Page 40 - June 2020 - final proof - The Castle Pines Connection

40 CastlePinesConnection.com
Reconnecting through a caravan
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Debbie Rochau
As part of the curriculum for the signi cant support needs (SSN) program at Rock Canyon High School, students learn life skills that they can carry with them after high school. Before the Douglas County School District transitioned to remote learning, students were shopping for cooking ingredients at local stores or learning on-the-job training as a part of their independent living lessons. Now replaced with video calls and online lessons from teachers, students have been feeling physically disconnected from one another.
SSN teacher Debbie Rochau noted that these past few months have been challenging and dif cult times for us all, but for the SSN students, this time has been especially confusing. Many of the
Excited SSN teachers Jerome Price (left) and Debbie Rochau (right) share a happy moment in spirit of Rock Canyon High School and its SSN students.
hello in person.
Juris said, “The students ll my heart in ways that nothing else does.”
Field of dreams
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy
With the help of Online Physical Education Network’s national trainers, American Academy’s Castle Pines students were able to enjoy this year’s annual eld day tradition from their homes. Using household items like baskets, Tupperware, socks, balls and water bottles, backyards transformed into courses for timed eld day activities. The nice weather drew students away from their desks and got them outside to compete in the coin ip 400-meter dash and the milk jug relay.
students have no real understanding of the current changes and why they are unable to see their friends and teachers.
The SSN education team decided to reconnect
with their students by hosting a car caravan. The
team surprised each of the 22 students, driving to
their homes in parade fashion. They celebrated
the students with signs of encouragement,
congratulations and goody bags lled with SSN
team keepsakes. Rochau felt the caravan was
important to keep the students motivated during the remainder of the school year and to ensure the students that their teachers are real and present and not just an image they see on the computer screen each day.
Tears of emotion showed the parents’ gratitude. The families of the SSN students recognize the time each teacher took going the extra step to care for their kids, not just on this day but every day. Jennifer Barela’s son Eddie, was one of the students visited. Barela could not thank the SSN staff enough for the love they showed Eddie during the visit. Barela said watching the caravan pass by brought tears to her eyes. She is so thankful for the support they give Eddie.
SSN educational assistant JoLynn Juris knew she missed her students, but she did not realize how much until, after weeks of remote learning, she actually got to see them and say
Freshman Jatin Thimmannagari may see his teachers and friends on video, but today his spirits brightened and Jatin felt as though he was dreaming the visit from his teacher Jerome Price.
Right: Siblings Joshua and Juliana Perez challenge each other in a game of paper plane corn hole.
Left: Recognized by the OPEN National Field Day Training Team, Autumn and Lincoln Callahan are certi ed eld day champions for completing the day’s challenges.