April is Autism Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.  This year we want to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation.

Let’s embrace a new perspective. For over 50 years we have worked in communities (both large and small) to ensure our actions, through our services and programming, supported all individuals living with autism. Let’s expand this work to focus on the rest of us – ensuring acceptance and inclusion in schools and communities that results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people. We want to get one step closer to a society where those with ASDs are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts.

Suffield Middle school will have blue ribbons displayed for the month of April to show our support as well as April 6th has been designated as a day to wear blue in Suffield. The school communities are also developing other ways to raise awareness and support.

SPED PAC Save the Date

SPED PAC Agenda for April 13th at 7:00 p.m. at SHS LMC will include a presentation by Nancy Taylor on “A Model for Specialized Instruction - The Strategic Instruction Model”.

The date for May has changed from May 11th to May 12th - location TBD.

SPED PAC Agenda for May will include an opportunity to meet and hear from Dr. Mark Palmieri from the Center for Children with Special Needs. Dr. Palmieri’s team will be conducting a program review and redesign of the service delivery model at A Ward Spaulding School next year.

Teacher of the Year Nominees

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year nominees for the 2015-2016 school year!  All four of these teachers are a strong example of hard work and dedication to our students and our school community.  We are proud to announce Cynthia Pfaff (6th grade Social Studies), Matt Dobi (7th grade Social Studies), Dan Spada (Library Media Specialist) and Anne Kelly (Family Consumer Science) as our nominees and we thank them for all that they contribute to Suffield Middle School.

SWAT Team

The SWAT (Students Working to Advance Technology) team will now be available in the mornings during breakfast.  If you have any Chromebook issues please stop by the booth!