2009-EXPANSION




 



 The summer of 2008 ended, our work continued at Maplewood Manor and Loudonville Christian School, but we could do more.  We had the time and the desire.  I contacted the former superintendent of the Saratoga Springs school district(in the late 90's I had taken care of his pets on several occasions) and he was of great assistance.

In January of 2009 we started work in the school library at Division Street Elementary School in the Saratoga Springs City School District.  Three or four groups of children would come to the library and take turns reading to Casey.  In a short time(in fact, the very next month), Casey started working in the special education class at Division Street.  The children either brushed her or read to her.

In the early spring of 2009 Casey began "doing her thing" in the special education class at the Milton Terrace Elementary School in Ballston Spa.  This was one of our favorite jobs and whether we were entering or leaving the school building, children always petted or hugged Casey.

The school year was over in June, but Casey was again at the summer school in Ballston Spa.  We were now providing a variety of services at several locations.  Word was getting around.  I was contacted by the teacher that taught the special education class at the Ballston Spa Middle School.  Casey's work at the Milton Terrace Elementary School had come to her attention and she wanted to be sure that Casey would be available for her class in the fall.

Casey did start working in the special education class at the Ballston Spa Middle School when the school year began in September.  In addition to being read to, petted and brushed, Casey displayed another talent.  We had been going to the special education class for about 2 months on a weekly basis.  Casey and I showed up for our weekly visit and after a few minutes the teacher in charge asked if I could bring Casey to the "recreation" room(that's what I call it.  It's a room that contains apparatus that the students can play on).  I quizzically asked the teacher why she wanted me to bring Casey to the rec room.  She related that one of her students, who was largely non-verbal, refused to get off the apparatus and return to the classroom.  Maybe Casey could get a response where people could not.  You know the rest of the story.  As soon as Casey walked in the room, the child got off the apparatus and went back to his room.  I remember saying to the teacher "But she didn't even do anything!"

Tom and Helene with Casey at Maplewood Manor 2009





  

Gordon and Casey, Maplewood Manor 2009