April, May & June

 

Staff Showcase: Mrs. Boyatsis- Administrative Assistant

 

 

This is my seventh year as the Administrative Assistant at the Alternative Program. I worked at the Dover Middle School part-time for seven years prior to coming to the Alt. Program. Before being employed by the Dover School System I worked as an Electrical/Mechanical Drafter at Davidson/Textron in Dover…and my most important job of all…being a stay home mom for sixteen years raising my four children, two boys and two girls.

My children are all young adults now, ranging in age from 22-28 years old. Three of my children have graduated from college and my youngest will graduate next May. My oldest daughter is getting married in September of 2015. My husband Steve and I have been married for 30 years and are enjoying our time together, doing things we never had time for. I enjoy working out, playing basketball, swimming, hiking, biking, golfing, playing tennis, skiing, snow shoeing, and doing Sprint Triathlons. I also work part-time at Tender Crop Farm in Dover.

Through the years I have worked with some amazing staff members and students. I enjoy meeting new people and always look forward to the beginning of the school year each Fall. It’s never a dull moment here at the Alternative Program and I think that’s why I like it so much!

Community Goals:

For April, the community goal was Empathy. As a part of this goal, students donated points towards a gift card that was submitted as part of the Dover High School Autism Awareness bingo calendar. Our students donated close to 4000 of their well earned points so that others could benefit!

 

In May the group worked on being active and physically fit. Two community based trips went out this month. Several students had the opportunity to attend a baseball game at the Fisher Cats Stadium. It was held on the team's education day. The students enjoyed all the festivities held there. Some of the kids had never been to a professional baseball game!

The second trip was a hiking trip to Mt. Agamenticus in Maine. Students enjoyed the hike to the top to take in the scenery. Following the hike they were treated to some frozen yogurt!
In addition to these trips, a community based scavenger hunt was offered to students. The kids worked on transportation skills via the COAST bus and landed in Portsmouth. While there the kids took in and learned about the history of the Seacoast area.
Finally, the group worked on achieving a fitness goal of 1000 laps around the DHS track (250 miles). Each day the laps were tracked and posted.

 

June signals the end of the school year and a major transition. The goal for all of our students is to end strong and on a positive note. Many students met the challenge while others struggled. Summer can be a fun and relaxing time but lack of structure can also result in anxiety and stress. We understand that this time of year can be difficult for some and work to support all of our students through their ups and downs.

 

Crochet Club

A couple of our girls had a shared interest of crocheting! The ladies would have lunch together and then crochet. It was a pleasure watching them chat and giggle as they created their scarves/blankets. Way to go!

Building Bridges

Mr. Evans' math classes have been using their arithmetic skills to create bridges out of wooden sticks and glue. First they researched the history of bridges and then they began to construct their bridge. The students will test their bridge strength by hanging a bucket from it and gradually filling it with sand. We will see whose bridge can withstand the heaviest weight!

 

 Live Storytelling

Mr. Schwartz's English class wrote and read stories about an event in their lives that would express to others a personal quality. The stores were touching and revealing. One student allowed me to share her story:

 

 

Llamas Saved My Life

I never knew a llama would save my life. For years I went through a sad time no one to turn to and nobody was there for me. So I thought we’ve all been through a tough time where we feel there’s no point in living or trying so you just give up. Trust me, I’ve been there. But there was only one thing that could truly save me from sinking into the dark abyss we like to call, giving up. Llamas saved me from ending my life. I have never thought a llama would teach me the values in life but it did and it helped me through the dark period of my life. All I could do is think about llamas, pretend I am a llama, have feelings like a llama. It was just the way I coped back then, and then reality kicked in.
I got arrested and ended up in YDC. I was there for six months. It was royal hell for me. I was in YDC. It was terrible. All I thought about was how llamas are calming to me and how llamas are the only thing giving me hope to get out of this place. After six months of royal hell, I got out into placement called St. Ann’s. I arrived there on August 26, 2013. I learned how to control my depression, anxiety and my social issues, but I still struggle with those today. But the thoughts of llamas soothed those thoughts. While I was at St. Ann’s my therapist asked me a question, “What keeps you from killing yourself?” and can you guess what I said? “Llamas” I got discharged from St. Ann’s on August 26, 2014 and I finally realized while I was driving away from the building, “llamas saved my life.”

Summer

We wish all our students and families a safe and peaceful summer. The Director of the Dover Alternative Program is available via email throughout the summer months

j.breault@dover.k12.nh.us

We anticipate a great group of new and returning students for the fall!

If you are a student that is moving on to new experiences please keep in touch and know that we are only a phone call away if you need us!