WPSBC Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 23
To support this goal, multidisciplinary educational
teams collaborate to coordinate a variety of structured,
community-based learning experiences that go beyond
traditional field trips, providing meaningful opportunities
for students to build confidence and independence.
WPSBC’s budget for community experiences extends
beyond transportation and access to local sites; it
also provides students with funds to make purchases
during activities, such as grocery shopping or practicing
transactions at local stores. Each student receives
enough to complete a purchase, ensuring a fully
authentic, hands-on learning experience.
Even time spent observing and interacting with different
community environments supports students’ readiness for
the future. Visiting places like a park or local businesses
provides experiences they might not typically have,
The educational teams work closely with families to
ensure community experiences extend beyond the school
day. “We take students to a variety of community settings,
from parks and libraries to local businesses, where they
can practice and apply the skills they’re learning,” explains
Sara. “We also invite input from parents, who often
suggest locations their child visits regularly. This allows
families to continue these experiences at home,
reinforcing learning in familiar settings. Families are
deeply involved, and these opportunities have been
very meaningful for them.”
Each year, community members smile as WPSBC
students participate in a variety of off-campus
experiences. Whether visiting parks, libraries, or local
businesses, students actively engage in these settings
while building important life skills and confidence.
“Our students really thrive in these experiences,” Sara
explains. “Even when the environment presents new
challenges, they rise to the occasion and it’s incredible
to see how much progress they make. These real-world
opportunities give us valuable insight into their growth
and how we can continue to prepare them for success
after WPSBC.”
2024-2025 Annual Report
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children
“Because many of our students have medical complexities
and multiple, competing needs,” Sara explains, “we travel
with a dedicated nurse, occupational, physical, and
speech therapists, orientation and mobility specialists,
behavior specialists, and teachers of students with visual
impairments—all working together to support students
as they practice their skills in community settings. The
team helps students apply IEP goals and educational
strategies in real-world situations, while observing them
provides valuable insight into their progress and guides
the next steps in their learning.”
allowing them to practice skills and navigate real-world
settings. The team remains focused on teaching the
specific skills each student needs, continuously tailoring
experiences to align with individual transition goals.
23
