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The Pathfinder School
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Dear Pathfinder School Families,
I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the great things that are happening here at The Pathfinder School.
If you recall, my message to families at the beginning of this school year focused on The Pathfinder School’s transition programs, with a particular focus on increasing competitive employment opportunities for our students. I am very pleased to announce that we have been awarded a significant grant that will go towards expanding our reach into the community.
The Competitive Integrated Employment grant in the amount of $21,000 was issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Special Education and administered by PaTTAN. The Pathfinder School is one of just 17 schools from across the state that was selected to receive the grant. The funds will go towards providing secondary transition services for students with disabilities and engaging local businesses in hiring our students.
Along this same theme, our staff are continuing to work on the “soft skills” that employers have identified as necessary to be successful in the workplace. Using the Pennsylvania Career Ready Skills as a guide, staff are working together to support the development of student competence in the domains of self-awareness and self-management; establishing and maintaining relationships; and social problem solving. Our social worker, Mrs. Kristen King, and the Speech and Language Department are working with all of the classrooms supporting this initiative.
Our students are also actively participating in the iMAB (Intentional Movement and Behavior) program through a grant that was awarded by the NoVo Foundation. Students receive weekly iMAB instruction for up to 40 minutes. This program is specifically designed to show our students how to gain access to intentional behavior through yoga techniques. Research has shown that, when implemented consistently, intentional behavior can lead to improvement in students’ communication, classroom participation, and focus.
Finally, I wanted to thank the Parents of Pathfinder Students (POPS) group for all of their help and support this year. The POPS group meets monthly here at the school. Any parents that are interested in joining the group can contact us here at the school and we can get you added to the email distribution list.
As you can tell, we have been very busy here at The Pathfinder School and are looking forward to all of the great things we will accomplish together with your children this school year!
Nicholas R. Fratto, M.S. Ed.
The Pathfinder School Principal
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About our school:
We believe that all special education students are capable of learning. We believe
that this learning best occurs when there is an active
partnership with the student, the parent/guardian, our staff,
school districts and outside agencies.Our mission is to actively promote our students’ independence
and increase their quality of life.This is accomplished by:
- Creating and adapting customized individual educational plans (IEPs).
- Having an array of on-site prevocational training opportunities.
- Using community-based instruction to advance practical
applications of skills. - Providing a sense of community that encourages active
participation. - Building positive community partnerships.
The Pathfinder School serves 5- to 21-year old special education students
throughout Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Greene and Washington
counties. Our school offers numerous specialized classrooms,
such as:- Autistic support
- Multiple disabilities support
- Life skills support
- Vocational programs
- Unique offerings such as the PRIDE transitional program and the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES).
Our Framework for Independent Living (FIL) blends state
standards-based academics with functional skill areas while
focusing on bridging school experiences with adult life. We
provide the following specially-designed instructions and
opportunities:- Adaptive physical education
- Art
- Auto detailing
- Community-based instruction
- Center for theatre arts
- Consumer sciences
- Industrial arts
- Music class
- Food service training
- Computer lab
- Building and grounds
- Sensory room
- Functional academics
- Self-help skills
- Personal care assistant
- School-based aquatics program, which was recently featured in
the ACSHIC magazine
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Important links:
Click here to read the October 2020 edition of The Pathfinder Press
Click here to read the June 2020 edition of The Pathfinder Press
Click here for the 2020-2021 school calendar
Click here for the 2020-2021 parent-student handbook.
All of our school meal menus can be found on the Nutrislice food service website.
For information regarding transition services, click here.
Our Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) letter can be found here.
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Contact us:
Phone: 412-833-2777
Fax: 412-833-4060