Higashi Highlights Fall 2015

Higashi Higashi Highlights

Fall 2015

Challenge

Believe

Together

Higashi Gala Puts Programming in the Spotlight

Fall on campus brought together a spirit of camraderie, a passion for programming, and a renewed sense of Higashi pride. www.bostonhigashi.org • Helping children with autism exceed expectations since 1987 • (781) 961-0800

The Principal’s Perspective

A Message from th

I would like to thank everyone for joining

“Take pride in who you are and how far you have come. take this opportunity to welcome all of ou Have faith and confidence that you can soar toThis new heights.” is a special year as the Boston Higashi S

have passed quickly so please allow me, on

I am honored and proud to continue to serve as principal as we enter our 29th yearto ofall staff, past and present, appreciation establishment, operation with all members of the Boston Higashi School both past andSchool’s present.

Together wegrowth and succe part of this organization and it is a pleasu are indeed the stewards of Dr. Kitahara’s legacy and the guardians of the culture that defines have faithfully served the Boston Higashi S Higashi Schools both east and west. We recognize and honor the past, appreciate what is working well and strive to meet the demands and challenges that the future willhas bring.

Our staff worked with great diligence overcome many challenges to perform in

their performance and look forward to th The theme for this new school year is Pride. We refer to pride in its most positive connotation. breaking the barriers of autism and achie As a virtue, pride can mean, a greatness of soul.” St. Augustine defined pride as “the love of one’s own excellence.” tion to our supporters and benefactors, f At Higashi, our pride is not just comprised of platitudes or empty words that are boastful and school conceited.

Ourmission. pride is and our deeply rooted and has evolved over time. It stems from the positive performance outcomes and the exhilaration that Please enjoy the 25th Annual Celebration! we all feel when our students achieve their goals. When our pride partners with hope it helps us sustain our focus Sincerely, and enhance our creativity, productivity and tenacity. It is pride that enables us to live our school motto- “Challenge and Believe, Together”.

The fall season brought so many opportunities for us to showcase our Higashi pride. We began the school year with wonderful trainings presented by our staff for our staff. They really brought the concept of job-embedded learning to new heights. We explored the concept of the school theme “Be Proud” with parents at our opening day parent collaboration session. The shared inquiry and dialogues were insightful and inspirational for one The newly you to the 2012 A It isand my all. joy to welcome renovated classrooms on the first floor stand as testimony to the pride we take in making our environment reflect the Celebration gether. It is the 25th Annual for this school year is CELEBRATE. We hav pride of ownership we all have for our property.

A Message from th

legacy of our founder, Dr. Kitahara, and th to the enduring and sustaining friendship October brought our traditional annual events, as well as special visitors and talented guests toacknowledge campus. Offour campus alumni and their familie road races, charity golf tournaments, our elegant Gala, the Longwood Symphony Concert withWe thecherish highly our acclaimed students, families and frie

pianist Nobu Tsujii, and his special performance here for our students, have increased our mindfulness about how Our performance today will touch your h blessed we are and how much we have to be grateful for, especially as Thanksgiving approaches.

age, and talents. You will not only be en motto in action. We challenge our stude The beauty of the foliage that surrounds our campus, the smiles and warm feelings among students, staff and potential and know when we all work tog families all come together to offer a very rich slice of life at its finest. Thank you to one and all Thank for being of with us today. On wi youproud for being

us, and the work we do here at Boston Higashi School. We will continue to be Proactive, Resourceful, Outstanding, Best Regards, United and Determined to make each child glow and grow each and every day!

Deborah Donovan Principal

DEC 9

WINTER DANCE / PARTY (R) MS Party 6:00-7:30, (D/R) Winter Dance, 6:30-7:30 (JH & older)

DEC 18

WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL 10am - 12pm

DEC 19JAN 3

WINTER BREAK (Vacation Program Dec 21 - 23, 28 - 30)

Higashi Gym

UPCOMING EVENTS DEC 4 | Open House / Guided Tour

10:00 am - 12:00 pm DEC 5 | Sibling Day, 9:30am - 12:00pm /

Parent Assoc. Mtg., 10:00 am - 12:00pm JAN 4 | 217 / 304 Program Reopens, Breakfast 8:30am - 9:45am

Parent Collaboration Mtg., 10:30am - 12:00pm

Speaker: Helen Tager-Flusberg, PhD JAN 27 | Parent Training 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm For the latest news and events, visit our website at www.bostonhigashi.org

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Class Notes POETRY IS EVERYWHERE Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year! As the seasons begin to change, our Emergence students are exploring the beauty of fall through their academic unit on poetry. They read aloud the poem “Fall,” and put their hands to work depicting all that makes the fall season beautiful.

FABULOUS FINE MOTOR! The Elementary Division always looks forward to our skill group lessons. We start with warm up activities such as finger stretches and book reading, and then engage in a variety of fine motor tasks. This fall, we practiced lacing fun picture boards and cutting straws to make beaded necklaces.

We are so proud of ourselves and our final projects!

STUPENDOUS SCIENCE The new school year has gotten off to a fantastic start in Middle School!

Staff and students are working hard, showing our division pride and welcoming our new academic support, Andrea. The students recently enjoyed our maps unit, learning not only what a map is, but how to use them as well. We look forward to continuing our landforms unit in science, and starting our family unit in the next few weeks.

HIGH SCHOOL IS (SAFELY) ON THE MOVE Our High School students had a great Sports Day celebrating with their family and friends.

It was a hard fought tug of war challenge, but ultimately High School C-class came in first place! Our students spent the month of October learning about safety signs both in the community and also within the school building.

To conclude this unit, they observed various safety signs out in the neighborhood, as they took a trip to the pumpkin store and bought pumpkins to bring back to school and carve.

COLLABORATION IS KEY A hearty welcome back from the Junior High School Division! We were the ‘Best Around’ this year at Sports Day, showing all of our family and friends how we can work together to be our best! We were proud to show off both our experienced students and new ones!

Our new P.E. teacher Brittany tried her best to get us ready, and I think we made her proud! As the weather begins to turn, we look forward to the Winter Music Festival! Until then we are honing our academic skills in the classroom and computer room, and working hard to achieve our goals! See you all soon!

Residential Reflections “TRICK OR TREAT”

AN EVENING OF SPOOKY FUN!

Our Middle School and Girls’ Divisions had a chance to experience some off-campus Trick-or-Treating fun in the neighborhood of our very own Residential Director, Christopher White. Students and staff were out for about an hour, from 5pm to 6pm, and students practiced saying “Trick or Treat” and the all-important, “Thank You!” They did very well knocking on doors on their own, and carrying around their candy without eating a single piece until after dinner! Students also got practice crossing the street safely, and interacting with grownups and peers their own age out in the community. Chris’ Holbrook neighbors could not say enough about how well the kids did, and the great job the teachers were doing as well.

Everyone shared in the Halloween fun!

The first party of this school year, our Younger Division Halloween Party, was a great success and memorable and fun evening for all. With help from our newest staff, Akiyo, Eimei, Nana, and Naoko, Marble Hall was amazingly decorated with student artwork, and seasonal spookiness!

The students and staff were dressed in costumes ranging from scary to silly, and we even had some parents dress up as well! The students’ music talents shone as they performed on various instruments, and they even showcased their dancing talents with a little “whip and nae nae,” Higashi-style. After the music session, all students went to their once-familiar, but now haunted, classroom floors for trick-or-treating. We can’t wait to see what the Winter Party brings! Happy Halloween!

A MARVELOUS NIGHT FOR A MOONDANCE, ‘NEATH THE COVER OF OCTOBER SKIES This year’s Older Division Dance Party truly embodied our school theme of Pride: pride in our creativity, teamwork and perspectives. Different departments worked together seamlessly to ensure a spooky, safe, and seasonal event for all. Teachers and students, led by Employment Ed teacher Fumi, designed and created the beautiful decorations on the walls, turning our gymnasium into a ghoulish sight! All this effort culminated into an eventful and fun-filled evening. Parents and guests arrived in style and waited for the students to arrive. Staff and students, donning costumes that ranged from colorful and funny, to macabre and grotesque, streamed into the dance hall to the delight of all. What an awesome sight! We danced, bonded, made friends and marveled at the beauty of diversity on campus. Thanks to all who took part in piecing together this special day. Your contribution, large or small, is highly appreciated. Winter Dance Party, we are getting ready for you!

FEELING LIKE “KINGS” On October 22, 2015, a group of students from our EP Boys Division were invited to Kings Bowling in Dedham, MA to participate in a recreational bowling activity organized by “Diamond is the Sky,” a charitable organization whose mission is to provide social opportunities for those with special needs. Our students were at their best, using this opportunity to foster social skill development, use role-modeling, showcase their bowling skills, and most importantly, have fun! They ate, played, competed, cheered, and laughed! We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Sean Daly, the President and the co-founder of “Diamond is the Sky” organization, for giving us this opportunity to shine with the rest! Domo arigato! (Thank you so much!)

Get a Higashi Hoodie in time for the Holidays!

The BHS Parent Association will be selling navy blue hoodies at the Winter Music Festival on December 18th! Stop by the PA table and take one home with you to give as a gift, or to stay cozy this winter yourself!

There’s a limited number available, so stop by early and claim yours before they sell out.

See you at the Festival!

Greetings from the Parent Association! ~ Approaching the Season of Giving!

Parent Perspectives

We had a great time at Sports Day and the EP Golf Tournament, the Parent Association provided coffee and refreshments. We also purchased prizes & treats for the Halloween Dance and Costume Party. The mission of the Boston Higashi Parent Association is to support and enhance the educational and recreational endeavours of the school on behalf of the students and the staff. Your contribution is essential to the Parent Association.

Your support enables us to aid in enhancing the programs and activities offered to our children. Please consider making a gift to support the Parent Association. Our goal for the 2015-2016 school year is to achieve 100% participation from all families. No gift is too small. Thank you for all of you that have supported us so far this year. Let’s show our Higashi Pride!

All donations can be sent to the school, 800 North Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368, attention Parent Association. Can we count on you?

I look forward to seeing you all at the Winter Music Festival on Friday, December 18th @ 10:00am. The Parent Association will be selling merchandise, come by our table and say hello.

I wish you and your families a joyous holiday season filled with time spent with friends and family both near and far. As always do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions by phone 508-813-0587 or email, lisa_burgess@ comcast.net.

Lisa Burgess, Boston Higashi Parent Association President (& Mother of Dakota in EP)

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2015 Gala ~ a Night to Remember!

The excitement in the room was contagious as 300 friends, parents and supporters from all over, gathered at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy to celebrate “Continuing the Experience: Creating Lifelong Opportunities for Individuals with Autism.”

Thanks to your generosity and that of so many others, we are extremely excited to announce that we raised over $130,000.

With a beautiful venue, superb food, a compelling program and most importantly, a spirited crowd, we believe we have captured the ingredients for many future successes. As always, the Boston Higashi Jazz Band put on a stellar performance, and David Wade’s personal journey into the world of autism was insightful and moving. As the co-anchor on WBZ-TV, David is no stranger to the spotlight. He certainly outdid himself during the live auction, bringing the crowd to hysterics on many occasions, while raising unanticipated dollars for our programs at Higashi.

Plans are already in place for next year’s event, and our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all who supported the evening. Because of your generosity, we will be able provide meaningful and much needed programming to our over 22 population. Congratulations to our new Chief Development Officer, Paul Fanning, for his work in making the Gala such a success. We look forward to next year!

Save the Date

for next year’s Gala!

October 13th, 2016

7 Development News

Capturing the BHS Spirit - On Film!

“As a filmmaker and storyteller, it was an honor to work on the Boston Higashi school video. There are so many rich and important stories to tell, and I think many people would benefit from understanding more about it’s history, philosophy, methodology, culture and people.”

-Buz Laughlin, Conductor Productions

Earlier this summer, two filmmakers heard about BHS, shot 20+ hours of video and interviews, and edited it all down to a three and a half minute masterpiece. The video, “Educating Heart to Heart” premiered at our Gala to rave reviews. For two guys who produce commercials for Toyota, Progressive and Putnam Investments to name a few, they had the time of their lives working for Higashi. How lucky are we?

Fitness Room Gets a Facelift Thanks to the generosity of the The Boston Bruins Foundation and Fitness Brokers USA, the fitness center in the basement of the Brady Building has new equipment. On Friday October 30th, 10 new treadmills and 2 new elliptical machines were delivered to BHS replacing the old and tired equipment that has served our students so well for the past several years. With each machine weighing 450 lbs. it took almost an entire day to remove the existing equipment and bring in the new. The room remains incomplete, as new upright bikes are on their way, along with new mats for a new stretching area. The room has also been decorated with logos from all our Boston Sports teams. With the cold weather on its way, the arrival of the new equipment could not have come at a better time.

Many thanks to Bob Sweeney, Director of the Boston Bruins and Phi Vendetti, Director of National Sales for Fitness Brokers USA for making this happen. Also, hats off to our Facilities Department for a new coat of paint and for their hard work and dedication in support of our students!

“The Higashi school and their staff represent the highest level of education and caring. I’m very impressed and proud to have been asked to help them on their latest video production.”

-Don Packer, Engine Room Edit

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Campus Happenings Stay an active part of the Higashi Community, and never miss an alumni event!

Our New Alumni Program Draws International Participation!

The Continuing Adult Education Program (CAEP) committee is proud to report that we have had an amazing start to our Fall 2015 session. We knew there was a huge need for quality adult service opportunities, but we never anticipated we would have an alumnus travel from Europe and stay locally for the duration of our six-Saturday program!

We have had so much fun with twenty-one of our alumni and their families, group home staff, and other caretakers. So far, the participants have enjoyed classes in art, music, and swimming. As a committee, we have observed noticeable gains in the participants’ skills and behavior, even over this short time. Special thanks go out to the generous BHS staff who have put together outstanding lesson plans and who have been leading these Saturday classes. Thanks, also, to the parents and caretakers who have sent their enormously positive feedback. We look forward to watching this program continue to grow. Stay tuned to the alumni pages on the BHS website for updates on the Winter/Spring 2016 session!

Sign up for our email list by clicking this icon on the alumni page on the BHS website.

See you on campus!

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All About Fall 2

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upcoming Sibling Days at Higashi

Parent Trainings Provide Tips, Foster Community on Campus

December 5th (Siblings Only) 9:30am - 12pm

The first two months of the 2015-2016 school year have been filled with many activities – including two fantastic Parent “Training” Meetings. During our “Welcome Back Night” in September, parents had an opportunity to meet with all of the staff and tour the classrooms. At the “Communication” meeting in October, our SLPs Rebecca Stratford and Lindsay Bishop, along with the Master Teacher of Communication Janelle Palleschi, discussed the use of Core Words. The turnout for both meetings was great, with approximately 45 parents in attendance. Keep it up parents! We love to see you on campus, and the community of support that is fostered by parent participation is amazing!

February 18th (BHS students + their siblings) 9:30am - 12pm

Like seeing photos?

“Like” us on Facebook to see even more!

Just a reminder, all parents are welcome to the monthly meetings where a variety of topics are discussed. Keep your eyes open for the monthly calendar from the Education Office, as it will give you information about upcoming trainings, and even links to RSVP online. If you have any questions, concerns or ideas for the Parent Training, please contact Heather Katz at katz@bostonhigashi.org.

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To see more event photos, “Like” us on Facebook!

Photos 1-8: Sports Day; photos 9-12: EP Golf Tournament; photo 13: Scholastic Book Fair; photos 14-17: Continuing Adult Education Program.

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Community Connections The Harvey Memorial Local 7 Retired Iron Workers’ Golf Tournament was held on September 16th at Presidents Golf Course in Quincy. Representing Higashi was Mike Kelly, Mr. & Mrs. Ebihara, and Amy Carter. Jim Lawlor, grandfather of Higashi student Austin Linnehan, organized the event, and all the proceeds benefitted BHS! Thank you so much, Jim, for making this great outing possible!

We’re pleased to announce that many of our students have artwork on display in the Akillian Gallery at Massasoit Community College! This is the second year in a row for the collaborative show between Higashi and the Massachusetts Hospital School. The show ran from October 19th to November 19th. Congratulations artists, and thank you Massasoit for the opportunity!

Inspired Piano Music Wows Children and Staff Alike We received a very special visit from Nobuyuki Tsujii, and other special guests on Monday, October 26th here at Higashi. They included Nick Adams, Executive Manager for the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, Mr. And Mrs. Peter Grilli of the Japan Society of Boston, Christopher Knott, Director of World Link, Mr. Naoyuki Asano, Nobu’s manager and three members from the Japanese television network Asahi.

Nobu is a highly acclaimed blind Japanese pianist who performed with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra the day before at Jordan Hall in Boston. Higashi was one of the beneficiaries, and will receive half of the proceeds from that marvelous concert. His performance here at school delighted both students and staff. While Nobu was playing you could hear a pin drop in our gymnasium. His music truly touched the hearts of everyone there. It is not every day that we encounter such talent and genius up close and personally. Thank you to Yoshie Gordon and Mrs. Ebihara for coordinating this wonderful performance!

(Left and below) Our students even got to meet the cast members after the performance!

On November 13th, our Jazz Band performed at the “Current Trends in Autism” conference, at the Hilton Hotel in Dedham. The conference is organized

by Dr. Margaret Bauman, who also sits on the Higashi Advisory Board. The Jazz Band played 4 songs, to the delight of conference attendees, during the conference lunch hour. You make us proud, Jazz Band!

Boston Conservatory brings “Little Red Riding Hood” to the Higashi stage

(Left and below) The Conservatory’s performance was engaging, fun, and a truly memorable day for students and staff alike.

We were delighted to welcome The Boston Conservatory Children’s Opera on November 9th to perform Little Red Riding Hood on campus. Our students learned all about the story before the event, and even prepared their own surprise performance for the Conservatory cast. Our Elementary and Middle School students sang and acted their own version of “Little Red,” complete with costumed characters, before the Conservatory’s show began!

Nobu’s performance included selections from Liszt and Chopin, some Gershwin, selected specifically for his trip to America, and “A Morning in Cortona,” a piece of his own composing.

Photos: (Left) Nobuyuki Tsujii demonstrates his mastery of the piano for a rapt audience; (Above) Susan Grilli and other special guests enjoy Nobu’s performance.

Many thanks to the talented performers who brought the story to life for all in the audience, to Kimberly Haack, Melanie Bacaling, and Deena Grier from the Conservatory, and to Elementary Music Teacher Rach Azrak for coordinating the event!

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BOSTON HIGASHI SCHOOL 800 North Main Street Randolph, MA 02368 (781) 961-0800 www.bostonhigashi.org

NEW

&

NOTABLE

PG 6

BLUEPRINTS FOR THE FUTURE GALA

PG 7

DEVELOPMENT NEWS:

PGS 8-9

FITNESS ROOM FACELIFT

For the latest news and events, visit our website at www.bostonhigashi.org, or subscribe to our online calendar

IN THIS ISSUE PG 2 | Principal’s Perspective

ALL ABOUT FALL: MAKING MEMORIES

PGS 3-4 | Class Notes, Residential Reflections PG 5 | Parent Association PGS 10 - 11 | Community Connections