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A Quarterly Newsletter for Parents and Friends of Montcalm Students
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Summer 2012
Montcalm Graduation 2012 Students were asked what their favorite activities/experiences have been at Montcalm.
NEWTON My favorite activity at Montcalm is group meeting. I know most people wouldn’t pick group meeting as their favorite, but honestly, I love it. I love when we all come together and help one another through a problem. It’s the time that as a group, we are selfless and care about helping someone, while putting our problems aside. I love seeing that because I know that at that time, everyone is focused on doing the right thing and everyone is participating. It’s amazing to see. by Dana
STL Since being in Starr, I really enjoyed lots of activities. I think the most enjoyable and fun activity was helping out after the tornado in Dexter.
Graduating from high school is a monumental occasion for any young person. It is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication and a commitment to securing a better future. For the students of Montcalm School, graduation means even more. On Saturday, June 16, 14 students realized their dream of obtaining a high school diploma, each one taking a different path to get there. Many youth come to Montcalm having experienced trauma, behavior problems and learning or social difficulties. Parents or caregivers often have exhausted other options before sending their children to Montcalm, but once students get to the school, the transformations that take place can be substantial. “We are very proud of our son for achieving this important milestone,” said Doug Clark, a parent of a graduate. “Montcalm has given him a safe environment to spread his wings as he transitions into adulthood. We now have the peace of mind that he can live and thrive independently. It’s comforting to know that he has been challenged yet always knew the staff had his best interest at heart.”
by Ahmed
MENDELSSOHN One of my favorite activities was Family Day. I appreciated how well planned the event was. It kept my family occupied with great sports such as climbing and baseball. Family Day helped me realize how important and vital it is to spend time with my family. I will always be thankful in remembrance of that day of volunteer work. by Robert
With the strength-based, resilience-focused peer group empowerment model pioneered by Starr Commonwealth ingrained in both the therapeutic and academic aspects of Montcalm, students are able to take significant strides in all areas of their lives. This ultimately results in graduation for many, something that may have seemed impossible before coming to Montcalm. This year, Montcalm School is fortunate to have 14 amazing graduates, including 11 boys and three girls. Many are attending college, some of which include San Francisco City College, South Florida Community College, Western Kentucky University, Bellevue College, Washtenaw Community College and Kentucky Community College. Others are in the midst of making their post-secondary decisions. Although many Montcalm parents see the improvement their children have made immediately, sometimes it takes longer for students realize the positive changes they have worked so hard for. Once this reflection occurs, youth take pride in their accomplishments. continued on page 3
WILCOX Family Day at Montcalm is very nice. We learn more about the campus. We see others talents and see our success. Family Day is a day to reflect and take time for others, build a better relationship with our parents and see how we do in school. Family Day is a day where we see what we have done for others. Family Day is a very reflecting day. by Olga
REYNOLDS Although it wasn’t exactly my choice to attend Montcalm, I have still had quite a few awesome memories here. Perhaps the one that stands at the forefront of my mind is the experience I had on Christmas. The mass, the meal and all of the ceremonies that took place along with them were very festive and made me feel at home. Along with that, I felt a part of something, a sense of community that I hadn’t experienced in many years. The Christmas celebration was probably my most fondly remembered Montcalm memory. by Tyler
NORTON I like music class the best. Mr. Jeff is an awesome, easy-going guy with an extensive knowledge of the world of music. He has fun activities and a bunch of cool instruments, like keyboards, guitars, basses, not to mention other great pieces of equipment. by Shane My favorite activity is canoeing. Because at a summer camp in Wyoming I went on a 15 mile canoeing trip/whitewater rafting trip. After I did this I liked canoeing and it seemed easier. I like canoeing at Starr because you can see a lot of fish and wildlife compared to the camp in Wyoming where I was going across a half-frozen lake. If you happen to tip over in the pond at Starr you do not have far to swim to get to shore. by Jacob
MEET OUR STAFF
Sara Baum Teacher/Counselor – Mendelssohn Cottage The best teachers have an unbridled passion for learning and imparting knowledge to their students. Sara Baum, a Teacher/Counselor for Mendelssohn Cottage, epitomizes those characteristics in her everyday work with students. Baum is a Springport, Mich., native and Albion College graduate. After completing her degree and substitute teaching at schools in Jackson and Calhoun counties, she took a job as a Night Staff at Mendelssohn Cottage in August 2010. Just six weeks into that position, she was moved to a Youth Specialist role with Mendelssohn. Her rapid career ladder ascension continued just six more weeks after taking the Youth Specialist job. Baum became a Teacher/Counselor working with the Mendelssohn group, a position that allows her to share her excitement for learning with students. “I have always had a passion for learning,” Baum said. “At a very young age, I enjoyed helping others. Teaching is my opportunity to continue to learn and help others every day. It’s a great feeling to do something you truly enjoy.” Baum teaches all subjects in her classroom, which range from 7th grade science to physics. She said many students are reluctant when first coming to Montcalm due to past experiences with education that may have been negative, but almost all overcome that educational anxiety eventually. This is a very rewarding experience for her. “One of the biggest challenges I have is finding ways to motivate and challenge 13 students,” Baum said. “The population of my classroom is very unique and diverse in their learning styles. I spend a lot of time creating plans that balance many different children’s needs. “I think one of the most rewarding things at Montcalm is seeing the progress that is made while a child is here. It is amazing to see such drastic changes. I love to hear how well they are doing when they return home, too.” One of the most important things that allows Baum to be a successful teacher is knowing that the staff at Montcalm are available when she needs assistance and share her desire to effect positive change in youth at the school. “I love the people I work with,” Baum said. “We have awesome people at Montcalm. It is wonderful to know that you are supported in what you do.” Montcalm School is dedicated to the objective of helping students reach their full potential, and one of the philosophies for all of Starr Commonwealth’s programs is that given the chance, all children can find their kernel of genius. Baum is helping her students identify their strengths every day. “I hope that I can inspire a passion for learning,” Baum said. “I am absolutely fascinated by the amount of information there is to learn in this world. I hope that my efforts to reassure my students that they can be successful in school will pay off because I know with a quality education, they can accomplish anything.” Sara Baum can be reached at baums@starr.org or at 517.629.5591 ext. 2486.
My favorite activity is my subject math in school. Because it is a cool subject and I like to do math. I sometimes do math on the smartboard in the classroom, and I sometimes do it on paper. by James My favorite activity at Montcalm is either fishing: fun and not knowing what you’re going to catch, or a nature walk: for relaxation and relieving stress. by Edwin
Montcalm Graduation continued
I will be attending Bellevue College in Washington and will eventually move on,” one graduate said. “This day is important to me because despite how hard school was, I fought and made it possible!” Other students feel that many people in their lives have helped make the possibility of graduation a reality. “Thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve my goals,” another graduate said. “I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends or the staff at Montcalm.”
Family Day Montcalm School Family Day was held Friday, May 11 on Starr Commonwealth's Albion campus. Over 40 families joined us for the day, which included conferences with Montcalm staff and a number of activities. Before lunch, the families witnessed presentations in the Mawby auditorium, which included skits, a band performance and songs and poems written by students. “It was awesome to see the students performing for their families,” said Kelley Jones, the Director of Montcalm School. “I think the kids really get a kick out of performing for their loved ones. Plus, families get to see the overall improvement in their children after having been at Montcalm for even a short period of time.” Families were also treated to a presentation from Sarah Slamer, the Assistant Director of The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC), a program of the Starr Global Training Network. Slamer, a former Montcalm School Clinician at Wilcox Cottage, discussed the differences between grief and trauma and how many mistakenly use the terms interchangeably. Slamer said that grief is equated with sadness, whereas trauma results in terror for the victim. Children who have experienced trauma often feel hopeless and helpless, but trauma interventions from TLC help individuals move from victim to survivor thinking. Slamer’s presentation also discussed trauma’s impact on the brain, and she finished with a question and answer session with families. TLC techniques are being integrated into the Montcalm School treatment modality, Kolassa Sensory Integration Room which include a vast array of resources regarding trauma-informed care and sensory-based interventions. “Many students at Montcalm have experienced some sort of trauma in their lives,” Slamer said. “From my experiences with both TLC and Montcalm, having staff trained in trauma-informed care will prove to be an invaluable asset to the school.”
Starr 2012 Founder’s Day
After the presentations and lunch, outdoor activities like softball, basketball, volleyball and the indoor climbing wall were available, and families participated with staff and students. The day concluded with dinner, where staff thanked families for coming and enjoying the day.
To register, please visit www.starr.org/fdregistration
The next Montcalm Family Day will be held Friday, Oct. 5. Families are also invited to attend Starr Commonwealth’s Founder’s Day, which will take place Sunday, Oct. 7.
Dick Vitale, Founder’s Day Speaker Starr Commonwealth is pleased to announce Dick Vitale as our 2012 Founder’s Day speaker. Most know him as an energetic college basketball commentator, but he is also heavily involved with many charitable efforts. A decorated philanthropist, Mr. Vitale has been awarded the Ronald McDonald House Man of the Year Award and the MakeA-Wish Foundation’s Chris Greicius Award, given for exceptional dedication to helping grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. He also had an advanced training program in pediatric cancer research at Johns Hopkins University named in his honor in 2011. Please save the date of Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Mr. Vitale’s message of positivity and perseverance is sure to have a lasting impact on our staff, youth and community. For more information on this Speaker/Performer, please visit www.apbspeakers.com.
Field Day! Starr Commonwealth and Montcalm School held Field Day on the Albion campus Thursday, May 10. The weather was beautiful, and staff and students from both Montcalm School and Starr Commonwealth’s public residential programs participated in the games, which included golf, volleyball, basketball, kickball, softball and capture the flag.
MONTCALM SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Campus Activities • • • • • • • •
Montcalm Graduation (Saturday, June 16) Campus Track Meet (Friday, June 29) Lacrosse Tournament (Friday, July 13) Splash ‘N Dash (Wednesday, Aug. 8) Softball Tournament (Friday, Aug. 17) Van Dellen Rocket Run (Friday, Sept. 14) Family Day (Friday, Oct. 5) Founder’s Day (Sunday, Oct. 7)
STL • Attended the spring U of M football game. • Visited the river walk in Marshall. • Went fishing on the Kalamazoo River and on Montcalm Lake. • Attended All Skate in Jackson. • Attended the Renaissance festival. • Two students doing community internships • Five students working on-campus jobs. • Participated in helping projects for the American Red Cross (Blood Drive) Norton
In each game, score was kept, but the important measure was sportsmanship. Each group was evaluated on its level of sportsmanship, and staff noted that every group was cheering each other on in a positive fashion. After the games, staff members prepared lunch for the rest of the staff and youth. Thank you to everyone involved for a positive day of fun-filled activities!
• • • •
Volunteering at the Michigan Special Olympics Fishing and Boating at Montcalm Lake Montcalm Graduation Soccer at the Towsley Field
• Weekend barbecues with the Montcalm Boys • Mowing grass in the community • Watching movies at the theater Newton • Newton helped at the Special Olympics on June 1st in Mt. Pleasant • Projects at South Central Food Bank once a month • SPCA of South Central Michigan twice a month • Help at the Dahlem Center in Jackson (Dahlem Center provides environmental education and land conservancy services to the residents of south central Michigan) • Attending a Tigers game in June Mendelssohn • • • •
Baseball games in Battle Creek Bowling Binder Park Zoo Fireworks (July 4th)
Reynolds • • • • •
Movies Gardening Baseball game Going to the park Nature walks
Erica, Montcalm Graduate Starr has been a big part of my life for the past two years. I came to Montcalm School with many issues. I had problems with family and hanging with the wrong crowd of people in 2010. I would not listen to what my mom told me and would do what I wanted. When I heard I was going away to boarding school, I actually wanted to give up on my old ways and get help from professionals. That's when my family found out about Starr Commonwealth and Montcalm School. When I first got to Starr, I did not want to do anything except sleep. In late 2011 and into 2012, I started turning around and realizing I needed help with my behavior. Along with my getting help on my behavior, I also needed to get the school work done. I was very far behind in my school work because I missed a whole semester of school. With help from my family and peers, I finally made a positive change and graduated high school on January 27, 2012 from Montcalm School. I really did not believe at the time I could do it and get my high school degree. But as you all have seen I did it, and I am so proud of myself.
13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224 PH 866.244.4321 FX 517.629.4650 montcalmschool.org
It changed my life by helping me get out of my neighborhood and get new friends, which I still stay in contact with from Montcalm School. Also have new role models I look up to, which are the following: Ms. Rhodes, the first staff I met at Starr, Ms.Duncan, who's been in my treatment since day one, Mrs. Jones, Ms. Hart, Ms. Morrow, and one of my closest friends, Cassie, who has been there through my hard times and good times. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my treatment at Montcalm School. Since leaving Montcalm and being home for some time, I have a job working at a pet store in Bethesda, Maryland. I love the job I have, and I am doing a lot better with choosing the right friends. It's still hard, but I am coming around to reality on who's good for me and not good for me. Thanks to everyone who helped me accomplish my goals and treatment.