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Founded in 1893, Cotting School Is America's First Cotting School 2005 Annual Report ounded in 1893, Cotting School is America’s fi rst Accreditations and Approvals day school for children with a broad spectrum of Cotting School is a chapter- approved private day school. The School’s programs are fully approved by the Massachusetts State Flearning and communication disabilities, physical Department of Education for service to children ages to with challenges, and complex medical conditions. special educational needs. To meet the diverse needs of a multifaceted population Affiliations requires programming that focuses on the whole child. Boston University’s Sargent College of Health Cotting does more than simply create interventions and Rehabilitation Sciences COTTING SCHOOL to target a student’s diagnosis or disorder. It designs a 453 Concord Avenue Children’s Hospital New England College of Optometry continuum of educational, therapeutic, and support Lexington MA 02421 Tufts University School of Dental Medicine services to ensure that the students and their families (781) 862-7323 Northeastern University’s Bouve College of Health Sciences become part of a “comprehensive classroom” within an www.cotting.org Emerson College Clinical Training Program extended learning community. Design: Pat Mullaly, Circle Graphics Memberships Photography: Martha Stewart Massachusetts Association of -Approved Private Schools Cotting’s exceptional care for children can be described National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children by two seemingly opposite adjectives: tough and tender. There is tenaciousness in our students and our staff. There is a fi ghting spirit at Cotting, a “we can do it” toughness that helps students overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. At the same time, there is tenderness in our school, a nurturing staff and students who treat each other with exquisite kindness. Cotting School serves 130 day students from 74 Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire communities and provides residential services to 8 young adults at HOPE House. C ottingtransforms each of us – students, parents, staff, trustees and volunteers – constantly. Daily encounters between students and staff change lives. Subtle or profound, gradual or instant, each event creates a chain effect that sets off a new set of transformations in other students, staff, family members and volunteers. Our annual report shares the exquisite transformations we are privileged to encounter every day in the course of our work. 1 TransformingPotential arena Manandhar conquers the speed credit Cotting School with providing the innovative bumps in the Cotting School parking lot tools and methodology Sarena needed to excel. much like life – with an overwhelming determination and the thrill of a “We really wanted an intensive program that would challenge. Her parents Sheela and Binay provide all of the services needed in one place with a Snever imagined that Sarena – at 9-years-old – would coordinated, holistic approach,” Sheela said. “When be racing through playgrounds. we visited Cotting for the first time, it felt like we had found a home.” Sarena’s parents always believed that she would achieve more than the vegetative life her doctors Cotting’s Intensive Services Program proved a perfect expected. “We never believed in this,” they said. “It fit. The program, which combines education, therapy was our goal to do whatever we could to bring out the and rehabilitation for children with severe global best in her despite her disabilities.” Sarena, thriving disabilities, establishes an individual education plan on family support and the nurturing therapeutic for each child in an environment that breeds success. environment at Cotting’s Intensive Services Program, Language and communication, motor development, far exceeded all expectations. daily living skills, and social development are all taught through innovative methods designed to When Sarena first arrived at Cotting, she was maximize each child’s potential. nervous around strangers. Now, that fear has nearly evaporated – Sarena engages newcomers through eye Serena’s achievements build each year. “Every aspect contact and is learning to use pictures and objects to of her growth and development has been a success,” communicate. She loves music, independence and her parents said. “We cherish every moment of being a part of the group. She’s even learning how to her successes as well as her challenges. She is an walk independently with a walker. Sheela and Binay inspiration. She is our role model.” Sarena’s parents have traveled around the world with her. Binay, her father, says Sarena is his role model. Her physical therapist Alison Lierhaus has always believed in Sarena’s potential to walk independently. Transforminga Family hen Mary and Navil Sethna In 00, Cyrus began classes at Cotting School. The traveled to India in 199 to pick decision marked a turning point for the family – for up their adoptive twin sons Cyrus the first time the worry that had consumed Mary and Reginald, they found them and Navil and overshadowed Cyrus’ public school in a ramshackle orphanage – a experience transformed into confidence. Cotting Wcondemned building tucked beneath railroad tracks. School provided a structure for Cyrus that increased Inside, 24 infants and toddlers were lying on floor his focus, strengthened his ability to follow routines mats, bathed in the shadowy glow of a dim light bulb. independently, and increased his overall level of The Sethnas scanned the room, finding only one crib participation. – for the baby who cried the loudest. Cyrus’ personality transformed. He now stands Because Cyrus and Reginald were too ill for the behind the microphone and introduces our basketball journey home, the Sethnas nursed them for four team for the Booster Club before games, a feat that months in India before returning to Boston. Severe Mary and Navil could not have imagined just a few malnutrition and cardiac problems prompted a four- years before. Teachers see a dramatic transformation month, intensive care stay for Reginald when he as well, describing him as funny, hard-working, and arrived in Boston. Cyrus developed complications to someone who enjoys all social situations. his pancreas and kidneys. “Cotting School provided the innovative supports When the time came for the brothers to enter school, that Cyrus desperately needed in order to learn,” Cyrus struggled socially and academically, and Mary said. “Our family will always be grateful to Reginald worried so much about his brother that his Cotting School and its teachers for providing a safe, own performance suffered. Mary and Navil realized nurturing environment for him to grow.” that even if it meant enrolling the boys in different schools, a change was critical to enhance their individual strengths and meet their challenges. The Sethna family has found a second home at Cotting. Reginald and Mary pay a visit to the classroom where Cyrus is working with his teacher, Sejal Shah. Like many Cotting parents, Mary is often here to meet with parent groups led by Pam Varrin, Coordinator of Family Support Services. TransformingPerspectives The following is an excerpt of a school essay entitled, “Her” written by Will Randle for his 8th grade English class. he sun shone like a spotlight on announcer proclaimed with a sense of joy and pride young Lizzy Randle as she finished the that everyone there had. She called Lizzy’s group up daunting course. She sat straight atop towards the front and excitement crept into my veins. her beautiful horse with a gleaming smile from ear to ear. She had done it, “Fifth place is Lizzy Randle,” I turned to my mom Twe all thought, she had won the event and qualified in disbelief but she was cheering, with a fake smile. for the semifinals. I knew she was shocked. A pink ribbon was handed to Lizzy and she took it with a small nod of gratitude Elation enveloped the whole family as Lizzy though I believe she was a bit upset herself. The other dismounted the horse and ran over to us with a look awards that were given out were all a blur, I was sad of pride and joy like never before. The hugs and for Lizzy because I thought she had done better than congratulations came and went. Now it was time for fifth. The award ceremony for Lizzy’s group ended and the medal ceremony. The loud speakers crackled as we ran up to her with open arms and cheers. the microphone turned on. “Great job Liz, I thought you did better than fifth,” Growing up with a sister or any family member my mom said in a cheery voice as Lizzy was looking for that matter, with special needs is a life altering down at her ribbon. Almost as if Lizzy didn’t hear my and challenging experience. Lizzy does not grasp mom she proclaimed, “Look, pink, my favorite color!” concepts, whether they are academic or everyday And that was it. situations, as easily or well as the average kid her age. This can be very, very frustrating, but also quite If any of you know Lizzy, she is one of the happiest humbling and rewarding. people you will ever meet, and for that one reason she is one of my biggest role models. Through ups Lizzy has transformed my life in many different and downs she has always been there for support ways. Lizzy often asks lots of questions not knowing and comfort, and I cannot recall one time she has when to stop; this has helped me be that much more ever insulted me or let me down. The experience of patient with people in other aspects of life. I know I having a special needs sibling is one that is forever am more aware of people around me, and what I and etched into my life experiences and continues to others say about people, because of my sister Lizzy. define me as a human being. The engraving can Amazingly, Lizzy seems to block out negativity around never be erased.
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