programs

out to the building principal regarding the facilitation of getting that as an additional article; they are currently looking into it.

The role of an exceptional needs director, Mrs. Cvitkovich re flects, is not necessarily to ensure building access, as those are built in with cer tain rules by contractors. However, Mrs. Cvitkovich

Many ical access: according to the Hechinger Report, 65% of special needs students graduate on time, as opposed to the 83% for American students overall. In addition, Lita reflected on certain issues she saw with her brothers in school, one of which being other students not understanding how kids with disabilities learn. students with sensory needs

“Is that really access to the same programs that other people are entitled to?” Mrs. Cleary said. Mrs. Cleary is also an attorney for children with special needs. “That Nathan’s peers are entitled to have? As a matter of fact, that you are required to have.”

A few weeks later, at the YMCA in Hammond, Mrs. Cleary found a set of plastic stairs by the pool, which seemed rather inexpensive. She took a photo and sent it to Mrs. Jovanka Cvitkovich, director of exceptional needs, who found this as something they should look into.

From there, Mrs. Cvitkovich reached

“I’ve seen a lot of kids saying, ‘ew, I have this kid in my class and I was recording him doing this in study hall.’”

Lita said. “It just hurts me with two brothers with autistic needs. And as my mom is a lawyer for kids with special needs, I’ve heard so many horrible things from other schools. I’ve heard about kids being strapped down to chairs, I’ve heard about people having a policeman hold kids down while they’re having a panic attack. We have it a lot better here, but it’s not

“ I have kids that are striving in so many different aspects and feeling like, ‘Wow, I can really do this, just like everyone else.’ And I think that’s big for students to feel to like they are part of their community.” mrs. linda ramos, special needs teacher perfect.”

Instead of receiving a High School Diploma, special needs students receive a Certificate of Completion. This certificate uses a more “pass-fail” concept. By receiving this certificate, the student has shown that they have passed their classes with success in regards to their ability to do so.

“They need those foundation skills to go even higher,” Mrs. Linda Ramos, special needs teacher, said. “I’m here to support them as much as possible so they can feel successful and connect to their school life. Even though some people don’t see it as a diploma, for them it is. For me it is because they still fulfill their requirements, so it’s not limiting them. They can go to trade school or an associate certificate program with that diploma. It’s just that we’re working with how they can come in and perform to who they are as a person.” forward and fulfill something they want and are able to do. It also helps a lot, staying in contact with Mrs. Ramos, to know what each student has learned and what they like to do or want to do.”

STEP program is a four-year post high school program that is provided for spe cial needs students as well. Mrs. Cleary’s eldest son Sean participated in the program. Locat ed in the building by WWMS, the STEP program focuses on adult responsibilities and exploring work options for the students. The students in this program learn culinary and cleaning skills, from doing dishes to sweeping and doing laundry. Along with learning workplace skills, students practice how to present oneself at a job interview or any job setting.

While teaching in her class, Mrs. Ramos adapts to the accommodations of her students. For instance, one of her students

“I like to meet new people in my other classes. I feel like in this school, I feel happy to be here. I always like to make friends and say hi to people in the hallway.”

lorenzo pina, junior

uses a communication device, and another has a slant board and specific writing utensil to adapt to their distinct arm placement and grip while writing. These expensive accommodations are purchased through personal insurance, and the school only gets involved if the doctors ask Mrs. Ramos for a personal recommendation to qualify for the specific device. At her old districts, Mrs. Ramos has seen parents struggle to purchase these devices.

This $5,000 tablet, paid by the parents, is needed for nonverbal students to communicate and learn

Accommodating the curriculum as well, Mrs. Ramos tends to focus on real-world applications, along with learning the appropriate level of English and math skills, to prepare her students for a future beyond MHS. Lorenzo Pina, junior, feels supported in Mrs. Ramos’ class as he explores what he wants to do.

“I think of STEP as a bridge between high school and not being in school,” Mrs. Dorothy Brennan, STEP teacher, said. “In this program, we are fostering independence and skill ability so they can move

“I like to help animals, and I would like to be a zoologist or marine biologist,” Lorenzo said. “Mrs. Ramos and the aides push me to try hard, and she knows that I can do the things I want to do without being a quitter.”

Staffers review HBO’s show “The Last of Us”

josephine mittelberger guest editor

The dystopian zombie show, based on a video game by the same name, follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) as he tries to protect Ellie (Bella Ramsey) while they cross the U.S. The show explores the depths of humanity with hard-hitting scripts and acting; the viewer is left with tears streaming down their face, wondering if they are living the way they should be.

Infectious Acting

The actors bring a sense of depth into the show that may not have been there otherwise—how Joel and Ellie walk closer together as the show progresses and the smaller interactions that build the relationship between characters. With such a heart-wrenching show, it can be emotionally draining to keep watching, but each performer brings a unique personality to each character and keeps the audience coming back every Sunday.

An especially interesting character is Joel, a detached personality, that Pascal naturally begins to open up to Ellie and the audience. Even side characters leave a lasting impact on the story. Sarah (Nico Parker) who is only shown in one episode, is an exceedingly lovable character that was able to clearly communicate a realistic father-daughter relationship with Joel in less than one episode.

Drastic Directing

Going through and rewatching episodes to decipher small details makes the series infinitely more en joyable. For example, in the first episode Joel and Sarah discreetly avoid eating anything with flour there is no more pancake mix, they turn down the neighbor’s biscuits and Joel forgets his own birthday cake. At the be ginning of episode two, it is re vealed that workers in a flour factory have been attacking each other—a more subtle callback to the first episode, and an exciting puzzle that those with a keen eye can stay engaged.

The use of angles and color palettes catch the watcher’s eye and contrast the hope before the outbreak and the bleakness of life has afterwards. The first episode, a telling of the first day of the outbreak, is entirely shot with handheld cameras, seamlessly bring ing the viewer to the hauntingly beau tiful world the directors have built.