Giving Thanks

On November 24, we gathered for Birchtree's yearly practice Thanksgiving.  Our clinical instructors guided students through the customs of a traditional holiday meal and introduced students to some of the unusual foods they might encounter during holiday celebrations with their families.

The week before the holiday, each student made a turkey place-card holder to use at school and at home.

Our students, staff, and parents prepared a delicious holiday feast. Students from Classroom Two made mashed potatoes; other classrooms prepared additional side dishes. 

At 11:30 am, all our students and staff gathered around tables in our Life Skills area.  Music instructor Virginia Macdonald led us in singing a song, "What Are You Thankful For?"  Students expressed their thanks for music, swim goggles, and more.

Birchtree has many things to be thankful for this holiday season, as we celebrate the end of the first year in our new facility.  In Birchtree's beautiful new home, everyone was able to sit down and celebrate this meal together, while in our old facility, people ate the meal in shifts.

More students were able to participate in food preparation this year, thanks to our improved kitchen facilities.  And our new multi-purpose room offered the perfect location for students to create their turkey place-card holders. 

To read a New Hampshire Union Leader story about our practice Thanksgiving, click here.

We are thankful to the many friends of Birchtree who have supported our organization's growth since our founding in 2002.  Happy Holidays to you all!

Safety First

On November 18, staff from Newington, NH, Fire and Rescue visited Birchtree to speak to our students and staff about fire safety.

Students enjoyed meeting the fire-fighters and examining their equipment. The visit also gave these first-responders an opportunity to get to know our students and learn more about the special challenges our students could face during an emergency.

At the end of their visit, the fire and rescue staff observed our students and staff conducting a school-wide fire drill. In spite of the piercing alarm, flashing lights, and disruption to their daily routine, students and staff grabbed their winter coats, exited the building safely and efficiently, and then gathered in the designated safe area. It was a proud moment for Birchtree!

Thank you, Newington Fire and Rescue, for your wonderful support!

Click here to read a New Hampshire Sunday News story about the fire-fighters' visit.

Going the Extra Mile

On October 31, John Glynn ran more than twenty-six miles through the streets of Washington, D.C., as a participant in the Marine Corps Marathon. John is the uncle of one of our students, and he asked his family and friends to make donations to Birchtree in recognition of his efforts. More than 30 individuals and families contributed, raising more than $1,800 in support of Birchtree's programs for children and youth with autism!

Thank-you, John "going the extra mile" for Birchtree! We feel honored that you chose to support our organization in this extraordinary way.

Summer Autism Workshops

One hundred people attended The Birchtree Center’s first annual Summer Autism Workshops at The Community Campus in Portsmouth on August 25 and 26. Parents, educators, and caregivers traveled from as far as Bangor, Maine, to participate in these day-long seminars.

On the first day, five of Birchtree’s autism specialists and one Birchtree parent spoke about how to help children with autism achieve full and productive lives at home and in the community. Parents, guardians, and caregivers learned strategies for managing challenging behaviors, teaching self-help skills, fostering effective communication, and more.

Day two focused on helping students with autism succeed in the classroom. Teachers, therapists, para-educators, and early childhood professionals from seventeen school districts and agencies in New Hampshire and Maine attended. After the workshop, one attendee wrote that the presentations “offered something new to bring back to my classroom.” Another praised the “expertise and professionalism” of the Birchtree staff, who are “passionate about what they do in their work with children on the autism spectrum.”



Executive Director Dr. Christine Guarino began each workshop with an overview of current autism research and diagnostic perspectives. “We were delighted to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and ideas with so many dedicated parents, teachers, and caregivers,” said Dr. Guarino. “Partnering with families and community agencies will help us transform the lives of children with autism.”


The Birchtree Center offers autism programs to schools and agencies throughout the year and is planning to continue the summer autism workshop again in 2011. To learn about upcoming events, you can subscribe to Birchtree's occasional e-newsletter.

To view handouts from these workshops, click here.

In Memory of Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas

In Memory

Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas

1927-2010

The Birchtree Center notes with sadness the passing of Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas. Dr. Lovaas was a distinguished researcher and professor of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. He was a pioneer in applying the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to benefit individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. We honor his contributions and thank him on behalf of the many individuals and families at Birchtree and beyond who have benefited from his teaching.

Charmingfare Farm

Learning continues throughout the summer for Birchtree's students with autism--inside and outside the classroom. This week students from our center-based program enjoyed a field trip to Charmingfare Farm.

Before the trip, our Clinical Instructors helped students prepare to visit this exciting new place. Some students learned animal names in class. Others studied a picture schedule or social story to learn what to expect during the trip.

At the farm, we enjoyed a tractor ride, visiting the animals, and petting the goats. Some students with equestrian experience rode a pony.

At the end of the day, we were tired but proud of our students' excellent work. With help from our families, teachers, and community members, Birchtree's students with autism are learning to access recreational opportunities and participate in community life.

Acknowledging our Founder

Letter to the Editor, June 17, 2010:

At the end of this month, Dr. Barbara Frankel’s tenure on the Birchtree Center’s Board of Directors will end. It is with utmost respect and admiration that the Birchtree’s Board wishes to thank Dr. Frankel for her outstanding service and leadership, knowing that the Birchtree Center only exists because of her vision, passion and dedication to our mission.

Over ten years ago, Dr. Frankel recognized the need for a specialized center in the community for children with autism and their families. Dr. Frankel understood the importance of “best practice” for children with autism and was an early advocate of the use of Applied Behavior Analysis. Not only did Dr. Frankel provide an amazing educational and socially enriching environment for children diagnosed with autism, but she also provided support and guidance for our families, knowing that the family system was a critical piece to the healthy development of their children.

On behalf of the Birchtree Board of Directors, we thank Dr. Frankel for her dedication to the Birchtree students, families and staff. Without her passion, wisdom and guidance, the Birchtree Center would not be providing services to children and families throughout New England. We applaud Dr. Frankel for her years of service and we know that her vision will live in perpetuity!

Respectfully submitted by the Birchtree Board of Directors.

Tracey Tucker, MA

Secretary, Board of Directors

The Birchtree Center

---

Board of Directors

The Birchtree Center

Glicka Kaplan,

President

Albert P. Stowe,

CPA, PLLC, Treasurer

Tracey Tucker,

MA, LCMHC, Secretary

Bruce Dicker,

FAIA, LEED AP

Gregory Majewski, Esquire

Carol McClard

Christine Guarino, PhD, CCC-SLP

Executive Director & Special Education Director

Grand Opening Celebration

On May 13, Birchtree's friends, families, and neighbors gathered for a Grand Opening Celebration at our new school building. Members of our board cut the ribbon and then welcomed guests in to see Birchtree's beautiful new classrooms.

Inside, guests watched a video, did family art projects, and viewed displays of student photography.

Outside, we enjoyed carnival games, cotton candy, and some lovely sunny weather.

We concluded the event with a flower planting ceremony. To read a Portsmouth Herald article about the event, click here.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event, and to the event's generous volunteers and supporters:

Altrusa International, Portsmouth Chapter

Balloon Animals by Beth Booth

Cold Stone Creamery, Newington

Marshall Rental Center, Inc.

Building the New Birchtree

We are so thankful to Birchtree's loyal friends who helped us find a wonderful new home in Newington! This is the story of just a few of the skilled and generous people who helped us get here.

For many years, Birchtree had been looking for room to grow. Our old school building was unable to accommodate the growing number of children and youth with autism who needed Birchtree's specialized autism services.

Our board of directors asked Realtor Gail Hughes for her help. Ms. Hughes did an extensive survey of available properties and found the ideal location for our programs at Newington Park. Dan Hoefle and Jane Ferrini, of Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A., Attorneys at Law, assisted with lease negotiations.

Executive Director Dr. Christine Guarino explains the construction plan to staff members, October 22, 2009

Architect Bruce Dicker, of JSA, Incorporated, studied the best practices for designing educational facilities for children and youth with autism. He then worked with our staff to develop an economical plan for renovating the Newington Park property to suit our students' special needs. Mike Parma, his colleague at JSA, assisted with the design.

Sidewalk construction at The Birchtree Center's new facility,
November 4, 2009

The Town of Newington made us feel very welcome in our new home. Building Inspector Charles Smart and Fire Chief Roy Greenleaf provided invaluable assistance. We also received help from Town Planner Tom Morgan, the Selectmen, and countless staff and board members.

Constructing the Main Entrance, December 2, 2009

Dick Johnson of Pine Brook Corporation oversaw renovations to the facility. "He was the hero of this project," says Executive Director Dr. Christine Guarino. "He brought the project in in record time and with great grace and style." Dr. Guarino devoted countless hours to overseeing the project and coordinating Birchtree's relocation to Newington.

The hard-working people at Pine Brook and some wonderful subcontractors worked long hours to complete the project on schedule. Construction concluded just in time, and we were able to move in to Birchtree's new home over the winter holiday.

Installing appliances in the Life Skills kitchen, December 15, 2009

Many staff members and parents worked over the winter break to move classroom furnishings into our new facility. Our students' first day in their new school was January 4th, less than three months after renovations had begun.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this move possible! We are so fortunate to have such good friends in the community.

A New Home for Birchtree

2010 brings exciting changes for Birchtree's students. Starting today, students in our special educational day program for children and youth with autism will no longer go to school in a small, overcrowded school building in Portsmouth. This morning, students arrived ready to learn in a much larger, newly renovated facility at 2064 Woodbury Avenue in neighboring Newington, New Hampshire.

Birchtree's new facility offers three times the space, which will allow our organization to accommodate the growing number of children and youth with autism who need our organization's services.

In their new school, students found larger classrooms with more space for group activities, family visits, "typical peer" interaction, and more.

Today's Adapted Physical Education classes took place in our new gym. Students enjoyed their favorite swings and play equipment in a much larger space, with more room for active play, group games, and physical exercise.

Students also began to explore our new Life Skills facilities. Students will be able to learn and practice the skills of daily living in a fully equipped kitchen and laundry. In this photo, Steven is using his alternative and augmentative communication device to name the appliances in the Life Skills kitchen.

It was a very busy day at Birchtree, but a remarkably successful one. Many students left their school at the end of the day with smiles on their faces, ready to return for another day of learning tomorrow.

Thank you to the Town of Newington and the many generous individuals and businesses who helped our organization make the move to this wonderful new location:

Realtor Gail Hughes

Attorneys Dan Hoefle & Jane Ferrini

Architects Bruce Dicker & Mike Parma of JSA, Incorporated

Dick Johnson of Pine Brook Corporation

Newington Building Inspector Charles Smart

Newington Fire Chief Roy Greenleaf

Newington Town Planner Tom Morgan

Newington Town Selectmen, Board Members & Staff

Bruce Dicker of JSA, Incorporated, was the lead architect on this project. Mr. Dicker designed economical interior renovations to the facility to suit our students’ special needs. Dick Johnson of Pine Brook Corporation ensured that those renovations concluded on budget and on time. Thanks to the hard work of Pine Brook and some wonderful subcontractors, we were able to move in to our beautiful new building over the winter break.

To read a Portsmouth Herald article about our new facility, click here. For more information about The Birchtree Center's new home, click here. For directions and maps to our new location, click here.

Happy New Year!