Sep 27, 2018 4 min read

Bob Chuey and the Canon-McMillan School District like to “test the limits” of a highly-successful L.I.F.T (Learning Is Fun Together) extended school-year program.

So each summer, Chuey and his helpers plan “at least three off-site” activities for the children who attend the program. These kids, some who are non-verbal, are special needs and autistic students in the district’s elementary and intermediate schools.

This summer’s “big trip” took the kids and the helpers to Laurel Caverns in Uniontown.

“It was quite an adventure,” says Chuey, Canon-McMillan’s coordinator of special education. “Everyone had a lot of fun.”

The nine-year-old program has grown through the years, according to Sara Cambotti, a behavioral specialist with Family Behavioral Resources (FBR), Pittsburgh.

“We try to change every year,” Chuey says. “We try to keep the program fresh and effective. We refine things and try to support our kids the best way we can. We’ve had to adapt to higher levels of need, with more participants. We have more kids moving into the district, more special needs kids. I don’t want this program to get stale.”

In addition to planning and going on the big field trip, the kids are exposed to some sort of store where they learn about the exchange of money and purchasing goods.

Chuey says the staff and the individual interaction with the students is a clear reason the L.I.F.T. program has endured and remains strong and successful. He says he had a roster of 36 this year and that required the addition of another teacher.

“We had five teachers,” he said. “They all want to be here. It’s a great bunch of educators. The teachers and para-educators are all Canon-McMillan people. We have two behavioral specialists from Family Behavioral Resources. They work with us through the school year. They know the kids. That is invaluable.”

Cambotti sets up the classrooms. She says the kids are socially and academically engaged with one another. Chuey adds that Family Behavioral Resources’ expertise is something he “looks to and values.”

“I trust the folks I work with,” Chuey says. “We may disagree, but we work it out and we reach an outcome which works for the kids.”

The planning for the program begins in February.

In past years, field trips have included visits to Oglebay Park, near Wheeling, W.Va., movie theaters, various local parks and they include treasure hunts and exercise venues.

“We like to keep the kids active,” Chuey says.

Michael Daniels, Canon-McMillan School District’s superintendent, said the program is outstanding and thriving.

“We are extremely proud of the L.I.F.T. program and the success it continues to have,” he says. “The dedicated people who design and work the program and the kids who participate and learn in it make it very special.”

Chuey, an experienced school psychologist and special education teacher, says the ultimate goal is to provide academic, social and behavioral instruction to prevent regression over the summer.

“The program is therapeutic because of the occupational, physical and speech and language instruction provided by professionals certified in those areas,” he says.

The program holds a special place for Chuey, who began shaping and nurturing the program about decade ago.

“We wanted to provide services that rivaled those we had contracted with outside of the district,” he says of the early formation of the program. “We wanted to provide an opportunity for Canon-McMillan students to attend an extended school year program within our district.”

The program has been developed through weekly themes that allow for teaching without being boring or repetitious.

“That’s what gives us our identity,” Chuey says.

Students are provided occupational and physical therapy. The program has featured beautification efforts, walk-a-thons and car washes to raise money for charities, donating money to the Canonsburg food bank or providing financial support for needy families.

“We want the kids involved in care giving,” Chuey says. “All kids can help each other.”

The L.I.F.T. program also welcomes and encourages high school special education students to volunteer as helpers for the four-week, four-days a week program.

“Most of the (volunteers) end up liking it a lot,” Chuey says. “It’s not for everyone. It can be enjoyable, rewarding and gives the kids something to do while helping others. And the younger kids become more comfortable with kids who become their role models.”

“The kids enjoy the peer interaction with the high school-aged kids,” Cambotti says. They are learning and building friendships.”