Communication Board
May is National Speech Language Hearing Month. Our wonderful team of speech therapists in the Lower School, along with with a team of Vanguard and VFES staff, developed a communication board that is now located on the Elementary School playground.
The board fosters language and communication skills between students and faculty while students interact during recess. To build the board, therapists collected samples of words used frequently during play (specific nouns, verbs and "feeling" words) to create a template to fit students' needs. They then worked with the Maintenance Department to repurpose materials. Everyone smiled when the first student pointed to a smiley-face symbol on the board and then said out loud, "I am happy!"
Phin’s Pop-up Cafe
Upper School students had the opportunity to experience a pop-up version of Phin’s Café earlier this month. Students received food and drink vouchers to purchase their favorite snacks and beverages. In addition to getting tasty treats, students learned how to review the menu, place an order and use their vouchers to “pay” for their items. "Phin's Pop-up Cafe allows students to continue to develop valuable vocational skills," said Donna Mazzella, Vocational and Transition Coordinator. "Cafe workers get to not only practice using an exchange system and ordering, but they can participate in eating and drinking Phin's delicious offerings!" The pop-up menu features many of Phin’s popular items, such as muffins, various hot drinks, and bagels.
Phin’s Café is the first initiative within the Pre-employment Training Center (PETC) program, which allows students to gain work skills through on-campus jobs. To learn how to support vital programs such as Phin’s Café, please consider donating to VFES’ Program Sustainability Fund.
Prom
Students embraced their inner superheros at Vanguard’s super hero-themed prom on Friday, May 17th. See some photos below, but visit our Facebook page to view the full album:
Talent Shows
Students put on amazing performances at the Elementary and Upper School Vanguard Talent Shows in May! See some photos below, but visit our Facebook page to view the full album:
Elementary
Upper School
Special Olympics
Our students put their athletic skills to the test at the Chester County Special Olympics on May 3rd! Our students stepped off campus and into the heart of adventure, demonstrating good sportsmanship and teamwork amongst their peers. See some photos below, but visit our Facebook page to view the full album:
