In this video from Eagle Hill, we interview parents and teachers to find out what they have to say about the program.
Transcription:
ALYSSA & DAVID PORTNY, PARENTS [00:00:20]
When we got the phone call that he was accepted, I cried. I'm not a big crier, honestly, but I broke down in tears because I felt like, hallelujah. Finally, a giant weight had been lifted and we knew something can be done to help him. And we knew that he was in the right place and would be able to flourish, which he has.
ALKA THUKRAL, PARENT [00:00:39]
And then there's that sigh of relief when we saw our son's first day of school, the first week of school, first six months of school. That's when we knew that there was no doubt that this was the right place.
JOE BAYNES, TEACHER & COACH [00:00:58]
My favorite thing about Eagle Hill is just the impact that we're able to have on the students and their families. when the parents come in. They are also hurting from previous school experiences for their children. And when they start to see their kids having success in the classroom, success socially, success on the athletic field, it is evident that their lives have changed as well.
ALKA THUKRAL, PARENT [00:01:22]
A child comes into Eagle Hill, there may be gaps in his or her learning. If you give them the time at Eagle Hill with the confidence that's being built, with a self-esteem that's being built, those gaps are filled.
ALYSSA & DAVID PORTNY, PARENTS [00:01:42]
What I found to be one of the best things about Eagle Hill was that he got every service he needed in school. When he wasn't at Eagle Hill School, his afternoons were spent being shuttled from therapy to therapy and he couldn't have play dates. Now he receives everything that he needs at school and his afternoons are free so that he can be a kid again.
CHRISTINA MITCHELL, PARENT [00:02:15]
You know, the teachers really get to know the students, know what they can do and what they can't do and they make adjustments. And these teachers are so skilled. They're so skilled. Sometimes I feel that they go beyond their profession. They're not just educators. I feel like they're magicians.
DEANNA ABBONDOLA, TEACHER [00:02:36]
I feel like the kids here are able to be kind of at their best. They don't have the burden of a huge class and they don't have the usual issues like bullying or things that can happen at other schools. And they're really able to shine. They can be their best self in our classes here. Tracy Cone, Teacher [00:02:54] Literally, every moment is a teachable moment. It's not just about teaching language arts. It's about social skills and so many other lifelong skills for these kids.
ALYSSA & DAVID PORTNY, PARENTS [00:03:04]
It’s an extremely supportive environment at both the faculty and student level. The kids support one another, which is not something you see in most schools. That's what we love to see coming from our son. It really has transformed him.
ALKA THUKRAL, PARENT [00:03:20]
My son is blossoming at Eagle Hill. I see a kid who really does step up, who advocates for himself, who speaks, who can make friends, who can talk to his teachers, and say if something's wrong.
DR. DAVID BLANK, DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES [00:03:32]
I think by looking around the room and seeing children that have kind of walked a mile in your shoes, they begin to develop that empathy and they begin to develop a perspective that they're not alone. And when you feel like you're not alone, you begin to feel that there's people in this with you. And I think teachers, the related services department, these are all services that we have at Eagle Hill that will help make people feel that they have a community they can depend on. That they’re home.
About Eagle Hill:
Eagle Hill School is a private school for students with learning differences located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Our academic program is designed to help students struggling with learning differences like auditory processing disorder, dyscalculia, dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning disorder, and dysgraphia. Specialized remedial learning programs are taught by experienced teachers who help students navigate through learning challenges, preparing them for bright futures ahead.
