Music improves the quality of life for children with special needs. In fact, research shows it can improve the speech of children with developmental delays and in children with autism. Music is an important part of the curriculum at VFES. On Saturday, May 19^th, we will showcase the talent of our student musicians at VFES’ first “Community Day” where local families of students with special needs are invited to join us for a day of fun, food, and music. In addition to the fun and games (interactive theatre activities, photos with favorite Star Wars characters, strolling magic, a dunk tank, and face painting), students from  VFES’ Vanguard School will entertain the community with a variety of performances including piano, singing, dancing and a few numbers by our student rock band!

This free event is open to all local families, and no registration is required. The festivities will take place from 10:00am to 2:00pm on the VFES campus located at 1777 North Valley Road in Malvern, PA. If you would like to make a donation for the event or volunteer for some of the fun and games, please contact Raquel at 610.296.6725 x302 or rabraemer@vfes.net.

The fifth grade Reading and Language Arts class at our Vanguard School are discovering history. The group recently read Snow Treasure, a book set in Norway during World War II – an experience that ignited a lot of interest in the war and their own family histories.

In fact, the students have decided to write their own book of history to share their relatives’ experiences during World War II. To date, they’ve collected family stories and mementos for the book, which will include treasured family photos, armed forces medals, newspaper articles, and military documents. One student is also incorporating historical information about a Dutch hero during World War II. The project will be completed in late May and each student and the school library will receive one copy of the book.

According to the students, the project is a way for them to honor those who served in World War II as well discover the stories and service of their family members. Turns out, learning can be fun.

VFES and local educators will tackle this very question at the “Understanding Learning and Learners” event on May 18^th at the VFES campus.  Professionals who take part in the six-hour workshop will discover how students’ unique learning profiles can affect their school performance. Participants will be introduced to the “neurodevelopmental framework” – the foundation of the “All Kinds of Minds” (AKOM) approach to learning and learners. AKOM is a realistic approach for teachers to collaborate to manage strategies, and help students leverage their strengths for social and academic success.

And what will teachers take away from the workshop?

• Strategies for managing attention, memory, language, social and higher order cognitive thinking
• Expanded expertise in how to incorporate neurodevelopmental content into classroom instruction
• A common language to use with colleagues across grades to describe the learning variation of students
• Renewed confidence that the knowledge, skills and tools to teach all students to learn

This workshop is a great example of how we can use the science of learning to better understand and address the learning diversity in today’s classroom.  For more information on other professional development programs at VFES, visit: http://www.vfes.net/events/category/professional-development.

Are you looking to do something exceptional? If so, VFES has just the volunteer opportunity for you. On May 19^th, VFES will host its first Community Day – a great opportunity to work with children with unique learning challenges. Your support will help special needs families enjoy sensory-friendly games, activities and workshops at our campus in Malvern.

Volunteers will organize various carnival-style games, award prizes to attendees, and help direct attendees to various activities. We welcome the support of student groups, employee volunteer groups, and our friends and neighbors.  If you’ve always wanted to lend your support to the special needs community, this is the perfect place to start!

This free event is open to all local families, and no registration is required. The festivities will take place from 10:00am to 2:00pm on the VFES campus located at 1777 North Valley Road in Malvern, PA. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Raquel at 610.296.6725,  x302 or rabraemer@vfes.net.

In a blog post on Main Line Parent, we help parents understand the importance of getting kids outdoors and provide some wonderful ways to help connect kids to nature. Read Give Your Kids a Dose of Nature at Main Line Parent now.

Submitted by: Holly Henry, VFES Director of Communications
Contact Info: 610.296.6725 x342, hhenry@vfes.net

Valley Forge Educational Services Hosts First Community Day for Families with Special Needs
Visit from Senator Andy Dinniman Will Kick Off the Festivities

.…Paoli, PA – Valley Forge Educational Services (www.vfes.net) will host its first Community Day for local families of children with special needs on Saturday, May 19th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. A visit from Senator Andy Dinniman (PA Senate-District 19) will kick off the day of festivities, which includes interactive theatre activities, carnival-style games for all ages, musical performances, photos with favorite Star Wars characters, strolling magic, a dunk tank, face painting, a basket raffle fundraiser, and a BBQ lunch.

Local businesses and community organizations are contributing to Community Day festivities through in-kind sponsorships and donations. The 501^st Legion of the Garrison Carida, Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, the Tredyffrin Township Public Libraries, Acting Antics, and the Center for Autism Research are all partnering with VFES to create this day of fun for families. Food donations from Wawa Store #47, Giant of Frazier, and Devault Foods will support the complimentary BBQ lunch, and the Center on Central and AHA! Studio will provide hands-on, sensory-friendly activities for children. To date, more than 30 area businesses and organizations have donated items for a basket raffle fundraiser.

“We are very excited to host VFES’ first Community Day with the support of so many local businesses and Senator Dinniman,” said James Kirkpatrick, Acting CEO, Valley Forge Educational Services. “Outdoor play and sensory-friendly activities are essential to learning and development, and Community Day enables us to provide both in a fun, relaxing day for special needs families.”

“Our children and young people with special needs have a lot to offer Pennsylvania. It is our duty to ensure that they receive the support and services they need to grow into independent and productive community members,” said State Senator Andy Dinniman. “We are fortunate to have organizations like Valley Forge Educational Services to help special learners get on the right track and provide the guidance they need to succeed in school, work and life.”

Community Day will be held at the Valley Forge Educational Services campus located at 1777 North Valley Road in Malvern, PA. Admission is free, and no registration is required. For additional information on the event or for volunteer and donation opportunities, please contact Raquel Braemer, VFES Advancement Coordinator (610.296.6725 x302) .

About Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES)
Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) offers a wide variety of educational services focused on guiding young children, adolescents, and post high school (18-21) learners to independence. VFES provides educational programs and offers clinical services through its programs at The Vanguard School, Vanguard Transition Center, The Luma Center™ for Development and Learning and Summer Matters™. Dedicated to improving specialized education, VFES offers innovative research and advanced practices through its own programs and outreach programs for professional development and parent education. For more information on Valley Forge Educational Services, please visit www.vfes.net

Gymnastics stretch more than arms and legs. Physical exercise stimulates the brain, fosters social skills and teamwork and strengthens fine motor skills. For 27 years, the Vanguard School has been hosting a Gym Show to foster academic, social and emotional skills in our students.  This year, we showcased nearly 70 students ages 6-13 for our London Summer Olympics-themed Gym Show. Our “Opening Ceremonies” kicked-off with the presentation of Olympic rings, the running of the torch by student Jared Jacobs, and parachute and ribbon activities by all of the students.

The Games included basic tumbling, balance beam and vaulting skills from our younger primary and elementary students to the sounds of “Mario & Sonic at the Summer Olympics.” Next up, the primary classes showed their skills at cycling while the intermediate students demonstrated some of their favorite Olympic sports which included tennis, pillo polo (think hockey), basketball, and team handball. At Closing Ceremonies, students enjoyed a group dance to the Party Rock Anthem with the spectator crowd of parents, teachers, support staff and visitors.

Many children with ASD have delays in motor skills and language which makes learning complex motor skills more challenging. The Gym Show provides a venue for children with autism and other learning disorders to learn and perform a wide variety of movement activities thereby helping them to develop self-awareness, social skills and self-regulation. The event demanded that all students be a good audience, memorize skills, and display their gym skills in a high demand environment with lots of noise, space, and people. And they reached for the gold!