Hannah More at Severna Park High School is a Type II School program developed to assist students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Asperger’s Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorders) transition to a less restrictive setting.  The program is a collaborative effort between Hannah More School and the Anne Arundel County Public School System (AACPS).  Hannah More School provides classroom and related service staff. AACPS provides classroom space, materials and access to the general and special education resources of Severna Park High School. The Anne Arundel County curriculum is used as the basis for instruction.

 

Hannah More staffing consists of two teachers, two teaching assistants, part time speech pathologist and a social worker.  The Educational Director and the Instructional Coordinator for Hannah More Type II Programs in Anne Arundel County supervise and assist as needed.  Other related services (e.g. occupational therapy) are provided as needed by Anne Arundel County.

 

Students typically start out taking all classes within the self-contained Hannah More classrooms.  As students progress academically and socially, they are mainstreamed into a Severna Park High School class that is consistent with their skill set. Typically by the 10^th grade, students are “mainstreamed” in 2 - 3 out of 8 classes.  By 11^th and 12^th grades, students will likely attend 4-6 out of 8 classes with Severna Park students.  Students have access to the full continuum of classes at Severna Park (i.e. special education through honors).  Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities such as music, sports and after school groups.  Hannah More staff (teacher assistants) provides support to the students in outside classes.  Support can range from 1:1 assistance in the classroom to daily or weekly teacher check-ins.

 

The program is linked to the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Program where students are involved in environmental projects, learn water safety, operate canoes and experience the Initiative and Confidence Course.  The Initiative and Confidence Course is a series of team building activities leading up to working as a team to complete a low ropes course.  The team building philosophy is built around the fundamentals of risk, responsibility and respect.  These concepts are reinforced back in the classroom as they are infused into the overall program as part of social skills training.  Students go to the 30-acre waterfront program approximately 1 day every two weeks and our Extended School Year Program is held at the site during the summer.

 

The cornerstone of the Hannah More at Severna Park High School program is the social skills group program.  Students attend a group led by our social worker and speech pathologist for 90 minutes every other day.  Through group therapy students learn social skills that will enable them to navigate within society and lead to increased adult and peer communication abilities.  An example of a skill learned within the group is reading no-verbal cues and working as a team to learn the skills improves overall self-confidence.  An after school social skills group is held bi-weekly with a significant number of Severna Park students in attendance.

 

Hannah More staff work closely with Severna Park academic and administrative staff on behalf of all students within the school building.  For example, several Severna Park students attend one of the 90-minute social skills groups held every other day.  Hannah More staff collaborates with the school psychologist and special education staff on a regular basis with regard to Severna Park High School students who may be struggling.