a bright spot for bright kids...
Student Supports
MENTAL HEALTH
The mental health of our staff and students is a primary concern, as emotional support is critical to human safety. Our professional Social Worker community liaison is a full-time valued member of our administrative team, participating in broader decision-making for the school vision as a whole, but also working individually and in crews as needs arise. This staff member also helps facilitate Society class and the Spa, and offers groups both during and outside of the school day to provide additional support structures. An emotional support dog named Izzy is also part of our community and she is here to help make our house more like home.
SUPPORT COACH
Sometimes, the unique differences you experience in learning or being in a community bring challenges that require some additional support. Learning those skills alone or in a pull-out environment can feel lonely and alienating. We believe that every kid can fully be a part of our community, but may also need moments to take breaks, try a different approach, or find a new way to see a problem. Our full-time Support Coach is an integral part of our community, both in classrooms, teaching Society class, and facilitating groups during and outside of the school day, including periodic opportunities to just get outside and get our feet on the ground.
THE SPA
Everyone needs to decompress, but having a place to actually reboot in a traditional school environment typically feels pretty artificial. We have a dedicated space in our "house" with a different theme every week that offers a space to soothe the soul - a sensory room offering a different experience than other spaces in the school. No personal services are offered, but relaxation is sublime for the mind and heart.
REST AND DIGEST
One of three basic body systems needs, "rest and digest" is part of a cycle that includes threat and drive, but is the most easily overlooked. We have built rest and digest into both the regular daily schedule as well as breaking the school year into nine smaller, more easily digestible units so that there is a clear ending to debrief what we've learned and have time to reboot systems before jumping into another big world concept.
BEYOND THE LABELS
While labels are helpful in order to access services in traditional environments, they also can be very difficult to see beyond and remember there is a kid first with unique needs as a part of who that kid may be. Too often, kids are seen and identified solely by their labels, and huge assumptions are made based on limited knowledge and generalizations across those differences. We are interested in each unique you. Reasonable accommodations for learning that do not place the school at risk due to additional employment needs or undue resources are a part of most interactions with kids. What each kid needs will look differently, and may be less familiar to some, but is always a welcome part of how we teach and how we learn.
OUR BROADER COMMUNITY
Family engagement and participation is a significant part of the progressive model, and we encourage you to be a part of our community as we share various opportunities. Even though your kids are big, they need you maybe even more now than they did when you showed up at school when they were little. Your whole family is a part of our family here at Vector, and that commitment is something we take very seriously.