Celebrating and Promoting Learning Differences

March is traditionally observed as Disability Awareness Month, and as part of the Geneva Partnership, various HWS departments, programs and offices are sponsoring activities in conjunction with the Geneva School District.

Starting at 1 p.m. Friday, March 7, Project Eye-to-Eye will celebrate their success with a visit from Marcus Soutra, national director of this mentoring and advocacy non-profit organization, in the Art Room at Geneva Middle School on Carter Road. Project Eye-to-Eye pairs college and middle school students to empower those identified with learning disabilities to celebrate their differences.

Soutra will offer a workshop for parents of students with learning disabilities in conjunction with the school district. Visit the Web site for more information about Project Eye-to-Eye.

The film "Hear and Now" will be shown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 in the library's Sanford Room. This documentary, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Festival, chronicles the life experiences of Paul and Sally Taylor, both deaf from early childhood, through their decisions as mature adults to get cochlear implants. The Taylors will be on campus to show part of the documentary and answer audience questions. Click for more information about the film.

On Monday, March 31, Jonathan Mooney, author, activist, and founder and president of Project Eye-to-Eye, will come to campus. He will meet with classes, have lunch with HWS students, and offer a talk at 7 p.m. in Albright Auditorium, followed by a book signing. Visit his website or Project Eye-to-Eye for more information.

Several other events during the month will be held around Geneva:

March 10
Overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
Time: 11 a.m. to noon or 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: Geneva City School District Office, 649 S. Exchange St.

March 11
Learn more about the Special Education Training and Resource Center
Presenter: Cynthia Roth, SETRC Coordinator and Jennifer Oravec, SETRC Coordinator
Time: 5 to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Geneva City School District Office, 649 S. Exchange St.

March 13
Overview of Speech Therapy Services
Presenters: Jennifer Mauchly, Speech Therapist at North Street Elementary School
and Jennifer Tumbelekis, Speech Therapist at North Street School
Time: 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Location: Geneva Middle School Counseling Office Conference Room

March 13
Overview of the Wilson Reading Program
Presenter: Leah Leone, Speech Therapist at Geneva Middle School
Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Geneva Middle School Counseling Office Conference Room

March 13
A Panel Discussion on services available to preschoolers
Presenters: Lynn D'Amico, Director of Children's Educational Services and Harlene Gilbert, Director of Evaluation Services and School Psychologist
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Location: Happiness House, 731 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva

March 18
Meet the Special Education Department within the Geneva School District
Time: 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Location: Geneva High School Library

March 18
The School Psychologist and You
Presenter: Terry Begly, School Psychologist at Geneva Middle School
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Location: Geneva Middle School - Room 138
or
March 27
The School Psychologist and You
Presenter: Tim Page, School Psychologist at North Street School
Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: North Street School Cafeteria

March 20
Behavioral Rating Scales
Presenter: Tim Page, School Psychologist at North Street School
Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: North Street School Cafeteria

March 20
TIES (Together Including Every Student) - an organization promoting the participation of students with developmental disabilities in extracurricular and community activities by creating effective, natural support provided by trained student volunteers.
Presenter: Kathy Costello, Coordinator of the TIES program
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Location: Geneva City School District Office, 649 S. Exchange St.

The Geneva Partnership is an initiative uniting the greater Geneva community and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. It is as an effort to enhance community life for the benefit of all who live, work and study in the region.

These events are sponsored by the President's Office, the Provost's Office, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, Center for Teaching and Learning, Intercultural Affairs, Committee for Inclusive Excellence, Career Services, Geneva City School District, and Kids College.

For more information, e-mail Susan Pliner at pliner@hws.edu or call her at (315) 781-3354.

Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2008

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