The Hathaway-Sycamores non-public school is state-certified and offers a year-round educational and behavioral program for students with serious emotional disturbances and learning disabilities. The program is designed to meet each child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) while creating an environment conducive to cognitive and affective growth. The Hathaway-Sycamores Community School accepts boys and girls ages seven to 18, who have been diagnosed with emotional and/or learning disabilities and have a current IEP with a non-public school placement designation.
Services Provided
One credentialed teacher and as many as three educational assistants, provide instruction and support in the classroom. Class sizes are limited to 12 students. Each teacher implements an educational and behavioral program appropriate to the developmental stage of the students. The curriculum offers basic skills training and intervention for students with serious emotional and learning disabilities. Students are regularly evaluated with standardized and informal assessments so that teachers may focus on appropriate goals and individual student strengths. Teachers employ direct instruction, cognitive behavior modification, multi-sensory approaches, and hands-on approaches. Staff provides a safe and nurturing environment while providing instruction in math, reading, spelling, social science, science, grammar, writing and physical education. Life Works! is a job-training program for youth ages 14 to 22. It is designed to promote career awareness, exploration and skill development. Life Works!, funded through a grant from the state of California, provides opportunities for work experience with ongoing support and guidance from vocational personnel. Mental Health Services Mental health services are available on an as-needed basis.
Recent Hathaway-Sycamores graduate, Mercedes Alvarez, truly is a success story. We were honored to have her share her personal story at Hathaway-Sycamores’ recent Celebrating Children Awards and Reception. Following is the speech that she delivered to the enthusiastic crowd of over 250 people that evening.
“Good evening, my name is Mercedes Alvarez and I am proud to stand before you tonight as a 2009 high school graduate of Hathaway-Sycamores. There are many people that I know who never thought the day would come that I would be a high school graduate. But with the help of my teachers and friends at Hathaway-Sycamores and a lot of hard work, I did it. I would like to share my story with you.
Before arriving at Hathaway-Sycamores three years ago, I had no motivation, was struggling in school, and had a very negative attitude. I had gotten in trouble with the law many times and was placed on probation when I was just 12 years old. The school I came from didn’t provide much guidance and discipline and as a result, I never learned to appreciate hard work and the great things that come from it. I was definitely headed in the wrong direction. However, that all changed when I came to Hathaway-Sycamores.
During my three years at Hathaway-Sycamores, I made great changes in my life and accomplished things that I never knew I was capable of. During the school day, we were taught that you had to work hard and behave properly all week long in order to earn the right to participate in the fun activities on Friday such as ice skating or bowling. This made me appreciate the things we received and got to do much more than I did in the past. I also learned a lot about myself such as understanding the consequences if I wasn’t behaving well and learning to be more patient and tolerant of those around me.
And not only did I receive my high school diploma at Hathaway-Sycamores, but during the past year, I also entered into the “ROP” nursing program at Northwest College and just last week I completed the program and received my MA certificate to become a Medical Assistant. I plan on using this degree to get a job and to help pay my way through college.
But what really made my experience at Hathaway-Sycamores special was the great people who helped me to turn my life around and become the young lady I am today. A few of them are here with me tonight: I would like to thank our Vice Principal Katrina who helped to push me academically and helped me to reach my goals. I want to thank my teacher, Rachel, for never giving up on me and being there every step of the way, even when I just didn’t get it. I want to thank our TA – Marty, who helped me and my family out by giving me rides to school over the last few weeks and helped me to get enrolled in college. And finally, thanks to the entire staff at the Hathaway-Sycamores school for teaching me to always believe in myself and for giving me the confidence to get my diploma.
Now that I am a high school graduate, I am very excited for what is next in my life. I am currently enrolled at Pasadena City College and will be pursuing a career in Criminal Justice. My goal is to one day be a probation officer so I can help kids just like me get their lives back on track and have a chance to one day achieve their dreams.”
In closing, I want to thank everyone at Hathaway-Sycamores and all of you here tonight for giving me a chance to achieve my dreams. Three years ago I was a kid who didn’t care about school and thought that getting into trouble was cool. Today I am a high school graduate, attending college and have a bright future. Thank you Hathaway-Sycamores for turning my life around. Good night and thank you.”
