Monthly Archives: January 2012

Highlight of RSEC Student Intensives Week: Visit to The River 92.5 FM

Students Visit to Radio Station during RSEC Student Intensives Week

JANUARY 30, 2012 – Intensives Week is an opportunity to explore less conventional subject matter and get out of the classroom, and several RSEC students took a musical field trip in late January that included some studio time at the Boston-based The River 92.5 radio station. Eight students had a chance to see DJ Rita Cary in action and record and play back their voices, among other music-related activities that filled their day in Boston.

These high school students spent the day touring the Berkeley School of Music, meeting with a local drummer in a rock band, and dining at the Hard Rock Café and enjoying its musical atmosphere and memorabilia. The highlight for many was going to The River studio, meeting a DJ who was on air, and seeing the on site performance studio where bands like The Verve and Coldplay have played live and left behind their signatures on the studio walls.

Dianne Hunter had a connection with Rita Cary, who she met at a concert. They connected by e-mail and she asked if the kids could come to the studio. “We were introduced to the entire staff. They were wonderful and really sweet and spent a lot of time with the kids,” said Dianne Hunter, a teacher who accompanied the students on the trip. We watched her do her live show, learned how they organize songs into their queue, and the students even had an opportunity to record themselves speaking or singing and then hear what they sounded like. The kids loved it – they were very excited,” she added.

Intensives week takes place in between terms. The students select the subject matter, work with the staff to plan out the week and then sign up for the subject in which they want to participate. Dianne Hunter had met Rita Carey at a concert and e-mailed her to see if a visit was feasible. The DJ responded positively and the visit was incorporated into the week.

The River 92.5 is one of few independent radio stations that have their own DJs on site and the students were advised that launching a career in radio is challenging. However, the focus of the week really was music, and it culminated in an effort by the students to write and record a song. They learned how challenging this was, but thoroughly enjoyed their week and the chance to visit places where music is taught, performed and played.

An Intense Week of “Snow Fun” for RSEC Students

Enjoying RSEC Intensives Week Snow Activities

RSEC Academy High School Students Enjoy Snow Activities During RSEC Intensives Week

JANUARY 30, 2012

Limited snow and warmer weather did not deter the nine RSEC Academy high school students and three staff from spending five days outside this January and making the most of new and familiar experiences in New Hampshire. After planning for more extensive winter pursuits, the Winter Intensive group still managed to go ice skating, sledding, tubing, winter hiking and downhill skiing.

While New Hampshire received an early taste of winter due to record snow over the Halloween weekend, the lack of snow and warmer weather has put a damper on some traditional winter activities. “The weather did not cooperate, so we changed our plan,” said trip coordinator and RSEC Gym teacher Tracy Vest.

The group rented out Conway Arena in Nashua, and tried skating and even a few games of ice hockey. “It was my first time skating in years,” said Junior Alex Deluca With thin cover at the popular sledding spot Bragdon Hill in Amherst, the group still managed some sledding. A plan for snowshoeing turned into an orienteering hike around the Beaver Brook conservation area in Hollis. Students were able to work on their map reading and compass skills covering a majority of the area’s course.

Skiing and snowboarding was a must for the Winter Intensive group, and they chose Cannon Mountain as their destination Their final fun experience of the week was tubing at Loon Mountain. Wearing helmets and goggles, the group took specially designed tubes up a lift before hurtling down a Loon’s tubing trail at high speed. “It was great fun – one of the best things we did on the trip,” said sophomore Jon Poitras. The group also experienced an overnight stay in a condo at the Lodge at Lincoln station.

The RSEC Academy recognizes that students have a variety of learning styles. RSEC Intensives Week, which all Academy high school students are expected to participate in, provide hands-on and real life experiences to teach social skills and to build community. Students are challenged to work cooperatively, communicate effectively, and solve problems creatively while building their self awareness about social skills. Intensives allow students to take advantage of alternative educational settings and aim to strengthen student learning through unique opportunities for in-depth investigation of cultural and academic endeavors, social skills practice, and reflective methods.

“The Future” RSEC Academy Intensive Group Wrangles Life’s Challenges

Challenges Abound for “The Future.”

JANUARY 2012

It was a week of challenges for the RSEC Academy intensive group “The Future.”

This adventurous bunch engaged in activities that showed them what life entails after high school. From touring colleges to writing resumes and learning interview tips and techniques, these students got a taste of the “real world.” Intensives Week at the Academy is an opportunity to explore less conventional subject matter outside of the classroom and takes place between terms.

“The Future” students faced a week of realistic life challenges that were new to many of them. They were put on a tight budget that required them to compare prices at local grocery stores to get everything they needed for breakfast and lunch all week – and then they had to cook it themselves! For many, this was the first time they fried an egg or flipped a pancake, but all the kids stepped up to the plate and prepared many delicious and nutritious meals.

“All week, in between cooking meals and cleaning boot camp, the group researched and planned for the culmination of the intensive week, which was a day trip to Boston. The students navigated the group from Amherst, NH to Cambridge, MA to reach the subway station, purchase T passes, and figure out how to ride the T – a new experience for many, and they only got on the wrong train once,” said RSEC teacher Sara Piper.

On foot, the students used maps and landmarks during a scavenger hunt through Public Gardens, the Common, Government Center, Faneuil Hall, and to the New England Aquarium – a great final destination to take a rest and watch the harbor seals, which was a highlight of the day for everyone.

“With the weather taking a turn, the group was forced to head north to NH earlier than planned, cutting our evening short to avoid getting caught in the storm. While the group was disappointed with having to cancel the dinner reservations and the sleepover at school they had organized, overall the day was a huge success, with the students truly taking on the city in all forms. After a full week of challenges, we can officially say: watch out world, the Future group is coming for you,” she added.

The RSEC Academy recognizes that students have a variety of learning styles. Intensives, which all Academy high school students are expected to participate in, provide hands-on and real life experiences to teach social skills and to build community. Students are challenged to work cooperatively, communicate effectively, and solve problems creatively while building their self awareness about social skills. Intensives allow students to take advantage of alternative educational settings and aim to strengthen student learning through unique opportunities for in-depth investigation of cultural and academic endeavors, social skills practice, and reflective methods.

Want to learn more about Intensives? Contact Us!

RSEC Announces 1st Quarter 2011 – 2012 Honor Roll

The 1st Quarter 2011 – 2012 Honor Roll are...

JANUARY 3, 2012– AMHERST, NH

Regional Services and Education Centers, Inc., (RSEC) a non-profit educational collaborative that provides comprehensive educational programs and services to southern New Hampshire, is pleased to announce the honors and high honors recipients for its three alternative high school programs, Longview School in Deerfield and The Summit School and The RSEC Academy in Amherst.

The 1st Quarter 2011-2012 honor recipients are as follows:

Longview School in Deerfield, NH

Honors: Andrew Rocha- Kensington

The Summit School in Amherst, NH

Honors: Justin Benoit – Bedford

The RSEC Academy in Amherst, NH

High Honors (no grade lower than 90%):
Kyle McShea – Milford
Nathaniel Nardone – Hollis

Honors (no grade lower than 80%):
John Balch – Nashua
Taylor Benedict – Boscawen
Mackenzie Burke – Bow
Eugene Calnan – Peterborough
Alexander DeLuca – Windham
William Desrochers – Merrimack
Eric Dwane – E. Swanzy
Katherine Glosser – Merrimack
Blaine Stanclift – Keene
Daniel Thompson – Bedford

About RSEC

Founded in 1974, the mission of the Regional Services and Education Center, Inc. (RSEC) is to raise the capability of parents and schools to help all children and youth be successful. RSEC has proudly provided high quality educational programs and services to the children and families of New Hampshire for over 30 years.

Our dedicated employees have a passion for teaching and currently provide a wide variety of educational services to over 300 children and students from birth through age 21. Our educators and staff are committed to education, to our profession, and to children and students.

By creating exceptional educational environments, children and students increase achievement in nurturing and therapeutic settings specially designed for their individual needs. Early intervention, inclusionary early childhood education, and middle and high schools that serve students identified with special education needs are a few of the high quality programs provided through RSEC.

Learn More about RSEC >