The High Road (Primary/Middle) School of Prince George’s County specializes in educating students  (grades 2-12) with mild to severe emotional/ behavioral difficulties and the related learning challenges that often accompany them. From the start, we’ve been committed above all else to making each student feel successful in all areas of life — in the classroom, at home, and in the community — through scholastic achievement and improved self‐esteem. As such, all of our programs and initiatives focus on providing targeted emotional support and academic instruction to fulfill students’ immediate and long‐term goals.

To accomplish this, we take the time to get to know each of our students, we indentify the teaching styles most appropriate to their needs, and we custom‐tailor an individualized educational plan to address their particular challenges and highlight their particular strengths and aptitudes. We then implement these personalized plans in a highly structured and nurturing setting that features small class sizes, one‐on‐one interactive learning, comprehensive behavior management, and an effective rotational model of classroom instruction.

Given the special needs of our student body, we also offer supplementary services on an as‐needed basis which include counseling, speech and language therapy and occupation therapy.   We employ highly skilled and wholly dedicated special educators, ensuring that each child receives the specific types of attention and intervention they require for their ongoing development and growth.

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September 29

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Graduation 2010

Graduation Ceremonies are the perfect opportunity to celebrate past accomplishments and future aspirations.  On June 8, 2010, the Prince George’s Ballroom (Pinebrook, MD) was host to the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland Regional Graduation.  The nearly 50 graduates that comprised of the Class of 2010 filled the ballroom with excitement, pride and hope along with over 400 family and guests on a very hot June evening.

Witnessing nearly 50 students In special education (with a variety of emotional and learning disabilities) earn their high school diploma is cause enough for celebration.  However, the additional achievements of the students are what really make the Class of 2010 very special.
The graduating class along with their family and invited guests were treated to 3 very special speakers.  Ms. Maryah Jenkins, a Graduate of 2010, Mrs. Veronica Washington, serving as keynote speaker and Dr. Michael Kaufman, President and CEO of SESI.  Ms. Jenkins spoke to her fellow classmates with a warm heart about all they have accomplished so far and what is possible beyond high school.

Mrs. Veronica Washington served as the keynote speaker to the graduating class.  During her address, Mrs. Washington stressed the importance of hard work, sound decision making and focus as keys to success now that the next chapter in their lives is set to begin.  As the former Director of Non-Public Schools for Baltimore City, Mrs. Washington was passionately able to draw her from experiences to motivate the young graduates.

As the closing Speaker, Dr. Michael Kaufman also imparted motivational words of encouragement for both the graduating class and the entire audience.  Dr. Kaufman skillfully summed up the significance this special day and how important it was to be able enjoy life not matter what obstacles you many encounter.  He concluded by officially confirming the Graduating Class of 2010 by having each graduate move their tassel from the right to the left.

Spotlight on Our Schools

The High Road Schools located in the state of Maryland (are a member of the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities commonly referred to as MANSEF (www.mansef.org). MANSEF is a state wide association with over 90 member schools.  In the Spring Edition of the MANSEF Newsletter, our schools were featured on the front cover.  To check out the entire article, please click the following link:

Regional Reading Program

Since 2008, Ms. Chantelle Gordon has been the Reading Specialist for the High Road Schools of the Southern Maryland Region (Beltsville, Capitol Heights and La Plata).  Her primary responsibilities as the reading specialist include:

providing research based assessments to students requiring reading remediation using informal reading inventories and formal reading assessments

providing support to classroom teachers and directors on current reading topics and strategies

working one-on-one with students to provide assistants to those students who may be reading below their grade level 

assessing the reading strengths and needs of students; communicate findings to classroom teachers, parents, and directors in order to develop an effective reading program.

Ms. Gordon travels between 4 schools providing services to students referred to her by the school staff.
A typical reading sessions consists of:

one-on-one for individualized service
30-45 minutes on average (up to two times a week)
practicing reading aloud for increased fluency

A typical session is structured in the following manner:

Session begins vocabulary review using flash cards, making words, or various word work games. (approximately 10 minutes)

The session continues with pre-reading strategies (i.e. webbing, making predictions) or phonics work depending on the individual reading needs of the student. (approximately 10 minutes)

The session concludes with the student reading text from be a book, a short story, or an article once again depending on the current progress and needs of the student. (approximately 10 minutes).

In addition, a variety of strategies are implemented these might include reading games that tend to focus on word work and vocabulary review.  Students are able to learn or brush up on existing skills without even realizing it. 

Current Reading Strategies Most Commonly Implemented by Ms. Gordon includes:

Read Alouds (to increase fluency)
These can be -timed readings and/or repeated readings.  The student is asked to read aloud from a selected text below grade level to practice fluency; also to increase student motivation to read and increase confidence!

Fry Phrases (to increase sight word recognition and fluency)
Fry sight words are written on index cards in short 3 word phrases, the student reads the phrases aloud practicing intonation.

Webbing (for pre-reading strategies & to check prior knowledge of a subject)
The student will build upon word recognition based on a certain topic or main word.

Clubs

The High Road School of Prince George’s County is pleased to announce the CLUBS that have been established for the 2009-2010 school year:

Gentlemen's Club – The purpose of this club is to teach the young male students about proper etiquette, manner and habits.  These include, basic grooming, how to dress for job interviews, how to act in a job interview, and how to be courteous towards women (Advisors -  Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Hill)

Charm school – The female students in this club will learn proper manners, habits and etiquette.  These include, basic feminine hygiene information, how to dress as a lady &  how to act in pubic as a lady (Advisors - Mrs. Moses and Ms. Shearin)

Art Club – The students will be able to explore how different forms of art can be used in the classroom (Advisors -  by Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. White, and Ms. Keys)

Mass Media Club – In this very unique opportunity, the students will learn how the mass media is used in connection with education.  In addition, we will able to explore those individuals who tend to use the media  most (Advisors -  by Mrs. Stowe and Mr. Aramah)

Community Outreach -  This club will connect the students with the different charities within the school area to help out in food banks, homeless shelters, and churches (Advisors – Mr. Pebbles & Ms. Chalar).

High Road Sports

The High Road Schools are committed to providing services, programs and activities that provide opportunities for students to grow both inside and outside of the classroom.  For several years the High Road Schools have had an Inter-High Road School Sports league.

The 10 schools throughout Maryland including Baltimore, Capitol Heights, Lanham, and Beltsville & La Plata compete throughout the school year in three sports.

Fall – Flag Football
Winter – Basketball
Spring – Kickball

These teams provide an opportunity for our students to gain knowledge and skills in team sports and sportsmanship.  Only students (on blue level) that have demonstrated the ability to make sound decisions can participate in practices and games.  The league provides students a chance to interact with student from other High Road Schools and to show school pride for their own.

Each sport season has its own playoff and crown champions for that season.  In flag football, the playoffs are in a bowl format similar to the NCAA.  Naturally, we have our own form of March Madness to crown our Basketball Champions.

Each year, all the schools get together for a Sports Banquet where the students are celebrated for their athletic performance and sportsmanship.  All participating students receive a participation award at the banquet.

For more information about our Sports League Programs, please contact your child’s school and ask for the team coach.

The Transition Programs of the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland (locations in Beltsville, Capitol Heights, Lanham & La Plata) are designed to provide students an opportunity to prepare for independent living after graduation.  To achieve these objectives, there are many components of our Transition Programs.

Students learn a variety of occupational skills such as interview techniques, resume writing and career exploration.  To achieve maximum success, students are exposed a variety of careers, jobs and skill sets.   In addition, orienting our students to the world of retail sales and customer service provides valuable experiences that will benefit them in any future career.
Each of our schools, offer as part of our program a Promotional Items Department.  Students have at the fingertips several technical machines which can customize a wide variety of items such as mouse pads, t-shirts and tote bags.

In an effort to promote the great work of our students, the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland are proud to introduce our region-wide Production Catalog.  At affordable prices and great quality you can purchase personalized t-shirts for your upcoming high school reunion or tote bags commemorating your family picnic.  With the holidays coming, you may need to be stocking stuffers such as key chains, mouse pads or coffee mugs.  Our schools even offer gift baskets containing an assortment of our products.

The students are preparing for a very busy holiday season so please don’t delay in placing your order. Please feel free to download a copy of our 2010 Brochure or contact our Customer Service Center at (301) 210-4860, our Mr. Kevin Mattison, Transition Coordinator of the High Road Upper School of Prince George’s County, will be able to direct you to any one of our Customer Service Representatives.

Spring 2010 In Review

As we turn the page onto the 2010-2011 school year, let's take a quick look back at the great events that took place throughout last spring.

Prom 2010

2010 Charity Volleyball Tournament

2010 Regional Career Fair

Fine Arts Festival