Connor Character Connection winners for ‘Sportsmanship’

Grand Island Dispatch, June 1, 2007

Connor Middle School recipients of the Connor Character Connection award for Sportsmanship include: Laura Amantia, Jennifer Amato, Shannon Becker, Scott Bennett, Michael Campanella, Sarah Chamberlain, Liam Dodd, Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Giambra, Vincent Golda, Tom Grenke, Chuckie Grunzweig, Joey Guenther, Lindsay Hoden, Ashley Johnson, Melissa LaMastra, Nikolle McMahon, Thalia Melendez, Ryan Proctor, Bob Rennells, Rachel Rippelino, Chelsea Rupert, James Rustowicz, Marina Scerra, Jeremy Seiling, Lauren Shepard, Javier Solis, Nicole Swiantek, Sharihan Taffel, Sarah Williams and Alicia Zartman. Not pictured: Kelly Maloney and Samantha Conner.

Connor Middle School has announced the recipients of this month’s Connor Character Connection. The character trait selected was “Sportsmanship,” and student posters were displayed in the front hall for the duration of the month of April. Those nominated were chosen because they were “full of good spirits, happy, willing, pleasantly bright and likely to dispel from gloom or worry.”

This character initiative was implemented by the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports Committee at the middle school as a supplement to the district goals of providing opportunities for character education. The faculty and staff at Connor Middle School say they are very proud of all of the award recipients. “It has been observed that as the program has progressed throughout the year, it is having a positive impact on student attitudes and behaviors,” committee members said. “Students view the wall that displays the awards and display a sense of pride as they see themselves and their peers being honored for their actions.”

The May character trait to be awarded is “Creativity.” Visit the Middle School to see the poster display of the students who have been nominated.

Mom is proud of son, caring and hard-working staff

When I opened the envelope from the mailbox, tears flowed as I read how my 7-year-old son received the Pride of the Island award. For me, this was a very special moment.

My son, Vincent, is a special needs child who is attending Sidway’s kindergarten program. His teacher, Mrs. Marisa Valentine, was hired to teach a special needs program. She is a special education teacher with special needs experience. This program is new to the Grand Island School District and needed to be led by experienced individuals with extensive background for children with special needs.

My son is the reason this year’s program became a reality. Marisa interviewed with Vincent as the student. He responded well to her, which I believe got her the position. Her five years experience working with special needs children is what the district and Vincent needed.

Mrs. Diane Cooper was also hired as his speech instructor. She comes from BOCES with experience working with non-verbal children. When Mrs. Denise Dunbar was hired as principal, she gladly accepted the challenge of the new program. She has embraced this project with all the staff to having our children accepted and rewarded for their accomplishments. She knew there would be hard work and changes involved in getting the program off to a solid start.

No two children learn the same, and special needs children take longer and need more patience from everyone involved in their education. They require more hand-over-hand assistance – from aides, to tolerance in the cafeteria line because they are slower in their independence, to extra help on the bus ride. Vincent is very proud to be able to carry his tray from the cafeteria to his classroom. Mrs. Valentine says Vincent has surpassed his goals she set for him in September and said he won this award hands down.

I’m hoping the Grand Island School District will be able to attract more special needs instructors to follow Vincent throughout his school years. We hold monthly meetings to assess his goals. I have seen up to 17 different teachers come to discuss what they have tried to unlock this little boy. Vincent does not speak, but we are all learning to try and understand his way of communication.

These instructors have been instrumental in his development this year. They have come a long way learning from him, too. I am proud of their accomplishments this year as they, too, have had to struggle yet another learning curve with Vincent.

While I look forward to another year at Sidway, Mrs. Dunbar has already begun the huge task of starting Vincent’s journey to Huth Road School when he starts second grade. Again, the program will need to be adjusted for his particular needs, so more experienced staffing will be required and classroom sizing revised.

Vincent participates in all aspects of schooling, whether it is in his small group, to the auditorium for a production on stage. He is known and recognized by all his schoolmates.

I am very proud to be a part of the Grand Island community. The support we get with Vincent’s acceptance has been great. Anyone with a special needs child can understand how important it is to have their children around other kids so they can model and learn from them. I didn’t want Vincent to be stared at as different, but to be acceptable for what he can do. Thank you for giving my son the same opportunity that other children in our community have. He’ll always be my mild-mannered Clark Kent. I hope he’ll be yours, too.

Lynn Quarantello
Town Cafe