Recent Students Achieving Independence for Life (SAIL) Activities
If you ever visit Birchtree’s day school, you may see some empty desks! That’s because so many Birchtree students step away from their school desks for hands-on lessons in our school building and in our local neighborhood.
Starting at age 14, every Birchtree student participates in “Students Achieving Independence for Life (SAIL)” activities to help them prepare for adulthood.
Students receive individualized instruction in four essential areas: vocational skills, independent living, lifelong learning, and community participation. Here are just a few examples of SAIL activities that students enjoy at Birchtree and in our community…
A student operates a mobile snack cart, taking an order from a staff member at her office. Staff can choose from a menu of tasty treats to purchase from our student clerks.A student uses an iPad to charge a staff member’s credit card while operating the mobile snack cart.A student develops marketable skills by operating an illustration service–creating customized digital art for staff.A staff member purchases items from The Nook, Birchtree’s student-run school store. Our staff and students LOVE eating delicious treats from The Nook!A student gets an an iced coffee from Birchtree’s student-run Beverage Bar, which offers drinks and snacks to students and staff.A student assembles silverware bundles at his desk as part of his pre-vocational training.A student develops job skills while cleaning a local restaurant’s entryway. This student does a variety of tasks to help prepare for lunch service at the restaurant.A student learns to sort recyclables as part of his training in independent-living skills.A student shops at Market Basket for the food she will enjoy for lunch and snacks at Birchtree. Practicing shopping skills now helps students prepare to maximize their independence in adulthood.A student prepares a salad for his lunch as part of his ongoing cooking lessons at school.A student learns cooking skills while assembling an apple crisp to share with her classmates.A student prepares a pasta salad for Birchtree staff to enjoy.A student exercises on a stationary bike in the school gym as part of his daily fitness routine.A student rides an adaptive tricycle through the halls of Birchtree—developing healthy exercise habits to last a lifetime.A student develops her balance at a local gymnastics studio. Students learn to exercise at local gyms–so they’ll be ready to continue their fitness routines in adulthood.Students take a break during a visit to a local orchard. Such trips provide opportunities for students to explore their leisure interests–and to establish community connections that will allow students to enjoy such activities in adulthood.Birchtree’s amazing instructors are able to take students for learning “on the road” thanks to our wonderful donors!As part of her job-skills training, this student designs and creates beaded bracelets and necklaces to sell in her own pop-up shop.
We’re so grateful to the local businesses and organizations in our neighborhood who welcome our students for hands-on learning in the real world.
And thank you also to everyone whose donations are helping pay for vehicles, fueling, and maintenance–so students can enjoy year-round learning in our community.
