Ross, the Glenholme 2014-2015 Student Council President, made several important announcements during the Parents' Weekend event on May 2. The school mascot, the Grizzly, joined in the effort.
We wanted to thank you for an extraordinary weekend! I have to tell you that we have not seen our daughter smile and laugh this much in her life! She absolutely loves the school and everyone connected to it.
Washington, Connecticut (PRWEB) May 19, 2015
Each spring, the campus of The Glenholme School blossoms with the incredible excitement of Parents’ Weekend, the school’s largest fundraising effort of the year. While the weekend-long event at Glenholme follows the practice of private schools as a fundraiser, it is much more. It is the annual tradition where parents have the chance to bond with their children, to meet new people and become better acquainted with the school — all the while building the community. For the 2015 event, the school commemorated 50 years in honor of the Van Sinderen gift of the Glenholme Farm to Devereux and the success of changing the lives of thousands of students with learning differences.
The event kicked off in a grand way on Friday, May 1, with a student choral performance which delivered an invigorating selection of celebratory songs for the festive occasion. Saturday offered a day of engaging activities and events from every aspect of student life on campus which incorporated electrifying arts performances, enjoyable equestrian riding, and the adrenaline-pumping zip line, along with the annual campus sporting team competitions which pins students against their parents in basketball and softball. A few extras included a rock climbing wall, Segways and a caricature artist added to the day’s fun.
If the swelled schedule of activities was not enough, anticipation of the grand re-opening of the long-awaited newly-expanded gymnasium and a frenzy of bidding at the silent auction completed the campus events with outbursts of cheers, applause and happiness.
Winners celebrated into the night as Saturday culminated with two evening events, on campus and off. The on-campus event, students were enthusiastically engaged in a silent auction, along with a joyful costume dance and celebration. While the adults experienced a high energy, elegant auction evening at the Crown Plaza in Southbury, where a flurry of bidding paddles flashed rapidly in the air for the incredible selection of excursions, special student opportunities, and coveted items such as “Head of School for a Day” and “Glenholme Idol.”
Several recognitions and announcements were made during the parents’ live auction event. Teacher of the Year was awarded to Physical Education teacher, Michael Cipriani, who tirelessly and happily provided physical education in the most creative ways as well as thoughtful places while he waited for the gymnasium expansion to be completed. Deanna Cipriano was recognized with the Devereux Supervisory Excellence Award for her consistency and commitment to not only excellence but the core values of the school. Long-time advocate and devoted parent, David O. Russell, was honored with the Doucette award recognizing him for his unwavering support and dedication to the school’s mission. Glenholme has graciously benefitted from David's generosity and enjoyed the many celebrity guests he has brought to school events over the years. Jason and Kathy Katims, also Glenholme parents, were honored with the Bowen Award, which not only acknowledged them for their kindness but also for their compassion in upholding and achieving the school's vision. The school deeply appreciates the energy, dedication, and creativity of these individuals and all who thoughtfully supported the school throughout the weekend.
The Parents’ Weekend festivities were focused on the school’s commemoration of 50 years in honor of the Van Sinderen gift of the Glenholme Farm to Devereux and the school’s success in changing the lives of young people with learning differences since 1965. To honor the Van Sinderen’s generosity, the school launched its Glenholme Good Deeds Campaign for which it seeks 50 good deeds a day for 50 days posted to their Twitter @GlenholmeSchool with the hashtag #GlenholmeGoodDeeds. The school shares the Twitter posts on its other social media channels.
It was a beautiful weekend for The Glenholme School. With more promises being made and the result of another spectacular Parents’ Weekend being tallied, the school moves closer to fulfilling its fundraising goal for the year. All contributions will enhance the school’s program offerings and directly benefit the students of the school. If you would like to contribute to The Glenholme School, go to school's online giving portal.
About The Glenholme School:
The Glenholme School, a center of the Devereux organization, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) coeducational therapeutic boarding school for young people with high functioning autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, OCD, Tourette's, depression, anxiety, and various learning differences. The program provides a treatment milieu designed to build competence socially and academically. Our learning environment supports and enhances the ability for young people with special needs to succeed. Devereux is a leading nonprofit behavioral health organization that supports many of the most underserved and vulnerable members of our communities. For more information about The Glenholme School and its program, visit http://www.theglenholmeschool.org/home.
