Community Connections

Mission

To offer a supportive setting that encourages students to become productive citizens. Through developing skills that promote academic and personal growth by:

• Active involvement in their academic/career goals.
• Developing their personal and social goals.
• Taking responsibility for their choices.
• Contributing to their community.

Eligibility

Students:

• Who have been classified as having a disability with an IEP ranging in age from 16-21.
• Who are not succeeding in traditional classes due to attendance and/or behavior issues.
• Who are returning from residential and are not prepared to return to a regular educational setting.

Program Description (6:1+1 classrooms in Ogdensburg and Canton)

Community Connections is an Alternative Special Education Program designed to provide an environment that encourages academic and personal growth. The program has four major components:

Academic

Students work academically on basic skills, Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) and Learning Standards. They can work towards exiting high school with a CDOS Certificate. Some also exit with Career and Technical Education Endorsement/Certification.

Students:

• Have input in developing academic goals.
• Become self directed learners.
• Participate in life skill activities.
• Learn to become a knowledgeable consumer.

Social/Emotional

Students will increase their ability to interact in a socially acceptable manner with peers and adults in a variety of settings.

Students:

• Learn to accept responsibility for their actions and behavior.
• Develop self-control.
• Develop conflict resolution skills and learn age appropriate social skills.

Community Service

Students participate in community service for the benefit of others and learn the rationale for it, which helps to enhance their self image through positive contributions to the community.

Worksites

Students:

• Develop transferable work skills for various careers.
• Develop and demonstrate a positive work ethic.
• Are able to explore employment opportunities.

Recreation

Students participate in physical activities that will promote a healthy lifestyle. In addition, they are able to explore individual recreational activities such as, model building, playing games, learning music

Students:

• Are exposed to lifelong recreational activities (climbing wall, bowling, etc.).
• Participate in team and individual sporting activities.
• Participate in therapeutic recreation that promotes sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation.