Welcoming students back
for another school year |
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Summit Academy welcomed back its students for the 2023-24 school year earlier this month. Students and teachers alike were excited to get back in the classroom to start another year of learning and growing together. This year, Summit Academy has 253 school age students enrolled, 44 new preschoolers, and 16 students at Summit Academy Enhanced. “I would like to welcome our students, staff, families, and caregivers back for another wonderful school year with a focus on providing meaningful instruction, developing partnerships with caregivers, and creating a positive environment," said Mary Bennett, Summit Academy principal. "Along with the Academy leadership team, I look forward to seeing our students’ accomplishments throughout the year.” |
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Former student finds new opportunities
to grow and learn |
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Benjamin loves playing outside, whether he’s riding his bike or relaxing on a swing. He enjoys swimming lessons in the summer and ice-skating lessons in the winter, with an interest in playing hockey one day. He likes learning about outer space and wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.
“He is a very intelligent, laid back, and soft-spoken boy, who also has a silly side to him,” describes Melissa, Benjamin’s mother. “He is shy, but he is never too nervous to greet everyone with a big smile.”
When Benjamin was 3 years old, his parents noticed that he did not participate in any activities at his school program. He was disinterested in socializing with his classmates and paced the perimeter of the classroom. He struggled with speech, fine motor skills, and sensory processing.
Benjamin underwent evaluation for a suspected autism diagnosis. During this process, a friend told Benjamin’s family about The Summit Center and how the staff helped her son make remarkable progress. Melissa reached out to Summit, and Benjamin began receiving services in January 2022. |
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During Benjamin’s time at Summit, he went from refusing to enter the classroom for the entire school day, to willingly participating in class each day, including group activities. He began to have play dates with friends outside of school.
“Benny’s speech and comprehension has improved dramatically,” Melissa said. “He went from saying one to two words to speaking three to four sentences at a time while engaging in full conversations with his friends.”
Melissa said Benjamin has less sensory sensitivities too, allowing the family to enjoy more public outings.
This year, Benjamin enrolled in a new school and is excited to learn more about his classmates. His family credits Benjamin’s team at Summit in helping him build the skills to succeed.
“The Summit Center means everything to our family,” Melissa said. “They have helped our son to live an easier, happier life.” |
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Gift Gathering brings in variety
of silent auction items |
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This year’s gift gathering party for An Enchanted Evening with Summit was a huge success. Wonderful items such as gift certificates to local businesses, children’s furniture and toys, and an inflatable kayak will be featured in the silent auction on Friday, November 3 at Salvatore's.
Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support. A special thank you to Tammy and Steve Nicholson for hosting the event and to Chuckuterie for providing the grazing table.
If you would like to contribute to the silent auction, visit our Amazon gift list. For more information about An Enchanted Evening with Summit, visit www.PartyforSummit.com.
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An Enchanted Evening with Summit
to honor Dr. Stephen Anderson |
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An Enchanted Evening with Summit will honor Summit CEO Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA, as he prepares to retire at the end of the year. The event will celebrate Dr. Anderson’s accomplishments and contributions to The Summit Center during his 28-year tenure.
Dr. Anderson has served as Summit’s CEO since 1995 when the agency was known as The Language Development Program. Through his leadership, the agency has grown from one program primarily focused on education, to more than 30 programs including day habilitation and vocational services for adults, a behavioral pediatrics clinic, and an expansion of Summit Academy called Summit Academy Enhanced. Dr. Anderson is active in advisory positions with many agencies serving individuals with autism. He has held |
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leadership roles on local, state, and national advisory boards as well as professional organizations including the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), and the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. He served as a Consensus Panel Member, which developed Clinical Practice Guidelines on Autism for the NYS Department of Health.
During his career, Dr. Anderson served as an adjunct professor or assistant professor at the University of Kansas, Northeastern University, State University of New York at Buffalo, and University of Southern Maine. He has provided clinical consultation to more than 40 school districts in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and even Kuwait. Additionally, he authored a book and several book chapters devoted to teaching individuals with autism and has also authored, or co-authored, multiple research studies focused on autism.
Join us in celebrating Dr. Anderson on Friday, November 3, at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew. The evening will feature a special tribute to Dr. Anderson as well as silent and live auctions, a sit-down dinner, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Primo.
An Enchanted Evening with Summit is presented by Reeds Jewelers, Tammy and Steve Nicholson, and Missy and Gerry Cornish. Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.PartyForSummit.com. |
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| Thank you to our sponsors! |
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Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr |
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Meet Payeton Jones!
What is your role at Summit?
I am a behavioral consultant at The Summit Center. Describe what your day might look like.
I spend a lot of my time supporting classroom staff who work directly with the students. I try to get an idea of their goals and the behavioral barriers that might impede their ability to acquire certain skills.
From there, I provide guidance based on my knowledge of the science of behavior to help classroom staff support the students in reaching those goals. I also help out around the building. I think that is a part of building a community.
What are you most proud of, personally and professionally? I am most proud of the fact that I can be of service to others. I feel like that is my purpose in life. |
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With everything that I do, I try to make sure that I am walking in that purpose. I am proud of the fact that people see that and respect that. I hope that it inspires other people to be kind and be helpful, because it is important. The concept of community is often lost, but it is so important.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Western New York?
I am from Rochester originally. I am obsessed with The Distillery. Buffalo does not have one, so I only go when I go back home. Name someplace on your bucket list.
I would really like to go to Egypt. |
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November 3 - An Enchanted Evening with Summit: An Enchanted Evening with Summit will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 3, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew. The event will honor CEO Steve Anderson, Ph.D. who is retiring at the end of the year after 28 years of service. Party goers will enjoy a sit-down dinner and open bar, live and silent auctions, dancing, and more. The event is presented by Reeds Jewelers, Tammy and Steve Nicholson, and Missy and Gerry Cornish. Visit www.PartyforSummit.com for sponsorship and ticket information.
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The concept of autism was coined in 1911 by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. The word autism comes from the Greek word "autos," which means "self." The definition of autism and how it's studied has changed greatly during the last century. (Source: The National Institutes of Health) |
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Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges. |
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