Tuesday 17 November 2020

Recreating our school in the time of Covid

 

Rotary Club of Kingston donates sanitization supplies 

Blog written by Hilary Sherlock with Formatting and note by Leslie Wan  


From Hilary Sherlock - Principal

We have been without our children at school for over 6 months. We closed down abruptly, and tried to sort our out own lives in order to find our way to school and the children in a different and scary reality. It became like school without its beating heart. Gradually we were able to respond in a number of ways. 

Home learning ways

Using previously received grant funds, and with the agreement of the donor (The Digicel Foundation), we were able to provide individualized activity kits to the children. Kits contained a variety of resources including some tablets, sensory material, early learning workbooks, paint etc. These were differentiated according to the individual child's needs. Instructions for use were included and in some cases individual physiotherapy exercise programs were suggested . 

Online support

Teachers and our physiotherapist remained in contact with parents/caregivers to give advice, encouragement and suggestions. Activity suggestions were also given using file sharing in Pinterest. We used our Facebook page to share general information on a variety of relevant topics. 

Welfare

We did a distribution of games and art supplies donated by a friend of STEP to the children of Bethlehem (a Missionaries of the Poor home). We also did a distribution of groceries and household items to parents with money from the Digicel Foundation. We did a further distribution of groceries and household supplies to two students who have previously been assisted with transportation from a Diaspora group out of Dallas, Texas called Jamaica Yes. Jamaica Yes - thank you for allowing us to repurpose the amount as the school was no longer open for Covid reasons and the children could no longer attend. 

Changes for the future and during the time of Covid  

Ofcourse during this new era in the world, the school had to completely chart a new course for how to do an educational program in the middle of a pandemic. Our children are special for so many reasons besides their frailties or differences in abilities. It is not clear yet when our children will return to school but our teachers have returned to chart a new path in virtual learning for them. We have, and will continue to do, content for our own you tube channel. We do zoom and video chats and everything else we can think of to keep our children connected and moving forward whether it be in their personal homes or group homes, We did some you tube videos that involve reading, number work, and physiotherapy demonstrations for their parents and caregivers to do with them keeping them more flexible and stretched . It is a really joyous moment for the children and the teachers when they can manage to get students assembled virtually to have a lesson or just a "visit". They all just exude joy to be with the others they miss and enjoy. Quite frankly we miss being with the children and yet we do the best we can to make sure they have opportunity and connectivity. We summed it up in a bulletin board that Allison did for us that says we will try and "Take care of each other". 


We realized we had to make some changes to the school building and the garden to make it a safer space for everyone. We added additional sanitizing stations and additional sinks in the building for

washing hands and have some future projects planned for the garden, if it ever stops raining in Jamaica. 

Thank you      

Thank you to the Digicel Foundation, Carrier Air Conditioning, Jamaica Yes and The Rotary Club of Kingston (Sanitization supplies and disinfectant cleaners) and our friends of STEP. We are ever grateful you support us in the mission for our children and their families. Even in tough times you made sure we could "wheel and come again". The effort to build a supportive community around our school over the years was positively rewarded through tangible acts of kindness to our students and their families. We so appreciate our STEP Centre family - all of you! 

All of us feel that our responses were inadequate and are working towards developing a more fulsome multi-faceted approach including developing more virtual resources and parent training and caregivers. We know whom among our students require multiple interventions and close contact. Lack of direct participation and physical contact in a therapeutic program is a major parental concern and we acknowledge that, but we must do what is called for at present for the ultimate safety pf our teachers and precious students. 

Note from Leslie Wan     

Sorry for the delay in our updates, but life and school have been moving targets for all of us, as they have no doubt for you as well. We made plans and then re-made plans depending on changing Covid protocols and numbers. It is an uncertain and stressful time for EVERYONE but we truly wish you all the very best in peace and good health. We are on a mission for children to teach all people about the wonder of special needs children, you all are always on our minds. "Take care of each other"  is from all of us to all of you, wherever you may be. This pandemic has taught all of us that in the end, the world is a small interconnected place, despite it's size. 


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Monday 20 April 2020

CHANGING TIMES - THE COVID DAYS


Blog by Hilary Sherlock and Leslie Wan - formatting by Leslie Wan

HILARY'S THOUGHTS

It seems like a long time ago, but on a Monday we met with the St Patrick Rangers to work on our Disaster Preparedness Plan. 

On Tuesday we had the earthquake. The earthquake underscored the importance of our preparations. We were still thinking earthquake, hurricane, fire - all physical happenings which have a beginning and known familiar stages of anticipation, enduring and picking up the pieces.  We were not thinking of having to close school because of something we could neither see nor feel. So, when an earnest young fireman visited school to do a formal inspection we welcomed him after squirting his hands with a large amount of sanitizer, eager to implement the necessary steps to be fully prepared. Then everything began to speed up and change.

As talk of the new virus and its spread grew we revised our sanitation protocols.  We bought new hand sanitizer dispensers, filled them, and put them up.  We refreshed our hand washing techniques with all staff, stocked up on cleaning supplies and informed our parents and caregivers of all that we were doing and reminding them the importance of their participation at home.   We researched and followed the WHO and CDC guidelines, and asked that children with any signs of coughs colds etc. should not come to school.  This was not a new policy, but one which to tell the truth, is often ignored by parents and caregivers.  Even in our vulnerable population the rule that the child should be fever free (without medication for 48 hours) is not respected nor is the “please come to collect your sick child” request always heeded. This is a real problem for us AND the other children. 

It was with building anxiety that we “inspected” each child every morning and made the necessary phone calls. Thus, when the news came that schools were to be closed it seemed a safe and reasonable action. With closing however came the realization that there was a big hole in our disaster preparedness upgrade as it were.


We had made no real plans for how we would be teachers when our students were not physically with us.  How were we to be a school without our heart – for it is the children who are our heartbeat. What practical steps could we take now. We began to grow a new routine.  We began, and are continuing, to send activity suggestions home. I began sharing information about available resources on our Facebook page.  We established a staff what's app group and we are trying to build a remote staff training program for our teaching assistants. 

Not knowing when we will be back is HARD.  I know Ken ( our gardener) will go and water the flowers, but I also know the birds who flock to be fed in the early morning, will be wondering what happened.  I also know we all pray for our students who live in residential care and we acknowledge the burden of care placed on the staff who love them.   

We hope that when this is all over, we will have learned that holding each other close even if just in spirit is precious..........Hilary Sherlock



LESLIE'S THOUGHTS


I apologize it has been awhile getting this post out . These are days that challenge us all spiritually and literally, and certainly did me. Needless to say the earth seemed to be shifting daily, and yet I never lost the thoughts of our children. Our beautiful children scattered in their many living spaces. Quite frankly I miss them so much, but they are so much better off in their places of shelter than out in the world. Their smiles and quirky ways are not with us to guide us and cheer us, but we celebrate them still. 

Those who believe in our children are scattered across our beautiful country of Jamaica and the world, and to each of you, our hearts are with you. There is no STEP Centre without all of you: supporters, parents, teachers, children and organizations. To each of you we wish the very best in health and strength and endurance. Covid-19 is changing and challenging all of us, but that is when the wonder of our shared humanity, in thought and spirit, needs to uplift us. We are not sure when school will be back, but I know that when we throw open those doors and the children and their wheelchairs come streaming in, it will be a celebration. A celebration of strength, perseverance and the wonder of all of us. Though we feel like the world has shifted on it's axis, there will always be children who need us and we plan to be there for them.  None of us knows what is written for tomorrow, or even how we will get there, but we will never get there without realizing that even our weakest among us, share the love that this world brings and needs..................Leslie Wan       






Monday 10 February 2020

REFLECTING ON THE JOURNEY


TIME FOR REFLECTION


BLOG BY LESLIE WAN 



FIRST

Christmas 2019 was celebrated at the STEP Centre and as usual, it was JOYFUL! This year the theme was simply the joy of music with the children's voices as they played some of their small percussive instruments like bells and drums and tambourines. The children love to sing and they love to work with Emily Dixon, our special music teacher. Emily has such a wonderful way with the children.

Emily works magic with the children
It was a day of simple fun and joyful song. All the children got their wheelchairs (or skateboard) decked out in Christmas finery and they felt like stars on the day. Ofcourse there were presents shared and cake and Christmas treats! They were happy and so were all of us.
Christmas Skateboard    

REFlECTIONS ON THE YEARS

I have been reflecting back on my years with the STEP Centre. This particular blog is a personal journey from me. What have I learned and celebrated in the 15 years that STEP has been a part of my life. What could I share with you about how children with challenges have changed me. It seems quite unusual that a place filled with children with so many challenges could be the place that has given me such clarity about how deep our hearts can feel when we look beyond the obvious, and pay attention to the smallest of wonders. Recently, while participating in our meditation / full breathing circle, I sat with my eyes closed visualizing all that we were instructed to think about and breathe into. Slowly, I felt a tiny unusually shaped hand sliding into mine. When I looked down to that hand, and up to that face, there sat a small boy with the sweetest grin on his face. There he was, showing me how much he appreciated the closeness of my being there. As a slow grin came across my face, he took my hand to his lips and kissed it. He knew it was not time to talk, but that didn't mean he couldn't get some attention and connection in a way that was absolutely unforgettable and appropriate for the moment. With all his challenges and all the times he has been ill lately, there he was, reminding me that he is there and that we matter to each other. He is one of the most perceptive and intuitive children, and, probably far more so because he sees life from his heart and a wheelchair. He reminded me of the power of touch and the ability to communicate without saying a word. I reflected then that sometimes we talk too much and don't FEEL enough!

In spending this time about where I have come with STEP, the children that have come and gone in those years, and the imprint that has left on me, I went through soooo many of my photos. All I can say is WOW, all those years and all those sweeties! So many children who blessed me in so many ways. Our children can all be so individual because they come to us with an incredible differentiation in abilities. This makes them quite memorable for all kinds of reasons. In many cases, defying logic, I  remember them not because of their challenges, but because of their personalities and how they OUTSHINE those challenges. This journey began as a chance for me to do charitable work with my then young daughter, now has become a cavalcade of memories, and a passion for children that have taught me so much about what I can return from my heart. It has taught me that putting the child before their challenges is always the best view. It has taught me that their parents or caregivers  are everyday heroes. From those students, I now understand the continuity and the fleetingness of life. I celebrate the commonality of life, the ability of my heart to expand and recover from adversities. I now know that when I feel spiritually fatigued, these children have become my mentors in rising ABOVE the discouragement in life. These children are often my counterbalance to the everyday life that makes me mad and disheartened about the world we live in. From these years with STEP I have become more accepting, less judgmental, more resilient, and most importantly, I spend more time seeing with my heart than with my eyes. 


What would I wish for people to take from our children. Joy comes from where and whom you would least expect it. Understanding that life's teachers come in the tiniest packages. Realize that all the "stuff" you accumulate in life will never give you the satisfaction that sitting down with a child who needs you and enjoys the singular connection and heartfelt moments they share with you. They have taught me to believe in myself because THEY work hard all the time. Our children remind us of resilience- we are resilient even when we don't think so. When working alongside someone, we need to acknowledge that we understand how they are feeling and that it makes all the difference in actually SEEING them. These children brought interactions into a realm that changed me for the better. When you are with us, you will see children who struggle, but don't dwell on their struggle. You see children who appreciate fully and accept you openly. You will see challenging moments become tender exchanges and STRONG connections. These children are life changing in so many good ways. In the end the STEP Centre and it's children, have become a blueprint in all kinds of ways in my life. They remind me of the compassionate world, the resilience of the human spirit, the gratitude I have for profound and yet simple moments, and the dramatic impact all lives have on another. Lastly what you give and feel from your heart, is magnified when it is returned back to you by little people who don't even have to try. I am SOOOOO grateful they came into my life and I am blessed by them every time. 


When I started 15 years ago I never dreamed it would become a passion, and I never dreamed that I would find a home among children who are so overlooked by society. It is an enigma that smiles can unlock lessons within us that we never dreamed we needed to know. In a most surprising way these children have given me another family and a more embracing heart. Thank you STEP Centre for championing the champions and believing where others never try.