TIMMINS, Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 10:00am – Students from École catholique Anicet-Morin presented representatives from North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEFOACS) with a cheque in the amount of $1060. Students and staff, led by Madame Joanne Mousseau-Jones, Special Education teacher, and Educational Assistants, Madame Lisanne Lapointe, Madame Monique Riopel and Madame Marie-Josée Riopel, participated in special fundraising and awareness activities during the month of April in support of World Autism Awareness Day, and NEOFACS’ Autism Awareness Month.
As well, many Anicet-Morin students submitted artwork as part of NEOFACS’s annual “Expression Challenge” for a chance to have their art featured on the 2017 Autism t-shirts and promotional posters. The 2016 t-shirt featured artwork from 9 year old Zoe Belanger.
In order to promote autism awareness, teachers are asked to share informational videos, testimonials, songs and poems about Autism and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) with their students throughout the month of April. As well this year, bandanas and scrunchies made of puzzle piece material were sewed by staff members and sold to students and their families (puzzle pieces are symbols used to represent Autism). At the end of the month, everyone in the school is asked take part in “Blue Day”. The school becomes a sea of blue… blue hair, blue clothes, blue nails, blue make-up. The highlight of the day is the sale of ice cream sundaes, decorated with caramel or chocolate syrup, whipped cream, blue sprinkles and a blue candy. The management of local grocery store, No Frills, always supports the school’s initiative by giving them a generous gift card towards the purchase of the ice cream needed for the fundraising activity. This makes it possible for the school to make more profit for a larger donation.
In past years, the school has held similar fundraising activities that resulted in generous donations towards a therapy canine for a child with autism, as well as donations to Autism Ontario.
“April has become a very important month in our school. Our goal is not only to educate but more importantly to ensure acceptance and inclusion as well as offer understanding and support for our students living with autism. We wish to send a clear, positive and hopeful message that there is a place for everyone, not only in our school but in our society. We hope that the knowledge, understanding and empathy our students develop will last a lifetime. “ said Madame Joanne Mousseau-Jones with Anicet-Morin.
“We are so touched by the dedication and support from the students and staff at École catholique Anicet-Morin. It is remarkable to see a school year after year mark Autism Awareness Month with such enthusiasm.” said Sarah Robinson, Program Supervisor of Autism & Psychological Services at NEOFACS. “The funds donated today will be put to good use in enhancing our Autism programs.”
NEOFACS’ month long campaign kicked off on April 1st and promoted understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the available therapies. Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. Autism disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviours. In 2013, all previously sub-categorized autism disorders (autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome) were merged into one diagnosis of ASD.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
NEOFACS offers a number of children’s mental health programs for children and youth with Autism. Services include the Applied Behaviour Analysis Program (ABA), the Autism Intervention Program (AIP/IBI), and the Autism Resource Program (ARP). The ABA Program is offered in cooperation with One Kids Place and the AIP/IBI Program is offered in partnership with HANDS The Family Help Network (from North Bay). More information on these partnerships can be found by visiting http://www.onekidsplace.ca and http://www.handsthefamilyhelpnetwork.ca.
Media Contact:
Brooke Ballantyne
Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 705-360-7100 ext 5217
For additional information, please contact:
Alain Dion, Principal
Joanne Mousseau-Jones, Special Education Teacher
1070 Power Avenue
Timmins, ON P4R 1B4
Tel: 705-264-4533