Summit Academy named
School of Excellence |
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Summit President Amy Jablonski has announced that the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) recently named Summit Academy a 2024 School of Excellence. Summit Academy also received this distinction in 2023. Selection as a School of Excellence is the highest honor a private special education school can achieve through the NASET. The recognition is bestowed on schools that meet 13 eligibility criteria and demonstrate exceptional dedication and achievement in special education.
Superintendent Mary Bennett shared about the distinction: "This honor confirms what we already know about Summit Academy. It's an incredible school with an incredible team that passionately believes in our students. Every day, our faculty and staff come to work with a positive outlook and a common goal to help our students build skills and become a meaningful part of the community. They truly go above and beyond in supporting each student's unique needs and celebrating their successes." Nationwide list of NASET Schools of Excellence. |
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Summer Institute to prepare educators for upcoming school year |
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The Summit Center is hosting its 2024 Summer Institute, a two-day workshop for educators and school personnel. "Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success" is tailored to teachers, social workers, psychologists, and other professionals who work with students with autism, anxiety, and behavioral disorders. David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic, will present the Summer Institute. With his innovative approach to cognitive-behavioral intervention, Dr. Meichenbaum has helped countless students develop positive coping skills and reduce rigid thinking.
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 10 CTLEs and Psychology CEUs. Topics include preparing and setting up for success, establishing effective inclusion, building positive thinkers, supporting social -emotional learning, and more.
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| David Meichenbaum, Ph. D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who serves as the clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic and the director of community consulting and clinical services at The Summit Center. |
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Students make memories at prom
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The end of the school year is an exciting time for Summit Academy students, particularly those celebrating prom and graduation. Earlier this month, students dressed up in their best for prom and headed to the gym decked out in neon-colored décor and lights. Students had a blast dancing with their friends, posing for photos, enjoying treats, and voting for their prom king and queen. This year's winners were Noah Cogovan and Melanie Taylor! Thank you to our faculty and staff for making this an extra special event and a night our students will remember forever. |
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Smallwood Elementary shares their support of autism acceptance |
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Recently, The Summit Center received a donation from the Smallwood Drive Elementary School PTA in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month in April.
The fifth-grade students at Smallwood submitted original artwork for its Autism Acceptance t-shirt design contest. The entire school voted on the design that best represented a positive message about autism and the school. Students, families, and faculty could purchase the shirts. Every Friday during April, staff and students wore shirts supporting autism acceptance. This year, the school collected $1,400 in donations, its largest collection ever. We would like to thank the creative students at Smallwood and the generous faculty, families, and community members for supporting Summit! |
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Give 716 campaign to support
program expansion |
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The Summit Center will again participate in Give 716, a community-wide effort to support Western New York-based nonprofits. Give 716 will kick off at 7:16 p.m. on Monday, July 15, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.
Funds raised through our Give 716 campaign will support our growing programs and provide individuals with the tools to reach their greatest potential. Earlier this year, our special education school, Summit Academy, began serving 100 additional students. A new preschool classroom opened on Buffalo State University's campus, and a new location for the S.T.E.P.S. day hab program also opened. Donating on Give 716 Day can help individuals with autism thrive. In July, we will provide more details on how to donate. |
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Summit Foundation Board welcomes new board members |
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The Summit Foundation recently welcomed two new members to its all-volunteer board of directors.
Chris Bossert is a Summit Academy parent and the co-owner of Araypa Factory. He has served on the Autism Walk committee for the past three years and has extensive knowledge of business operations. Long-time supporter Missy Cornish is the co-owner of Event Artistry. She’s a seasoned event planner and has vast experience in fundraising and community relations.
The Foundation Board assists with planning for the long-term sustainability and growth of The Summit Center by promoting fundraising activities and managing investments. We are fortunate to have Chris and Missy's expertise and are grateful for their willingness to serve! |
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Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr |
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Meet Mary Bennett!
How does it feel to be Summit’s first superintendent?
I have always felt incredibly lucky to be an employee at Summit Academy because I love my job and still look forward to each day. Being Summit's first superintendent is an honor, and I am extremely optimistic about our future. In this role, I will be able to focus on strategic planning and collaborate with the rest of the Academy leadership team so that we consistently increase our ability to provide quality instruction and programming to our valued students.
Describe what your day might look like.
Every day is different! I look forward to interacting with students and staff, and I stay very involved with our program at all our buildings. Visibility is important to me, so I spend several days a week traveling across Academy sites to provide support and stay informed. Some days, I can focus on proactive work; others seem to be spent managing difficult situations. The Academy leadership team does a wonderful job communicating and supporting each other, and I try to ensure that my daily activities reflect Summit's overall vision, mission, and values.
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How will this new role of superintendent help students and families?
With the addition of three new school sites in just a few months, it became necessary to ensure that we implement high-quality and consistent instructional practices across our program. In this role, I will have the opportunity to look at the "big picture," identify our program's strengths and barriers, and determine ways to address them effectively alongside my colleagues.
What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?
Personally, I am proud to be the mother of three great kids and part of a wonderful immediate and extended family. My greatest joys outside work and family are cooking, eating, and my vegetable garden! I take pride in eating healthy and staying active because that tremendously impacts my daily activities. Professionally, I am a lifelong learner, and I am extremely proud to have obtained my SBL and SDL certifications. I hope to one day earn my BCBA as well. What is your favorite place to eat in Western New York? I love Prescott's Provisions and Taylor's on Niagara Falls Boulevard. Highly recommend! I really enjoy going to great restaurants. Name someplace on your bucket list. Italy. My family's heritage is mainly Sicilian and Italian, and I love Mediterranean food. I am also very interested in the architecture, art, and history. I hope to plan a trip there in the next few years. |
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July 9 & 10: Summer Institute Session 1: (In-person workshop)
Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success Presented by: David Meichenbaum, Ph.D. Location: Summit's Conference Center 75 Pineview Dr., Suite 200
Amherst, NY 14228.
*Tailored to educators and school personnel.
July 16 & 17: Summer Institute Session 2: (Virtual workshop)
Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success Presented by: David Meichenbaum, Ph.D. *Tailored to educators and school personnel.
July 15–16: Give 716
Start Date: Monday, July 15 Start Time: 7:16 p.m. End Date: Tuesday, July 16
End Time: 11:59 p.m.
Please donate to our expanding programs to provide the support individuals need to reach their greatest potential. |
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Adults can be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Diagnosis includes reviewing the individual's medical history, clinical interviews, and administering diagnostic tools. It can be more challenging to diagnose an adult because it is not always possible to confirm autism traits were present during the first few years of life. (Source: CDC) |
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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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