It is Tuesday. Students who were polled this morning could hardly wait for Thankgiving break, which starts, technically, at the end of Wednesday.
Christian started packing several days early and was still going through his things late last night in anticipation, though it was only Monday night. A few students are gone already and one is scheduled to leave at 10:20 on Wednesday morning. The buzz is in the air! And with today’s topic being “Health and Exercise,” students confess that portion control is not on their mind on Thanksgiving day. While it is true that people throw caution to the wind and tend to over-eat with joy on Thanksgiving day, our students will surely be no exception. They looked dreamy-eyed just thinking about hot, home-cooked food that they didn’t have to budget, buy, and cook themselves.
Aaron has been celebrating his birthday for a week now and is looking forward to extending the experience and taking it home. He admits being homesick and can hardly wait to go back home, for more reasons than the food. Though he is from the Bay Area, he hasn’t seen “home” for a full semester and he feels his reward for being a good student is just around the corner. He looks forward to watching tv!
I had to remind students that college is still in session when they return. When I asked about Thanksgiving holiday plans, I received a variety of responses, including what they were planning for Christmas. “Now, wait a minute!,” I said. You realize you have finals when you come back and you don’t get to think about Christmas before that point. Those two holidays are more than a month apart!” Well, ok, they had to think about it. Students look forward to any holiday and seem very impatient to get straight to Christmas (presents).
At least four students told me they “still believe in Santa Clause.” When I asked why, I was told that Santa represents joy and miracles and the idea that surprises are awaiting. Well, I’m sure the stories we get on their return will be filled with just as much joy, and maybe they’ll have the concentration to make it to the end of finals. We have no snow or sleet or reindeer in Berkeley, and certainly not even rain has made much of an appearance, but we do have students wearing jackets and shoes (instead of sandals) this month. Certainly, shoes signal that we are in Winter.
Students who are going out of state will be hit with reality: It may be 60 degrees in Berkeley, but it’s 15 in Minnesota and 37 in New York and Massachussettes. Let’s see them complain about the cold after their long and cherished Thanksgiving dinner, and blurt out, “OK, I’m ready to go back to Berkeley now, where it’s warm!”
Look at you in your shiny new flats
And your pretty little dress
With strands of egocentrism
Stitched into each square.
The blatant disregard for anyone
Less fortunate than you drips
Steadily from your full, red lips
Coated in designer gloss.
Never mind the fashion nerds,
Or the geeky kid who sits in the corner
And never says a word.
Never mind the autistic kid
Who fidgets and tries hopelessly to interact.
Watching the group conversations going
On like she’s never seen something so
Fascinating in her life.
Never mind that she sits back
Wistfully watching and admiring
Classroom chatter, thinking that the
Method for maintaining an age appropriate
Friendship must be the second most important
Discovery humankind has ever made.
Never mind that.
You’ve got your friends.
She’s said “hi” and “bye” to you
A few times, but not much else.
You just can’t resist turning to look
At her as she covers her ears and
Begins to rock slowly back and forth
As a fire truck surges down a nearby street.
You leave class that day
Wondering how the hell
A girl like her made it to a
College like this, and thanking
God for social normalcy and
Name brand jeans.
I am a ’00 graduate of the Berkshire Center in Lee, Massachusetts. Following graduation, I went on to fulfill a lifetime goal of graduating from the University of Mississippi, by earning a B.A. in Parks and Recreation Management. My emphasis with- in Park and Recreation Management was tourism. Fulfilling this degree required me to complete an internship, which I chose to do at a resort in Destin, Florida. I was on a team that was in charge of establishing recreational programs for children ages 4 to 12 years of age.
After this experience, I quickly figured out that I was not suited to work in the hospitality/recreation industry so I decided to fall back on my personal background instead of my educational. This led me to explore the field of disability advocacy which took me to Washington DC. Having friends in DC working for senators helped me tremendously, because I quickly was offered an internship at the United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA). I served as a public policy intern at UCPA for four months. My duties included covering congressional hearings and advocating for issues relevant to the disability community. I went on to work as a youth organizer for Inclusion Research Institute. Through this position I taught teens and young adults with developmental disabilities advocacy skills.
I recently moved to San Francisco to live closer to my two older brothers. I currently live with my eldest brother, although I am looking for a place on my own. The brother closest to my age does not live to far away and we see each other often. Since moving to San Francisco I have been busy conducting a job search which I am hoping will end very soon. Similarly to what I did in DC, my focus is to obtain a job in disability advocacy. In fact I recently applied for a job with Disability Rights of California.
I am not currently in a relationship although I continue to explore the possibilities. My hobbies include swimming, watching sports, hanging out with friends, and writing (although I need to do more of this).
If I could still have one part of the College Internship program it would probably be the culinary aspect. It is difficult to make good food for myself when I am on the run. I would also still benefit greatly from a therapist I could speak with once or twice a week.
As for the future I would love to be with a disability organization such as United Cerebral Palsy Association or American Association for People with Disabilities where I could influence national policy decisions for people with disabilities.
Reflecting over the year I spent at the Berkshire Center, I realize there are many things I benefited from. Recently I sent Dr. McManmon an email conveying to him my relationship with the Berkshire Center is like that of a son to a living parent, with age you can admit things you could not when you were young. Such as the vital importance of the eight o’clock meeting, this is the one thing I dreaded the most as a student. It was not until years later that I realized that by waking up late you create so much more stress for yourself. Daily task, especially for people with disabilities, can be so much easier if you simply plan ahead and follow through.
My advice to current students at the Berkeley Center and the other College Internship programs across the country is listening to your teachers. Believe me I know from experience it is easy to think they are making life tough when they tell you to do something differently from the way you are currently doing it. I used to disagree with Dr. McManmon a lot, especially when I was a new student but more often than not he was right and I was wrong.
By Julie L. Shepard, Berkeley Academic Coordinator
It looks like the Parent Weekend was a success! Our first DVD debuted in Berkeley and parents got to see their junior actors in action. We had great participation and attention really rose dramatically when the previous participants realized how great they looked on film. But more than that, I have a vision of seeing even the shyest person participate- not for purposes of acting or impressing anybody, but because it’s so essential that they stand in those big shoes and try out the roles that seem so scary to them.
I have had a lot of feedback, from various perspectives. The potential for teaching here is enormous because multimedia is such a hot topic and cutting-edge way to integrate all the senses, from doing to viewing. We work on scripts from Human Relationships to Self Advocacy and students volunteered for the last shoot with great enthusiasm after the smoke had cleared from the parent weekend viewing. What do you know!
I also received great support from the other CIP centers and other professionals who like what we are doing here. All four of our centers are now collaborating on projects together, so students from all the centers will be able to utilize what we call “Video Modeling,” which can do anything from practice interviews to “Order in the Court” role play, to counting back change in a grocery store. There is endless potential for improvs and endless ways the students can contribute to the “On the Spot” scripts. For example, in our last shoot there was a court judge, a defense attorney, and prosecuting attorney, a defendant, and a case read before the court. Each lawyer presented a one-liner and then the judge got to rule and bang his gavel. Since noone knew which side the judge would rule on, there was some laughter at his decisions. Also, we had a realistic bickering among two members of a couple who had applied for divorce and the judge had to ask for “order in the court!” and then make his ruling.
I thank the students who participated and continue to participate, the staff who support our endeavors, and the parents who see the big picture of what we are doing here and really appreciate our efforts. Video modeling DOES enhance comprehension. Yes, it is an art form, as life is art. The beauty is in watching our students open to the world like sunflowers following the sun. I am as impressed as they are when we play it back. Go CIP go!
Students who participate in puppeteers for their community service at CIP at the Berkshire Center in Lee, MA had a great time putting on a show for 15 youngsters on November 2 at the Congregational Church here in town. The youngsters really got a kick out of the show. They were such an appreciative audience, and the puppeteers enjoyed performing their show Lobsters in Love for them. The show is based on the book by the same name written by Richard and Lindsey Kidd.
Back, left to right: Margaret Markham, Stevanne Decker, Shannon McDermott, Christina Tenore, Glen Downey. Front, left to right: Paul Morris, Jennifer Hersch, Lindsay Tanis.
The story is about Monsieur Thermidore, a French lobster chef who runs “the most popular restaurant beneath the waves where sea creatures swim from miles around to enjoy his famous seaweed soup.” Monsiour T. is planning a birthday bash to be held at his restaurant, and he goes off to the coral reef in search of the best seaweed to put in his famous soup. The reef gives way and he sinks down into the deep black part of the ocean and lands in a pirate’s treasure chest. Some fisherman cast their nets and haul Monsiur T. up onto the deck of their fishing boat where he finds a beauriful lady lobster sobbing with her claws bound. Of course Monsieur T. rescues her, and they swim back to the restaurant where they hold the birthday bash, and Monsier Thermidor and his lovely lady Angelique are married by the Rev. Clamshell. After the ceremony the celebration begins, and the puppet show ends with all of the sea creatures dancing merrily while the singing lobster, Senior Kocomo, sings “Olay Olay.”
Paul Morris was a fisherman who narrated through his colorful red and white fish. Zach Zeller, who amazed us all with his fabulous French accent played Monsieur Thermidore. He was tres manifique! Lindsay Tanis did an excellent job as Angelique a lovely lady lobster in distress who falls madly in love with the brave Monsieur Thermidore. She also entertained the audience by making the purple octopus dance. Stevanne Decker played the Rev. Clamshell who unites the two lobster in matrimony. Christina Tenore acted the part of Salome Starfish, a horoscope columist who predicts Monsieur Thermidore’s future. She also operated Sr. Kokomo the singing lobster. Jennifer Hersch, Glen Downey and Shannon McDermott played three fishermen who are amazed by the two lobsters, and Jennifer also played a clownfish who looked remarkably like Nemo. Katrina Karro-Gassner operated our sound effects.
The students had a great time preparing for this puppet show last year. All of the sea creatures dance to Be Our Guest from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid, also a Disney show. Michael Newson our art instructor created many of the backdrops for the show and worked with the students getting them painted during art class. This allowed some of the students who weren’t in the show to participate in another way and make a contribution.
Last year the show was taken on the road to various early child care centers where our students who are studying ECE at Berkshire Community College have placements. We even did one show in the evening so the children’s parents could come with them to see the show and enjoy a pizza party. We had a former student, Patrick the Balloon Man Dermody on hand to make a lobster balloon sculpture for each child. This show in particular was a real community service involving young and old alike.
Here is what some of the puppeteers have to say about their community service:
Lindsay: “I just love making the kids happy!” Glen: “I enjoy entertaining people.” Shannon: “I really enjoy putting on the show and seeing the expressions on the kids’ faces.” Stevanne: I can feel the kids smiling even though I am behind the curtain.” Paul: It’s the greatest community service I’ve ever done; I just love it! I’ve been doing it for two years.” Jen: “I love the smiles on the children’s faces when we come out with the puppets at the end of the show!” Christina: It’s fun to get together with the puppet group and make kids happy.”
And make kids happy they do! I am so very fortunate to get to share this wonderful experience with so many of our CIP students.
Here is an update on Spring Break 2009 at CIP, just in case you missed it during Parents Weekend.
Berkshire Center, MA
Destination: Greece
DAY 1: USA Depart NYC for an overnight flight to Athens. Full service on board.
DAY 2: ATHENS Arrival in Athens. A tour representative welcomes you to Greece and transfers you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 3: ATHENS After breakfast, board the motorcoach for your Athens city tour. Visits include the Acropolis and its museum, the Panathenaikon Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896, and much more. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 4: DELPHI
DAY 5: CRUISE Visit Three Greek Islands
DAY 6: ATHENS Community Service Day- Visit a school
DAY 7: ATHENS/ USA You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to home. Arrival same day.
Berkeley Center, CA
Destination: Mexico Cruise
DAY 1: USA Fly from San Francisco to Los Angeles, CA. Depart on ship
DAY 2: Cruising the Pacific Ocean. Cruise activities
DAY 3: Cruising the Pacific Ocean. Cruise activities
DAY 4: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
DAY 5: Mazatlan, Mexico
DAY 6: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
DAY 7: Cruising the Pacific Ocean. Cruise activities
DAY 8: Disembark in Los Angeles. Fly to San Francisco
Brevard Center, FL
Destination: Western Caribbean Cruise
7 Night Caribbean Cruise
Cruise departs from Port Canaveral
Destinations include: Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau
Students will donate clothing to the Dorothy Menzies Home, a facility for abused, neglected and abandoned children and adolescents in Belize
Snorkeling, Parasailing, Nassau Markets and Paradise Island
Dolphin Encounter, Bike and Snorkel, Sunset Sail, Mayan Ruin Park, ATV Adventure and Playa Mia Beach Day
Bloomington Center, FL
Destination: Chicago, IL
3 hour dinner cruise along Chicago waterfront
Sears Tower Sky Deck
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular tourist destinations
