ATHOL — The Athol Royalston Special Education Parent Advisory Committee last week honored a host of individuals it credits with providing outstanding educational, emotional, and community support for local children with special needs. Those recognized at Wednesday’s event at Athol Community Elementary School were lauded as “Educational Champions” for their work.
In opening statements, ARSEPAC Co-chair Meghan Cote told the honorees, “You have time and time again proven your love, dedication and commitment to our children is next to no other. You’ve admirably risen to the challenge of educating our special needs children with true grace and compassion. Each of you possesses the innate ability to continuously and without waiver — lead by example, and emulate a love and light that is truly overpowering. For that, we extend our deepest gratitude for everything you do as our true ‘Educational Champions’ and heroes to our children and families.”
Among those singled out for recognition were Kathryn Clark, Director of Pupil Services for the Athol Royalston Regional School District, and Special Education Coordinator Christie Fontaine. The pair were credited for revitalizing an organization that had grown inactive.
Organization Chair Danalynn Stockwood stated Clark and Fontaine “reestablished the state-mandated council back at the beginning of the school year. Stockwood, along with Meghan Cote decided to take the rolls of Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, then later voted in Crystal Desrosiers as Secretary. “Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Fontaine have helped us in supporting our ideas and the mission of the SEPAC,” said Stockwood.
Stockwood said she and Cote felt that now was the right time to recognize the efforts and commitment that the administration, teachers and staff at ARRSD display throughout the school year. “It’s astonishing to see how much dedication so many at ARRSD provide to our students. I believe there is no way to group individuals into a pool of recognition. It is important for each person to know their impact on the students they help,” she said.
Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren and Lieutenant Ron Cote were also among the large group of honorees.
“The Athol Police Department,” explained Cote, “has graciously joined us in forming a wholesome and positive relationship with our students and families over the past few years. I’m currently the ACES PTO President as well and I’ve called upon them many times to join us for many events and greet our children with love and comradery on ‘High-Five Friday’s’ as community leaders and role models. They have eagerly and warmly always been in attendance! This is precisely why we felt it appropriate to honor them their efforts with our impressionable children.”
Stockwood said she became in involved in ARSEPAC because “I have three children in the district, two on IEP’s (individual education plans) and feel children with special needs must be represented and visible. I constantly tell my children, they can accomplish anything. Sometimes their way of accomplishing success might be done differently, but it is always possible. I also believe it is important for other families, who struggle on a daily, realize they need to be an active advocate for their children.”
Said Cote: “I have two beautiful children and my oldest currently suffers from a complex constellation of invisible medical disabilities. Raising a child with special health needs has been a learning experience and I’ve found that more often than not, it’s unrecognized that the entire family is affected. I’ve experienced firsthand the struggles, pain and confusion many times when it comes to navigating the waters of the educational environment. It’s our mission to change that experience and forge a positive and meaningful relationship between our families and educators.”
The entire list of those honored as Educational Champions include: Kathryn Clark, Christie Fontaine, Sally Quinton, Rachael Parker, Jenn Basso, Christopher Tamulevich, Diane Tamulevich, Mary Sullivan, Robyn Patriquin, Heidi Gray, Myra Calvi Modzeleski, April Melanson, Mary Grutchfield,
Cynthia Drew, Julie Stanley, Kimberly Leesha, Sharon Chauvette, Peter Rego, Barbara Franck, Donna McCarthy, Brian Snell, Emily Hall, Nancy Cook, Alecia Piscitello, Kelley Targett, Beth Craven, Angela Deveneau, Cheryl Parker, Thomas Telicki, Thomas Osborn, Jennifer LaRoche, Elaine Gauthier, Terri Allen, Linda Robinson, and Rebecca Vincent.