BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
For the students at Clarkston Schools? Post-High AI program, venturing to Chicago over night is more than a simple field trip. For most of the students it’s a chance at sampling independence for the first time.
Post-High was recently awarded a grant from the Autism Society of America, Oakland County chapter, to take students to Chicago in March for an overnight trip. The $482.50 received is providing airfare for the students.
‘This will be the first overnight ever away from their parents for some of them,? Barbara Greenstone, Post-High AI teacher said.
The trip is a big step for the program’s 12 autistic students who range in age from 19-26. Working in and being part of the community is the basis of their classroom experience each day.
‘We want them to be able to be successful in an environment outside of the home,? Greenstone said in reference to heading out on the trip. ‘We want them to develop a comfort level, knowing that they can go away somewhere and come back again.?
Greenstone, along with colleagues Amy Batch and Tim Sinischo, chose Chicago because of the interest from students and the somewhat-close location.
Another first for many of the students will be the flight to Chicago. Experiencing an airport’s activities and taking a flight are two important events the program’s teachers hope the students will benefit from.
‘A lot of parents tend not to plan vacations because the student might get scared at the airport right before the flight,? Batch said, noting that some parents were at first a little hesitant about the group flying to their destination. ‘This hopefully will help them for the future.?
In case a student is uncomfortable taking a flight upon arrival, a staff member will be ready with a car to drive to Chicago.
‘There’s lots of uncertainty with something like this, so you just don’t know what will happen,? Greenstone said. ‘Hopefully it will be successful.?
Students are already talking about what spots they’d like to visit in Chicago. Top choices include Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Wrigley Field, and even the Hard Rock Cafe. The pool at the Palmer House, where they’ll be staying, will also be a big attraction.
Post-High student Mike White is already excited to go.
‘I want to see the aquarium and the Science of Industry Museum,? White said.
Students will be broken into smaller groups based on activity interests once they arrive. No student will be forced into an activity they don’t want to do.
‘This trip isn’t about us (teachers),? Greenstone said. ‘We can go there any time.?
The daily routine that each student has at Post-High will be transferred to the trip to Chicago. Visual schedules set the pace for students every morning, and the same will be true in Chicago.
‘We’ll do some prep closer to the trip,? said Amy Batch, Post-High AI teacher. ‘They’ll get visual schedules. We don’t want to plan too early or else it will cause some anxiety for students.?
In addition to the schedules, students will also bring comfort items, such as portable CD players, for the plane ride.
Making sure the trip goes smoothly will be well-trained staff members that work with the students every day. Greenstone is hoping for a 1:1 student-teacher ratio.
Not only have the teachers been planning the trip for the students, they’ve also been working on additional funding. The program applied for another grant in hopes of covering all costs.
Local businesses have stepped up to try and help the Post-High students. Three restaurants will donate part of a day’s profits to the trip’s overall costs.
‘Anything you can do to help a child is awesome, especially those in need,? said Dante Vannelli, chef at Lavilla restaurant.
When the trip is over, Greenstone hopes her students will take away a feeling of accomplishment and responsibility, factors that they work on each day in their community-based education.
‘When it’s over, I want to say, ‘We did it, they did it,?? Greenstone said. ‘Hopefully parents will feel reassured that their children can do it.?
If you’d like to make a donation to Post-High’s Chicago trip, contact Barbara Greenstone at (248) 623- 4316.