Special Education - Mrs. Greico

Bishop Dunn Memorial School is a small private school located on the campus of Mount Saint Mary's College in Newburgh, New York.  The school has students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.  There is a special education program for students in grades 6-8 that provides a structured positive learning environment to meet the students' individual needs.

The special education program at Bishop Dunn is a state approved 12:1:1 program for children with learning needs. The students in the program have been identified by their districts as needing special education services  and each student has an IEP.  Related services are provided at Bishop Dunn with district approval.

The program at Bishop Dunn provides small group instruction in the core academic subjects of English, language arts and mathematics. The students are provided individual attention in the areas of need as well as instruction in grade level material that corresponds with the state mandates.  Focus is on reading and writing across the curriculum.  The students are provided support and encouragement to improve their skills and gain the independence and confidence that will be needed in the future.

The students are included with their grade group peers for the content area classes of social studies, science and religion.  The teacher or teacher assistant attends classses for note taking and general assistance to the content area teacher.  The students in the special education program attend all special classes and activities with their grade group peers per the daily schedule.

Mrs. Patricia Greico is the special education teacher for grades 6-8.  She is certified by New York State in special and elementary education.  In addition, she is certified to teach the blind and visually impaired.  Mrs. Greico attended a sixty hour training course in Orton Gillingham, which is a multi-sensory approach to reading.  

We will have a new teaching assitant this year.  Congratulations to Ms. Damiano who has accepted a teaching position in the Peekskill School District.

Classroom News:

Grade 8:  Singer-Song Writer Project: Check the Middle School message board for information and requirements.  Start to think about who you will be reporting on; have fun and enjoy!

Summer reading:  Please read (at least) three books of your choosing over the summer. On the first day of school summit a short summary that includes author and title; a 100 will be included into the first quarter marking period for each  "3-books" completed.

Also, keeping a daily journal is an excellent way to maintain writing skills over the summer.  Be creative and include pictures of what you have been doing.  Please bring to school for another grade boost for the first quarter!

Supplies for school:  Check the Middle School message board; protractors and compasses ARE NOT needed as the classroom has plenty. If the link is missing, the following supplies are necessary: spiral notebooks (6-8); 1 journal unlined; pencils with erasers, preferable not mechanical; for science-one binder, disposable gloves-latex and powder free. Pencils and spiral notebooks will need to be replenished around mid-year. All books will need to be covered.  Please put student's name in all clothing, especially pe clothes.

  *******Boxes of tissues are always appreciated.*****

Please feel free to call if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting you all at the beginning of the school year.