Newspapers / What’s Happening (High Point, … / Dec. 8, 1972, edition 1 / Page 3
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Center For The Handicapped Kindergarten Run On Belief That All Can Learn A bachelor who is the new director of High Point Kindergarten for the Handicapped thinks his two centers make up “the best program of its kind of the state.” Dennis Renshaw, an Ilhnois native, came to the Kindergarten via the Uni versity of West Florida and finally through tht University of North Caro lina at Greensboro, where he is a gradaute student. There Renshaw met and studied un der Dr. Scott Lawrence, a psychologist in the behavior modification technique and the director of a Model Cities juvenile dehnquency project using that method. In the spring Lawrence headed an evaluation team employed by the Fore-See (Comprehensive Community Child Care) Agency, the umbrella over all child care programs in the city. Lawrence and his team of three, which include Renshaw, took a close look at one of the Fore-See components, Kin dergarten for the Handicapped. A separate organization in itself, with its own board of directors. Kin dergarten for the Handicapped is also funded in part by Model Cities. It was during the evaluation of this project that Renshaw says he became “entrenched” with the kindergarten and with its student enrollment of 59. With the death of director Rose mary Wray, Renshaw eventually as sumed the role of acting director. Last week, the board oflBcially made him director efiFective January 1. SCIENTIFIC APPROACH The new agency head has some definite ideas about the scientific ap proach to child care, very similiar to Lawrence’s approach to changing ju veniles’ behavior. “All children can learn,” says Ren shaw. “We must simply adapt to their level. I want to steer away from labels.” Kindergarten for the Handicapped is for children with some mental handi cap. Some are termed slow learners, or slow developers. Others have an additional physical handicap, as well, which prevents them from learning at a normal rate. “Here we don’t take behavior for granted in the learning process,” Ren- JIMMY BROWN, son of Gladys Brown of 615 Elizabeth Street. shaw goes on. “We teach children be haviors using positive reinforcement.” This technique simply means that a child is rewarded for doing good things, or for behaving in an appro priate way. When he is compliment ed, or rewarded for responding pro perly, he is reinforced and the chances for him continuing to behave in this way increase. Renshaw is also a firm believer in parent involvement. “We want to maximize the children’s chances to learn, so we train their parents in these methods for as much carry-over in the home as possible,” he explains. The stafE of 27 — which includes special aides, a bus driver, two speech therapists, arts and crafts specialist, physical education coordinator, teach ers and assistants — are all trained in these psychological methods. HIGH CLASS’ He gives much credit to Ms. Wray for her outstanding work with the kindergarten. “When we evaluated it, it was already high class,” says Ren shaw. “She stood behind me, and gave me a chance to try some new things, but I just added a little bit to an awfully lot she had already done.” The aim of the kindergarten, for children ages 3 to 8, is to increase the probability that they can enter public school. Renshaw shys away from using the term “retarded” in speaking about these students. “We have programs to meet the in dividual needs of each child, and this stafiF is one heck of a stafF. It’s amaz ing some of the things they can do,” he says. Centers are located at Calvary Uni ted Methodist Church, 1201 E. Green Drive, coordinated by Peggy Baxter; and at Forest Hills Presbyterian Chruch, 836 W. Lexington Avenue, coordinated by Brenda Tate. A waiting list of six already exists, with an additional 13 children in the process of being evaluated for the kindergarten. Applications can be made through the Fore-See Agency, 329 N. Main Street, or by contacting either center director. Speech therapist JANICE DICKERSON, left, with TROY JACKSON, son of the Eddie Jacksons of 407 Meredith Street. At right, AL WILLIAMS, son of the Alfred Williamses of 124 Taylor Street, peaks as he says his blessing at snack time. TIMMY JACKSON, son of the La fayette Jackson, Jrs. of 417B Ennis St. Circle K Club Shows Concern (Continued from page 1) don’t maximize the time thay could spend in getting involved. “The edu cational process is at fault,” says Reece. “That’s why there’s a South- side, for example.” He went on, “I think if we put our heads together, we can make an ef fect, we can change things. People who deplore the housing conditions don’t speak out — there’s no talk, and no action. “Sure, we’re young and we’re ideal istic,” he concluded. “But we’re not just speaking hot rhetoric. We’re try ing to do something positive. We’re optimistic, we’re idealistic. . . . But if we’re not, who is?” Guilford Family Planning County-Wide Project Flourishes Seldom do sheer numbers tell an adequate story about how a project is doing. In some projects more than others, however, numbers can give you a good idea about how successfully, or how busily, its agency is functioning. It would be unfair to request some agencies to make a list of hard figures showing how many people benefitted from its services in a given month or quarter. In others, on the other hand numbers do speak for themselves. With the Guilford County Family Planning Agency, such is the case. Directed by Mitzi Alexander, Family Planning is a Model Cities project operated by the Guilford County Health Department. Not only do res idents of the Model Neighborhood and of High Point benefit in its serv ices, so do the residents of the entire county. The following numbers reflect the activities of the project on its county- wide basis. For its operation, which began in April 1971, Model Cities con tributes $50,000 this action year, matched by $262,208 by the U. S. De partment of Health, Education and Welfare. At present, over 5,300 men and women are on some method of birth control dispensed by Family Planning. This includes 1,735 in High Point alone. An additional 1,768 potential pa tients were contacted from August through October, including 179 Model Neighborhood residents. Outreach is an important part of this program, in order to contact those who might mis understand what family planning is all about, project personnel feel. FOLLOW-UP VISITS During that same quarter, a total of 1,071 follow-up visits were made to current patients in the county. An additional 962 adults attended class sessions in which family planning pro cedures are explained. These classes, held at the family planning clinics, numbered 90 for the same three-month period. A total of 669 persons attended the 43 community education sessions con ducted by Family Planning staflE all over the county. In High Point, the Family Planning clinic is located at 407 N. Elm Street. All of its medical services are free, including contraceptive devices, as well as transportation to and from the clinic, if needed. Counseling is available for families by either a male or female worker, whichever an individual or couple prefer. Apointments for an examination at the clinic can be made by calling 886-4214. With nearly 1200 visiting Family Planning in the month of September alone, you’ll be in good company.
What’s Happening (High Point, N.C.)
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Dec. 8, 1972, edition 1
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