New leadership structure announced
for Summit Academy |
|
|
The Summit Center announced a new leadership structure within its educational program, Summit Academy. This decision stems from Summit Academy’s expansion to five locations earlier this year. The program now serves 450 students.
As part of this new structure, The Summit Center created its first-ever superintendent position, naming former Summit Academy principal Mary Bennett to the role. Bennett’s responsibilities include upholding a nurturing environment across all five schools. She will focus on executing her vision for the academy's future and implementing policies and initiatives that support students' cognitive and social-emotional growth.
"Mary has shown incredible leadership as principal of Summit Academy. With the recent expansion, she is the perfect candidate to think strategically about the needs of our students and provide support to parents and families," said Summit President Amy Jablonski, Psy.D., BCBA-D. "We have so much confidence in her ability to build consensus with faculty and staff, parents, school districts, and government agencies." |
|
Mary Bennett was recently named superintendent of Summit Academy's five schools. |
|
|
Mary joined Summit Academy as a teacher in 2002. In 2013, she was promoted to educational coordinator, then to unit director/educational coordinator at Summit Academy – Creekside in 2017. She became assistant principal of curriculum in 2019, followed by principal in 2022. Mary has a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Buffalo State University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. She holds a permanent certificate in special education and earned both a school building leader certificate and a school district leader certificate.
"I'm honored to serve as the first superintendent of Summit Academy and to continue cultivating a culture of excellence and optimism for our students and families," Bennett said. Additionally, Summit announced that Mary Belile, Christina Arroyo, and Christine Ray have been promoted to principal at Summit Academy – Stahl, Summit Academy – Elmwood, and Summit Academy – Hazelwood, respectively.
Belile started her career with Summit in 1999 as a special education teacher. Most recently, she served as unit director of Summit’s Early Childhood Program. Arroyo came to Summit in 2021 as a teacher and then advanced to educational coordinator for Summit Academy – Creekside and Summit Academy Enhanced. In 2014, Ray joined the Summit family and showcased her expertise in numerous positions, including teacher, clinical trainer, and educational coordinator.
CEO Lisa A. Foti, C.P.A., shared, "Now that we've successfully integrated our new students and families at our Elmwood and Hazelwood locations, the significance of this expansion is even more evident. Summit Academy is the second-largest special education school in Western New York. That's 450 individuals receiving the evidence-based support they need to build important skills and achieve greater independence." She added, "This seasoned administrative team will push our education program toward new heights."
|
|
|
Buffalo Bills players visit Summit Academy for Autism Acceptance Month |
|
|
The energy was palpable as four Buffalo Bills players visited classrooms at Summit Academy – Stahl on April 24 to support Autism Acceptance Month.
Tight ends Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris, and Tre' McKitty visited with students and staff while learning more about the programs and services Summit provides. The players took photos, autographed student artwork and other items, and had a memorable dance party to the Bills "Shout" song with some of our preschool students. Autism Acceptance Month focuses on inclusion and celebrating the autism community. With 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism, the importance of providing inclusive experiences and opportunities to individuals in Western New York has never been greater. “We are thrilled that the Buffalo Bills acknowledge the life-changing work we do in the community,” said Lisa A. Foti, CEO of The Summit Center. “Buffalo is a sports town and cheering on our teams brings all of us together. Giving our students the opportunity to share in that experience is truly special.” Dalton Kincaid has shown his support for the autism community this past year by choosing Summit as his My Cause My Cleats charity and running a special t-shirt promotion with 26 Shirts to benefit Summit. |
|
|
Walkers raise more than $285,000
for the 2024 Autism Walk |
|
|
Sunny skies ushered in the day as families and friends gathered at The Summit Center for the 2024 Autism Walk. More than 1,000 people came out to walk in support of the children and adults who receive Summit services.
This year’s event featured the Gadawski family, who kicked off the walk by cutting the ribbon at the starting line. Robert and Meghan Gadawski raised nearly $5,000 in honor of their son Matt, a student at Summit Academy. |
| |
|
Walkers enjoyed kids’ activities provided by Sweet Charlotte’s and the Aquarium of Niagara, music from DJ John Barry, and visits with Sabretooth, Batman, Star Wars characters, and Disney princesses.
The annual Autism Walk is Summit’s largest fundraiser, with money going directly toward the 20+ programs that more than 1,000 children and adults depend on each year. Walk participants, donors, and community partners have raised more than $285,000 so far. Donations can still be made through June 15 at SummitAutismWalk.org.
This year’s top fundraising teams were: Claudia’s Clan, Julian’s Gang, The A Team, Team Charlotte, and Théoden’s Fellowship. The top individual fundraisers were: Claudia Rosenecker, Tony DeSimone, Anthony Mock, Candace DeMarti, and Théoden Chouinard.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor West Herr; premium food and beverage sponsor Tops Friendly Markets; t-shirt sponsor Independent Health; gold sponsor New Era Cap; silver sponsors American Eagle Fireplace & Playsets, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, GEICO, and Sector Roofing; mission sponsors Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, The Home Depot, Rich Products, and Tim Hortons; community sponsors ACSI, Antonio’s Banquet & Conference Center, Barclay Damon, Beechwood Continuing Care, Buffalo Scrubs, Copier Fax Business Technologies, EmergenceTek Group, Feel-Rite Natural Food Shoppes, Inc., Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP, Moog, North Forest Office Space, Perry's Ice Cream, RBC Wealth Management, Summit Pediatrics, and WNY Beer Trail; and media sponsors The Buffalo News and WGRZ – Channel 2.
We would also like to thank all our walkers, donors, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and committee members for making this event so successful! View photos from the day here and watch our thank you video here!
|
Thank you to our sponsors! |
|
|
Transition Fair to feature local resources, services for families |
|
|
The Summit Center’s Transition Fair 2024: Planning for the Future will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 at 150 Stahl Road in Getzville.
The Transition Fair is geared toward parents of children with autism or other disabilities age 13+. More than 20 human service agencies and community resources will be available. The DMV will be on site to process non-driver IDs for students, by reservation only. Representatives from Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP will host a panel about obtaining guardianships, trusts, and wills from 6 – 7:30 p.m. |
| |
|
Phil Munson, transition coordinator at Summit Academy – Creekside, said the fair has been a staple at Summit for the past several years. After a hiatus during the height of COVID, the transition fair returned as an in-person event in 2023. This year’s event is focused on offering more resources for families.
“So many of our families are overwhelmed by what they have to deal with for their child when it comes to transition, aging out of school, and preparing them for the day-to-day parts of their life that they experience as they grow older, even while still in school,” Phil shared. “We’re hoping the fair provides parents with an opportunity to make connections and network as well as help them learn and grow so they can make the best, informed decisions for their children.”
For more information about the fair or to make a DMV reservation, contact Phil at 716-810-7773 or pmunson@thesummitcenter.org. |
|
|
Summer Institute to prepare educators for upcoming school year |
|
|
This July, The Summit Center will be hosting its 2024 Summer Institute “Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success”. The Summer Institute is a two-day preparatory workshop for educators and school personnel working with students with autism, anxiety, and/or behavioral disorders. This year's workshops will be presented by David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic at The Summit Center. An in-person only session will be held July 9 and 10 at 75 Pineview Dr in Amherst. A virtual only session will take place July 16 and 17. Both sessions will run from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Registration is $325 and includes CTLEs and Psychology CEUs. Topics include preparing and setting up for success, establishing effective inclusion, building positive thinkers, supporting social emotional learning, and more.
For more information, including an outline of learning objectives and additional details on Dr. Meichenbaum's credentials, visit our Summit Institute webpage. |
|
David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic and director of community consulting and clinical services at The Summit Center. |
|
|
Delta Sonic raises more than $4,800 during round up campaign |
|
|
On May 15, The Summit Center was presented with a check totaling $4,844.82 from Delta Sonic Car Wash's April round up campaign. The campaign promoted Autism Acceptance Month, highlighting The Summit Center as one of the round up recipients. Throughout the month, customers were able to round up their car wash or convenience store purchases to benefit Summit at all 11 of Delta Sonic’s Buffalo locations.
We are so grateful for Delta Sonic's support of the autism community! |
|
|
Pictured from left to right: Tom Rosenecker, president of The Summit Center Foundation Board; Tammy Nicholson, Summit parent; Kim Allen, marketing director at Delta Sonic; Lisa A. Foti, CEO of The Summit Center; and Jeanne Dunkle, director of marketing, communications, and development at The Summit Center. |
|
|
WNY Beer Trail, Bills Mafia Babes team up to support Autism Walk |
|
|
At the Summit Autism Walk on Saturday, May 11, Summit CEO Lisa A. Foti and event chair Tom Rosenecker were presented with a check for $4,750 from Kristen Kimmick of the Bills Mafia Babes and Tom Whitmarsh of WNY Beer Trail.
Together, they raised funds from raffles, gear sold through 26Shirts, and a portion of WNY Beer's Trail Pass sales from April. WNY Beer Trail has supported Summit's Autism Walk for several years, organizing fundraisers and sponsoring the event. This is the first year they've teamed up with the Mafia Babes, a nonprofit organization made up of female Buffalo Bills fans who want to help their communities.
Thank you to the Mafia Babes and WNY Beer Trail for collaborating on this effort and supporting Summit and the autism community. We truly appreciate your generosity and hard work to help the individuals we serve reach their greatest potential. |
Pictured from left to right: Tom Whitmarsh, founder of WNY Beer Trail; Lisa A. Foti, CEO of The Summit Center; Tom Whitmarsh's son; Tom Rosenecker, event chair of the Autism Walk; and Kristen Kimmick, founder and president of the Bills Mafia Babes. |
|
|
S.T.A.R. third quarter trainings announced |
|
|
The Summit Center’s S.T.A.R. Training, funded by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), offers parents and caregivers new strategies to manage various stages of your child’s life. Sessions will be conducted by The Summit Center’s professional staff who have significant background, training, and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Eligibility: All sessions are open at no cost to those who are OPWDD eligible. Those with Self-Direction must include this in their budget.
To register: Please call Ashlee Bronson, Assistant Director of Community Services, at 716.799.8156. For virtual sessions, a link to the training will be emailed to you after you are registered. Please note that the registration/approval process may take up to five days to complete. Timeframe for approval through Self-Direction may vary. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process prior to each session you wish to attend.
To view a complete list of trainings, download the schedule here. |
| |
Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr |
|
|
Meet Michele Ladd!
What is your role at Summit?
I am the supervising life skills trainer for S.T.E.P.S. (Success Through Engagement and Positive Supports) at the Eggertsville location.
Describe what your day might look like.
I support S.T.E.P.S. participants in choosing morning and afternoon activities. Then I provide support during these activities to help each individual build life skills. What are you most proud of, personally and professionally? I have been in this job field for 10 years, so I am proud of myself for continuing on growing my skills and gaining more experience.
What is your favorite place to eat in Western New York? Santora's on Transit Road in Williamsville. |
| |
|
Name someplace on your bucket list. I would love to go to Japan. |
|
|
June 6 - Transition Fair: The Summit Center will host Transition Fair 2024: Planning for the Future from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, at The Summit Center, 150 Stahl Road, Getzville. The event will feature more than 20 human service agencies, a panel about guardianships, wills, and trusts, and the DMV will process non-driver student IDs by reservation only. Visit our event page for more information.
July 9 and 10 - Summer Institute Session 1: This in-person only, two-day workshop will be held on July 9 and 10 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m at Summit's Conference Center, 75 Pineview Dr., Suite 200, Amherst, NY 14228. David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic, will present on “Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success." For more information or to register, visit the Summer Institute's webpage.
July 16 and 17 - Summer Institute Session 2: This virtual only, two-day workshop will be held on July 16 and 17. The workshops will run from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic, will present on “Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success." For more information or to register, visit the Summer Institute's webpage.
|
|
|
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until they are older. (CDC) |
|
|
Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges. |
|
|
*Don't forget to add TheSummitCenter.org as an approved sender to ensure you receive
all future emails from The Summit Center. |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| | |
|
|
