July 2019 Newsletter
A Message from the President
Everyone at PHILLIPS wishes you a very safe and enjoyable 4th of July. As we join with family and friends to celebrate our nation's Independence Day, we pause to reflect on the past celebrations and what we are most grateful for -- our youths successes.
June is a month filled with ceremonies at PHILLIPS Programs. From classroom honors, to department awards (Education for Employment, Career Partners, and Counseling) to Lower School tributes and finally the Middle School and Upper School commencement ceremonies, we take great pride in applauding and recognizing the hard work, effort and achievements our youth have accomplished in and out of the classroom. As we celebrate the successes of so many youth this is also a time of reflection. One of our cherished traditions is to share the stories we call PHILLIPS Moments that best sum up the reason we are dedicated to improving the outcomes for the children and families we serve.
Recently, Laura Heyer, one of two Upper School Supervisors at PHILLIPS School ~ Annandale was invited to the commencement at Strayer University. She was there to watch James Stevens receive his Masters Degree in Human Resources. Laura and James have known each other for sixteen years. She shared his story with me and also conveyed his interest in coming back to his old high school to talk with current students in the hopes that
his story would serve to inspire other young people who are in the same shoes he wore when he walked through our doors at the age of 14.
Laura was a classroom assistant when she first worked with James. She recalled how much difficulty he had maintaining control because he was frustrated at every turn. The following year she was a newly minted lead teacher and he was in her classroom. Laura worked diligently to increase his toolbox of coping skills. In two short years he developed from a non-reader who might fly into a rage from exasperation with academics to an engaged student willing to try anything new placed in front of him and was selected as student of the year!
After graduating, James joined the Job Corps. He learned carpentry and earned his driver's license on his 14th try. With the mobility that comes with a license he was able to attain a position at McDonald's and decided to further his education. His mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he cared for her and continued to work full time while also going to school. He completed his Associate's degree, then his Bachelor's degree four years ago. Saturday, June 21, he walked across the stage and received a Master's degree.
James' story exemplifies the many reasons parents tell us that PHILLIPS offers them hope for their children's future.
Warmly,
Will you give $10 on the 10th?
Join the Circle of Hope by making a monthly gift to help PHILLIPS provide vital resources to put our youth on the path to a brighter future!$10 is less than two lattes, less than a lunch at your favorite restaurant and less than a ticket to a show. While it might not purchase much at a retail or entertainment establishment, it can go a long way - especially when multiplied by the power of many - to support youth!As we close or
PHILLIPS 2nd Annual 5K/Fun Run: Trick or Trot for a good cause!
PHILLIPS 2nd Annual 5K/ Fun Run will take place on Saturday, October 19 at Burke Lake Park. The timed 5K will start at 8 AM and the Fun Run at 9 AM. Families and friends are invited to register to run or walk to support our upcoming culinary arts program at the Annandale campus. For the past two years this program has been engaging students at our Laurel campus with impressive outcomes! Burke Lake Park offers a scenic and easy course to run or walk for a great cause! Prizes will be offered for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and for best costume! Click here to register!
Sponsor the 5K!Sponsorship opportunities at many different levels are available for the race. This is a great event for company promotion and employee team building while supporting a local organization. Contact Debi Alexander at debi.alexander@phillipsprograms.org or 703.941.8810Click HERE for more detailed information.
Congratulations to PHILLIPS' 2019 Graduates!
PHILLIPS ~ Growing Futures Program
PHILLIPS School ~ Laurel offers a Farm to Table Career and Technical Education (CTE) program called Growing Futures. Youth enrolled in this program engage in hands on experiential curriculum that includes culinary arts in a commercial kitchen and an indoor vertical farm where youth are trained in hydroponic systems complimented by an urban agriculture curriculum. Students grow and harvest fresh produce all year long. The freshly grown produce (microgreens, herbs, edible flowers, leafy greens and vegetables) is used in food preparation to augment taste, flavor and nutrition, as well as adds a focus on health and wellness, and food sustainability issues.
Growing Futures students:
• Build technical and academic skills required for employment
• Develop essential workplace soft skills, critical thinking and problem solving
• Have opportunities for attaining industry certification
• Participate in internships with local employers.
• Receive mentoring and support in job placement.
Most importantly, they gain hope for their future as they envision themselves as capable valued employees, and positive contributing members of their community.
Our students have enjoyed a prolific growing season (see the table below)! Our products are being sold to three local restaurants and a chocolatier: Faddensonnen, Orto, Le Comptoir Du Vin and Pure Chocolate by Jinji!
Based on the outcomes for our youth at our Laurel campus we are developing resources to replicate this program at our Annandale campus!
Our PHILLIPS~Growing Futures youth had a bountiful year in the hydroponic vertical farm at the Laurel campus!
PHILLIPS School~Annandale's Junefest: a fun end of year tradition!
PHILLIPS School~Laurel has a new playground!
Check out the time lapse video of PHILLIPS School~Laurel's playground build day HERE! Our volunteers finished in just under six hours. Many thanks to Marriott International, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and KaBOOM! for making our youth's playground dreams come true.
PHILLIPS~Family Partners is Excited to Offer Autism Diagnostic Assessments
PHILLIPS ~ Family Partners now offers the combination of the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments, as well as a comprehensive Autism diagnostic package.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is a standardized instrument for diagnosing and assessing ASD, looking in detail at communication (verbal & non-verbal); social interaction; play; and restricted and repetitive behaviors.
The ADI-R focuses on three functional domains: language/communication, reciprocal social interactions and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and interests.
The Autism testing can be completed for individuals ages 18 months to adulthood. Both the ADOS-2 and the ADI-R have been proven highly useful in providing information to inform diagnosis, as well as treatment and educational planning.
Contact Carrie Clark, MSS, BCBA, LBA at carrie.clark@phillipsprograms.org or 703.941.8810 for more information.
"Their potential, our commitment"
PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families is a private, non-profit organization serving the complex needs of children and youth living with cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Through excellence in specialized education, community programs and individualized support services, we provide our children and families every advantage to ensure they develop to achieve their greatest individual success. Their potential is our commitment.