SARASOTA – A Suncoast school is expanding its educational programs.
“Easterseals Academy, 3 campuses, 1 mission,” said President and CEO of Easterseals Southwest Florida, Tom Waters.
Easterseals Southwest Florida, also known as Happiness House specializes in serving Sarasota and Manatee county students aged Pre-K to 22 years old.
“Ranging from learning disabilities, behavior disabilities, autism, we’re able to support as many students as we can with exceptionalities,” said Principal of Easterseals Academy, Leatha Pfanmiller.
The academy focuses on students learning academic, social, and emotional skills
“We offer academics in small group rotations, our students receive therapies throughout the day from our therapy department, some of our students receive ABA services, specifically students on the spectrum, so we really can do whatever our children need, we really focus on those individual needs and making sure that we’re doing everything we can to set them up for success,” said Pfanmiller.
Although the Easterseals pre-school is set as an inclusion model, the Elementary through high school is open only to students with disabilities
“Because of this beautiful partnership we are in with the Boys and Girls club, the Lee Wetherington Boys and girls Club next year, our students are going to be able to take advantage of the aftercare program next year and be in the program with Neuro typical students which is something that are kids don’t really get much exposure to,” said Pfanmiller.
Tom Waters, President and CEO of Easterseals Southwest Florida, says the integration of all students will help better the community
“You talk about inclusion, and the ability to understand differences, embracing differences, it’s an amazing model, that will change lives for years to come,” said Waters.
Open house for the new Easterseals facility will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club.
For more information, you can visit their website here.
