New board members for Second Start milestone years
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc. has elected Dr. Burton Worrell as treasurer and welcomed George Lotti of San Jose as a board member. David Millar of Reno, Nev. concluded his term in June.
Second Start operates Newton Learning Center and Pine Hill School in San Jose as well as Pine Hill School South Monterey and Newton Learning Center in Reno, Nev.
Worrell, founder of the Advance Vision Center of Optometry in San Jose, has served on the board since Second Start’s inception in 1974.
“Dr. Worrell continues to expand and broaden his role with our schools while passing down his institutional knowledge to new board members and staff,” Tara Bevington, executive director for Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc., said. “Fun fact, he has been the eye doctor for the San Francisco Giants and served as the eye doctor for Major League Baseball for 10 years.”
Lotti, chief financial officer for Heat and Control, Inc. where he has worked since 1993 is a lifelong resident of the Bay Area. He attended Santa Clara University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1990.
“I’m excited to be part of a group of people who not only have a passion with a purpose but want to make a difference in so many lives,” Lotti said. “I look forward to contributing to and learning from the Second Start staff and students.”
Bevington said this an exciting time for Second Start.
“Our schools are back in session and we have important milestones to celebrate,” Bevington said. “Newton Learning Center in Reno just celebrated its 10th anniversary and Second Start celebrates 45 years in 2019.”
Exiting board member Millar was a tremendous asset to their board since 2016 Bevington said.
“David provided excellent support for our board as well as our organization,” she said. “I’m grateful for his service and time.”
About Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc.
Founded in 1974 in San Jose, California, Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc. was created to offer tutorial and diagnostic clinics to children with severe disabilities, such as autism. The program grew to add multi-disciplinary, academic and therapeutic programs as well as offering services to at-risk children with special needs. Today, Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc. operates four schools in Northern California and Northern Nevada including Pine Hill San Jose, Newton Learning Center San Jose, Pine Hill South Monterey and Newton Learning Center Northern Nevada.
Photo Cutline: Second Start’s Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc.’s Pine Hill School and Newton Learning Center in San Jose, Cailf. The program also has Pine Hill School in South Monterrey and Newton Learning Center in Reno, Nev.
Media Contacts:
Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc.
Tara Bevington, Executive Director
(408) 979-8210 x. 152
tarab@secondstart.org
Agency:
In Plain Sight Marketing, LLC
Jessica Grundy, Account Manager
(775) 232-8656
jessica@inplainsightllc.com
Teachers who care and know how to help, these two factors are the takeaway messages Amanda Kay wants other parents to know when considering enrolling their child in the Newton Learning Center of Northern Nevada.
“Newton is a private school catering to high-functioning children on the autism spectrum. It is successful in providing students what they need to succeed outside of the Newton learning environment,” Kay said.
Kay said she knows this from her own experience in enrolling her son Liam at Newton for his middle school years. The staff was so successful in helping him that Liam transitioned to a charter high school after three years on campus.
Kay said her son’s journey evolved as he progressed through grade school.
“We didn’t notice anything at home, but his second grade teacher suggested we take him to the school district for evaluation,” she said.“They came back with a diagnosis of being on the Autism Spectrum and ADHD. At the end of second grade, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.”
With a diagnosis in hand, Kay met with school officials seeking a recommendation for her son, but discovered they couldn’t put a finger on his needs. Even still, she kept in touch with his teachers for the rest of elementary school, hoping for the best.
With the transition to middle school, Liam really began to struggle.Kay met with teachers and found their level of interest varied from wanting to help, to admitting they were unprepared to help, to downright indifference and apathy.
She said she also learned later that her son was being bullied and excluded from events by other children.
Knowing a change had to be made, Kay did some research. She talked to other parents about their experiences at the public middle school and learned that it took almost daily visits by some parents to ensure the school was following their child’s IEP and that teachers were engaged in teaching.
Kay knew there had to be something else for her son and while searching online, soon came across Newton Learning Center.
“We made an appointment to stop by Newton during their summer camp. Liam was immediately welcomed and invited to play with the other children. It was a huge benefit in being welcomed by his peers who understood where he was coming from,” she said. “And I could see that the staff there knew what was going on with my son and knew how to deal with it. They’d seen it before.”
The decision was made, and Liam was enrolled at Newton.
In the three years he attended Newton, Kay said he learned how to advocate for himself and made good friends he still sees. “They opened up possibilities for him.”
His experience at Newton was so positive that Liam was able to transition to a charter high school in Sparks and is currently successfully handling that environment with the help of the school’s resource teachers. He is currently on track to graduate in June 2019.
You can also read the story here on Reno Mom’s Blog: https://renomomsblog.com/2018/12/14/reno-mom-with-son-on-the-autism-spectrum-finds-caring-supportive-teachers/
