teeth.

This joke was one of many funny and affectionate offerings in HMS’ recent tribute to Dr. Manuel Album, who is retiring as dental consultant to the school after almost 50 years of student care. "Dr. Album Day" enabled staff and former staff who worked closely with him, board members and students to honor a remarkable man who has promoted children’s dental health and been a loyal friend and supporter of HMS.

Dr. Album and his wife were guests at a luncheon that featured students singing "The Brush Your Teeth" song and telling dental jokes, song tributes from several staff members, a "Guess the Smile" contest, student-created pins with Dr. Album’s photo, toothbrush favors and a display of articles about his distinguished career and years at HMS.

Connie Wilson, a former HMS life skills assistant who also worked in the dental clinic, offered her perspective. She said with a smile, "You started me off in the dental room and then I trained you how to work with my children... I never could have met a finer person."

Dr. Album, who practiced pediatric dentistry in Jenkintown with several hospital affiliations for almost 50 years, began treating HMS students in 1956. Assisting children with disabilities was a theme of his career. As a University of Pennsylvania professor, he started a clinic for children with disabilities, was a founder and first president of the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped and first president of the International Association of Dentistry for the Handicapped. In 1956, he made a documentary about dental care for individuals with disabilities which was awarded a bronze medal at the Cannes Film Festival.

Beyond his skilled dental care, Dr. Album has continually sought ways to enrich the lives of HMS students. Instrumental in creating the school’s first indoor recreation room and outdoor garden/play area completed in 1990, in 1999 he provided the impetus to develop Your Smile: Dental Care for Children with Cerebral Palsy, a video which has been distributed worldwide to health care providers.

Dr. Album’s skill and compassion have been noted not only at HMS and throughout the region, but also by the international dental community. In 1999, Britain’s Princess Anne bestowed him with the first President’s Medal conferred by the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry for his contributions to children’s oral health and work on behalf of children with disabilities.

HMS director Diane Gallagher presented Dr. Album with a crystal clock inscribed "Revered dentist, staunch supporter, good friend." She says, "We at HMS are deeply grateful for Dr. Album’s dedication to our students and to training other dental professionals to work with children who have significant disabilities."

TAKE AWAY THE FENCE. . .Feuding farmers played by HMS’ Kwame (left) and GFS’ Evan finally make peace during the Something Magical 20th anniversary performance of On the Other Side of the Fence.

Former HMS students attended the performance and enjoyed their reunion. (Seated from left) Alfred, Brian, Jason, Rachel, Rodawn and Jody catch up with former HMS music therapist Andrea Green Feigenbaum (kneeling), who wrote eight Something Magical musicals and who continues to direct the productions.

Following the 20th anniversary reunion performance of On the Other Side of the Fence at Germantown Friends School on May 31, older students and alumni from GFS and HMS joined the performers on stage for an informal song medley from previous Something Magical shows. It was a happy and emotional time for both audience and performers as they belted out familiar favorites.

The Something Magical project that annually partners students from the two schools in an original musical is alive and well. Details may change from year to year, but as the children rehearse and play together over five months, friendships still grow, differences are bridged and appreciation for one another’s similarities flourishes.

A post-show reunion reception enabled past performers to catch up with old friends among students and staff. The project also attracted a range of media coverage, including a re-airing on Public Television of the Something Magical documentary created by WHYY in 1987.

The anniversary drew touching reminiscences about the project’s impact from GFS graduates and HMS students. To access these messages and much more about this extraordinary 20-year collaboration, we invite readers to visit the Something Magical website at www.somethingmagical.org.

(left photo) Sarah gracefully wears cap, gown and corsage during the graduation processional. (right) Fin concentrates on making her farewell presentation, as teacher Nannette Velayos holds the microphone. 

(left photo) Maritza shares graduation excitement with Cheryl Elliot, her one-to-one aide. (right photo) Carey smiles at the crowd during her pre-recorded farewell remarks, with teacher Amanda Bartle’s support. 

Maritza, Carey, Sarah and Fin proudly received their diplomas and awards and flashed big smiles at HMS’ graduation in June. But the ceremony also marked a poignant farewell. Together these four young women spent a total of 54 years at HMS, forging strong friendships and imprinting the school with their personalities.

Before stepping out into the world, each graduate presented farewell remarks using an assistive communication device and enjoyed the reflections of administrators and staff who talked affectionately about their legacies to HMS. They also appeared in "A Celebration of the Seasons" dance video, a graduation project they developed with Martha Hess, dance/movement therapist.

The young women savored a graduation luncheon with invited guests, boogied the night away at the Spring Dance and still managed to be up in time for brunch the following morning.

At Megan's graduation two years ago, I said that leaving HMS would put a big hole in our lives. Truer words were never spoken!

Megan started working full time at Indian Creek Industries immediately after graduation. She loves working and was one of the workshop’s highest wage earners. But transportation was a nightmare--no more school district bus. We were lucky to find someone willing to work an extra hour after workshop so I could pick her up and still keep my teaching job. We liked Indian Creek, but it was Megan's first experience at a facility for adults with myriad disabilities including mental retardation. She was hit three times by a client and saw some bizarre behaviors. However, she found wonderful staff who loved her like she was loved at HMS.

We had funding for in-home help, but were unable to find anyone for the hours we needed them. It was a battle to find any services for Megan--she was over 21.

In August 2002, she left Indian Creek for The Margaret Moul Home in York, PA following an 11-month battle and a formal hearing to get funding. Everyone agreed on the placement, but the state MR committee protested because Margaret Moul is technically a nursing home and the average age is 33.

We love the home. Megan is cherished and the staff are dedicated. She has friends among residents and staff and her own large room with all the comforts of home. She works three days a week at ShadowFax, a very nice workshop.

New problems have surfaced though. Megan has adult rights according to the state. She can refuse to do anything and demand anything that is available. She has gotten involved in some male-female situations that are beyond her ability to handle. We are going for guardianship so that she doesn't make decisions that affect her future without knowing the consequences.

Two HMSless years: we were prepared well but went reluctantly into a void. I plan to fight the MR system to allow for individualization, even if they consider it a step backwards. Megan made her choice and was told it wasn't good enough. We won, but what a battle! If any parents want support or information, please call me. I am still sane, I think. Carol Olinick -- 610-287-8624.

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Make 13 a lucky number for HMS with the 13^th Annual Fall Golf Classic on Saturday, October 5 at Twining Valley Golf Club in Dresher, PA. For the fourth year the event benefits HMS’ Dance/Movement Therapy program. We need golfers and sponsors since each foursome must have a sponsor at the $125 level or higher. All monies raised for HMS will come solely from sponsorships. Check out www.fallgolfclassic.com for event details and the fabulous prizes.

Physical therapy assistant Vicki VanArtsdalen Woodring and assistive technologist Dawn Rainey spoke on "Inclusion in Daily Activities," with a focus on applications of assistive technology at HMS during the first annual Pediatric Power Network Conference held in Austin, Texas.

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HMS Photo Gallery

CARNIVAL MADNESS. . .Amy is clearly delighted with ball surfing, an activity planned by Chris Stern’s classroom for HMS’ annual carnival in June.

SENIOR PERKS. . .HMS graduates look forward to their senior trip. This year the group divided up. Sarah (left) and Fin, posing with life skills assistant Mary Taylor, chose Atlantic City—traveling the boardwalk, visiting a casino and enjoying the breezes. Classmates Maritza and Carey spent a wonderful day among the flowers and greens at Longwood Gardens.

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