Wednesday 14 December 2016

OH TO BE ABLE TO JUST GET OUT OR IN!!!!


Post By Leslie Wan

Hi all............Been a little while but life has been busy lately......

It will come as no secret to anyone who has read this blog that I am passionate about the rights and opportunities for persons with challenges to enjoy what other folks enjoy. My husband has grown used to that glassy eyed look which changes to eyes of steel, as I walk and look around at the world. It means I am placing my view on the perspective of a wheelchair or other disability options. This lovely island of Jamaica is a very difficult terrain for those in a wheelchair or have other challenges and it is a crying shame!!! Try calling most service or utility companies when they ask you to (for example) "push 1 if you are a business or 2 if residential", for anyone with cerebral palsy or even a stroke, that is a struggle. I wait for that lovely voice to say "push 1 or say 1"  - that rarely happens. I am well aware that many places have been constructed long before The Disabilities Act was passed in 2014 http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/341_The%20Disabilities%20bill%202014%20No.13.pdf  and retrofitting a building is expensive, but what about all the newer places that could easily have been built with ALL people in mind. Sometimes it is as easy as a little concrete or asphalt to retrofit a ramp or a doorway bump up.  

Examples:
Brew'd awakenings
I recently went to a new lovely coffee shop opened this year in the Tastee patty building in Liguanea called Brew'd Awakenings. As I approached the building I thought how inviting it looked, and wow they had a ramp (which probably was for deliveries) but could be used by a wheelchair, EXCEPT the ramp did not extend down to the ground. A wheelchair did not stand a chance. That ramp could have been extended off to the side out of the way and allow for wheelchair entrance. This was a NEWLY redesigned building. Once inside the building a wheelchair could maneuver, but alas it won't happen, just because of a little extra concrete that could have allowed that. I know we can choose whom to patronize but something so small in such a new place. Sigh........(KUDOS to Brew'd Awakenings for moving that large plant away from the ramp when I brought it to their attention) 

Newly constructed Chinese Garden in Hope Gardens 
A lovely Saturday excursion planned for my family and I looked forward to seeing this relatively new addition to the Gardens. I was thinking that if it was reasonably priced, the school may be able to afford to take our students for a field trip. It is an expensive venture to rent a bus and find a way to transport all students, teachers and wheelchairs for outings, but very occasionally we can make the budget stretch or a lovely benefactor makes that possible. The children are inspired and joyful to get out in the world and see new things. So there was my thought, a potential breeze out for the kids, and a lesson on flora and fauna of Jamaica. I thought if some of the structures may be restrictive, surely the path would be accessible and the children could learn alot!!  Well picture THAT ride (picture on right) with wheelchairs and children with spasms, brain issues, etc Bumpity, bumpity  ...........No field trip possible here and  it is so NEW!!

The struggle to give a treat to students  
On one occasion Hilary (school Principal) promised 2 of our students she would take them to lunch as a celebration for how hard they worked in class. When asked they said they would LOVE to go to KFC. What they wanted, they were going to get. Hilary knew this would be a challenge because it is always a challenge to maneuver students who don't walk, but they can sit effectively in chairs once placed. Along on the adventure came Ken, our gardener and calming presence at times, and when they arrived there, she realized that Ken would have to carry these young men up all steps and they are not small children! The children deserved this, and Ken was a good sport as he carried those young men up those steps.This BTW is an INTERNATIONAL franchise. When the students were placed in seats, people around watched with interest the difficult process. The students ate heartily and joyfully. One of them said "This come like Christmas to be here like this!" It was just fried chicken, but it was being honored for doing well and being out in life like a grown up day.... That happened exactly once. The struggle is real as my daughter would say.......

There are some positives happening..........
I don't mean to imply that the landscape is devoid of opportunities for the disabled community here. There are many places that deserve credit for their corporate spirit to do right by folks. Two supermarkets come to mind...........1Loshusan ( Barbican Circle) is, and always has been, a supporter of the disabled community in many ways. They have a fully accessible ramp for wheelchairs (all around the plaza)and a door that opens electronically. They provide a motorized chair for shoppers who have mobility issues and a shopping assistant will be designated (if needed) to access shelving or freezer doors etc. They also employ the hearing and speech impaired community, so they give jobs to responsible and capable young folks. Hats off to Loshusan who years ago made this commitment before it was required by law. ....2. Family Pride supermarket (Manning's Hill Road in Havendale) also sports a ramp and will regularly provide a shopper for the blind, the mobility challenged etc. They also employ folks with challenges and will make sure the  door gets opened for access and assistance if necessary. They are proud of their longstanding commitment to the community at large, and all its many varieties of customers. Kindness matters! Many many businesses also have spaces that are parking specified for the disabled. There are other businesses and banks that have given consideration to disability and elderly lines but far far too few businesses. So what is the message from this post. Many actually.......

Thoughts
1. Don't take your access and functionality in this world for granted. Many don't see or experience those same opportunities. Actually take 5 or 10 minutes sometimes while doing your daily day and LOOK around from a disability perspective. I promise you, it will be eye opening. 
2. Support the businesses who try to support the disabled. They deserve credit and patronage for the effort and expense they put in to make things accessible. 
3. When designing something or re-doing a business - for heavens sake make it available for all folks. It is the law and it is good corporate citizenship. Our aged among us will even appreciate this. Many of us have seen our parents change as they try and maneuver on legs that now struggle, where they used to dance. 
4. Be kind to the challenged among us. Celebrate them, support them and register your displeasure when you see roadblocks to accessibility instead of avenues of patronage.     
5. Remember that a " Barrier free environment" refers to ALL kinds of disabilities and that is what the Jamaica Council of Persons with Disabilities is calling for. (JCPD)
6. We will see if this really comes to pass but.....http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20161202/programme-coming-make-schools-more-accessible-disabled 

Finally on another note................ 
The holidays are upon us and the children are SOOOOO excited. They will perform in their Christmas play during school hours as usual on Friday, Dec 16th, which they dearly love to do! They love to sing and dance, and they LOVE to perform for folks and do art projects relative to the holidays. They are a joy to watch every year............It is absolutely a highlight of my Christmas season! 

THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to Mr. Audley Evans and the staff of AAA Financial who kindly provided a Christmas treat for the children.... fried chicken, pizza, etc. Each child was given a treat bag with biscuits, candy, snacks, marshmallow treats etc. They carried home a loot bag filled with wonders. Mr. Evans (and your staff at AAA Financial) are most kind to make our children a part of your Christmas tradition and our kids LOVE to be spoiled with food they don't get very often. All a part of making them feel special and we thank you for THAT! THEY LOOOOOVED IT! Their smiles told you all you needed to know...A little bird hints they may have more to come -later for that...     


Thank you Mr. Evans and AAA Financial- We appreciate YOU!!  
         
   

Thursday 8 September 2016

WITH A FULL HEART - GIVING THANKS


Written by Hilary Sherlock- Principal
Formatted by Leslie Wan

I SEE YOU - SUMMER FUN 


LESSONS LEARNED
Hard to believe that another year has passed and a new school year is about to begin. The To Do list is long, as is the needs list, and both keep growing, but, I need to step back for a moment and share some lessons I learned this past year.

There are four main lessons – simple, not necessarily new, but each essential.

1.                     Listen

I am usually good at listening to the children, but not as good with listening to the adults. I remember my first meeting with a particular mother, a year ago. She came to me in distress and anger, after her son had been denied entry to another special school because he is blind, in a wheelchair and “not toilet trained”. Apparently he had more challenges than "their specialty". Our school had little experience with a student with low vision impairment before, but we agreed to take him because we see the value of our work with the WHOLE child and he needed a school to view him as such at that moment. This meant that I and our team had to research the best methods for teaching children with visual impairments, but we accepted the challenge for his needs. With the support of the Special Education Unit, we agreed to work with him over the year and then hopefully transition him to ”the more appropriate school” for the following school year. As the end of this school year approached, I held firm to this plan. During a conversation with his mother, I suddenly realized that I was so fixed on our original plan, I was no longer listening to her and what she wanted for her child. Others who worked with him, were confirming the mothers opinion/request. After really listening to her, we decided he will stay with us for another year to consolidate his emerging mobility and independent skills thereby increasing his chances of a successful transition. Listening to another parent describe the spiritual journey his family had been on during the year with their special son, I realized how privileged we are to have been part of their journey.  This student’s frail body, houses a strong, calm force of energy, and he continues to inspire, calm and encourage us every day. There was my first lesson. Plans are important, but so is listening with an open heart and open mind to know where those plans might divert.   

2.                  Simple Pleasures
Again this year we had summer school. The children love summer school and it allows us to fully utilize our building and sometimes to give a child a "try out" on what transitioning to our school might mean for them. Summer school is more relaxed and gives us opportunities to  simply enjoy being together. One morning was filled with laughter as children and adults got very messy with paint and water in the garden.










Another morning, quiet time with staff, volunteers and children, massaging each other and painting toes and fingers. 


Watching our staff's able bodied children, learning to play together with our special needs children, made the second lesson real.
Helping others and making friends makes me BIG! 
It is important to build in times to relax and play, which allows opportunities for friendships to develop and in this case for all children to assimilate with the diversities of people that life brings.  



3.                  Give thanks
Last summer we wrote a blog about our financial needs and the struggle to continue our school. The precarious financial position has not changed, but gratefully we are still here today. Every semester is a challenge to stay afloat, but as long as we believe that our children deserve an education commensurate with regular children, we push on. It is for us to give them the chance and the resources to take them to places they would never go alone. We have been the recipients of goodwill over the year. We have received much. Many of the gifts have been spontaneous and are very affirming to us that our children are IMPORTANT.  Many, many thanks to all who have been so generous with their time and resources. This includes students from Hillel Academy and U-Tech to groups of friends, service groups, individuals and corporate Jamaica.

Looking forward to working with Kingston Rotary Club and Friends for Charity and with many of those we may not know now, but, who will become part of our family. It is a FACT- we believe in the broader scope of family at S.T.E.P.

 Need for Structure
Sometimes it seems that every day is a struggle to get organized …. Well, we promise to be better organized this school year.  Friends who visited from Lees-McRae College in North Carolina have linked us with Connections for Autism and we will be using their resources to assess, set goals, provide appropriate activities, and track each student through the year. Our children share many behaviors and instructional needs with children with autism and this resource answers a long felt need.
Strategy and Group Discussions with Lees - Macrae College

Folks of Lees- Macrae College work with our students
The Canadian Women’s Group of Jamaica has provided resources and material to enable us to have a functional resource room. We will be so much better able to make, catalog and share resources. Thank you to all of them for helping us to have all things readily available.
The Canadian Women's Group of Jamaica, generously donated equipment, shelving etc. to help organize our resource room. (President Barbara Matalon delivered shelves etc. from the group) 













We will be using the new curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for children with special needs and continuing to work on interpreting its goals in meaningful ways for our children. We actually took part in the formation of this curriculum, and its development was truly a collaborative effort involving the teachers who will be using it. It was important to us to give real time classroom interpretation to what will benefit the special needs community and curriculum in Jamaica. We will also be piloting our Gardening as Biosphere Education Guide and supplementing its activity suggestions. Thanks to Dr Aisha Jones, Director of Research, National Commission on Science and Technology, for all her hard work, and to the Rotary Club of the Nene Valley (UK) for their support.

Our school is cash poor, but we are certainly resource rich and bursting with anticipation of all the joyous lessons awaiting us in the days ahead. This year as other years, is an adventure, a celebration, and filled with possibilities and spirit affirming moments. 


OPEN UP THE DOORS AND LET OUR SUNSHINE CHILDREN IN!!!!  


Thursday 23 June 2016

OPEN HOUSE / OPEN HEARTS


Blog written by Leslie Wan
As the dog days of summer are here and the regular school year winds down, the school has been as busy as ever. Conferences with parents or caregivers, re-organizing areas of the classrooms that have become abit disorganized in the day to day school time, and some reflecting on where and what changes have we seen with the children, our shifts in focus in the course of the year, are just snippets of some of our recent work.(More on that in the next blog). No good endeavor, certainly of schools, is effective if you don't take the time to make assessments on how you have been measured against your goals and where changes have happened within the students. In the context of these thoughts and the desire to share this and our school with others, we scheduled our open house (aka Open Day).

This year for Open Day, we organized the spaces and bulletin boards around the many ways and modalities we use to teach, provide therapy and sensory work. One board was a visual of our teaching influences and education mentoring styles. Another was photos of "A Year in the life of STEP" and the many activities we do. Others areas were art displays, art reflections from our literary endeavors, methods of physical therapies used, our sensory room, our garden, the various class areas divided by age or competencies etc. If any of you missed it and would like to see it, we have left it up until the end of the school year, so just give us a call and pop in.


We hoped to have many visitors and yet we wondered if our hard work and preparations would be for naught. We should not have worried because the day was a smashing success and we had a great bunch of visitors. Hilary and myself (and a couple of the teachers) served as guides for the day and a few of our students were our welcoming greeters. Our "garden manager" (student) helped us sell plants from our garden endeavors too.
Brandon our garden manager
I want you all to know those students served as hosts or hostesses proudly, and with the most welcoming smiles and greetings. Nothing speaks better for our school than our happy and polite children.
Two of our students welcome our visitors

In the course of the day we had teachers from other schools who wanted insight into how best to reach their challenged students (and have always wondered about our school), faithful supporters and friends who wanted an update on progress, Ministry of Education folks who appreciate the work we do, former students and students from other special needs school and representatives of companies and organizations etc. As I drove home at the end of the day, I reflected on how many times Hilary and I heard from visitors how impressed they were with the children, our methodologies and how the school should KNOW that we have such an AMAZING reputation for our innovative methods and dedication to the special needs community. It is so easy to get caught up in our daily work and not be able to see the bigger picture,or the view from the outside in. It was an eye opener and a real affirmation to me that our message and our dedication speaks for itself. It was a humbling and yet joyous day for us. And I might add that it was a pleasure to see folks actually chatting and interacting with our students themselves.

We enjoyed the day of bringing our message and methods to folks on the outside, and for folks to come in and share with us what our message in this blog has been about. Yes, our children are "special" in all kinds of ways, but one of the most important ways they are special, is as ambassadors for the special needs community. We are forever grateful for people, organizations and media who include our children in their happenings. Our children have been included in dance recitals, fashion shows, building dedications etc. So whether our children go out into activities in the community, or the community comes to us, our children and all special needs children shine a special light and
special love.

Thank you to all who came and please do let us know what you thought. Feedback is always welcome at STEP to guide us and light our way. If you didn't catch us on the day, we will have the information and displays up for a little longer so give us a call. "Programming note"- In the interest of brevity and respect for your busy days, I (Leslie) will not be doing a motivational moment for your day at the end of the blogs anymore. I know time is precious for you in any moment of any day. Thanks for sharing them in the past, and do remember we always think of you in the equation of us!
Have a blessed week.  

We believe in them.   


               

Wednesday 13 April 2016

A YEAR IN OUR GARDEN

It is that smile of joy on children's faces that makes our garden so amazing! 

POST BY HILARY SHERLOCK - AND  LESLIE WAN 

When we first moved to our “new school” I needed to convince some folks why the garden would be an important part of our school and curriculum.  As our garden has developed, it has moved from being a formative sensory garden to an emergent biosphere. It's role in our work has expanded and the children have found great pleasure in it.   

It continues to be an adventure – an opportunity to learn from the garden itself. It has been an interesting exploration in what plant likes to grow where, and which flowers seem to have their own agendas as they spread and reseed themselves or which plants look unhappy.  We have gone through the cycles from seeds to luscious watermelons, picking cherries and pomegranates from the trees we planted, and rejoicing each time our pouis trees bloom. How quickly the neem trees have grown! 

A year ago, as we prepared for Earth Day we began to work on our garden curriculum. Though we had great satisfaction from growing and selling seedlings, the need to structure the learning experiences became more evident.  Thankfully we found a simple garden curriculum and together made lessons with activities for each child. It worked well! The drought was (and is) limiting, but we continue to give thanks for our harvested rain water.

Learning biodiversity options in our garden from the Inst. of Jamaica
 What to do next is the question – how best to learn more about the creatures we see around us and develop a sense of how all of nature relates to each other. Teaching food and plant recognition and nutrition to our children based on what we hope to grow is a future project we would love to do .... An exciting development! I contacted the Natural History Museum at the Institute of Jamaica and they enthusiastically agreed to partner with us.  We are now working together on our garden as a biosphere education project.  With their help we will have teacher’s guides, student workbooks and our own field guides.  Already we have begun to record the spiders we are finding and the swarms of butterflies.  All these activities will be translated into math, language development and sensory learning opportunities geared to each child’s individual ability in our regular school work. 
Institute of Jamaica working with our staff 

In what we now accept as STEP's serendipitous existence, a grant from the Nene Valley Rotary Club in the U.K, received through the Rotary Club of Kingston (and our own Early Act Club), will help us to afford to produce the guides and make the garden more animal (including lizards) friendly. 

Our children now swing in the shade of the beautiful cassia fistula tree we planted, crush and smell the mint and basil leaves, feel the sun on their skin, enjoy the breeze, marvel at the spiders and bees, and learn how interconnected life really is in our world. We have further hopes and wishes for our garden and we hope to make more connections to add more options to our curriculum as a result, but the wonder of what the children have found by including "the living earth" in their lives is beyond expression. In fact, it is MAGIC! 


Leslie's Message Moment 
Sunrise / sunset all the possibilities abound anew.......... 

Define yourself by possibilities and not your limitations

The other day I was thinking about how much of what I do in my life can begin with "I want to but....." Yes that comes from my upbringing, but it certainly isn't the most positive or effective way to live. That made my mind wander over to how the school teaches our children. I realized that our curriculum is never about how we limit what we teach our children by their challenges, but the best way to teach them what we want them to learn, and bring them into all the opportunities encouraged for ANY and ALL children. We want a garden, we make that happen, we want them to understand we are part of a neighborhood, we bring them to the neighbors -wheelchairs and all. They want to dance, then we put on the music and whatever they can move or if they sing they do, and bless them they are NEVER self-conscious. One thing I love about Jamaica is its "can do spirit." The remarkable perseverance and resourcefulness of people in this island nation. Let's try to consider our lives, lives of possibilities, and not lives of limitations, because of all the obstacles placed in our way, many are just obstacles in our mind. Embrace potentials because any movement towards that goal is a win! Our school sees possibilities among the challenges, and determination despite the drawbacks. I want to take that lesson into me and I want you to do it too! Freedom to endeavor begins with believing it's possible and endeavoring to get there................LESLIE WAN           



Tuesday 1 March 2016

YOUR WORDS.....OUR HEARTS......MESSAGES OF LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT

                                             
Our /Your final words of Love and Encouragement

BLOG WRITTEN BY LESLIE WAN

Recently we sent a request and invited you to send messages of love and encouragement to our students at the S.T.E.P. Centre. I am happy to say the activity and results were amazing, lovely and really encouraging. The children had a wonderful time with the activity, the staff listened to each message as it was read, and exclaimed at the locations and the people whom they didn't know were their global neighbors and supporters.  

THE LOVE BOARD WAS A WONDER TO BEHOLD! 

So here is how we / you showed the love on that day. Each of the messages you sent were printed out and framed in a red border. Then many small and large hearts, were made from red cartridge paper. We had not one, but 3 boards, ready for the festivities. In the first stage, each of the children around the room and back, were given a message to be read from one of you. The children were soooooo excited to have a message of their own to read (even though in many cases the teacher had to do the reading for them), it still was "their message from one of you." After reading the individual messages, the student went to our low bulletin boards, either walking or wheelchairs (wheelchair level board) to place your message on it. The messages were read lovingly and with exclamations of how many states and countries and people, and places, and organizations in Jamaica and beyond, were represented. Each child and staff loved having a message of their own to read (plus more) and to be a part of the "love fest for S.T.E.P." After reading and placing all those messages on the board, each child and staff member were given a red heart to be placed on another of the two low bulletin boards as a second activity. These small hearts that were placed on the other board was a representational heart back to all of you who sent messages and those who have supported us just by reading the blog. As they placed their hearts on the boards, each of them were saying thanks from "their  heart" for your believing in them, reading about them, and in your own ways, supporting the challenges of all physically disabled children. All of these were quite the moment! Touching, exciting, an educational experience in geography, and a really tangible way for our school to show our children and staff that they matter, that you who support us or read about us matter, and that so many people in so many places, believe in them. I think to the staff, it really brought home the message, that in their own way, they make a difference to the children, and that their care of our children is truly felt and understood across the world. The concept of the blog and it's people who read it, came ALIVE. Finally in the last step after all above was done, I took all the hearts and messages and placed them on the final bulletin board, located in the main hallway so they could see it each time they entered. It was really touching to see a few of the children before I moved them, wheel themselves up to the board and re-read your messages.
That quiet moment re-reading your words before they moved. 
My heart swelled with the wonder of your thoughtful moments!
  
I really can't think of better way to have brought you, our faithful readers and supporters into our children's hearts and for you all to understand that YOU ALL ARE IN OUR  HEARTS. We have always said in this blog that believing in us and touching our lives, means that we too, believe in you and are grateful that we have dedicated readers and school supporters in so many ways. Maybe you got or gave other Valentines this year, but rest assured that these Valentine's meant more to us than any of you will EVER understand!

Other Activities on the day



A Dance off  Party. The children had a terrific time dancing to tunes and it made no difference whether they were in a wheelchair or on their feet. They just love music and are always eager to show off "their skills" 
Watch me move and groove to the beat.  I rock! 





The children and staff traveled among our neighbors on the street and distributed gifts of a paper mache' Valentine's mouse created for each neighbor. Again it is always important to exemplify to our children -kindness, neighborliness and charitable ways. We remind them that though they get so much attention, they are part of a community, and giving is a blessing. 



   

  Some of our neighbors on our street as they received their gift- cherished memory for all.   

LESLIE'S MESSAGE FOR YOUR MOMENT


If you simply live this moment in your life well, all the moments of your tomorrows will be reflected as the culmination of these moments. Perhaps more than any other time in Jamaica's history, we need to believe that tomorrow is a vision of hope, and that we are the one person who has control, to live those positive moments.    

We were uplifted and cherished by a few simple words from folks who have, or have not met us, but folks who know that we work hard to make a difference to our "invisible" children.  You have the power to make a simple difference that in the end is felt deep in YOUR heart too. We cherish our readers because they understand that small moments come from wonderful people (all of you) who above all else recognize that hearts are tender, souls run deep and sometimes the messages you send while seeming small in words, or free of cost, can move mountains in someone's soul.  Take the thought in the hearts we sent back to you, and pay it forward with just a few words for anyone you think could use it today. It is all a part of the kindness wave we have expressed before and truly believe in.     

Blessings to each of you.......Leslie Wan                     

Sunday 24 January 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH GRATITUDE

Blessed are we that our bouquet of children is diverse. 
  Blog written by Leslie Wan
.
Obviously our students are different than the average school child in a classroom in Jamaica. It goes without saying that they are different in their abilities, and their accomplishments. On the other hand, by having such a rich diversity of student functionalities, our focus should be and is, a more individual student focused curriculum. Our children come from across Greater Kingston and St Andrew. As such, we do not have the issues that plague one certain community feeding over into the environment of our children. That is a blessing! When the children walk back through our door after school break, they are GENUINELY  happy to be back. Their lives are enriched in our school and we celebrate them back to where we teach them. I marvel regularly that our students LOVE TO COME TO SCHOOL! How many schools in Jamaica can say that?


That smile that says I love being in school.    
Here is an important tidbit of interest about us. For about 3 years now we have been a pilot school working with the Special Education Unit in the Ministry of Education to come up with a new curriculum for students with moderate to severe disabilities. It is expected (hoped) that beginning this year, teacher training will begin and the curriculum changes will be implemented for all schools dealing with special needs children. It has been important to us to participate in the pilot program to actually have a say and impart real life working knowledge of our parameters and constraints. With the passage of the Disabilities Act by Parliament last summer, we hope we will see progress for our children's future from both these arenas.


What does this tell you about us?.... While we are a school specifically focused on OUR children, our mission is and will continue to be, the rights and potentials of ALL children with special needs. Our scope is narrow on the inside and wide on the outside.  Our focused work outside our school doors is as important as our work inside the school. We are doing that because ALL CHILDREN DESERVE THAT. We do the best we can with the funds we have to make that happen. Your Community is as large as you make it! 

CHRISTMAS CAME TO STEP CENTRE AND THANK YOU ALL! 

As usual we had a wonderful Christmas pageant and celebration for the children. It was a remarkable day and one in which we were so humbled to have so many angels and elves and Santa to make us appreciative and our children feel so loved and special. A special thanks goes out to some people who opened their hearts and gave of their time and their budgets to make our children's day blessed and bountiful. We are not usually so blessed but Christmas filled many hearts including ours.

Thank You to Mr. Audley Evans (AAA Financial Services) for a wonderful Christmas party with all the fixings for all the children and staff! Also for supplying us with some much needed shelving. Such a good sport, generous blessings and the children loved the apron...


Thank you to Santa's stand in, for an early appearance to STEP - Mr Stephen Curran. Patient to a fault and willing to take lots of photos with the children. The children's faces lit up as he arrived! 
    

 Thank you to Santa's elves who came with all kinds of wonderful treats they had collected for the children. It wasn't just what they gave, but their special bubbly selves as they shared their joy with our students. You gals are special. 
From (Left..to Rt bottom picture)..Savannah Meeks, Kiersten Kerr, Asia Powell, Iyana Stewart-Gaynor, Erinn Heffes, Lauren Tomlinson

    
                                                    Further thanks to..........

1. Ms. Carmen Walker (an angel) who surprised us with all kinds of supplies that the school needs on a regular ongoing basis. Disinfectants and cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. Our school demands and fulfills a clean and safe environment for the students which is so important for any child, and especially those who have immune deficiencies. 

2. Mr Gary "Butch" Hendrickson  for including us in his "Jamaican-made Christmas Expo" where we were able to sell our Christmas cards and books to support our yearly budget. 

3. Thank you to the American Women's Group, Canadian Women's Group, Synapse (Art and Music Showcase), Loshusan Supermarket and Trainfit Club for also allowing us space for our card sales at their meetings , events or locations. 

4. Our "Godmothers and Godfathers " - you know who you are! These are wonderful folks who bless us with their presence, support, talents in quiet anonymity but without whom we would be lost in spirit and reality.  
    
Each and everyone of you who supported us at Christmas including cards and books purchased etc. We began our semester with some of what we needed to make our school the special and wonderful place it is, and we are grateful. These thanks come from our staff and our children. Christmas was a celebration of love at STEP and all those who shared it with us and gave to us in all ways, we felt the love. Our children learned a lesson in being neighbors and charitable giving. We use all opportunities to explain kindness and gratefulness. Our school is much more than academics.