The Vine School makes major progress after first year
Vine School executive director Erin Hatley works with Conner Doerr on a platform swing. The swing helps children with mental focus and balance development. After a successful spring fundraiser, the school was able to hold a free summer program. Enrollment is being expanded to include a class for 2- 4-year-olds in the fall. The school is also offering financial aid this year.
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THE VINE SCHOOL
The Vine School is enrolling children ages 2 to 8 for the 2009-10 school year.
The mission of the school is to create a customized Christian learning environment and specialized teaching methods to serve children ages ...
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THE VINE SCHOOL
The Vine School is enrolling children ages 2 to 8 for the 2009-10 school year.
The mission of the school is to create a customized Christian learning environment and specialized teaching methods to serve children ages 2 to 8 affected by autism spectrum disorders and related communication disorders.
For more information on The Vine School, contact Erin Hatley at 361-212-8463 or e-mail thevineschool@gmail.com
Just one year ago, 7-year-old Mabry Handley was struggling to put together sentences and questions.
But after her first year at The Vine School, she has made major progress, said Erin Hatley, executive director of the school and her teacher of three years.
"I've worked with Mabry for three years and we're real close," Hatley said.
The first year the two met was in public school.
Mabry's parents John and Melody Handley looked for autism schools in the surrounding areas, but decided they didn't want to move, John said.
So with the assistance of Hatley they created The Vine School, for children ages 4 to 8 who have been diagnosed with autism.
"Just the other day Mabry and my wife were preparing to go to the grocery story and she noticed Mabry was getting fussy, so she asked 'What's wrong," John said. "Mabry responded 'What about school?"
He nor his wife could believe Mabry spoke much less say a complete thought, he said.
"First of all, she spoke and that may not seem like a big deal, but she's not very verbal," John said. "The whole thing demonstrated how much the school has had an impact because she's more verbal than before."
After a complete year at the school, he and Hatley agreed that Mabry's behavior has improved and she is putting together constructive thoughts.
The school, which will begin its second year in the fall, was created after John and Melody Handley couldn't find the specialized education they needed for Mabry.
"This year, we enrolled five students ages 4 to 8 and in the fall we will begin to enroll students as young as 2," Hatley said.
The first year has been fast paced and all the children made progress, she said.
The school held the Top Chef Victoria fundraiser in the spring, which raised more than $31,000.
"Because the fundraiser raised a lot of money, we were able to provide the free summer camp," John said.
Eight students participated in the free six-week summer program, Hatley said. Four students were part of the first class and the other four came from the Victoria school district.
"This was a nice way for parents to come in and see what the program is all about and potentially come here next year," she said.
The school is now enrolling students for the fall semester and will continue to enroll students throughout the year until they reach capacity, Hatley said.
"Some parents think they cannot afford the school because of the tuition rate, so they don't even call," she said. "But because of the fundraiser we will be able to offer tuition assistance to those who qualify."
For the first year, the school was unable to provide tuition assistance because the school was just starting, John said.
"Now we can go to the families in the community and be able to offer them tuition assistance," he said. "Because of the people who gave money in the fundraiser the community is effectively going to help families that couldn't afford to come here."
Hatley and John hope to enroll 10 students for the upcoming school year. The student teacher ratio is 5 to 2.
"This has proven to be the most affective method," Hatley said.
Lesson plans are individualized for each student. The students are assessed when they first come in, she said.
"We create their goals from their assessment, so each child is working on their own set of goals," Hatley said. "The way we go about it is different for each child."
Progress reports are sent out every nine week and are compared to data taken when the student first enrolls.
Teachers sit with parents and discuss improvements and which goals have been met and what the next goal is, she said.
"So goals are hand writing, cutting a straight line and lining up when asked," Hatley said. "We teach them to follow a set of directions, language and have them practice asking questions."
Both Hately and John are proud of all the improvements the students have made.
"This is just the first year, I can't wait to see how much more Mabry will improve in her second year," her father said.
