Rosemary Kennedy School
For Students who are Developmentally Disabled
Student Disability: Multiple and
Moderate to Severe Developmental Disabilities including Autism Spectrum
Disorders, Mental Retardation, Multiple Disabilities Student Age: 8 to 21
The Rosemary Kennedy School provides a creative and diverse curriculum
for students from 8 to 21 who have moderate to severe developmental
disabilities.
The curriculum areas are directly linked to the New York State Standards for
Students with Severe Disabilities. The program emphasizes independence in daily
living skills, developing an effective means of communication, increasing social
interactions, decreasing interfering behaviors, improving functional academic
skills, cultivating vocational skills and the expanding of recreational/leisure
skills in order to help our students formulate a positive self image.
The program uses research-based methodologies such as: Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA), Visual Strategies (including individual and group schedules),
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), augmentative communications
systems, functional behavioral assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports.
Students are grouped within three departments: Elementary, Middle and High
School within RKS and in various district-based self-contained classes. Students
attending RKS district-based classes are provided opportunities to participate
in art, music, physical education, lunch and a variety of learning experiences
with their school-age peers.
Instruction is individualized to meet each student's IEP goals and classes
are grouped to provide for the specific needs of the students within each
cluster. Learning takes place within the classroom, in life skills rooms set up
as kitchens/apartments within the building, in school vocational settings and in
the community.
Community-based instruction is an essential part of the curriculum. Students
participate in recreational activities (libraries, bowling), life skills
(grocery shopping, laundromat), volunteer work (soup Kitchen) and vocational
enclave (fast food restaurants, retail stores) in the community. The goal of
community-based instruction is to provide experiences for students to generalize
the skills they have learned within the classroom to natural environments.
Each student is taught by an interdisciplinary team comprised of the
classroom teacher, teacher aides, psychologist, social worker, related service
personnel, curriculum teachers and administrators. Parents are encouraged to participate in their
child's programming through daily communication notebooks, conferences, visits,
parent training sessions and parent support groups.
Transition planning for students from 12 to 21 is carried out by vocational
rehabilitation counselors and social workers as part of the IEP process.
Students and their families review all the options available including
registering with VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities) prior to graduation.
The Rosemary Kennedy School provides a variety of special activities for the
students' enjoyment. These include a school show, field days, glee club, dances
(for youngsters over 13), overnights at the life skills house (located on the
grounds of RKC), field trips, Special Olympics and PTA-sponsored cultural
events. These programs enhance the art, music and adapted physical education
program.
The program at the Rosemary Kennedy School is geared to developing each
student's confidence and capabilities so that they can become productive members
of society.
Contact:
John Picarello, Principal
Richard Martinez, Assistant Principal
Bryna Bloom, Assistant Principal
Patricia Carman, Assistant Principal
Rosemary Kennedy School
2850
North Jerusalem Road
Wantagh,
New York 11793
Phone: 516-396-2600
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