IMPORTANT UPDATES CLASS OF 2020 CELEBRATIONS - SAVE THE DATE! We are in the process of planning a special virtual SKILLs Banquet for our 2020 graduates! The Banquet will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 11 am. Our Speech Therapists have begun meeting with graduating students to discuss Banquet plans and their speeches. SUMMER We continue to await further notifications from Governor Cuomo regarding the potential opening of Summer School. Cooke Summer Directors are planning for the possibility of virtual summer programming in the event that the school buildings must remain closed. JUNE 4th Cooke was previously scheduled for a professional development day on Thursday June 4th. During the virtual learning program, we will continue to run class sessions/assignments on Thursday June 4th and instead will change our professional development session to FRIDAY JUNE 5th. There will be NO ZOOM Classes or Google Classroom assignments on Friday June 5th. SKILLs at NYU!On February 5, 2020, Cooke SKILLs students had the chance to perform at New York University. Cooke’s Drama Therapist, Adam Stevens along with a group of students and NYU interns from SKILLs presented a performative demonstration for NYU's Drama Therapy As Performance Series. Together, they amplified the need for representation and visibility of diverse experiences in the world. The co-created process was titled, OUR FAMILY, OUR STORY: Being Black & Strong in Drama Therapy. Integrating Robert Landy's iconic framework of Role Theory and Method, and Stevens' Black American Role Taxonomy or BART System, the group shared a glimpse into their drama therapy process at Cooke through the exploration and play of racialized and othered roles. This work allows opportunities for people who are marginalized to reauthor their narratives and feel a sense of empowerment. The students gave a shining performance that illuminated resilience, empowerment and a touch of royalty. Last week the students from SKILLs had the opportunity to view a film edit from our collaboration with New York University. The film, which featured the group, is an edit that brings together footage from three camera angles and integrates the powerful voices of the students’ experiences. It looks really beautiful and we are grateful that students were a part of the project. NYU plans to launch the performance, part of a larger series, to the public through an NYU open-access channel. The SKILLs students met with Adam to reflect on the film and share their thoughts. Unanimously, the students advocated for more opportunities for their voices and talents to be heard and seen. Adam Stevens, Drama Therapist & School Counselor Today's Fabulous Friday Karaoke Party will have breakout rooms and a variety of (school appropriate) songs to sing. We can't wait to hear you rocking out! A note to parents: During large group activities students may be muted. Students also have the option to turn off their video, so we cannot see what they are doing. While we are watching, we need your help checking in that your child is ok. Be Inspired!This week I’ve picked Stephen Wiltshire as our person to draw inspiration from! Wiltshire, who hails from London, is an artist who can draw whole cities from memory--how cool! Wiltshire, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, has made great pictures after seeing cities from above while riding in a helicopter. Learn more about Wiltshire here! What Are YOU Doing to Keep Busy?Kendra, Community Inclusion Assistant, has been doing lots of fun things to keep busy. Click HERE to learn more!
Jacqueline Bediako, Assistant Division Head Comments are closed.
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