Albert Camus said - “Blessed are the hearts that bend; they shall never be broken.” 

Last year while our school was being rebuilt, we made the decision to open virtually although we knew that this would not be easy for children with special needs on an island with special needs after a major disaster. It  was challenging but proved much more successful than we had anticipated or hoped. We connected with many of our students, and learning happened despite the frustrations encountered. It was not optimal but we were grateful for the connection and forward movement. 

In July, we were preparing to open with a hybrid model of face to face education. We were anticipating opening a beautiful new campus with our in-person students; unfortunately we were informed that due to the increase in Covid cases and the strain on the medical system, we would not be able to. It was another blow in a long line of blows over the last two years. 

On Abaco and at ECC, we have many times been called upon to persevere and so we have been once again. We gathered our on-line resources and mentality and began the process of reconnecting with students and families. In an effort to increase our technology, we invested in SmartTerm Platform which the company tailored to the needs of students with challenges, and have been working diligently with them to make our education more effective. We have also invested in fiber optic internet allowing the teachers on campus to teach virtually from their classrooms. 

Our flexibility and determination continue as we strive to offer the very best to our students online, until the day we can welcome them back safely to campus.  We are learning, communicating, singing, breathing, exercising, discussing and continuing on with our Green School efforts remotely  with our friends. Our campus is ready and waiting for their return in person as soon as it is possible!!!!

Lyn Major, M.A.

Founder/Administrator

Welcome to the new school year 2021-2022!

We have started the new year on-line with the new Smart Term program.  Though we all wanted to come back to our newly rebuilt campus with the students,  we are continuing on line for everyone’s safety during this ongoing pandemic.  Unfortunately, the Delta variant has greatly impacted Abaco. I wish to express my sympathy  to everyone who has experienced sickness and loss during this difficult time. 

I want to welcome all of our new ECC students and families.  We currently have 80 students enrolled online.  This year we continue our new early intervention preschool program with 5 students.  We also have so many new primary students that we have reopened the second primary class.  We  have a full intermediate class and 3 secondary classes.  Of course we still have our worksop trainees who are as always reliable  and consistent in their attendance and participation.  

We are continuing to implement the Conscious Discipline Program.  This year we have added class meetings and school family assemblies.  Class meetings focus on developing problem solving skills and conflict resolution.  The Friday school family assemblies focus on community development and belonging.  

This year we are implementing the Brigance Assessments and curriculum with all of the students.  We now have all three levels of the program, early childhood, school age and adult.  These are programs developed for the learner with special needs.  The Brigance will help us  measure student progress as well as serve as a guide for curriculum and IEP development. 

I continue to hope that soon  we will have children playing on our newly designed playground, that we will have our students and trainees making soap, using the newly donated sewing machines, reading from all the donated books, cooking in our brand new kitchen… But in the meantime we will focus on safety and continue to get our campus totally completed and ready for the return of the students.  Our dedicated teachers will continue to greet their students everyday online as we say, “Welcome to Every Child Counts.”

I wish you well,      

Susan Diemer

Master Teacher 

Every Child Counts opened for the new school year with a return to Virtual Learning.  On September 6th, teachers, students and parents, powered on their laptops or tablets, were back to school. As a part of our continued commitment to the principles of Conscious Discipline, ECC instituted our School-Family Assembly every Friday at 10:00am. 

The purpose of the School Family Assembly is to convey important information, celebrate life events, highlight individual/group achievements and contributions to the School Family. It’s ECC’s way to stay connected with our students and their families. 

Connecting through Zoom, we practice our breathing, Brain Gym exercises, sing, and fellowship together. The highlight of the School-Family Assembly is our celebration time! Any milestones staff, students and their families wish to share is worth celebrating. Birthdays, new additions to the family, perfect attendance, assignments completed, we celebrate. Students participate through prayers, reading scripture lessons and the singing of the National Anthem.

Our ECC family continues to sustain us even though we remain isolated from each other. The School-Family Assembly reminds us that we are family and we are not alone.

~ Vernelle Carey

Mrs. Julie Edgecombe and Mrs. Raquel Smith

Workshop

It is the beginning of a beautiful, successful, and adventurous virtual school year. The Trainees will embark on another phase of learning. We begin our morning with prayer, mindfulness exercises to heighten their abilities in becoming more independent, building their social skills, communication, and life skills. It is important for them to begin completing basic daily tasks with little assistance I.e. getting dressed, preparing meals, and doing laundry. Following covid19 protocols, it’s our goal for our Trainees to be successful learners and engage in all virtual activities.