News
New Series of Workshops for Parents and Professionals Offered this Fall In an ongoing effort to communicate best practices in special education to professionals and parents, The Watson Institute is sponsoring workshops on various aspects of autism and related disorders. We will kick off the series with guest speaker Sean Barron, co-author of There's a Boy in Here: Emerging from the Bonds of Autism and The unwritten Rules of Social Relationashps: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism. Additional topics include: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview, Structured Teaching: Beyond the Basics (a follow up to TEACCH training), and High Functioning Autism/Asperger's and Anxiety, all presented by Watson staff. Click here for a downloadable brochure and registration information.
Watson to Build New Craig Academy The Watson Institute purchased property at 215 S. Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh's East End (the former Pittsburgh Podiatry Hospital) in August 2007 and will build a new Craig Academy on the site. Craig Academy, acquired by Watson in 2001, is currently located at 751 N. Negley Avenue, the former Irene Kaufman East End Center. "That building was never designed as a school" said Watson Institute CEO Raymond White. "We have been searching for a new location where we could build a school more conducive to the needs of our students and staff for several years and are satisfied that this site can meet those needs." Craig Academy is designated an Approved Private School (APS) by the PA Department of Education, providing a quality education and partial hospital program for children and teens with serious emotional challenges from any school district in Allegheny and surrounding counties. The N. Negley site educates students in grades 8-12. Craig students in grades K-7 are educated at the W. Bruce Thomas Education Center in Sharpsburg, PA, also owned by Watson. The new school will serve approximately 145 students and will accommodate all Craig students in grades K-12. The Watson Difference Fall 2007 Newsletter Click Here for a copy of Watson's most recent newsletter. Watch Watson's new informational video! It was "lights, camera, action!" in the spring, when Watson staff and students took part in the filming of Watson's new informational video. The video will be used to help share Watson's story with parents, school district staff, professionals in the education and mental health fields, and those interested in supporting Watson through charitable donations and volunteerism.
Does Your Business Qualify to Receive Additional Tax Credits for Donations to the Watson Institute? The Watson Institute is an approved Educational Improvement Organization under the Department of Community and Economic Development's EITC Tax Credit program. Qualifying businesses can earn tax credits of up to 75 or 90 percent of an EITC donation, depending on business' length of commitment to Watson. Watson CareBreak Volunteer Edy Hope Receives President's Volunteer Service Award Watson CareBreak Volunteer Edith "Edy" Hope was presented with the President's Volunteer Service Award by President Bush when he visited the Pittsburgh area on March 24th.
Before meeting the President, Edy was honored for her dedication to CareBreak at Watson's Sewickley campus, during a media conference attended by WTAE, WPXI and KDKA as well as local print publications. |
