To wrap up our 50th Anniversary Special, our Marketing Intern, Katie G., interviewed Calais parent, Subha B., to learn more about how her son’s experience at The Calais School has facilitated growth for their entire family.

Ms. B. is the mother of a 12 Plus student and the president of our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). Her family has been part of the Calais Community for seven years. When asked about how Calais supports the families of its students, Subha explained “Parent support groups are amazing… to get support from the counselors and from each other and to learn tools to help our children as well as for self-care. As Calais parents, we get to sit with 5-6 counselors at once and get their guidance, suggestions, and advice on different situations, which is a big plus.”

Subha says that her son has experienced significant social and emotional growth during his time at Calais. She has found Calais’ supportive counseling team to be instrumental in fostering self-regulation and helping her son gain confidence.

Given the choice of any superpower, Ms. B. would want to be able to help people who are stressed and anxious become peaceful and happy, just like Jasper from the book and movie series Twilight can do. A fun fact that you may not know about Subha is that she and her family love trying vegetarian food from different countries.

 

 

Katie G.: As PTO president, what activities and events have you enjoyed the most?

Subha B.:  I enjoyed the Multicultural Potluck, Paint and Dip Night, Family Fun Day, bowling, and the plant sale for Mother’s Day.

KG: What are the things that you appreciate most about Calais?

SB: I love that it’s very easy to communicate with the entire staff — the administration, teachers, and counselors. Everyone is open to feedback and new ideas and to hear parents’ concerns.

KG: What are your hopes for Calais’ future?

SB: We hope that Calais can increase its intake by serving more children like [my son] and helping them into becoming confident, independent young adults. [We are also hoping] that Calais can establish adult support programs in the future to serve the needs of above-21 young adults that are graduating from the school system and to continue to support them to become independent adults.

 

 

As our 50th Anniversary year comes to a close, we would like to once again thank everyone who has made this milestone possible. We look forward to many more wonderful years of making a difference in the lives of students with special needs and their families!

The Calais School is a private therapeutic and special education school in New Jersey. Through innovative academic, clinical, and transition programs led by a dedicated team of professionals and administrators, we help students with special needs exceed their possibilities.

Learn more about the Calais School’s therapeutic approach to counseling!