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Boston College Campus School
Newsletter ~ Spring 2009
Spring, 2009
International Scholar, Dr. Jan van Dijk speaks at BC
Campus School
It was an honor for Boston College and Campus School to host Dr. Jan van Dijk, an esteemed scholar/
researcher, who has developed strategies for
assessment that consider the processes by which
children learn, referred to as Child-Guided
Assessment. The process includes: the ability to
maintain and modulate state, preferred learning
channels, ability to learn, memory and anticipation of
routines, ability to accommodate new experiences
with existing schemes, approach taken to solve
problems, ability to form social attachments and
interact with others, and communication modes. The
van Dijk approach emphasizes that all children can
learn, but it is the responsibility of educators and
parents to discover how they learn best. Dr. van Dijk
was invited to Boston College by Dr. Susan Bruce,
faculty coordinator of the Graduate Studies Program
(l to r) Laura Hines, Assistant Director of Campus School, Dr. in Severe Special Needs and Deafblind Education, as
Susan Bruce, Dr. Jan van Dijk and Dr. Don Ricciato, Director well as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Campus
School.
On March 26th, Dr. van Dijk presented on “The Role of the Limbic System in
Children with Sensory Impairment.” He emphasized that knowledge of the
subject and memory of experiences play an important role in efficient
processing of information. Dr. van Dijk also emphasized the impact this would
have on children with sensory impairments. He discussed the role of emotions
in children and how sensory input is strongly linked to emotion which plays an
important role in attachment behavior.
On March 27th, Dr. van Dijk performed an arena assessment on two
Campus School students during which Campus School staff could observe Dr. van Dijk and Campus School stu-
his techniques. dent, Abby with her mom.
All who attended his presentations were the beneficiaries of Dr. van Dijk’s insights and experiences, and will
subsequently be able to enrich their own instructional practices.
Interns Become Part of Campus School Life
Therapy at Boston
University, Sargent
College. Dymtro is
completing his masters
program at Tufts
University. He is a
Fulbright Scholar student
from Ukraine and is
studying Child
Development. Amber
graduated from Louisiana
Tech University and is a
(Above) KerryAnn Coburn, Meaghan Boyce and first year graduate student
Dymtro Say interned at the Campus School. at the Boston College
School of Social Work.
This past term, four interns assisted at the
These interns brought
Campus School. Kerryann Coburn,
great enthusiasm and
Meaghan Boyce, Dymtro Say and Amber Intern Amber Chesser and her
commitment to Campus seeing eye dog, Boots.
Chesser. Kerryann is from Dundalk,
School. Both students and
Ireland and she visited the Boston area this
staff were enriched by the
fall through the Irish Immigration Center.
contributions of these
Meaghan graduated from the University of
exceptional interns.
Virginia in 2006 and is earning her Masters
of Science Degree in Occupational
Fun for All on the Charles River
Sixteen Campus School students had the
opportunity to go canoeing on the Charles River
with AccesSports America. This non-profit
organization’s mission is to inspire higher function
and fitness for children and adults with disabilities
through high-challenge sports.
Everyone met at the canoe launch, put on the life
jackets and boarded the outrigger canoes. Two
canoes are connected together with beams that
make the canoes very stable. There were
multiple seating options which accommodated all
Campus School staff and students rowing on the Charles.
of our students. Once the ride was underway, the
fun began. It was a sensory extravaganza from the splashing water and warm summer breezes to the rattle of the
train from the bridge overhead. Each student was paired with a staff member who helped them paddle by
holding, pushing, or pulling the oars as they glided across the water. There was plenty of time for socializing and
making new friends. All of the students were excited and happy, and the staff all agreed it was the best field trip
ever. We look forward to canoeing again this summer.
Page 2 Boston College Campus School Newsletter ~ Spring 2009
www.bc.edu/campusschool
Lending a Helping Hand
The Campus School Volunteers of Boston College (CSVBC) is a group of over 300 Boston College students who work
to benefit Campus School students. Some work directly with students in the classroom, while others raise awareness
of the Campus School, or fundraise to benefit our program. There are more than 10 committees within the CSVBC
affording anyone who is interested an opportunity to get involved.
One of theses committees is the Buddy Program which pairs a BC student with a Campus School student. Each week
they share an hour together working on a project, sharing a book or getting to know each other by just “hanging”
out.
Another committee is the Boston Marathon committee which has over 100 BC runners who raise funds for our
program. In April, during the Boston Marathon, Campus School students and staff gather at “Heart Break Hill” to
cheer on the dedicated runners who have trained for months to complete the 26.2 miles.
The Special Events committee shares its artistic talent and specializes in setting up interactive activity tables for
student participation. They also assist teachers and students in decorating and planning parties and socials, such as
the Spring semi-formal dance for the Campus School high school students. These are only a few of the notable ways
BC students have fun and get to know the students and staff at the Campus School.
Many of the CSVBC members agree that “their volunteer work at the Campus School is one of the most fulfilling and
rewarding experiences at Boston College.”
The backbone of the
Campus School…..
our Nursing Department
Campus School nurses, Janet, Joan and Cheryl and
The Campus School Nurses are an integral part of the
Campus School student, Kristiana.
Campus School. We employ three full time nurses, a
consulting nurse practitioner, a consulting nutritionist, and a consulting pediatrician, who all ensure optimum
healthcare for our students.
The Campus School Nurses provide healthcare support that enables our students to fully participate in all aspects of
their educational programs. The nurses play a key role in communicating student medical updates and information.
Routine healthcare interventions are provided across environments within the school to maximize student
participation in all aspects of the program. Along with direct care to students, the Campus School nurses conduct
professional development for staff in all areas of medical support. The Campus School nurses are an essential
component of our transdisciplinary team. Combined, they have more than 50 years of experience providing
healthcare for children with complex medical needs.
Page 3 Boston College Campus School Newsletter ~ Spring 2009
Lynch School of Education
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Primary Business Address
Campion Hall 197
Your Address Line 2
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Your Address Line 3
www.bc.edu/campusschool
Your Address Line 4
Phone: 617-552-3460
Fax: 617-552-6465
E-mail inquiries: odonnesn@bc.edu
To receive this newsletter by email or to be removed from our
mailing list, please send your request to The Campus School at
odonnesn@bc.edu.
What is happening around Campus School…..
Realizing the
potential in all
students! Barry works with
Teacher Assistant, sensory box items.
Claire Donahue, and He explores by Boston College
student, Michael, touching, tasting, orchestra performed
sing-a-long with the smelling and for Campus School
“Lynch Pins.” seeing. students. Jesse tries
out the viola.
Campus School In the classroom,
volunteers sharing a Jimmy assists with
good book with preparation for the
Caroline. pasta bake.
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