Thomas County Central High School is introducing some enhanced opportunities for its special need students this school year.
Over the summer break upgrades were made to two classrooms housing the school’s special education program in order to provide more opportunities for students to learn important life skills. The projects were funded through E-SPLOST.
Teacher Todd Wilson’s room, a self-contained adapted special education class, is the recipient of a renovated bathroom. The former bathroom was revamped and enlarged, and “new adaptive equipment” has been added to help students with disabilities “improve their independence and overall life skills,” he explained.
“The bathroom will also be utilized to teach and promote grooming, hygiene and healthy habits skills such as washing hands, combing hair, brushing teeth and other personal care skills,” he said.
Wilson, who is “really excited” about the improvement, said special need students developing good healthy habits now will help them as they mature and transition from school to adulthood.
“In order for them to be happy when they are living independently, they will need to be successful at keeping their bodies healthy and clean,” he said. “These life skills will be taught throughout the year by increasing their awareness of healthy personal care habits and encouraging good hygiene routines.”
Teacher Laura Reid’s room is a redesigned classroom that will provide an area for students to learn life skills. A handicapped accessible kitchen and laundry facility have been built.
She is excited about her classroom and said students with disabilities will learn transferable work skills in order to prepare them for the transition from school to the workforce. This includes the use of a business model in order to provide a service (students will pick the name) to the school and the community.
“We plan to provide a laundry wash/fold service to our school staff and we will be preparing and baking desserts/main dishes for our school staff and community partners,” Reid explained. “Also, we will learn how to use appropriate food service skills in order for students to be work ready for the food service industry.”
The long term goal, Reid said, “is for students to be able to transition from school to competitive employment with skills needed to obtain and keep a job."