B.E.S.T.

B.E.S.T., Basic Education Students in Transition, are high school students who are enrolled in the exceptional children's program of the Rowan-Salisbury School System. During their years of high school their curriculum is based on developing independence in the home, in the community and at work.

The B.E.S.T. Curriculum:

• is driven by each student's individualized education plan
• enables parents, students and teachers to establish and reach goals throughout a student's high school years
• involves math, science, english, and social studies, as well as electives outside the B.E.S.T. classroom
• allows students to explore various careers through CBVI, Community Based Vocational Instruction, which involves working at various community businesses
• is a functional curriculum, which means the subjects emphasize skills needed for greater independence
• allows students to participate in recreation/physical fitness activities such as the swimming and gym programs at the YMCA and equestrian skills at Saving Grace Farm

CBVI Sites

• Farmhouse Restaurant
• First Presbyterian Church
• Highland HIll Stables
• Food Lion
• Catawba College

Working Students

No down time for our students this summer.  Four students worked through the Summer Youth Employment program.

• Ronald Foust built houses for Habitat for Humanity.  He learned many skills and enjoyed putting up siding the best.  
• Jackie Allison worked with pre-schoolers at First Presbyterian Church.  This was her second summer on the job and she loved it!
• Terrell Mc Elrath and Adam Allison worked at the Habitat for Humanity General Store.  They assisted with picking up donations, keeping the store organized and assisting customers.

Special Olympics                                              

• Swimming and basketball will begin soon through our program at YMCA.

 Young LIfe Capernaum

Bryan Andrews, Kierre Gillispie and Yolanda Finger attended a Young LIfe Camp in Virginia during a Capernaum week. They had an awesome time on the zipline, swing and pool.  Thanks to the Cody's for being chaperones.  Ronald Foust worked for three weeks at Young LIfe Windy Gap.  He was part of the kitchen crew.  He met young people from all over the country and had a blast!

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• http://www.thearcrowan.org/ The Arc Rowan assist families with making connections to community serrvices. The Arc is a strong advocate for persons with developemntal disabilities.
• http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/ Organization for parents of exceptional students. Great advocacy, information, training throught his organization.