In this edition of “Stories We Tell,” join a fall celebration for families in Oluchi Okemiri’s classroom at Sheldon High School and explore what it’s like to be part of the SCOE (Sacramento County Office of Education) Foundations Academy.
The aroma of freshly roasted turkey and all the trimmings filled the air as parents, students, and staff shared a meal together before Thanksgiving break. The classroom was artfully decorated with student projects that featured bright fall colors.
“In a Foundations Academy classroom, we work everything into the curriculum. This month’s functional words included big, small, and four fall colors including orange, yellow, red, and brown,” explained SCOE Teacher Oluchi Okemiri.
Functional words are used by students every day, even after they leave the program. Every student is at a different level in Okemiri’s classroom and since they are non-verbal, American Sign Language is incorporated into the curriculum.
“We do both word recognition in print and with sign language, so we don’t leave anyone behind,” said Okemiri.
The Foundations Academy, part of the SCOE Special Education Department, provides education services to students who require extensive support in a variety of areas, including visual, mobility, and/or speech and language. Many students who complete the program start in SCOE’s Infant Development Program and continue in SCOE programs through young adulthood.
The “Stories We Tell” series shares news from SCOE classrooms and programs throughout Sacramento County.