Questar III’s Special Education programs closed out the 2015-2016 school year with graduations and award ceremonies to celebrate student achievement throughout the year.
At Catskill Academy, six students were honored at graduation on June 10. Teachers and administrators spoke about each student’s accomplishments and growth over their time at the school. The Catskill Middle School Band provided music for the ceremony- including the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance”. After the ceremony, students, parents and friends enjoyed a luncheon together.
Students in Questar III classes at Columbia High School in East Greenbush celebrated the completion of their program as well on June 10. A ceremony was held in the high school auditorium to honor those students moving on. See photos of the ceremony here.
In Troy, George Washington School held their annual awards ceremony to recognize the growth in their students throughout the year. Each teacher presented certificates to their students recognizing their abilities, strengths, and specific areas of growth. The Bookworm award, Helping Hand award, and Social Butterfly award were handed out numerous times! See photos here.
Rensselaer Academy held their graduation and award ceremony June 10, which consisted of students earning awards for attendance and behavior awards as part of PBIS, Academic Awards including special student recognition, achievement roll (average 80-85,) Honor Roll (average 85-90), High Honor Roll (average 90-100), and most improved in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Humanities. Several students also earned the Principal Award, which recognizes students who have had level 4 behavior all year, a 95% attendance rate, and display outstanding character, exception work ethic, and consistently exhibits positive behaviors in school and the community. See photos here.
Four students graduated from Sackett Educational Center in Castleton. At the ceremony June 10, graduates heard from Principal Karen Brockley, faculty members Jane Govola, Jennifer Merritt, and Joal Bova as well as Junior Albert Schneck. Graduate MaryLou Poole also spoke at the ceremony. See photos here,
Students in Questar III classes at Red Mill Elementary School held and end-of-year barbeque at Hampton Manor Lake June 21 as well as an awards and moving up ceremony on June 17. They also went horseback riding on a field trip as the culminating event for the year.
June 21 also marked graduation for the Sarah’s Sisters Class of 2016. This program, based at Russell Sage College in Troy, offers special education students age 18-21 who have completed their high school program a chance to experience life on a college campus. Students audit classes, volunteer in the community and are placed at a number of work sites on and nearby campus. While the program will move to a new location next year, Questar III would like to thank Russell Sage College and Dean Quigley, as well as the numerous professors and staff members that contributed to the program and devoted time and resources to our students. At graduation, each student received a new iPad as a gift from the college. Photo gallery here.
