Monthly Archives: March 2017

RSEC Students meet with local business owner from Amherst Physical Therapy

As students continue to explore possible career options in a field of their interest, upperclassmen from The RSEC Academy high school visited Nashua Community College in Nashua, NH and worked with an admissions counselor to see options available to them in terms of schooling in their field of choice. While at NCC, students completed a career choice survey, learned about trending jobs that are currently in high demand, and NCC’s affiliations with other schools and businesses. Students then toured the college and had the option to talk with professors in specific programs that their career choice survey placed them with.

Students got a firsthand look at college life, as NCC offers robust on-campus social and professional opportunities, and explored the careers and paths many take to get there. With the many customized academic options available at NCC, its focus on hands-on learning, and their efforts to create unique learning opportunities for students of all types, RSEC’s group saw parallels to the curriculum they experience at The Academy.

“Students at the Academy receive an individualized curriculum, gain an understanding of their learning challenges, and establish the communication skills they need to attend post-secondary schooling or enter the workforce, said Hanh Doan, a science teacher at The Academy high school and an organizer of the group’s career day event. “The ability to tour NCC allowed students to think more deeply about their career choices and where they see themselves upon graduation from high school.”

After touring Nashua Community College, students met physical therapist Kurt Bergeron and a student intern from Amherst Physical Therapy. They discussed the multiple years of schooling involved with becoming a physical therapist and what their work specifically entails. Mr. Bergeron discussed the running of his practice and how his goals and drive as a student helped him pursue this career field.

The RSEC Academy, its students, and its teachers would like to thank Nashua Community College and Mr. Bergeron for allowing students to discuss further options available to them and, most importantly, for the dedication of their time.

About RSEC

Regional Services and Education Center, Inc. (RSEC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity created to provide school districts in southern New Hampshire with a variety of high quality educational and special needs focused programs and services. RSEC currently administrates three programs, including Sunrise Children’s Center, an early childhood educational center, The RSEC Academy, a middle and high school program serving students with learning disabilities, and Longview School, an alternative high school program.

For more information on RSEC and its affiliate programs, contact Judy Koch, Executive Director at (603) 886-8500, Ext. 103.

RSEC Academy Students Learn About Careers in Dental Medicine

As part of The RSEC Academy’s efforts to introduce students to different types of medical careers and the potential paths they may follow to get there, high schoolers from the Amherst-based school toured Manchester Community College (MCC). The day also included meetings with the team at Amherst Village Dental, where they were treated to first-person accounts of the dental professionals’ career journeys.

The day began with an introduction to Mark McGrath and Jacquie Poirier, admissions counselors at MCC, who shared the wide variety of programs, majors, degrees and certificates available at the college. Focused on spaces for programs such as MCC’s Associate Degree in Exercise Management, Nursing, and Phlebotomy, to name a few, Poirier led a tour of the labs, classroom spaces and areas dedicated to MCC’s medical and health science related programs. Students were invited to attend an open house at MCC, 1066 Front Street in Manchester on May 4 to learn more about the application process.

To see educational concepts used in practice, students looked to Dr. Bernard Ang of Amherst Village Dental and learned how he uses his education to help patients improve their oral healthcare needs. After a tour of his office, courtesy of staff members Vanessa and Cassandra, Dr. Ang shared the academic path he took to become a dentist. Dr. Ang attended the University of Pennsylvania, and completed his residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He has specialty training in implant placement surgery, orthodontics, and dento-facial orthopedics. Now the owner of his own practice, he continues to learn new dental technologies and approaches as a Bioesthetic Dentist as well as helping patients understand how oral health connects to overall health and wellness.

Students and teachers from The Academy wish to extend their thanks to Mr. McGrath and Ms. Poirier at MCC, and to Dr. Ang and his team at Amherst Village dental, for spending time sharing their stories and offering invaluable advice to Academy students.

To learn more about The RSEC Academy High School and the many unique services it offers students, visit rsec.org or call Janet Reed, director, at 603-673-6656. For more information about Manchester Community College, visit mccnh.edu, and to learn more about Amherst Village Dentistry, please visit amherstvillagedental.com.

Sunrise to Host Amherst Hop-a-thon to Benefit Two Teachers with Cancer

Photo of Amherst Hop-a-thon on April 10th at Sunrise.

Kids ages six weeks to 12 years old earn donations per hop; contributions welcome

As a way to bolster the spirit of two of their teachers battling cancer and support the American Cancer Society, the staff and students at Sunrise Children’s Center in Amherst are hosting an Amherst hop-a-thon on April 10. Students are collecting pledges “per hop” and the Center is also accepting outside donations as well to add to the financial gift.

“We want to show Miss Ann and Miss Jan that we love them and are here for them,” said Nancy Gagnon, the Center’s director. “The kids adore their teachers, and we want to show them that our whole school, from the babies to the fourth graders, are here for them in the same way that they support and help us here at Sunrise.”

The cheer and goodwill will be easy to spot. Students will don homemade bunny ears and bright tie-dyed shirts (or onesies, depending on the age group), and be fueled by carrots, celery, and other bunny-friendly food.

“It should be quite cute, if we can get rid of the snow,” Gagnon said. The event is rain or shine, and will be held in the courtyard at Sunrise Children’s Center.

Miss Ann and Miss Jan, both longtime teachers at the Center who were diagnosed within the last year, coordinated their chemotherapy treatments around the event, and plan to attend and cheer on the herd of hopping “bunnies” as the kids try to hop as many times as they can.

“We are behind them 100 percent, and this event is a great way to remind them of that, and celebrate these two amazing women who never hesitate to go the extra mile to help staff or students,” Gagnon said. “They love their jobs and they love the kids; what better way to support them than enjoy a beautiful spring day together, with activity, laughter, and support of two shining stars in our community.”

Parents and family members of students at Sunrise are welcome to attend, and donations to the American Cancer Society are graciously accepted. To contribute, drop off or mail donations to Sunrise Children’s Center, 94 NH-101A, P. O. Box 370, Amherst, NH 03031. For more information, call (603) 886-0110.

About Sunrise Children’s Center

Sunrise Children’s Center (Sunrise) is an early childhood educational center, providing full-day, half-day programs for children ages 6 weeks to age 6. Sunrise also offers an after-school program for children Kindergarten through grade 4, as well as care during school vacations, snow days, delayed openings, and early releases. Summer programs are available for all children. Enrichment activities such as Zumba and Drums Alive are available to enhance the children’s weekly experiences. Sunrise is a program within Regional Services Education Center (RSEC), a not-for-profit organization that runs programs for students with learning disabilities, including The Academy High School, The Academy Middle School, and The Longview School.