CREATIVE TO OVERCOME G TTING
MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE TIMES
EST. 1915
2020 living the vision
2 welcome
Dear Friends,
As we all know, 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year. COVID-19 has overwhelmed many with feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. It has disrupted special education services and left many feeling isolated.
As a program that relies on face-to-face relationships to treat and educate some of the most vulnerable students in the greater Chicago area and from across the country, we have felt these challenges acutely. Yet, the Orthogenic School has been determined to rise to the moment.
When the pandemic began, we had to pivot quickly—to create plans to serve our students remotely while also developing trainings and protocols to bring them safely back on campus for critical in-person instruction and treatment. The work has been hard and fraught with ever-changing obstacles, but we have had incredible role models to inspire us –- our students, who have shown through their own lives how to face difficult experiences and come out stronger and better.
In this, our 2020 annual report, we highlight the many ways our dedicated and talented team of clinicians and educators reinvented our program in the wake of the pandemic to continue providing the world-class care our students deserve and to better respond to an ever-changing landscape. The resiliency, creativity and dedication of our whole community— students, families and staff — continue to amaze me!
We also wanted to say thank you and recognize our donors, volunteers, and advocates whose support has made all of this work possible. We have continued to draw strength from your continued gifts and encouragement. Without you, we would not have had the resources or the support to, not only survive but also thrive during these turbulent times.
Thank you,
Diana Kon, Ed.D
3 SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL
For more than 100 years, the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School (the O-School) has been providing a safe haven and a path to hope for bright, creative children and young adults with significant social-emotional needs, typically due to a mental health challenge or being on the autism spectrum. The O-School’s immersive approach to care is characterized by:
• A highly skilled and committed staff • Relationally based care in a home-like setting • A rigorous and fully accredited curriculum • A diverse and affirming community
of directors
4 JANET GOELZ HOFFMAN
Chair of the Board of Directors
JAMES STEINBACK
Chair of the Foundation for Educational
Development of Children (FEDC)
Members of the Board of Directors:
LENNY ASARO
MIKE BERTRAND
VIC CONANT
TED CORNELL III
PATRICK DONOHUE
TAMMY GIANFORTUNE
SCOTT MCDONALD
SONYA MALUNDA
BRAD NARDICK
ADAM STEINBACK
JOANNE STEINBACK board of directors
5 “Much of our program is focused on joy”
When schools had to move to remote programming at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the O-School quickly launched into action to provide critical services to students virtually, including education, case management, and therapy. As the team diligently worked to set up class schedules, therapy sessions, and residential programming, O-School Executive Director Dr. Diana Kon realized something was missing. O-School magic thrives through e-Fun
“Diana noted that there is so much that the O-School offers “Our students are models of above and beyond our basic services, like the traditions, the joy, and the fun of it all. How can we translate that resiliency and perseverance. online?” said the O-School’s Director of Compliance and We look to them for inspiration Special Projects Ellie Badesch. “We sometimes refer to this as the ‘O-School Magic’ — that secret ingredient that makes our about how to endure difficult school so vital and special.”
times and return stronger.” Charged with the task of creating the O-School Magic online, Badesch developed e-Fun to address the challenge, which includes Zoom-based O-School hangouts for students and staff members.
“I was asked to re-create O-School culture and fun online to provide an opportunity for students who need more time to socialize with their peers, or more time to be with staff, or more time to feel connected while we were on lockdown,” Badesch explained. “Initially, we thought lockdown would only last six weeks, but here we are nine months later, and the pandemic is still requiring us to be creative.”
Since March, e-Fun has been going strong with several events each week that allow students and staff to see each other’s faces while participating in classic O-School fun and silliness. Some activities and events include online field trips,
6 O-SCHOOL TRADITIONS CONTINUE VIRTUALLY
In 2020, the O-School has had to be flexible with all of its traditions, including prom, Halloween, and student graduations. Understanding the importance of many of these events, O-School staff established plans to ensure that each student would still feel the specialness and take pride in a great achievement like graduation in the presence of their family and members of the community.
Despite the challenge of COVID-19, through tools like Zoom and remote programming, special events O-School magic thrives through e-Fun like birthdays and graduation ceremonies were and still are recognized and celebrated among family, scavenger hunts, art hangouts, group workouts, pet show and friends, and peers. tells, read alouds, Lego parties, trivia contests, charades, and even karaoke-style open mic.
With the COVID-19 pandemic eliminating annual student events like Summer Fun, dorm activities, dances, Shakespeare Slam, and more, e-Fun provides a safe and consistent atmosphere that allows students to let their guards down and connect with peers and staff members. And while there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction, Badesch said she and the team were thrilled to know that many students and staff members found joy in e-Fun.
“Much of our program is focused on joy — helping kids find, and do, what they love, and one of the reasons our community is so dynamic is that we know how to come together and have fun,” she said. “Our students are models of resiliency and perseverance. We look to them for inspiration about how to endure difficult times and return stronger.”
7 the building:
Keeping a school building full of students clean, well- maintained, and safe can be a challenging task. The challenge is even greater when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, Director of Facilities Dan Sliwinski and his facilities and housekeeping teams have met the challenge. Together they have worked tirelessly to keep the building clean, safe, and working efficiently to provide an optimal learning and living environment for O-School students.
In March, the O-School coordinated with families to safely send students home, moving all programs and services to remote platforms, marking the first time in the school’s century-long history that no students were on campus. The facilities team took advantage of this to deep clean and disinfect the entire 55,000-square-foot O-School building for COVID-19.
“Due to COVID-19, we unfortunately had to eliminate our Green Cleaning schedule to use stronger disinfectants,” Sliwinski explained. “We were able to find the right products approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to get the job done.”
8 “We were able to find the right products approved by the CDC to get the job done.”
Later in the summer, when staff and students returned to the building, the facilities were leaner and cleaner.
“We’ve removed a lot of furniture from classrooms and dorms, like desks and bunk beds to storage, to provide spacing and the six feet of distance in accordance with CDC guidelines,” he said. “We also added air purifiers to all dorms and classrooms.”
To enhance the cleaning efforts, the O-School purchased electrostatic disinfecting spray cleaners and foggers, and specially trained staff now help quick clean throughout the day. The students have their meals near the dorms in designated areas set up to provide appropriate social distancing. getting clean + lean
“We have designated places with tables, chairs, and plexiglass dividers that allow students to still move around, while keeping food out of dorms and preventing germs from spreading,” Sliwinski added. “This also allows for a staff person to do a quick cleaning during the day if it can’t be done by housekeeping.”
Over the past few months, the facilities department and housekeeping staff have worked many extra hours to ensure the safety and comfort of students and staff during this time.
9 the building:
To support the O-School’s safety protocols during the pandemic, Director of Facilities Dan Sliwinski teamed up with the O-School Communications Department to create COVID-19 signage for the building.
This summer, safety signage was installed throughout the 55,000-square-foot O-School building to help remind students, staff, and visitors about the new pandemic rules.
The COVID-19 signage includes reminders that face coverings are required and to maintain six feet or more of physical distance between oneself and others. In bathrooms and other key locations, signs were displayed to remind everyone to wash their hands often and provide guidance on how to properly wash them to neutralize the virus. Signage also marks sanitation stations and reminds individuals to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Students and staff also do daily check-ins with school nurses. To provide a safety barrier, the team fabricated a special plexiglass divider to fit in front of the nurse’s station, so students and staff can do their check-ins while keeping everyone safe.
FLOOR DECALS
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BANNERS 10 WALL GRAPHICS
CHAIR DECALS sign[s] of the times
STAFF + STUDENT SCREENING
PARENT NOTICES
BATHROOM HEALTH STATION MIRROR CLINGS DECALS
11 parents adapt to stay connected
12 The parent support offered by the O-School is an important factor in providing parents with the tools and information needed to support their students.
Director of Admissions at the O-School Kristin Friesen, LCSW, said that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, her team had been offering in-person parent group meetings up to four times a year.
“The parents who came seemed to really enjoy it,” Friesen said. “But it was hard to get a lot of consistency.”
In March, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused state- Friesen said a nice surprise of having more frequent wide shutdowns and students were sent home, Friesen meetings was that parents got a chance to know each and her team determined that parents were feeling other on a deeper level. isolated and needed additional support, so they began offering a weekly virtual parent support group. Once “Some parents have told us it’s the highlight of their launched, she said they quickly learned the virtual parent week and they really look forward to the meeting. I think support group was a hit. it helps them feel like they aren’t alone and that other parents are in the same situation. They can connect to, “Before the pandemic just our local families would be honest with, and hear what is working with other participate in person, but the virtual option allowed families, and they can share their struggles.” for families from all across the country to join in,” she explained, adding that participation was widespread. Friesen looks forward to having on-site meetings after the “Often parents in three different time zones would be COVID-19 pandemic eases, but virtual parent meetings online at the same time.” also provide a nice option for the future.
13 admissions in a virtual world
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, schools across the To alleviate this issue, Friesen said they discovered how country were forced to close, and in the case of therapeutic to use breakout rooms in Zoom, allowing them to use the residential programs like the O-School, students were same admissions interviewing format. In addition, like they sent home, with some having to travel to other states. had done during in-person interviews, Friesen said they started using student tour guides as part of the admissions O-School Director of Admissions Kristin Friesen, LCSW, interview to share their O-School experience and answer said the abrupt closing created a major challenge for an any questions a potential student or parent had. admissions process that relied heavily on in-person interac- tion, and the entire admissions interview process had to be “We can now interview parents virtually from across the revamped over the course of a weekend to accommodate country,” she added. “Ideally, we want families to come pre-scheduled interviews. in and visit the facilities, but we have learned a lot by being creative.” “Over the course of that weekend, we had to shift from requiring every family to come into the O-School for This spring, the O-School also hosted its first ever Virtual an interview and a tour of the school to doing virtual Tour. The O-School team, along with student tour guides interviews,” she explained. and a parent, presented during the event in partnership with the Therapeutic Consulting Association (TCA) and Friesen said the new interview process initially included the Independent Educational Consultants Association one virtual meeting with the parent and student together, (IECA), two groups that help families find appropriate but her team quickly learned that this format did not provide supports and programs for children with special needs. sufficient time for the admissions process. More than 15 educational consultants from across the
“When we were conducting in-person interviews, staff country participated in the event that featured information members had separate interviews with the student, and we sharing about the O-School, staff presentations, a video met with parents separately,” she explained. tour of the facilities, and a question-and-answer session with parents, students, and staff.
“We can now interview parents virtually from across the country.”
14 15 “While it hasn’t been perfect, we’ve maintained a strong community connection throughout all of this, and I am so grateful for that.”
O-School successfully balances learning models As schools wrestle with determining how best to serve the nation’s elementary and high school students in today’s COVID-affected world, the decision is often between converting to a hybrid model or implementing fully remote learning.
O-School Principal Michelle Zarrilli said that whichever model is chosen, providing the most successful academic educational experience involves balance.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 3.7 million teachers are leading classrooms for the nation’s 56 million students during these challenging times.
16 “Teachers need to be able to deliver content and support effectively. Students need to be in a learning environment that allows them to be open to learning,” Zarrilli noted. “The pandemic has thrown a lot of obstacles in our way. Students need teachers to be able to provide them with full and complete attention. Simultaneous learning with some students on-site and some remote was ineffective.”
Zarrilli’s team has spent countless hours striving to strike a balance that minimizes the need for teachers to be two people at once — both an on-site educator and a teacher conducting remote classes — without compromising high standards. What was the resolution?
Having successfully moved O-School programs and services to remote platforms, Zarrilli offers insights into the experience in an O-Blog, which addresses both the potential and encountered speed bumps on the team’s road to success.
“I would describe it as more of an evolution. I think academics blog our team made a lot of smart decisions from the start— under immense pressure—and we have maintained Learn how the O-School has managed the these components throughout the pandemic,” she said.
“Some aspects that weren’t right needed tweaking, but unforeseen pivot to e-learning and e-therapy throughout the pandemic we have continued to build on our initial platform.” Each addition and change platforms without losing its human touch was made in response to feedback from parents and students, observations, and intensive professional while navigating the pandemic in the latest collaboration. blog — PIVOTING TO E-LEARNING While the challenges have been great, a silver lining has also emerged. The O-School is now fully able to be effective on screen with staff, parents, and students.
“Prior to March, if you had asked me if the O-School could achieve connections in an online space, I would have laughed and said, ‘No way!’ While it hasn’t been perfect, we’ve maintained a strong community connection throughout all of this, and I am so grateful for that,” she added.
17 students learn to navigate in COVID-19’s
Launched in 2016, the Brooke Whitted Center (BWC) the same time, we have worked to make sure no one shuts serves as support for those making the transition to college down their lives because of it either.” or adulthood who are capable of living independently but Meyers said that during the pandemic, enrollment has who need some support to be successful. Located adjacent been the highest ever, but the program has had to make to the O-School in a home-like setting, the BWC helps to adjustments. The BWC began offering Zoom programming complete the continuum of care for college-bound emerging and launched fitness and health programming to help adults with autism or mental health challenges. students stay healthy during quarantine. The BWC also “The BWC is based on the principle that our participants began offering day programming for young adults in need are actively out in the community gaining experience and of support, but who don’t require intensive residential confidence being in school, working at a job, socializing with services. The Greenwood System 120 personalized career peers, and enjoying the recreational and cultural attractions counseling process is also available and is led by one Chicago offers,” said BWC Director Dr. Pete Myers. of the BWC’s emotionally supportive and clinically trained professionals. This assessment offers the highest level of Participants were doing just that until late March, when the career and educational counseling available in the industry. COVID-19 pandemic forced Chicago into a mandatory shutdown. Schools, colleges, and universities had to quickly And to help keep everyone safe, the BWC has completed shift to hybrid or online courses. Despite this sudden change, more than 1,200 wellness checks with staff members since which can be triggering for individuals with mental health April 2020 and 1,300 temperature and oxygen-level checks challenges, Myers said he and the BWC team have been since July 2020. surprised at how quickly and well BWC participants who Despite the disruption COVID has had on society, Myers are in college have adjusted to remote learning. said BWC participants have successfully managed to adjust “For many, the stress of being on campus with all the unpre- their lives accordingly. dictability of social interactions has faded with e-learning, “We are most proud of how well informed the BWC which allows them to focus on academics more than having participants are about the virus and how well they to meet the challenge of being social with other students,” protect themselves and each other from it, while at the he explained. “We want each participant to continue to live same time being mobile in the city, at work, on public full, meaningful lives while protecting themselves and the transportation, and in stores in ways that are smart, others at the BWC. We have worked hard to make sure sensible, and safe,” he added. Brooke Whitted Center no one ignores the seriousness of the pandemic, while at
18 students learn to navigate in COVID-19’s shadow
Brooke Whitted Center
19 100 COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCE RATE 100 COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCEAVG.% RATE
AVG.%78 80 78 80 60 MAR APR MAY JUNE ———————— —— 2020 —————————— * student demographics-5% CHANGE 60 100 PRE-COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCE RATE 100 COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCE RATE MAR APR MAY JUNE ———————— —— 2020 —————————— AVG.% 78 80 AVG.% 80
100 PRE-COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCE83 RATE ENROLLED 60 60 FEBJANDECNOVOCTSEPTAUGJULY MAR APR MAY JUNE ————————— 2019 ———————— —— 2020 —— ———————— —— 2020 —————————— % 80 83% attendance rate AVG.%vs. 80% attendance rate for traditional peers, according to the U.S. Department of Education (2019) -5 CHANGE 100 PRE-COVID MONTHLY ATTENDANCE RATE
83HOME STATES OF O-SCHOOL STUDENTS
60 80 AVG.% FEBJANDECNOVOCTSEPTAUGJULY ————————— 2019 ———————— —— 2020 —— 83
60 FEBJANDECNOVOCTSEPTAUGJULY ————————— 2019 ———————— —— 2020 ——
• 94 staff members
• 93% full-time
• 100% of therapists and dorm managers have either a master’s or a doctorate in social work or
O-School staff psychology
• Collectively, the residential staff receives more than 250 hours of professional development and training annually
20 2% 1% 2% 1% 4% 4% 4% 5% 4% GENDER IDENTITY 5% RACE/ETHNICITY White Female TransFemale2% % 21% Male Transgender1 21% Black 37% 52% 4% 5% 37% Non-Binary 52% TransMale4% 65% Two or More Races 65% 2% 5% 1% 5% Asian 2% 4% 21% 1% 4% 4% Hispanic 4% 5% 4% 37% 52% 5% 4% 65% 21% 5% GENDER IDENTITY 21% 4% GENDER37 %IDENTITY 52% RACE 65RACE% 37% 52% 5% 651%% 2% 1% 2% 54% 5% 5% 4% GENDER IDENTITY 5% 5% 18% 6% RACE 18% 6% STUDENT AGE 19% 19% 11% 1%112% 16 GENDER IDENTITY 11% RACE 12 17 GENDER IDENTITY 5% 5% RACE 6% 18% 12% 13 18 1%122%% 14 19 21% 1% 2% 19% 21% 11% 82% 5% 5% 15 20 82% 17% 6% 18% 17%5% 5% 6% 18% 19% 12% 11% 19% % GRADE LEVEL STUDENT AGES 21 % GRADE LEVEL 82% STUDENT AGES 11 17% 12% 21% 12% 82% GRADE LEVEL 21% 17% STUDENT AGES 5882%% 42% 58% 42% 17% PROGRAM GRADEGRADE LEVEL LEVEL STUDENT AGES ENROLLMENT GRADE LEVEL STUDENT AGES Middle School 58% 42% Residential High School Day School
PROGRAM PROGRAM58% 42% 58% 42% *Data from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 PROGRAM 21
PROGRAM PROGRAM graduates shine as they pursue new goals
Even while the pandemic disrupted classes and other aspects of education, 82 percent of our high school graduates enrolled in a college or university while the remaining 18 percent chose to pursue other career interests and opportunities.
In addition, one student received a prestigious Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to young college-ready future teachers.
Golden Apple is committed to making a material difference in resolving the teacher shortage through its Scholars and Accelerators programs by expanding the state’s pipeline of highly effective, diverse educators through inspiring, developing, and supporting teacher and school leader excellence in Illinois, especially in schools-of-need.
22 A strong emphasis on academics has been an essential thread of the O-School’s therapeutic fabric for years. The O-School’s department-based ACCEPTANCES coursework is aligned with traditional goals and standards and features where students enrolled is in bold varying degrees of academic rigor, paired with the necessary supports. Its smaller state-of-the-art classrooms are equipped with the latest learning tools that enable students to experience the ebb and flow of academic 1. Bradley University challenges and risk-taking in order to further their academic growth and 2. Coe College preparation. 3. Cornell College
academic 4. Columbia College overview 5. College of DuPage ACHIEVEMENTS: enrollment 6. DePaul University • 83% attendance rate vs. 80% attendance rate for traditional 7. Elmhurst College peers, according to the U.S. Department of Education (2019).
• 82% of O-School’s 2020 high school graduates will continue 8. Governors’ State their education and attend college while the other 18% will University pursue career opportunities. 9. Moraine Valley • 7th through 12th grade students scored above the national Community College norm in the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) standardized reading tests. 10. National Louis University • 9th and 12th grade students scored above the national (Graduated 7/24) norm in the NWEA MAP standardized math tests.
• 6th through 9th grade students scored above the national 11. Northeastern Illinois University norm in the NWEA MAP standardized science tests.
12. Lewis University
13. Loyola University THE NUMBERS: 14. Roosevelt University • 10 students per class • 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio 15. University of Illinois at Chicago • 100% of classrooms led by licensed special education teachers • One Physical Education teacher has master’s degree • Two Fine Arts instructors have master’s degrees *Data from July 1, 2019 • One new school pet, Koopa Troopa, a Red-Eared Slider turtle, through June 30, 2020 for Science Class
23 High school curriculum + classes at the O-School include:
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS Journalism, Literary Magazine, Genre Studies, World Literature, American Literature, British Literature, Survey of English
MATHEMATICS Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra I and Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus
SCIENCE Physics, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology
SOCIAL STUDIES United States History, World History, World Cultures, Government and Economics
FINE ARTS Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, Digital and Mixed Media, Ceramics, Arts and Entrepreneurship
MUSIC Music Composition, Guitar I, Music Ensemble, Choir
FOREIGN LANGUAGES Spanish I and II
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
TRANSITION CURRICULUM One per base class classes + levels offered 24 student leadership groups, clubs + co-curriculars
The O-School’s relational approach allows students to work through various emotional states as they grow and learn.
Part of this journey includes the development of social and leadership skills. At the O-School, students are exposed to a wide range of activities, opportunities, and events to help them gain these critical skills.
CLUBS AND GROUPS • Dungeons and Dragons Club • Sports Group • Yoga Club • Dance Group • Board Games Group • Poetry Club
CO-CURRICULARS LEADERSHIP GROUPS • Yellow Door Chronicles (student newspaper) • Food Council • Infectious Tees • Gender Sexuality Alliance • Orthogenique (literary magazine) • Multi-Cultural Student Union • Student Work Program • Peer Mentor Program • Job Readiness Training • Student Council • Shakespeare Slam (Chicago Shakespeare Theater/O-School English Department) • Louder than a Bomb Poetry Slam ACTIVITIES (Young Chicago Authors/O-School English Department) • Annual school dances • Corporate Leadership Day (Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and prom) • Career Day • Annual holiday party and talent show • Holiday celebrations (national holidays, student birthdays, religious holidays, ethnic and minority group holidays) • Student Accomplishment Recognition Ceremony • 8th grade graduation • Weekly O-School community group meetings • After-school groups and academic support/tutoring • Annual Music Performance
25 Student Work Program
This year, the O-School’s Student Work Program (SWP) has looked a little different, but it is still alive and well and providing vocational opportunities to students.
The SWP is designed to allow students the opportunity to hold a variety of jobs within the building, during the day and after school, during the pandemic (during non-COVID times, students also hold off-site positions). Jobs are available in several areas, all intended to appeal to students’ interests and skills while introducing them to a host of career paths. The program includes job search and application workshops, interview skills development, and “real- world” vocational experience including completing a required weekly time card.
26 Student Work Program
Student Work Program 2020 at a glance
• Before March 2020, O-School students were working in more than 20 internal and external student jobs, including kitchen worker, main office assistant, art room assistant, coach’s crew (physical education assistant), English assistant, library assistant, student mentor, and others.
• Before March 2020, the SWP partnered with Blue Lotus Yoga, Robust Coffee Lounge, and Marshalls in Hyde Park to provide off-site work opportunities to students.
• As the focus is now on employing residential students, who are in the building during this time, students continue to work within the school in the jobs that have remained open during the pandemic — including coach’s crew, classroom assistant, seasonal decorator, and others.
• Students continue to participate in formal interviews and complete time cards every other week as a way to practice necessary job skills.
The O-School looks forward to a time when social distancing restrictions no longer require students to work in on-site jobs and partnerships with local community businesses can be re-entered. In addition, once the pandemic ends, the O-School will be able to offer on-site jobs that are not currently available due to COVID-19 safety concerns, such as kitchen worker and main office assistant. 27 therapy at just the right time
The therapy offered by the O-School, both a residential team has efficiently adjusted to provide sessions virtually treatment center and therapeutic day school, is a very with minimal disruptions. important pillar for each student’s success. “Therapy sessions, while ideally conducted in person, had The O-School’s therapeutic milieu is designed to pro- to become virtual at the onset of the pandemic, and we are vide students with the opportunity to learn and grow, now doing both virtual and in-person sessions based on with skilled clinical guides modeling and supporting stu- each student’s location and needs,” according to Director of dents through each interaction, activity, and conversa- Therapy and Assessment Dr. Lauren Berebitsky. tion throughout the day. O-School students participate in “I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the resilience of our several types of formal therapy including individual, students and their willingness to engage remotely as well peer group, and family sessions. as the continued benefit they receive from the connection Intensive therapy sessions help students and families better and support that our therapists are able to provide,” understand and process their challenges, while developing Berebitsky said. key skills to manage them. While the COVID-19 pandemic has She noted that providing therapy virtually does pose some changed how therapy sessions are conducted, the therapy challenges that have required the therapy team to be both creative and flexible while keeping the student’s progress in mind.
“The boundaries within therapy are complicated, and at times need to be rigidly in place. However, during this time,
28 THERAPY SERVICES ATTENDED BETWEEN JULY1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 5000
4000 4281 3000 TOTAL SESSIONS 2000
1000 326 291 823 210
NUMBER OF THERAPY SESSIONS 0 Family Individual OT Speech Group
TYPE OF THERAPY
THERAPY SERVICES ATTENDED BETWEEN THERAPY PARTICIPATION PRE COVID + DURING COVID JULY1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 JULY1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 5000 100
4000 75 4281 3000 TOTAL SESSIONS 50 PRE% COVID% 2000 25 97 99 1000 326 291 823 210
NUMBER OF THERAPY SESSIONS 0 0 Family Individual OT Speech Group PRE COVID COVID TYPE OF THERAPY Students attended therapy session at a rate of 97% before COVID and 99% after COVID
THERAPY PARTICIPATION PRE COVID + DURING COVID JULY1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 100 we’ve really had to take a second look at how we deliver services and reflect on how to best support each of our therapy quick facts students and75 their individual needs. That may mean meeting three times a week instead of two, or doing In 2020, the O-School provided: therapy on50 the phone PRE%instead of over Zoom,”COVID% she • 4,281 individual therapy sessions explained. “It has also been challenging, when we are not physically25 with a student,9 7to know when and9 how9 hard • 823 family therapy sessions to push in therapy as we don’t want to cause a student to • 291 (111 pre-COVID/180 during COVID) become dysregulated0 or distressed when we are unable group therapy sessions to read all of their cues and help calm them down.” PRE COVID COVID • Students attended therapy session at a rate of
Despite the challenges,Students attended Berebitsky therapy is confidentsession at a andrate 97% before COVID and 99% during COVID of 97% before COVID and 99% after COVID proud of the team’s ability to provide critical therapy to • Modalities including: Art Therapy, Dance students during these challenging times. Movement Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, “We’ve slowly built and expanded on our initial ideas. Psychodynamic Therapy Without the collaboration of a such a professional and • Eight O-School therapists with advanced talented team, we could not have done it,” she said. “We degrees, six who hold master’s degrees are continuing to provide meaningful, valuable therapy as and two with PsyDs (psychologists) well as a sense of connection when students most need it. Our therapists have been anchors for our students.” • One O-School therapist completing certification in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
29 student outings: Chicagoland
• First Ascent (rock climbing) – NEIGHBORHOOD OUTINGS Avondale, Humboldt Park (Hyde Park/Woodlawn) • Ignite Gaming – Avondale • Anti-Cruelty Society – River North • Build Coffee • Ronald McDonald House – Near North Side • Powell’s Books • Lincoln Park Zoo – Lincoln Park • 57th Street Books • Harold Washington Library • Robust Coffee Lounge • Center– Loop • Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts • Chinatown (restaurants, shops) – Chinatown • Hallowed Grounds • Icon Theater and nearby shops – South Loop • 61st Street Farmers Market • Thrifting and shopping – Lakeview • Harper Theater • Design Museum of Chicago – Loop • David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art • Field Museum/Adler Planetarium/ • YMCA Shedd Aquarium – Museum Campus, • Ice skating at Midway Near South Side • Shopping and eating out After the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic, the • Lakeview, Lincoln Park, residential program temporarily moved online – a first • Lincoln Square, Near North Side ever for the program. The residential mental health • Loop, Near South Side, Pilsen counselors, dorm managers, and crisis intervention leaders • Ravenswood, Uptown, Wicker Park continued providing programming online including:
• Da Sorce – Ravenswood • Weekly dorm meetings • Garfield Park Conservatory – Garfield Park • Individual student check-in calls • Ice skating at Millennium Park – Loop • Movie nights • TikTok dance parties • Virtual escape room • Team building • Arts & crafts • Game night • Music group • Anime watch/discuss • X-Files watch party • Fireside chats • All-school outdoor activities • All-school physical activity • All-school group run by CIL
30 . -S S I G A . T 3. DOWNTOWN COLLEGES: IA G student outings: Chicagoland A AS I GT G A S. T A G A G S T I SIT T IS I SIT 4 S T A T I STIT T This map 3 2 I AG SAI 90 highlights ust a few MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS: of the many things -School . A A TA I and students have I S AT A IST S A A I access to in our great S I I neighborhood 7 . A IG T I S . T SIT T A A SI TIA T . I A LAKE SHORE DR. . S S I I ST
55 . I SIT I AG A S 94 . T I SIT I AG A T S A A S
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S. W . A ’S STA A T AG E LLIS OODL A G . ST G A R VE . OV E
WN . GA T T A TS A V A E . ST IS A A TS A V . 18 E 12 MIDWAY PLAISANCE . . ST T A . T S GA 61 ST ST. . ATT A I AG -S T . S A
16 1 13 14 21 22 LAKE MICHIGAN 10 17 11 23 63RD ST. 15 A
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OSCHOOL.ORG • BW-CENTER.ORG 19 31 family forward
The O-School’s goal is to facilitate each child’s progress while strengthening a positive family dynamic. Parents and families stay connected in a number of ways:
• Family therapy sessions occur on a bi-weekly basis
• Parents receive regular calls and reports from their child’s treatment team, updating them on educational and therapeutic progress
• Parents meet personally with their child’s academic and therapeutic teams, often together with their child, to collaborate on goals and plans
• Parents and siblings are invited to attend many all-school social events over the course of the academic year
• Parent teacher conferences, open houses, and orientations are available throughout the year
32 dorm life
making friends + memories
Proudly urban, the O-School integrates the city of Chicago into its programs, providing students with the opportunity to make new friends and experience new adventures and activities as they explore and learn about the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and historical attractions.
Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic, the dorms completed 90 off-grounds activities throughout the Chicagoland area.
Some of the neighborhoods visited include Andersonville, Downtown, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Lakefront Trail, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, River North, South Loop, Wicker Park, and Woodlawn.
Fireside chats offered to discuss important topics about emotions, family, growing up, etc.
Nine hours of yoga classes provided on weekends by a certified teacher.
33 accreditation, certification + affiliations
To ensure world-class standards of care, the O-School participates COA in state, national, and international accreditation and peer review 98.9 % processes. Purpose Standard Compliance In addition, the O-School and its staff are active in professional (Rating of 1 or 2) organizations, partnerships, and other learning opportunities that share best practices and assure that the O-School’s staff members are certified, knowledgeable, and prepared to provide the highest quality care and education to students. California Department of Education
LICENSURE + ACCREDITATION 100% Standard Compliance • Cognia • Council on Accreditation (COA) • Illinois State Board of Education • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (approved through 2024) • Illinois Department of Human Services • California Board of Education • Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Certification
MEMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS
• ACRC (Association of Residential Treatment Centers) • IAPSEC (Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers) • NAPSEC (National Association of Private Special Education Centers) • NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs)
34 a BIG thank you The O-School deeply appreciates the support of all its donors. This list represents gifts made to the organization during the 2020 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020. The O-School does its best to keep its lists as accurate and as timely as possible; however, if any information needs correcting, please contact Khalilah Anderson at [email protected].
FOUNDER’S SOCIETY Sam Coady Timothy Isaacson Michelle Pegram (10K+) Joel and Samantha Cohen Harold and Jenny Itkin Nicholas and Chelsea Percoco Matthew Colton Michael Jania Georgia Photopulos Linda Whitted Alfini Gregory Concodora and Cindy Ogrin Michael and Laura Jenny Raymond and Kathryne Pirtle Philip and Tammy Gianfortune Deborah Cook Jewel Osco Lisa Pols and Gila Manassee Brian and Janet Hoffman Laura Cremonesi Christopher and Carole Jones Samantha Prague Jeff and Sara Hoffmann Daley’s Restaurant Tyrone Jordan and Annie Padrid Andrew and Leslie Price Daniel and Amy Loepp Raphael Davenport and Shekita Parker Jim Jorgensen Lynn Pyecha Tom Wallace Lyons Michael Davis Paul and Jean Kachoris David Radke Nightingale Conant Corporation Pat and Monica Donohue Mercouri and Faith Kanatzidis Rajun Cajun Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation Chad Doobay and Amy Blair Joanne Kardell Lenny and Gina Reilly James and Joanne Steinback Storrs Downey Thomas Kelly Robert and Shelly Reisch Drexel Mobil Frank Kisner and Chris Kinnear Michael and Monica Rhodes LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Robert Druzinsky and Renee Friedman Klein’s Bakery & Cafe Gerald and Angela Richardson (5K TO 9999K) Luke Easterday Heidi Kon Roberto Rios Carrizales Rick Ehlert and Jaqueline Schimizzi Michael and Nina Kotin JoAnn Rist Albank Element R Partners LLC Keno Kozie Associates Bicknell Robbins Brent and Krista Austin David Eskoz Drs. Louis and Ruth Kraus Kurt and Carmen Roberts Vic and Marilee Conant David and Teresa Exner Larry Kuhn Robust Coffee Ted Cornell III and Nancy Schwartz Robert Feldman and Lani Granum Charles Lampley and Sonya Malunda Shaun and Alexandria Room Mark Golden and Laura Moehlman Timothy Fiedler Laner Munchin Amy Rowe Miriam Laugesen Mary Virgina Fitzgerald Michael and Kerry Leaf Brian and Samantha Rubin Scott McDonald and Susan Ford Mary Therese Fitzgerald John Leen Craig and Mary Ruble James Nyeste and Marla Hand Paul Florsheim Mark Leuchter Margaret Ruble Oxford Bank and Trust Ariella Foss Linda Liber Jonathan Rutman Benjamin and Wendy Frank Alan and Ricki Lieberman Brian Rzepka FRIENDS OF THE O-SCHOOL Aimee Frantzen Will Mackie Wendy Sadler (4999K AND BELOW) Eric and Collette Fried Peter and Sally Madden Merilyn Salomon Irwin and Adrienne Friedman Gary Mandell and Diana Kon Eric and Elizabeth Samore Jacob and Jodi Abudarham Michael Friedman and Margaret Berger Sally Mandell Dean and Arlene Scane Tim and Sheri Alber Jonathan and Kristin Friesen Karen L. Mansfield George and Margaret Schatz AmazonSmile Foundation Robert and Joanne Gannett Sid and Anita Margolis Ned and Michelle Schwartz Amli Residential Benedict Gierl Steve and Veronique Markscheid Diane Sclafani Anonymous Kathleen Gillespie and Debra Shore Mary McAfee Myron and Beverly Shapiro Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Steve Giskin Mary McBride Jonathan and Christina Shaver Lenny and Diane Asaro Tony Gleason and Renee Raap Sheila McCraven Conrad and Cathy Sheehan Joseph Barrett and Meghan Burnley Jay Gonnam and Mark Sakalares Thomas Meade Scott and Liesl Shurtliff Daniel and Peg Bellich Stephen and Linda Goranson Medici Linda Soreff Siegel Dean Benson Carrie Gorelick David Meier and Michelle Zarrilli Richard and Barbara Silverman Berglund Construction Company Craig Graddick and Michelle McMartin John and Jean Meister Howard and Abby Simon Lauren Berebitsky Ronald Grais Michael Melzer and Lisa Gardner Michael Smith Anna Blazevic Stuart and Diane Grauer Kathryn Lynn Mikel Rob Smitherman Marc and Peggy Blum Brian and Sebrenna Graves Nick and Barb Miles Anthony and Chris Speiser Robin Blum and Jacquelyn Sanders Steven Green Millennium Pharmaceuticals Lisa Staehle Keith Bockus and Sue Priebe Sandra Green Matching Gift Program Adam Steinback and Amy Troob Katrina Bockus Lewis Greenbaum and Rosalyn Kagan L. Eric and Kimberly Miller Stuart and Michelle Stern Louis and Michelle Bolek The Greenleaf Avenue Foundation Rita Anne Morrin Timothy and Jennifer Stratman Kennard Bolt and Todd Livergood Wayne and Mary Gregoire David and Lindsay Morrison Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. Susan Boone Kevin and Dawn Gudejko Morton Abelson Foundation Jane Thomsen Terp Barry and Joy Bowen Ariel Hainline John and Terri Mottram III Michael and Julie Tracy Jim and Lisa Boyle Tim and Brianna Hammerly Patricia Mulligan Trader Joe’s Leonard and Carrie Brenner Amy Handel Mike and Deborah Mulroy Kevin and Colleen Travers Jill Brickman Michael and Yvonne Harada Anne Marie Murphy, PhD TrueNorth Cafe Ebony Nicole Brown Phyllis Glink Harris Pete Myers and Patrick Wojtak UBS Matching Gifts Program Natalia Buchanan Nina Helstein Ellan Myers Michael Vest and Lynette S.Y. Lum Ted Cappas Steve Herman and Susan Reyman Network For Good Kevin and Mindy Wade Samuel Carliles Steven Heyman and Kate Baldwin Amanda Noeske Milton and Lauren Wakschlag Cedar’s Travis and Karry Hill Noodles Etc. Michael and Telya Wallace Chant Claire Hiller Tom O’Halloran Elizabeth Weber James and Susan Chappell Barbara Hirchak Dennis O’Keefe and Mary Jo Barrett Julia Wesley, PhD Children’s Law Group James and Dana Hirchak Olivia Bea Ross Foundation Wes Westerfield and Betsy Meisenheimer Kelly Christofferson Michael Hoffman John and Mary Ormsby Willis Towers Watson LLC Martin and Jane Clarke Nick and Joanna Huggett Kevin Owens Warren and Kathy Wimmer La Guina Clay-Herron Stacee Hurd Keith and Cindy Parker Barry and Katie Wojtak Maureen Cleary Mary Pat Huske Cynthia Patti Judith E Yasunaga Leslie Cleaver Barbara Huston PayPal Giving Fund Bryan and Aberlynn Zeigler 35 donor spotlight: Jim and Joanne Steinback + Tom Wallace Lyons
This past year, three of our most generous donors refinanced the remaining principal on its loan. Two board joined forces to better position the O-School as a members, Jim and Joanne Steinback, and alumnus Tom resource for students and families, both today and for Wallace Lyons made a combined gift that helped reduce the next 100 years. the size of the new loan by nearly $1 million. Their gift, combined with matching funds from both schools’ When the O-School separated from the University of investment funds, allowed the schools to proceed with Chicago in 2014, the school had the opportunity to build a shorter amortization schedule for the loan, while a custom building in Chicago’s Woodlawn community also reducing the O-School’s monthly payments by specifically designed for students with significant approximately $10,000. Through the efforts of these social-emotional needs. The building was funded by donors, the O-School is now better positioned for the a combination of donations, new market tax credit future financially, and it also has more funds to support financing, and a bank loan. its current education and therapeutic programs.
This past year, the O-School reached the end of The O-School is very grateful to Jim and Joanne Steinback the term for its new market tax credit financing and and Tom Wallace Lyons for their leadership, their vision, bank loan. As part of this process, the O-School and their generosity!
36 save the date
In light of these uncertain times, we are still finalizing many details for the event, but we will be celebrating as a community this spring so please mark your calendars.
Invitations will be arriving closer to the date. We hope to see you there!
If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the O-School Director of Institutional Advancement Tim Hammerly at [email protected] or at 773.420.2895. the yellow door benefit gala
,
37 Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School Consolidated Statement of Activities
REVENUE AND SUPPORT
Total Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Percentage
Tuition & Room and Board Revenues $10,207,715 $10,207,715 90.4% Other Contributions $306,545 $386,616 $693,161 6.1% Clinical Income $70,350.00 $70,350.00 0.6% Net Investment Income $322,187 $322,187 2.9% In-Kind Contributions 0.00 0.00 0.0%
TOTAL $10,906,797 $386,616 $11,293,412 100.0%
9 0 90 4 1
9 0 90 4 1 EXPENDITURES
Total Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Percentage
Program Services $8,486,111 85.8% Supporting Services – Management14 & General 5 $1,399,670 14.2%
Sub Total $9,885,781 Building Depreciation & Amortization $641,698 14 5 TOTAL $10,527,479
The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School is part of the Leslie Shankman School Corp, a 501(c)3, which operates the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School and its sister school. The Foundation for the Educational Development of Children, a 501(c)3, includes investments, building and land, and its sole purpose is to support the Leslie Shankman School Corporation. 38 Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School Consolidated Statement of Activities
SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION*
ASSETS LIABILITES
Cash & Cash Equivalents $2,559,594 Accounts Payable $155,241 Accounts Receivables $1,755,225 Accrued Wages $80,828 Intercompany Due From $1,923,173 Other Accrued Expenses $14,348 Prepaid Expenses $65,991 Intercompany Due To $404,982 Property & Equipment - Net $59,775 Prepaid Student Revenues $109,767 Other Assets $25,409 PPP Loan Payable $1,364,551 Total Liablilties $2,129,717
NET ASSETS Without Donor Restrictions $4,121,814 With Donor Restrictions $137,636 Total Net Assets $4,259,450
TOTAL ASSETS $6,389,167 TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $6,389,167
LESLIE SHANKMAN SCHOOL CORP CONSOLIDATED*
ASSETS LIABILITIES
Cash & Cash Equivalents $20,739,568 Accounts Payable $208,625 Accounts Receivables $2,161,639 Deferred Rent $152,117 Pledges Receivable $188,903 Accrued Wages $121,957 Prepaid Expenses $161,392 Other Accrued Expenses $615,603 Property & Equipment - Net $26,520,799 Prepaid Student Revenues $542,998 Other Assets $55,409 PPP Loan Payable $2,540,600 Term Loan Payable $6,184,570 Total Liabilities $10,366,470
NET ASSETS Without Donor Restrictions $23,751,171 With Donor Restrictions Time or Purpose $4,212,579 Held in Perpetuity $11,497,490 Total Net Assets $39,461,240
TOTAL ASSETS $49,827,710 TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $49,827,710
*(AS OF JUNE 30, 2020) 39 EST. 1915
THE SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL
The O-School thanks all of its donors for their friendship and support. By investing in O-School programs, donors give students a safe haven and a path to hope.
To make a gift to the O-School, please visit our website at www.oschool.org or use the enclosed envelope. We are truly grateful to each of you for all you have made possible this past year.
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6245 SOUTH INGLESIDE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60637 • 773-420-2900
WWW.OSCHOOL.ORG
40 2020