Special Ed teacher receive grant to enhance communication

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Mary Morgan Special Education Teacher Mrs. Hoppewas awarded a grant from the Byron Education Foundation for a “playground communication board.”

Mrs. Hoppe, Mary Morgan Special Education Teacher was awarded a grant from the Byron Education Foundation.  A “playground communication board” was bought from Smarty Symbols in May.  The stand was built and installed by Mr. Pulmer’s Byron High School construction class.

The Communication board is placed at the Mary Morgan playground.  It will help normalize the use of communication boards and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.  Special education children can learn new vocabulary, combine tapping on images to make phrases, and use it to interact with adults and their peers.

This project will enhance the relationship between special education students, adults, peers and the community.  The communication board will also help create more opportunities for social interactions for all kids.  The board will help facilitate the interactions between people while they are out on the playground.

Some benefits from having a communication board on the playground would be peer interaction, supporting a person with limited speech, building social skills, expanding a person’s playground vocabulary and increasing a person’s independence on the playground.

The Byron Foundation, 501c3 non-profit, established in 1993, is an independent organization, founded to provide the Byron School educators access and opportunity to impact learning that empowers students and provides an enriched education beyond the district tax dollars.

This volunteer Team of parents, educators, and community members are committed to supporting children with unique experiences to help broaden their education, expose them to enriched opportunities and to cultivate leaders.  We are a cohesive group of people with a mix of background and talent, with a shared vision.

The Board of Directors meets 4-6 times a year, hosts an annual fund-raiser, accepts and processes grants that average $5,000 a year, and manages scholarship funds for other individuals and organizations.  Over the past 25 years, over 40 community members have served as board members, raising funds and granting over $150,000 to the Byron School staff for use in their classrooms.

We recognize and celebrate the history and value of the Foundation’s work.

The focus on long-term planning and sustainability has led to a recent partnership with Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and the creation of a new Byron Foundation Endowment Fund.

The Byron Foundation Endowment Fund establishes a financial reserve, provides a reliable source of income in perpetuity and shows the solidity and permanence of The Byron Foundation in our community and our commitment to continued educational excellence in the Byron School District.

If you are inspired to give of your time and talents or a tax-deductible gift to the Byron Foundation Endowment Fund, please contact Byron Foundation President, Michelle Albert:  [email protected] or 815-985-5102.