| Home | Site TOC | Site Search | Special Programs |

Functional Secondary Enrichment

• Application Form
• Program Descriptions

Kayaking

Checking out a Segway

Touring Central Market.

June 20 - July 1 (2 weeks) or
June 13 - July 1 (3 weeks)

Sample Class Report (90k )

This program is designed for students with visual impairments and developmental disabilities who learn best within structured functional activities. We are exploring the possibility of a unique class or two for secondary students with deafblindiness (see description below).  Students in the Functional Secondary Enrichment program participate in a variety of activities both on and off campus, and in their dorm, such as: shopping, cooking, personal care, work, community transportation, physical fitness, peer and adult interactions, recreation and leisure, and special projects. The classes are organized around a theme, and every class provides the opportunity to practice skills. Examples of skills and activities students have participated in during past summers are:

Communication/Socialization/Literacy

• Teen Talk (structured social conversation and role play class)
• Classroom and dorm parties
• Writing thank you letters
• Journal writing

Cooking/Food Management/Math

• Cooking for a chili cook off
• Making a budget for grocery shopping
• Preparing picnic lunches
• Setting up before and cleaning up after meals

Problem Solving/Choice Making/Self Advocacy

• Scavenger hunts at local food markets
• Deciding on foods to prepare for class parties
• Restaurant outings

Orientation and Mobility

• Riding the city bus
• Calling a cab service

Connecting Concepts to Real Life Experiences

• Making soap at a local soap factory
• Forming and participating in a book club
• Kayaking on Town Lake
• Fishing
• Visiting the Austin Bird Sanctuary
• Exploring the State Capitol

Students will be grouped into self-contained classes of about five students of similar age and level of ability. Two of our classes (10 students) will be three weeks in length, and the others will be two weeks long.  Please indicate on the application which length of program you prefer.  Include a second choice in case we cannot offer your first choice (e.g., 1st choice is FSE-3 week and 2nd choice is FSE-2 week).

Deafblind Summer School Class:  We are exploring the possibility of offering unique two-week classes for secondary students with deafblindness. These classes could have fewer students than the other classes, depending on need. If we have enough applicants, we might provide a class for students functioning at a pre-language level (object or tactile symbols) and/or a class for students who communicate at a linguistic level (speak in connected sentences using speech and/or sign language.  If we do not have enough students to form separate classes, we might serve the pre-language students in our Life Skills Camps and the linguistic students in a regular summer class with an intervenor.  Depending on the interest of each district’s educational team, a face-to-face training on deafblindness will be provided during the final days of the summer session for parents and professionals.  This will include both general information on deafblindness, as well as information specific to the individual student.

The Functional Secondary Enrichment program serves students who meet the criteria described below. Students who do not meet this level of independence or behavioral participation should apply for the Life Skills Camps.

• Students should be 12 years of age or older (occasionally 12-year-old students are moved to the elementary program in order to obtain a group of similar peers). Students between 6-11 years of age (or less mature 12-year olds) should apply for the elementary program.  Students who do not meet the criteria described below might apply for the Life Skills Camp. Please refer to the program descriptions to help decide the most appropriate program.
• Students should be moderately independent in their dressing, eating, toileting, hygiene, and communication abilities.
• Students should not have challenging behaviors that interfere with the instruction of self or others.
• Students should be able to complete the full two- or three-week program to which they are assigned. If you know that you cannot stay for the complete program, please discuss this with the program coordinator listed below or describe your situation in the Additional Information section of this application.

For information about program content, contact Nina Wibbenmeyer (512) 206-9361
WibbenmeyerN@tsbvi.edu

For informatoihn about the deafblind class (ES) contact Lauren Newton (512) 206-9119
LaurenNewton@tsbvi.edu

For information about the application process, contact Cathy Olsen (512) 206-9182
CathyOlsen@tsbvi.edu

Last revision: January 7, 2010