Racepoint Food Drive

On January 28th several Racepoint students delivered over 90 cans of food to the Harwich Family Pantry thanks to your generosity and sense of community. Pantry staff was thankful and it was a meaningful experience for students.

Interested Student Council and Racepoint members will continue with monthly drives, the next on February 24th. Drop off spots will be the same;
Chris Coffin’s office and Missy Adle’s office and remember canned goods only with no tabs.

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men."
~Herman Melville

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Latham Hawks Have a Ball

On Saturday, the Latham Hawks basketball team traveled to Stonehill College to participate in the assessment round of the Special Olympics basketball tournament. A total of fourteen students made the trip and all of the athletes got plenty of playing time. Although the team lost both of its games, there was fun for everyone involved. The team will be back to practice on Friday and is getting prepared for the Final Games in March. Go Hawks!!

"Sport is a preserver of health."
~Hippocrates

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Self Advocacy and the Legislative Process

On Tuesday, January 26th I had the pleasure of accompanying two of our PWS adults to the State House in Boston to participate in a legislative lobbying event in an effort to educate our state representatives and senators of the negative impact state budget cuts will have on their quality of life.

It was a perfectly sunny morning as Dianne, Wanda, Cindy Loring (Residential Supervisor), and I drove over the Sagamore Bridge bound for Boston. After driving the maze of one way streets on Beacon Hill we were able to find a parking space not far from our destination, and proceeded to walk through the Boston Common to the State House. Arriving with time to spare, we decided to do a little “sightseeing” inside the State House were we all learned a little bit about it and our state’s history.

When it was time for the event to begin we found ourselves some comfortable seats and each picked out a catered “box lunch” to enjoy while we listened to the various speakers talk about the need for our state legislators to be sensitive to the well being of our disabled citizens when making difficult budget decisions.

After the formal program ended, the four of us set out to visit the offices of some of our state representatives and senators from Cape Cod. We were able to speak briefly with Representative Cleon Turner, and Representative Perry’s senior aide, as well as legislative aides from Senator Murray’s and O’Leary’s offices. As part of our visit we left each of them one of our Latham 2010 desktop calendars as a gift.

On our way back to the parking garage we again walked through the Boston Common, stopping briefly to watch the ice skaters on the “Frog Pond”. Of course no trip off Cape would be complete without stopping at Dunkin Donuts for a hot beverage, and not to disappoint, we all enjoyed our coffees (yes, they were mediums with skim milk and one Splenda) as we headed down Route 3 back to God’s country.

In conclusion, it must be said that I couldn’t have been prouder of our Latham “ambassadors” who conducted themselves in the most cooperative and polite manner, and as I told them at the conclusion of our adventure, that I look forward to making it an annual event.

Mike Marchese
Director of Adult Services

"Perhaps nobody has changed the course of history as much as the historians."
~Franklin P. Jones

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Latham Boys Nashoba Valley Tubing Outing

This past Saturday, some of the Latham boys went on a snow tubing adventure at Nashoba Valley. All around this was a highly enjoyable trip and a day that will be long remembered!

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius."
~Pietro Aretino

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Crazy Hat Day A Big Hit!

Crazy Hat Day was held at Latham School on Tuesday January 26th and Wednesday January 27th. Sponsored by the Student Council to foster school spirit, students and staff wore “crazy hats”, many of their own making. Gift certificates were awarded to one winner with the “craziest hat” and two runner-ups. The winner was Kevin M, and the two runners up were Leona R and Jessica L.B. Staff also participated enthusiastically in the event.

The Student Council at Latham continues to develop skills in organizing meetings and following up on student concerns. The Student Council has sponsored dances and rallies to support our Special Olympics athletes. The Student Council also focuses on “giving back”. At Latham, learning to provide a needed service and volunteering are an important part of the program. Recently, the Student Council and the Race Point class sponsored a canned food drive to donate food to local food pantries. One group of students is working with a local baby center. These student knit baby items and make fleece blankets to donate.

"Carry laughter with you wherever you go."
~Hugh Sidey

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LATHAM PROFILES: Kelly McCarthy

Latham Profile for: Kelly McCarthy
Residential Counselor for PWS students
Kelly has worked with PWS students on campus for two years.


What do you enjoy most about your job?

Kelly: "These amazing kids. They have such warm hearts. I love the moments when I can help them out of a crisis."

What skills are required to work with PWS kids?

Kelly: "Patience is number 1 and this is a skill that can be learned. I’ve grown so much in this area during my time at Latham. Power struggles have to be avoided and you can’t take behaviors personally."

What do you spend most of your time doing?

Kelly: "There is always something going on in the afternoon and evenings. Homework needs to be done, we go on outings in the community, do arts and crafts projects. It’s important to keep the kids busy. Every Wednesday evening we go swimming.

Activities that involve sensory integration are really helpful and they’re fun too. One thing we do is play with shaving cream. We spread it on a table and the kids make designs. It’s fun to touch and play with and one of the results is that the kids pick less. We also use bubble wrap and play tug of war, which gets aggression out and helps with relaxation."

What advice would you give to someone contemplating a career at Latham Centers?

Kelly: "You don’t need to have experience with PWS to work here because lots of training is provided. It’s important to make connections with the kids and be able to work cooperatively with the team. It is demanding work and at the end of your shift you need to be able to leave work at work."

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."
~Albert Schweitzer

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Take The Plunge...Support The Plungees

The Passion Plunge is a Special Olympics fundraiser that takes place annually. This year it is being held at Nantasket Beach in Hull and the Latham Hawks will be there. Your participation is vital in keeping our Special Olympics Program alive and well here at Latham.

You can help in one of three ways...

• you can come and jump in the frigid waters of Massachusetts Bay with us

• you can comfortably donate from the warmth of your own home

• or you can send this message on to five of your closest friends or family.

The water in Hull is freezing in July so it will be absolutely unbearable in March. All Plungees are willing to go through this discomfort because the cause is so important. Please support this very worthy cause by clicking HERE and making a pledge.

See you there!

"Follow your passion, and success will follow you."
~Arthur Buddhold

PWS Worries

In our Social Skills Groups we have done some work on the emotion worry. Other words for worried are stressed, scared, nervous, anxious and upset. Signs we might be worried can be nail biting, fingers in mouth, looking away, picking, pulling our hair, frowning, having a tantrum or looking all over. Sometimes when we are worried we might seem mad, angry, depressed, sad or shy. Our group wants you to know some of the things we worry about:

• We are going to miss something

• Getting in trouble (consequences, reminded about boundaries, not earning incentives/privileges)

• Others know more or know what’s going on and we don’t

• Blood work

• Something big is coming up (visits, cheat days, level 1 petitions)

• Did I forget something?

• Going somewhere new

• Missing food/food is late/menu changes/cheat days

• Meeting new people

• Feel like someone’s not listening

• Taking care of Scout/dog off leash

• Someone else going first

• Regular staff out

• Schedule changes

• Late/missing medication

• Stealing--someone else steals something of ours and when we steal

• Transitioning into adult services

"Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen."
~James Russel Lowell

Nursing Update

Latham will soon have RN coverage on campus Monday to Friday 7:30-9:00PM and Saturday and Sunday as well. The nurses provide assessment and treatment of the children’s medical needs.

"If love can't cure it, nurses can."
~Author Unknown

Latham Decides On Accreditation Through COA

Latham Centers, Inc. has made the decision to pursue accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. The council was established in 1977 by the Child Welfare League of America and Family Service of America (now the Alliance for Children and Families). More than 1500 private and public organizations that serve over 7,000,000 children, individuals, and families are accredited or are in process.

The Council is deeply committed to promoting standards that insure outstanding care, and quality service to vulnerable children and individuals. Latham is proud to be participating in this process and is currently working closely with the council to develop its self study. This study involves Latham in reviewing all of its policies, procedures and practices. The self study involves our students, residents, staff, stakeholders, and board members. As you might imagine, becoming accredited is a commitment of time and resources; however, we see it as an opportunity to acknowledge what we do well and improve systems where we can. We are excited about the process and look forward to becoming a member of this elite group of human service providers.

"It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is best from the top."
~Arnold Bennett

Winter Bringing You Down...Check Out Our Spring Photos!

Some of our student’s photographs are posted on Flickr. Check them out by clicking HERE. Considering how cold and snowy it has been, now may be a good time to admire some of these photos taken last spring and summer.

Latham was contacted by ICVolunteers to have students submit these photographs into an international Creative photography contest to be held later this year. Submissions are due by February 5th.

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush."
~Doug Larson

December Graduation

Consider how special it is to graduate in December! So many others are June grads, but at Latham, some young women get to graduate later in the year. It was a pleasure to attend two graduation ceremonies recently where two students at a time were acknowledged for the completion of their work at Latham.

To the strains of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, each girl processed into a warm and loving environment filled with their excited and enthusiastic fellow students. Yes, they wore caps and gowns and carried special mementoes. Head of School, Lucy Foran, acted as Master of Ceremonies and three members of the staff spoke about each student's progress at Latham and hopes for their future. There was lots of applause and acknowledgement from the audience. Some of the graduates offered special thanks and remarks on their schoolwork and success in many special endeavors. Then, of course, the photos began with the presentation of the Certificates of Completion, some received flowers, each received a Memory Book (a personal recollection of stories and photos of each student's time at Latham) and each received an especially made commemorative quilt -- beautifully conceived and crafted by a group of quilters in Harwich. There were lots of hugs -- hugs of excitement, congratulations, encouragement, love and some teary goodbyes -- everything a graduation should be. Latham is such a special place!

Keith Bradley, Member, Board of Directors

"There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning."
~Orrin Hatch

Latham and The Jolly Jaunt

A JOLLY JAUNTing we will go . . . on December 6th, more than 536 runners and walkers turned out for the Special Olympics fundraiser called the JOLLY JAUNT. The Latham team was captained by Tim Vaughan and eleven folks signed up to run or walk. The team raised over $1,500 to go toward Latham students' participation in Special Olympics events. While most runners did the 5K race, I did part of the 2k walk with Lucy Foran and Scout. Scout was enthusiastic to compete and really wanted to win. One of the Latham runners came in seven seconds behind the winner! Many of the Latham students were at the Finish Line to welcome in the Latham runners! Just wait til next year!

After the race, everyone settled into the large ballroom at the Resort and Conference Center for lunch, the prize awards and results of the Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle. Overall, the event raised close to $43,000 for Special Olympics. Next year, let's get more Latham team members and break out the blue and white balloons and streamers! Congratulations to Tim Vaughan and all the Latham runners and walkers!

Keith Bradley, Latham Board Member

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first."
~Author Unknown

This Just In From The Children's League...

The Children’s League of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Human Service Providers Council of which Latham is a member, is actively participating in The People First! campaign. The focus of the campaign is to ask the governor and the legislative leaders to put People First! as they develop the state budget for FY '11. Part of this effort is a petition campaign.

The Council, who is coordinating the campaign, has launched its Democracy in Action (an automated advocacy tool) petition today. In this perilous time for so many residents, the People First! campaign is calling for state officials to renew the focus that people are first. Any dollars tied up in any obsolete, duplicative or nonproductive administrative systems, structures or mandates -- anywhere in government -- should be eliminated before eliminating funding that directly impacts the lives of those in need of essential state services.

The petition is now going to all members of the People First! campaign to be circulated among their memberships. We need HUGE numbers to make this effective, so we need your help.

Please consider getting involved by using the link below to access the petition, sign it, and forward it to your others who might be willing to participate.
CLICK HERE to sign this petition.

They are asking people to respond to this by Friday, 12/11.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
~Elmer Davis

Latham Students’ Learn Leadership

The Latham Student Council meets monthly to discuss and implement positive changes on the Latham campus and in the community. Elected in September and meeting monthly, members have initiated many projects. One project is keeping the grounds on campus beautiful. As one member noted, “We want to be proud of our campus when visitors come.” Because of student initiative, each classroom now has a garden area on campus to keep weeded and trimmed.

Students have also had ideas on how to increase activities in Physical Education, how to help the breakfast and lunch times run more smoothly and how to increase school spirit through Spirit Days. The spring term will be a busy time for the Student Council as members work on community projects such as organizing a can drive for the local Food Pantry and earning money through chores to donate to appropriate causes. Students are also thinking of ways to motivate students who have difficulty staying in class and working hard all day every day. This group of young people is making a difference.

“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

We Love The Museum of Science!

On Saturday, members of Simpkins Cottage and the Cabin visited the Boston Museum of Science. They had a wonderful trip and look forward to returning in the future!

"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Boys Participate in Worldwide PWS Art Show

We have been working in the Simpkins Cabin social skills group on collages. The theme for the collage is "All About Me." Students chose items as if they were using pictures to describe themselves and what they like to someone. We are submitting these to the International PWS organization for the East Meets West International PWS conference in May in Tapei, Taiwan.

The artwork will be formatted and displayed electronically for viewing on a big screen in the lecture halls before each of the sessions and during breaks. The title of the piece will be displayed on the screen together with the name, age and country of the artist.

The maximum number of submissions from each artist is 3 pieces. This is not a competition. Each artist will receive an electronic certificate with the conference logo thanking them for their submission. Thanks to all the boys and staff for representing Latham in this wonderful effort.

These are their submissions.

"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."
~Charles Horton Cooley

Check out the new Latham Center's Toolbar!

We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It’s the new Latham Centers toolbar! When added to IE (Internet Explorer) or Firefox on your personal computer, every time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Latham Centers, at no cost to you. You'll even save money as the toolbar provides hundreds of great coupons and deals! The toolbar also has a search box, and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Latham Centers. CLICK HERE to add this toolbar to your computer.

Please pass this along to all of your friends! The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference!

Not interested in the toolbar? Then simply visit www.goodsearch.com to shop, designating Latham Centers to receive a percentage of your purchase!

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude."
~Cynthia Ozick

Only Two Weeks Left! Make Your Donation Today!

It's Jolly Jaunt time again, and Latham needs your help. Latham’s Special Olympics program survives, and thrives, because of voluntary donations like yours. In the Children's program, over half the student population participate in Special Olympics every season throughout the year. It is the backbone of the work we do here.

The Jolly Jaunt is the main fundraiser of the season and involves a 10k run through the streets of Hyannis. This year’s Jaunt takes place on December 6th. Because of the money raised last year, all of our students were able to participate as much as they wanted without charge. We were able to buy new uniforms, equipment and awards for post-season parties. In this time of fiscal restraint, we were actually able to expand our Special Olympics program to include Flag Football.

Your donation is so important and 100% goes directly to the kids. Please CLICK HERE and donate to one of the individual runners or make a general team donation today. Thanks!

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another."
~John Dewey

Register Now For Stop and Shop A+ Bonus Bucks!

With A+ BonusBucks, points accrue with each purchase where the Stop & Shop Card is used. It even works with purchases made online with Peapod by Stop & Shop. At the end of each month, these points determine your school's cash total which is automatically credited to its account and school totals updated each month. (Please note: Gift cards (excluding store brand gift cards), pharmacy, alcohol and/or cigarette purchases are excluded from accruing points.)

Simply click HERE and register your card using our School ID Number 07054.

Thanks and have a happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action."
~W.J. Cameron