Higashi Higashi Highlights
Summer 2017
Challenge
Believe
Together
1987 - 2017
Continuing the Legacy of Love and Learning
Celebrating Higashi’s 30th Year As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we reflect on our past, and look to our future. It is with great excitement and anticipation that we begin our next chapter! www.bostonhigashi.org • Helping children with autism exceed expectations since 1987 • (781) 961-0800
The Principal’s Perspective
A Message from the
I would like to thank everyone for joining us take this opportunity to welcome all of our ne
“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can This is a special year as the Boston Higashi Scho change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that everquickly has.”so please allow me, on be have passed appreciation to all staff, past and present, as - Margaret Mead School’s establishment, growth and success fo
part of this organization and it is a pleasure t
faithfully The theme for the 2016-17 school year was Respect for self and others.have Respect is theserved the Boston Higashi Scho cornerstone that anchors our mission and all our efforts. Dr. Kitahara’s Our extraordinary vision staff has worked with great diligence thr and passion for educating children with autism remains as vibrant today as it wasmany over challenges thirty overcome to perform in tod their performance and look forward to the e years ago when the Boston Higashi School began. She instilled her passionate core belief that breaking the barriers of autism and achieving Higashi teachers must first and foremost have unwavering respect for the power of possibilitytion thattolies within each and benefactors, fam our supporters schooland andpurpose our mission. and every student with autism. All lessons must be planned and implemented with clear intention to Please enjoy the 25th Annual Celebration! express the signature essence of heart to heart education. Sincerely,
In mid-August we were truly honored and blessed to welcome a group of founding teachers and administrators from the Musashino Higashi School in Tokyo, Japan. Their visit with us began with Bon Dance, and continued for the following three days and nights. It was awe inspiring to hear about the beginning and becoming years of Boston Higashi School from their professional and personal perspectives. They came to our campus and interacted with our students, staff, alumni and parents like they had never left. This visit gave everyone great opportunities to observe, It is my joy to welcome you to the 2012 Annu reflect and appreciate the powerful legacy Dr. Kitahara left us. We acknowledged how it took root, grew gether. It isand the 25th Annual Celebration perf for this school endured beyond time, challenging and changing circumstances. The field of education is infamous for fadingyear fads,is CELEBRATE. We have so legacy of our founder, Dr. Kitahara, and the c shifting curricula, instructional strategies and priorities, which can fall in and out of favor as swiftly as political winds to the enduring and sustaining friendship we change direction. The sustainability of our Daily Life Therapy® with fidelity and integrity in both schools is indeed acknowledge our alumni and their families w We cherish our students, families and friends a rare phenomena. Perhaps it is because we have nurtured the relationships that built the strong bonds of mutual respect and trust. We may be separated from our mother school by distance and ascribe to different cultural norms, Our performance today will touch your heart age, in and will not only be enter but it is the heartfelt energy that flows through us not just from us that awakens the mutual spirit ourtalents. work. You As we motto in action. We challenge our students celebrate our 30th Anniversary we take great pride and joy in honoring our past while creatingpotential our future. behalf andOn know when we all work togeth Thank you for being with us today. On with t of all members of the Boston Higashi School community I offer my most sincere thanks and deepest gratitude to all Best Regards, our founding staff members for making our wishes, hopes and dreams become moments, memories and miracles.
A Message from the
Deborah Donovan Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS SEPT 27
PARENTS NIGHT
OCT 14
SPORTS DAY
OCT 14
6:30 - 8:00pm @ Higashi
9:50am - 2:00pm Higashi Back Field
EMERGENCE PROGRAM GOLF TOURNAMENT 9:00am - 2:00pm Golf Learning Ctr of NE, Norton
OCT 6 | Open House / Guided Tour 10:00 am - 12:00 pm OCT 12 | 3rd Annual Higashi Gala (RSVP required) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Granite Links Golf Club, Quincy OCT 25 | Halloween Party (Res only) / Dance (Public) Party: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Dance: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm OCT 27 | Halloween Costume Party (School) 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm For the latest news and events, visit our website at www.bostonhigashi.org
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Class Notes RECREATION IN THE COMMUNITY The Emergence Program focused on outdoor learning this summer, especially the rules (and safety practices) for various recreation and outdoor games. From the now annual EP Bike Race event, to field trips bowling and to the beach, our students enjoyed some relaxation and the beautiful summer weather!
OUTDOOR LEARNING The Elementary Division brought their lessons outside this summer, to learn all about the lifecycle of caterpillars and butterflies! We observed what caterpillars eat and how they move around. We waited patiently for the chrysalis to hatch. We had fun watching the caterpillars grow and transform into butterflies! The big question: which grows up faster, caterpillars or us?
ADVENTURES ABOUND It’s summertime here in the Middle School division. We have been getting outside, learning about the various blooming summer plants as we monitor the garden and wild flowers around the school, especially the grapes in front of the daycare. We’ve been using our core words (in, out, hot and cold) and carrying it over into the classroom to describe their growth throughout the weeks! We were also able to go rock climbing at the nearby gym, reaching new heights as we close in on the completion of another great school year!
SUMMER ACADEMICS - NOT JUST AT A DESK ANYMORE! We are finishing up strong this year Junior High. Our summer has been very busy as our curriculum focuses on generalizing academic skills into summer activities such as using math (sequencing and measurement) and
COOKING UP A STORM
reading (key words, prepositions)
During the summer semester the High School students learned how to prepare their own lunches. They made a shopping list, and priced out the different ingredients in their academic lesson, went to the store to buy the ingredients, practiced their money skills to pay for the items, then came back to school to cook their lunch! Great job High School!
to create classic summer dishes in our culinary arts room. We’ve also gone rock-climbing, bicycle riding and swimming; having fun, but also learning necessary skills that we can enjoy in the community and with our families. Great year Junior High-much respect!
Residential Reflections POOLS AND PARENTS - A FUN MIX! This summer, the Residence held division-wide “parent training” sessions at the pool! The goal was to show our parents successful routines, beginning with locker room expectations and ending, of course, with some fun in the water. Each training ended with a cookout to celebrate the end of the school year, and a great time was had by all. Our goal is to continue to hold small group trainings throughout this upcoming year to enhance communication between school and home, and develop strong bonds between teachers and parents, too! Special Thanks to Hideyuki Nishizawa for organizing these trainings, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. See you next year!
Division Spotlight: Junior High Planes, Trains and Adventure! A Marvelous Summer Experience for JH – Residence Nearing the end of this school year our Junior High School students took two very important trips to the JFK Museum and Hanson Airport. While at Hanson Airport, our students got to meet real pilots and see airplanes inside of a hanger. Christian even got to go inside of a plane! At Hanson Airport our students were excited by watching people skydive. Our students also took the MBTA train and bus line to take a special trip to the JFK Museum. On this trip they not only got to learn about former president John F. Kennedy, but got to practice their skills navigating and riding public transportation. They enjoyed riding the train and meeting people from the community. With fall quickly approaching, we can’t wait to plan more seasonal outings in the near future!
FAMILY DAY MEMORIES Our Family Day 2017 began with a cookout, and the weather
could
not
have
been more perfect! We all sat in the shade of a tree and enjoyed eating lunch with family members. All students participated in fun
summer activities
carefully planned by our staff, including a horse ride, hay ride, swimming, ropes course, car wash and division music activities. We, the Higashi Staff, were delighted to see that our students, their families and friends, enjoyed all there was to offer, and displayed broad smiles throughout the day! Our day ended with everyone’s favorite, an ice cream sundae bar, to end a perfect summer day of lasting memories. Thank you to all our dedicated staff for your contined support to make Family Day such a success!
Greetings from the Parent Association! ~ How quickly fly the years!
Parent Perspectives
This year was a successful year for the Parent Association. I want to thank my board - Kathy Sidlaukas (Vice President), Lisa Harris and Steve Harris (Co-Assistant Vice Presidents), Pam Glatter (Out of State Vice President), Mark Hausser (Treasurer), Whitney Whinnery (Assistant Treasurer), Laura Ferrara (Recording Secretary), Christine Walker (Corresponding Secretary) and Jill Gichuhi (former Recording Secretary). I also would like to thank all the families that came out to volunteer this year whether it was for baking cookies for our staff cookie swap, manning our sales tables, sewing/painting for annual celebration/bon dance or just donating items/cash to our teacher appreciation drives - without your help we could not do what we do to support our school. Your new parent association board for the 2017/2018 school year will be: Treasurer: Mark Hausser President: Julie Coppenrath Asst Treasurer: Whitney Whinnery Vice President: Kathy Sidlaukas Recording Secretary: Laura Ferrara Asst Vice President: Diane Cafarelli Corresponding Secretary: Christine Walker Out of State Vice President: Pam Glatter New for this year: • We now have a school store with Higashi items for all to purchase. The Grand Opening will be on the first day of school, September 5th, and the store will be open during school hours during the year. • Show your team pride! We will be offering pre-ordering on Sports Day t-shirts (red, green, blue & yellow baseball jerseys). Stay tuned! • Don’t forget to sign up for the parent-run online group - bloomz (for more information, please visit the parent association section on the school website) Here’s to a another successful year! Julie Coppenrath, Parent Association President (& mother of Helen in Junior High)
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Celebrating our 30th Year: Honoring our Past... What began as a small idea - the education of “a boy who was different” - has, in 53 years time, grown to two schools on two different continents, educating thousands of children with autism. With the Boston Higashi School’s founding in 1987, the beautiful melding of “East” and “West” has become as much a hallmark of our program as it’s core tenet of “Heart to Heart Education.” This August, we were so fortunate to welcome back 30 of our original staff for a “Homecoming” celebration in honor of our 30th Anniverary year. In the beginning, these dedicated educators left their homes and families and came to Boston to support the dream of one woman - Dr. Kiyo Kitahara. In the past 30 years, though much has changed, from expanding our program offerings, increasing our enrollment, and renovating our campus facilities, the values of hard work, friendship, and belief in educating the whole child have remained the same. Though our staff makeup is much more global than in those early years, the “founding” staff who came to celebrate with us remarked about our current staff’s energy - the smiles, the spirit, the determination. Here’s to another 30 years. To global friendships and shared ideologies. To the common goal that every child deserves a chance to grow and learn. And to honoring Dr. Kitahara’s vision so that her legacy may live on.
First Bon Dance Festival - 1988
All School Assembly - Lexington
Campus
: Creating our Future
To see more event photos, “Like” us on Facebook!
Announcing our 2017 Higashi Gala:
“Leading the Way:
Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence”
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Soon, several hundred friends, staff, family members and business leaders will gather at the beautiful Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy for the 3rd Annual Higashi Gala, celebrating 30 years of serving children and young adults with autism.
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The theme for the evening, “Leading the Way,” has never been more paramount than it is now, as we have truly become leaders in the field of autism. The school’s enrollment has reached unprecedented numbers necessitating the need for expansion.
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Daily Life Therapy Sponsor - $25,000 20 tickets (2 tables with option of gifting 1 table to BHS staff), name / company logo featured on screen at the event, in program book, on the website, in Higashi’s newsletter, and includes membership to the Kitahara Society Aquatics Sponsor - $10,000 20 tickets (2 tables with option of gifting 1 table to BHS staff), name / company logo featured on screen at the event, in program book, on the website, in Higashi’s newsletter Culinary Sponsor - $5,000 10 tickets (1 table), name / company logo on screen at the event, in program book, on the website, and in Higashi’s newsletter
These are exciting times at Higashi and our growth is no accident. Our team of dedicated and impassioned staff is second to none. We are unique in our approach, and unwavering in our belief, that nobody does it better. We thank you all for your continued support, your encouragement and most importantly, your faith in our work, which allows us to successfully meet the daily challenges of serving students and young adults with autism. We look forward to seeing you all on October 12th for an evening of inspiration, celebration and cheer. Thank you for all you do!
Sponsorship Opportunities Symphony Sponsor - $2,500 6 tickets, listing on screen at the event, in program book, on the website and in the newsletter Visual Arts Sponsor - $1,000 4 tickets and listing on screen and in the program book Fitness Sponsor - $500 2 tickets and listing on screen and in the program book Individual Tickets - $150 each
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Project Updates:
It has been a very busy summer at the Boston Higashi School. Our construction partners have had no time for a summer vacation, as one project is completed, another begins. Check out all we have accomplished below! The Higashi School Store is Open for Business! The store is finally completed and all the shelves and racks were fully stocked for the first day of school on September 5th. The new store has a state-of-the- art industrial look, a far cry from the more traditional conference room setting that has occupied the space for years. There is a nice selection of new clothing items and incidentals, along with a beautiful display of student made ceramics. New items will be introduced along the way as we continue to search for those so called “hot items.” The store is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 4:00 and will also be open for special events. Items can be purchased at the receptionist’s desk in the school lobby. Please stop by, do a little shopping and feel free to make suggestions. Your support is invaluable! Marble Hall Renovation Complete The old carpet is gone and so too are the drapes. Marble Hall is now a gorgeous room with walls painted of soft blues and off-whites. There are new blinds that filter light out, but allowing for ongoing views of our beautiful grounds. A fabulous new Bose Sound System has been installed along with a new projector, all of which can be operated with the touch of a finger. Last but not least, new flooring is being installed and the space should be ready for full time use, the second week of September. What a grand space and well worth the wait. Third Floor Construction in Progress With enrollment expected to surge beyond 160 students, the need for new classroom space has become critical. For the past several months, the third floor of the DeSales Building has undergone extension purging and relocation of files and other school artifacts. The space has been demolished and a team of architects, contractors and school staff has rolled up their sleeves to make plans for six new classrooms, new clinical and research space, new professional space, and new student bathrooms. In addition, existing dormitory space on the floor will be upgraded and new rooms added. The project is significant in scope and the timeline should take us close to the New Year for completion. Heating and cooling systems will be upgraded and everything in the entire space will be brand new in nature. We are very excited about such an undertaking and we will be looking to you for support along the way. On The Horizon... With a new state-of-the-art store at our school entrance, the remainder of the space needs to be upgraded. Hopefully, as we begin the New Year the lobby at our main entrance will be upgraded to a more welcoming and more student-oriented in its presentation.
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Community Connections We were delighted that Mrs. Ikuko Michii, wife of the Consul General of Japan, Mr. Rokuichiro Michii, visited Higashi on June 22nd to watch our Open Door Annual Celebration rehearsal. She seemed moved by the performances, and said afterward that she was very impressed by both students and staff. We hope they will both join us for future events at Higashi!
On June 15th Gene McCarthy, President & CEO of ASICS America came to visit the school. Mr. McCarthy, a world class runner back in his days at Fordham University - who had once run the equivalent of a sub-fourminute mile (3:46 over 1,500 meters) - was more than impressed with our students’ running abilities. Mr. McCarthy was inspired by the perseverance and spirit of our students and the dedication and commitment of our teachers, and has plans to visit the school again in the fall with his Director of Marketing in the hopes of creating a partnership between Higashi and ASICS.
Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation awards 10 new scholarships to the Boston Higashi School’s Continuing Adult Education Program [CAEP] We are delighted to announce that thanks to the very generous contribution of Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation, 10 students will be able to participate in the CAEP with funding for two full semesters beginning this September. The scholarships are need-based. Mitsui USA Foundation has also donated additional funds to help cover operating costs of the CAEP. Please contact the CAEP Committee at BHSAlumni@bostonhigashi.org for further information on the new scholarships. The Mitsui USA Foundation is the charitable arm of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), and the parent company is one of the largest general trading companies in Japan. Mitsui USA Foundation was established in 1987. We are most grateful for their support. - Yoshie Gordon, Development and Corporate Relations; CAEP Committee Members
Did you know the Higashi property was once the Boston School for the Deaf, owned and operated by the Sister of Saint Joseph? On July 10th, four former teachers who also served as nuns came to visit, along with members of the class of 1967, celebrating their 50th Class Reunion! Needless to say, everyone was thrilled with what has transpired on our property over all these years. They were impressed with all the physical improvements and were delighted to know that the mission to serve children and young adults with challenges continues to this day.
It was a beautiful afternoon out on the water to learn some new sports!
Students tried their hands at windsurfing, canoeing, and paddleboarding what fun!
Access Sport America is a national non-profit organization founded in 1995, that inspires higher function and fitness for children and adults living with challenges and disabilities through high-challenge sports and training.
Photos: (far left) Art is a popular passtime at CAEP, especially ceramincs and painting; (center left) Technology classes that use our interactive SmartBoards are a favorite activity for many; (left) Creating culinary delights in our newly remodeled Higashi Cafe is both social and fun; (above) We beat the heat in our pool, with water fitness classes and free swim times.
On Friday, August 11th a group of teachers and students from our school traveled a short distance to the Pappas Rehabilitation Center (formerly the MA Hospital School) to participate in a variety of water activities with expert instructors from Access Sport America. Some of our students learned to windsurf, paddleboard and kayak. Our students had a ball! As we enter the 2017-2018 we hope to increase our collaboration with Access Sport America and add to our student’s already extensive menu of fitness and athletic opportunities.
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BOSTON HIGASHI SCHOOL 800 North Main Street Randolph, MA 02368 (781) 961-0800 www.bostonhigashi.org
NEW
PGS 6-7 PG 8 PG 9
&
NOTABLE CELEBRATING OUR 30TH YEAR:
For the latest news and events, visit our website at www.bostonhigashi.org, or subscribe to our online calendar
FOUNDERS HOMECOMING
“LEADING THE WAY” 2017 HIGASHI GALA
IN THIS ISSUE PG 2 | Principal’s Perspective
DEVELOPMENT NEWS: RENOVATION UPDATES
PGS 3-4 | Class Notes, Residential Reflections PG 5 | Parent Association PGS 10 - 11 | Community Connections