For four weeks this summer, 10 special needs students in the (BHS) summer school program further developed their life skills by working for local businesses and civic groups and taking field trips.
“It’s a chance for them to learn what they’re good at and not good at,” said Marty Settle, a special education instructor at BHS who oversaw the program, which was held from June 27 through July 21 at (WMS).
It is similar to The Future Is Ours program that Settle has established for post-high school students at BHS, as the participants learn life and social skills.
“This program allows them to maintain their skills through the summer,” said Settle, who was named last month. “Each of them has an individualized education plan.”
During the four weeks, the students worked at such locations as Stew Leonard’s, , the animal shelter in New Milford, Wal-Mart and Pet Smart.
Six of the students helped maintain the Memorial Garden that the Rotary Club of Brookfield, a division of the , opened in September 2006 in front of the on Pocono Road.
“They did a great job of weeding the gardens and distributing mulch,” said Russ Cornelius, who is the Program Committee chairman for the local Rotary Club.
“It takes a lot of work to maintain the memorial garden, so we appreciate the help,” he said.
Settle said the students also visited a Brookfield farm owned by local physician Robin Appleby, went sailing in Westbrook and toured the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.
