They had a celebration ceremony for the Take Flight program a few weeks before school was out. For some kids who had finished their 2nd year, it was their graduation. For others, like Bailee, it was simply a celebration of all their hard work this year. So many lessons. RAP, RATE, Individual Words, cursive practice. Decoding so many words. Practicing so many sounds and patterns.
Regina Staffa, the primary teacher, had the idea to theme it to Greek gods because of the book series and recent movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. (Think Harry Potter series based on greek mythology.) The key for the Take Flight kids; however is that Percy Jackson is dyslexic. Pretty cool that a whole movie is based around a kid with dyslexia.
They identified the God or Goddess most applicable for each child based on their individual gifts. Bailee's goddess was Artemis who was the goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals. Contrary to some beliefs, Artemis was a protector. This is very fitting for Bailee who is a nurturer at heart.
Ms. Staffa dressed the kids in white plastic tablecloths wrapped like togas with wrapping paper ribbon for the belt and I cut out 30 green vines out of construction paper and wrapped them around a pipe cleaner wreath. (Ugh - remind me not to say I'm creative.) The kids were adorable. And bless the nerve of Regina and Kelly (the other instructor and Bailee's teacher) - dressing like Greek goddesses themselves! It was such a moving ceremony because Regina and Kelly, spoke specifically about the gifts of each child. I'll admit to shedding a tear or two. Bailee was so excited to get her "very first trophy!"
We have another year of Take Flight, but Bailee's reading has improved so much this year. I'm definitely a believer in the Take Flight program, and the dedication of an amazing woman who has dedicated herself to helping children read and feel good about themselves.
