Guest blogger Kirsten Endicott

We strive to meet individual needs at Ranch Ehrlo

Ranch Ehrlo’s educational programming strives to provide our young people with the least restrictive and most productive educational settings possible considering their diverse needs.  Evidence to support these ideas throughout the school experience includes recess and lunch breaks, Christmas Variety Shows, testing, fitness programming, special projects, shops, story telling, the annual Art from the Heart calendar, science fair, the annual Soup Cook Off, cultural events, and so on.  Youth engagement and productivity are promoted through our diverse program focus.  We aim to build school spirit through the events and activities that involve our students as much as possible.  This carries forward from Schaller School to our satellite education/vocation programs in the city.

Getting our kids involved is the key

Our kids love being a part of teams and activities; to be part of the school they are at, so any chance that we have to facilitate this, we will.  It is that sense of belonging and feeling a part of that community which helps our kids grow and feel important.  I can recall a time at Rosemont School, when each of our cooperating residences made it possible for our students to purchase Rosemont clothing (hoodies, tshirts, sweats).  Our kids excitedly took home order forms for these items and the houses made it possible.  Years later, I still see some of those students wearing their Rosemont apparel proudly. 

We are involved in our cooperating community schools

In terms of being involved in the city, our education staff have taken on coaching or participating in extra-curricular activities, and our youth do as well.  Though it is not a job requirement, our staff have made themselves available to contribute to their cooperative school programming when possible.  The benefits of these efforts are many.  We like to foster a reciprocal relationship with our host schools in the city.