Parent Support Group/Family Nights
One evening each month, students, parents and family members are invited to attend these interactive, therapeutic support sessions. Pace offers skills training for parents, guest speakers, and sibling and peer activities for children. The goals are to develop improved communication, cooperation, teamwork, disability awareness, and coping skills within families. Childcare, dinner and transportation from the local Port Authority Busway are provided free-of-charge to encourage participation by all family members.
Open House
Each October, Pace holds an evening Open House to enable parents and families to learn more about their child's education and therapeutic program. Through fun activities such as a scavenger hunt, children guide their parents and family members through the building to meet staff and learn about academic materials and expectations; special area classes including art, music, physical education, daily living skills and technology; adventure-based programs and social skills instruction. A free shuttle bus is provided from the local Port Authority Busway to assist with transportation needs.
Scholastic Book Fair
To encourage literacy and the joy of leisure reading, each fall the school holds a Scholastic Book Fair for students. During Library classes, students preview books and other literary materials and create a "wish list". Parents receive the list and have the opportunity to support their child's interests and purchase a few of the items selected. Proceeds from the book fair help upgrade each classroom library and increase the novel units available for use during reading classes.
Winter Music Show
The Winter Music Show, held during the holiday season, provides a chance to showcase students' musical interests and talents. Through a combination of choral and instrumental music, students demonstrate their skills with various rhythms, tempos, melodies and harmonies. Drums, Orff instruments, keyboards and voices bring Kwanzaa, Christmas and Chanukah music to life and help the students, families and staff celebrate the holidays.
Carnival/Family Fun Night
Clown Around, Leap Frog, Crazy Cans, and Bingo are a few of the many carnival-type games that children and their families enjoy during the annual Carnival/Family Fun Night. Held one evening in late January, the fun and games, combined with dinner and dessert, provide a great escape from the doldrums of the winter chill. The school encourages all children and family members to participate in the laughter and fun.
Honors Assemblies
Quarterly Honors Assemblies, held at the conclusion of each nine-week grading period, provide the opportunity for staff members to publicly recognize students for their academic and behavioral accomplishments. Pace awards students ribbons and/or certificates in the areas of Highest Honor Roll (4.0 - 3.5 GPA), High Honor Roll (3.49 - 3.25 GPA), Honor Roll (3.24 - 3.0 GPA) and for Perfect Attendance. Additionally, students receive special awards for outstanding achievement of specific reading and math goals.
Statewide Achievement Testing
Each spring, all students in grades three through eight participate in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in reading and math. Additionally, students in grades 5 and 8 complete the PSSA writing assessment. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires participation in these assessments and provides parents and school districts with a summary of each student's performance. Throughout the school year, Pace staff helps prepare students for both the academic and emotional challenges presented by these assessments to encourage the best possible results. Additional information regarding the PSSA process is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website at www.pde.state.pa.us .
Gym Show
Students proudly display their physical prowess, including back handsprings, aerials, gymnastic routines, basketball drills, and dance during the Gym Show in the late spring of each year. During this annual event, all students have the opportunity to demonstrate their individual physical abilities through a number of gymnastic or dance routines set to music. This exciting and energetic event typically moves the standing-room-only crowd of families and friends to their feet as they marvel at the participants' abilities and clap along as students proudly flip, twirl and dance across the gym floor.
School Picnic
An annual event to celebrate the successful completion of another school year, the school picnic provides the opportunity for children to demonstrate and generalize their improved social skills and peer interactions. Field games, basketball, volleyball and a staff/student softball game are a few of the many fun activities in which children may participate. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend this culminating fun experience and join their child and the staff for a picnic-style lunch.