Reading Rulers
On January 28th, I attended a workshop called “Assistive Technology Solutions for Struggling Students,” presented by a Parents Helping Parents (PHP) AT specialist, Jan Tuber. The presentation offerred some great ideas for low tech assistive technology that I can use in my occupational therapy work with the students of HTS!
Join us on Monday, February 13th at 3pm for an HTS Tour or Preschool Open House to see our program and meet our teachers!
Preschool: Our licensed, fully inclusive preschool program supports academic and social development for students aged 3-5. Preschool hours: 9-5:30, year round program. Prices range from $350-725 monthly(9-2:30). See our website for after school care (2:30-5:30pm) prices. Now accepting applications for Fall 2012. Please contact morgan@hopetech.org with questions.
Hope Technology School’s Speech Therapist, Sandra Burke, reviews Quick Talk:
I love this app! As a speech-language pathologist I’ve seen many AAC apps and this is the first that I’ve been able to use within minutes. It took me about 5 minutes to learn how to program the device and use it. I can use it with several of the students on my caseload, all with varying degrees of communication challenges, for Yes/No questions, simple choices, inclusion during circle times, classroom participation, and more. I don’t have to switch devices or apps, I can just use Quick Talk. The teachers are able to program this app easily and it doesn’t take several training sessions to implement use with their students. This app is able to bridge the gap between communicating basic wants and needs and complex phrases/sentences. It’s the quickest way for providing someone with quick, functional communication.
See other SLP reviews of Quick Talk here
By Margaret Motamed
Our Nicholas was a performer on Saturday night when Hope Technology School took the stage with holiday songs and performances. The middle schoolers sang “We Are the World” with a slideshow of photos, leaving me both happy & teary. Heartwarming to see all the families there. Especially the special needs families. Because I remember the years when Nicholas would not stay onstage without special accommodation, let alone try to sing or dance. Good to see our young man up there standing tall and laughing as he pointed out his parents to his buds during the singing. Little mischief streaks in him too. And amazing to see his arms stretch wide as he joined the other students in the song wave gestures – more motor planning gains here. Thank you, Mr Kiyuna, Ms Bev, Ms Adelaide, Ms Gema, Ms Jones, Mrs Straw, Ms Julie, Ms Sandra, Ms Hope, and all of his HTS team. It takes a village. You are an amazing team. Team Nicholas.
I am thankful.
Hope Technology School provides a rigorous academic program for all of our students. Standardized test scores highlight Hope Technology School’s exceptional education. Both typical learners and those with special needs thrive as a result of small classes (12-13 students) each including a teacher and para-educator. As one of the many measures of our program, we annually administer the CAT/6 national norm referenced test to our students with and without special needs in second through eighth grade. While test scores do not reveal the full extent of what our students are learning, the performance of our students compared to the national average reveals that Hope Technology School’s academic program is indeed exceptional.
Students at HTS were excited to have a race car driver visit their school last week. Race car driver Jeff Awender brought his shiny,bright yellow, open top racer with a thunderous engine into the school parking lot. The students were thrilled to wear a helmet, sit in the car and even get his autograph. What an exciting day for students to experience how a race car really looks, feels and the power of its sound. Most kids only see race cars in video games or on TV or movies. One student who had been awaiting the arrival of the race car and its driver all week summed it up perfectly exclaiming, “That was so cool!” It was another memorable day at HTS!
I had the privilege of attending HP’s Hacking Autism hack-a-thon yesterday. It was an incredible group of parents, students and professionals. I was amazed as I walked through the rooms watching teams of designers discuss and build software, and I remembered how amazing this journey has been for all of us at Hope Technology School. ABC highlighted the hack-a-thon and featured an interview by one of Hope Technology School’s own parents. READ MORE »
Hope Technology School enthusiastically welcomed the visit of the Mayor of Palo Alto, Sid Espinosa. Kids asked all sorts of questions when the Mayor stepped into our classroom filled with eager and anticipating 4th and 5th graders. One student asked, “How is it being mayor?” He described it being hard at times but rewarding. One student questioned, “Do you put out fires?” [I'm sure he's put out a few], but the mayor explained that usually the fire dept does that.
The students presented the Mayor with letters they wrote to him about inclusion and what makes HTS so special and unique. As the Mayor was on his way out, one eager student asked the mayor, “Do you speak Spanish? I couldn’t find it on your profile in Wikipedia.” The mayor mentioned that he was impressed by the research the students did on him to prepare for the writing.
From the experience, students learned that the mayor is responsible for the city and helping others in the community and beyond. It was an exciting day here at HTS!
Students ask Mayor Espinosa questions about...everything!
The 2nd and 3rd grade classes had the fortunate opportunity to ask Palo Alto’s Mayor Espinosa some questions during his visit today. Student questions ranged from “Where do you work?” to “Where were you born?”. The 2nd graders presented artwork they had made for Mayor Espinosa, who made a comment about what a great fundraising opportunity the art would make. The 3rd grade class gave the Mayor a book entitled, “What We Love About HTS”. He graciously accepted the gifts and thanked the students for welcoming him.
The students all enjoyed themselves, feeling very proud to have hosted such an important leader in the community.
Mayor Espinosa admires student art work.
Mayor Espinosa addresses middle school and vocational education students at HTS.
Today we had an exciting visit from the Mayor of Palo Alto, Sid Espinosa. He visited our school to see the inclusive program and to meet our students. His background in technology and civic involvement gives him a unique outlook on education.
Students in several of our classes were excited to meet him and ask questions as he toured the school. They had prepared letters, pictures and books to present to him.
We are grateful to the mayor’s office and to the city of Palo Alto for the time spent visiting our school. His Honor, Sid Espinosa, made a great impression today, thank you very much.
