Center for Spectrum Services

This past Friday marked the final day of our Summer Program, and we were thrilled when Bob Siracusano, owner and proprietor of Sawyer Motors, brought his vintage Good Humor truck to our Kingston School, and served up ice cream to every class. Bob is truly one of the most generous people we know, and his big heart is evident in his unwavering commitment to so many life-changing organizations in our community, and he is always going above and beyond to make a positive impact. We're incredibly grateful for his kindness and support of our students and staff. Thank you, Bob!

That’s a wrap on Summer 2024! ☀️ We worked hard, played hard and of course danced hard!

Each of our staff plays a role in making Spectrum Services such a special place to work and learn.

Students in Ellenville had the best time on sensory day! They were able to explore activities centered around smell, texture, visual and auditory! Staff also really enjoyed the ocean room 🙂

A huge thank you to our amazing friends at the Bruderhof Rifton Community for bringing a day of pure sunshine and smiles to our Kingston students! ☀️ The zoo train ride, fantastic face painting, and delicious homemade cookies were an absolute hit! We are so grateful for your generosity and for sharing your joy with our kids. You all are truly special! ❤️

It was all ☀️ and 🌈 for students in Ellenville. Staff put together a fun Friday filled with rainbow activities for the students to enjoy inside and out.

Earlier this month, Charlotte Mennona took the reins as our new Executive Director. Charlotte, who for three years has been our Program Director, was unanimously chosen by Spectrum Services’ Board of Trustees. She succeeds Co-Founder Susan Buckler, who retired in June.

“I'm thrilled to continue supporting such wonderful students and their families. I couldn't ask for a better role and eagerly anticipate collaborating with our talented staff and Board of Trustees for many years to come. Together, we will advance our mission of providing the best learning opportunities and therapies, enabling every student to reach their fullest potential.”

We look forward to Charlotte’s innovative leadership and the continued growth of our organization!

Some of our Copper Class students, along with our Development and Public Relations Officer, David Juhren, send a great big THANK YOU to our friends at Ulster Savings Bank Charitable Foundation for generously donating to our Founders Fund. Donors to this fund are investing in the expansion of our programs and services for our students with autism. On behalf of all of our students and their families, thank you Ulster Savings Bank!

With the heat we're seeing today, our Splash Pad is just the place for preschoolers in Red Class to have fun, enjoy the water, and stay cool. Our rotating system assures that the majority of our classes enjoy the splash pad three times a week.

Tomorrow is the day!

At Spectrum Services, we have many staff who have been with us for decades. Cindy F. in our Blue Class has been a Teachers Assistant for 26 years, with the last of those 17 in our Blue Class. So, it only follows that her colleagues would throw her a surprise retirement party on the last day of school, inviting all other staff to visit, nosh on a great breakfast spread, and wish Cindy farewell and congratulations. As Serena Rutella, Blue Class Special Educator, says, "Cindy truly has a heart of gold, is always thinking of others, and so generous and caring." How true. Farewell, Cindy, we're going to miss you!

Please consider making a donation to our students' Summer Program. You see, in order for the majority of our students with autism to continue on their road to success, a two month summer vacation would be detrimental to their growth and future achievement.

For our students to have that much time outside of school, they might experience regression, or risk losing what they have learned academically or behaviorally. This is why our summer program is no less vital to our students than our regular school session. Click the link for more information about our students' Summer Program.

In the past, our Spectrum Services Splash Pad would open for our summer session in July. However, it seemed only spot on to open it sooner with the heat waves we've been having; needless to say, our students have loved it!

By engaging in water play activities, children with autism can explore different water sensations, such as the feeling of water flowing through their fingers, or the sound of splashing water. These experiences can help broaden their experiential repertoire and improve sensory processing skills.

Our Yellow Class students became paleontologist earlier this week. With hammers and picks to hew away at their icy rocks, they discovered fascinating items and artifacts within. Well done, Yellow Class!

If you're an educator who needs to meet their NYS Education requirement for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) training, we have you covered!

This online training, scheduled for August 7th and 8th, is required by professionals applying for certificates or licensure, including teaching assistants, classroom teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school administrators or supervisors, and superintendents of schools. Register today!

Dignity for All Students (DASA) Training - Center for Spectrum Services This course is offered online using Zoom. Please download Zoom on the device you'll be using by Clicking Here. We'll be emailing you a Zoom invitation before the first day of training.

For our students with autism, two and a half months off during the summer would run the risk their losing what they've learned in classrooms, or regressing in social skills they've developed, or experiencing lapses in behavioral self-management they've worked on during the year. Our summer program is no less vital to our students than our regular school session. Click the link below for more information about our summer program.

Support Our Students' Summer Program - Center for Spectrum Services A School Year Ends For the majority of our students with autism to continue on their road to success, a two month summer vacation would be detrimental to their continued...

For our students with autism, two and a half months off during the summer would run the risk their losing what they've learned in classrooms, or regressing in social skills they've developed, or experiencing lapses in behavioral self-management they've worked on during the year. Our summer program is no less vital to our students than our regular school session. Click the link below for more information about our summer program.

Support Our Students' Summer Program - Center for Spectrum Services A School Year Ends For the majority of students throughout the Hudson Valley, June means the end of another school year, with no classes or homework. A time when thoughts...

Today we salute our Executive Director and Co-Founder, Susan Buckler. With days to go before her retirement, we honor Susan, along with Co-Founder Jamey Wolff, for almost a half century of improving the lives of thousands of children on the autism spectrum. Susan will be joining our Board of Trustees, and we look forward to her continued involvement.

For the majority of our students with autism to continue on their road to success, a two month summer vacation would be detrimental to their growth and future achievement.

You see, for them to have this much time outside of school, they might experience regression, or risk losing what they have learned academically or behaviorally. This is why our summer program is so vital to our students.

Support Our Students' Summer Program - Center for Spectrum Services A School Year Ends For the majority of our students with autism to continue on their road to success, a two month summer vacation would be detrimental to their continued...

There is no dance party like an Ellenville School dance party!

If you're an educator who needs to meet their NYS Education requirement for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) training, we have you covered!

This training, scheduled for August 7th and 8th, is required by professionals applying for certificates or licensure, including, but not limited to teaching assistants, classroom teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school administrators or supervisors, and superintendents of schools. The Dignity for All Students Act was developed to afford all students in public schools an environment free from harassment, bullying and discrimination. Click the link for details and how to register.

https://centerforspectrumservices.org/workshops-and-training/understanding-students-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/dignity-for-all-students-dasa-taining/

Parents! Join us tomorrow afternoon from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm for this online Parent Workshop to learn about our I-EAT (increasing exploration appetence, tolerance program), and how food play can help your child learn about different food textures, smells, and tastes. It helps children with sensory disorders or picky eating habits explore various food options without the pressure to eat.

Parent Workshop: Let Your Child Play with Their Food! - Center for Spectrum Services Wed. 6/12 – Remote only on Zoom Join us to learn about our I-EAT (increasing exploration appetence, tolerance program, and ow food play can help your child learn about different...

At Spectrum Services, regardless of the department in which they work, our staff's number one goal is serving our students, and providing them the best in programs and services for children on the autism spectrum.

With children being diagnosed with autism earlier in their lives, it's no surprise three of our classrooms are devoted to preschoolers on the spectrum. Meet Kim Mains, Special Educator in our Coral Class.

Our Spectrum Services family honors and remembers those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.