Cotting Connection Winter 2024

Capstone Program Successfully Launches College Prep

One of Cotting’s strategic initiatives—providing a continuum of programming and possibilities—leads us to develop academic programs that feature “just right” instruction, activities and experiences for a broad range of students. It’s their input that actually helps to drive much of the innovation in the school that enables us to expand educational opportunities.

Five Capstone students (ages 18-22) expressed interest in preparing for post-secondary education this year. In response, our faculty developed a new college preparatory program. It allows students to access a self-paced English survey course with highschool level texts presented in a format similar to college learning.

Led by Capstone Teachers Mike Teuber and Sarah Hassett, the course was provided by Silicon Valley High School. Students

Continued on next page.

Contact Director of Admissions Elizabeth Russell at erussell@cotting.org for more information.

Capstone Teacher Sarah Hassett works with her classroom student, Michael P., for Cotting’s new college prep course elective.

Capstone Program (continued)

meet for two hours each week and have an additional two hours in school to use as study time. So far, they have worked on:

• Note-taking and organizational skills

• Time management

• Identifying, requesting and employing accommodations

• Learning the differences between high school and college level work

• Expanding reading comprehension and analysis skills

• Embracing high expectations and building resiliency with graded work

Welcome to the Nest!

Valery Gransewicz, Program Director

Having joined Cotting at the start of the school year, Valery Gransewicz brings a wealth of experience. She began her career in education at a fellow MAAPS school, after which she pursued opportunities as a teacher, principal and special education administrator, most recently in Acton-Boxborough. Passionate about educational equity, Val was drawn to the Cotting community by its commitment to collaboration and cultivating a deep sense of belonging. We are thrilled to have her lead our faculty and therapy teams as we continue to innovate our programming to meet our students’ ever-changing needs.

Simultaneously, the students are being introduced to literacy elements such as common archetypes, themes and character development. Course materials this fall included short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Connell and Alice Walker. The curriculum will eventually conclude with the reading of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

“It is fantastic to see first-hand how students are applying all the skills and strategies that they have acquired,” says Teuber. “From organizational management to incorporating technology, they have taken on such challenging work with confidence.”

Cotting School has been able to broaden its elective course offerings, such as this one, thanks to funding from the Constance O. Putnam Foundation.

Eliza Bailey, Trustee

Eliza Bailey is a senior transactional attorney for global biotech company BeiGene, Ltd. Having been an enthusiastic volunteer for years, Eliza was thrilled to be named to the Board of Trustees and looks forward to helping Cotting continue to flourish. She also has a direct connection; her great, great grandfather, Dr. Edward H. Bradford, co-founded the school in 1893.

Randy Kinard, Trustee

After serving on the Finance Committee for several years, Randy Kinard was elected to the Cotting Board of Trustees in December. As an Officer and Vice President at Fiduciary Trust, he manages investments and financial planning for families, individuals, and trusts. Randy has served as the Treasurer and a Trustee at the Perkins School for the Blind for over a decade.

To see a full list of our staff and Trustees, please visit cotting.org.

President’s Message |

Bridget Irish, M.B.A.,

S.P.H.R.

Cotting began the school year with the highest enrollment the day program has had in over a decade. Our staff and faculty planned carefully to be able to support these new students and families and continue to do what they do best: collaborate, innovate and optimize the learning experience of each and every one of our students. That’s the Cotting Way.

Over the past six months, we’ve gathered input from the entire community—staff, faculty, Trustees, donors, students and their families—about what makes Cotting Cotting. We are using this information to define the Cotting Way, which is our values in action. We look forward to sharing a draft of our refreshed mission and the Cotting Way with you in the near future.

This year, we were thrilled to welcome our new Program Director, Valery Gransewicz, onto the Executive Leadership Team. Our Board of Trustees also gained two new members, Eliza Bailey and Randy Kinard. And, last but not least, the seniors elected their new class officers: President Erin F., Vice President Michael P., Treasurer Joe E. and Secretary Lauren B. These fantastic Falcons are leading a terrific graduating class through memorable milestones this year.

Continuing our investment in our transition programming, Cotting added two Transition Coordinators to the Vocational Team and added a sixth classroom to the Capstone program for students ages 18-21. Meanwhile, longtime Falcons Amy Houghton and Marcie Garon took on new roles as Clinical Team Lead and Student Services Coordinator, respectively.

Most importantly, our students continue to thrive, both in and out of the classroom. Whether it’s taking a new college prep course, going on the overnight ski trip to Mount Sunapee, welcoming their families to campus for a Valentine’s Day lunch or winning—yet again—against staff at basketball, our students embody the Cotting Way in just about everything they do. We hope they inspire you as much as they do us.

Making the Transition Process More Approachable

Last year, we launched a pilot program to help parents and guardians prepare their students to transition from Cotting to post-school activities. Led by Capstone Teacher Lola Piscopo, William O. Taylor Chair of Communication Therapy Stephanie Soule, Guidance Counselor Kathy Tyrer and Family Support Coordinator Pam Varrin, caregivers were organized into working groups to discuss age-specific topics, challenges and opportunities. The results were overwhelmingly positive.

To build momentum and make it more widely accessible this year, we launched the “Family Learning Opportunities” series of webinars. Each quarter, Varrin, Tyrer and Piscopo do a deep dive on a transition-focused topic. Dozens of caregivers have attended so far, and even more have watched the recorded versions on our YouTube channel. While the first two webinars focused on vision planning and the transition timeline, respectively, the next will

center on fostering self-determination skills and take place on March 29. The last in the series, scheduled for May 3, will feature a guest speaker from DDS to talk about adult services eligibility.

The feedback on these webinars continues to be favorable, with comments thanking our hosts for “making this experience less alarming” and “for organizing this—it’s amazing.” As an added benefit, attendees have been sharing helpful suggestions and resources with each other in the webinar chat.

In addition to the webinar series, Cotting invited parents and guardians to join transition-focused working groups based on the age of their student again this year. We encourage anyone who may benefit from this information to learn more at cotting.org/events or visit YouTube.com/CottingSchool to watch the recordings.

Led by Senior Class Officers (pictured L to R) President Erin F., Secretary Lauren B., Vice President Michael P. and Treasurer Joe E., our soon-to-be graduates are busy planning for end–of-year events!

Save the Date

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events taking place on campus.

Play it Forward Fundraiser

Thursday, April 11, 2024 6-9 p.m.

Join friends, families and community supporters for a night of fun and games to raise funds for Cotting’s sports and after school programs. These special activities could not happen without the generous support from our community. Come enjoy an adults-only evening featuring trivia, bowling, rock climbing, and an exciting silent auction!

Learn more: cotting.org/playitforward

Student Art Show

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 6-7:30 p.m.

Join students, staff and fellow art aficionados for a celebration of creativity and artistic expression! In addition to artwork, student sustainability and civics projects will be on display. All are welcome!

Grandparents and grandfriends will be invited to attend a special reception immediately before the art show begins. Stay tuned for more details.

COTTING SCHOOL