thechildrensguild, Author at Childrens Guild Schools

Ferrell Named Director of Schools at The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County

by thechildrensguild | Nov 15, 2022 | News

CHILLUM, MD, November 7, 2022 – The Children’s Guild celebrates today the appointment of Mr. James Ferrell as the new Director of Schools of The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County. The non-public special education day school, approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, serves boys and girls 5-21 years old who have emotional disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities.

Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children’s Guild, said, “Mr. Ferrell brings tremendous leadership, patience, and energy to this position. We’re confident he’ll individualized transformational experiences to ensure our students and families thrive. Our students and staff at The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County have an amazing role model guiding them to future success.”

Mr. Ferrell worked in public and non-public education as a teacher, program coordinator, principal, and mentor during his 20 years of experience leading students throughout various Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel County schools. Prior to accepting his new role at The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, he was a teacher at Old Mill High School for two years where he taught US Government, Forensic Science, and Chemistry.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the new Director of Schools. With my goal of continuing the tradition of excellence here at The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, I am committed to always exploring new ways to meet the needs of all students and to more effectively communicate with parents and community members,” said Mr. Ferrell. “Parent and community involvement throughout the school year helps our staff identify specific goals in the areas of student achievement, school climate, and parent communication. We are committed to providing a community that is safe and conducive to learning. Together we can help our children excel and provide them with an education that is second to none,” he added.

The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County is part of The Children’s Guild’s schools and programs that respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves since 1953. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region. Additional affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, Monarch Academy Annapolis, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global Academy Laurel, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

Transformation Academy To Host Prom For Students With Special Needs At Baltimore Campus

by thechildrensguild | Aug 11, 2022 | Events, News

On Friday, August 12th, 36 students from The Children’s Guild Transformation Academy in Baltimore will get dressed up and go to the prom to celebrate the start of their new year in this special education school that has become a thriving environment for dozens of students ages 5-21 whose primary diagnosis is autism. Many of the students also have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, health impairment or multiple disabilities.

According to Ariel Long, One-to-One Administrator and Teacher Katie Boyle, “All students should have the opportunity to go to the prom, and we are so looking forward to giving our students the chance to Be A Star at Prom 2022. Instead of crowning a prom king and queen, we will be recognizing each student with for their individual accomplishments and what makes them so special.”

What: Be A Star Prom 2022, featuring red carpet student introductions, a corsage building station, photo booth, and informal fun awards
Date: Friday, August 12, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Location: 6802 McClean Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21234 (Gymnasium)

The Transformation Academy provides skills and support to students and their families across a variety of settings including home, workplace, and community. The teachers and administrators provide programming to foster growth and independence for each student utilizing a collaborative team approach of highly trained professionals, including special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, transition coordinators, and therapeutic behavior aides.

The Transformation Academy is part of The Children’s Guild schools and programs which respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region.

Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

The Children’s Guild Releases 2021 Annual Report

by thechildrensguild | May 18, 2022 | News

The firsts we achieved, the service we undertook, the recognition we earned, and the funds we raised to better serve communities made 2021 a year to remember for The Children’s Guild. Join us to reflect on an inspiring year by checking out our 2021 Annual Report.

The new look and feel of the Annual Report helps to better demonstrate the exciting things happening in The Children’s Guild. The successes we experienced in 2021 are celebrated by our participating families and communities, and our talented and highly trained staff across all our schools and programs. And they’re made possible by the generous support from our donors and board of directors.

This presentation shares some of the amazing stories from 2021, including the opening of Transformation Academy, the expanded services offered by many of our schools and programs, The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus’ success in statewide competition, and many other stories. Also included in this report is an overview of our 2021 financials.

During this past year, we have grown and expanded our influence and impact. The Children’s Guild will continue to provide individualized transformational experiences that help ensure children, families, and their communities thrive. 2021 put us a step closer to achieving our vision: generations of curious and courageous children, healthy families, and thriving communities. The impact that The Children’s Guild made in 2021 will continue to move us to do big things for those we serve in 2022.

Experience the 2021 Annual Report presentation today!

The Children’s Guild Announces New Autism School and Holds Open Houses

by thechildrensguild | Sep 17, 2021 | Events, News

The Children’s Guild will open The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, a new non-public school providing special education services to children on the autism spectrum, on Oct. 18, 2021. Transformation Academy’s primary goal is to prepare students for transition into adulthood by focusing on functional life skills and activities of daily living beginning at a young age. By offering wrap-around services, we strive to make life better for the students and their families by meeting each student where they are and maximizing their level of independence.

Located at 6802 McClean Blvd., in Baltimore, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy is a 12-month, day school for students ages 5-21, whose primary diagnosis is autism but may have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, a health impairment or multiple disabilities. At Transformation Academy, we know that our students are more than their diagnoses and we strive to educate and support families in their hopes for their child as a family member and a member of the community.

The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy will hold open houses for interested families on the following dates:

Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We work with children on the autism spectrum whose needs cannot be met in public schools,” said Sarah Weitzel, speech language pathologist and clinical supervisor for The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy. Our primary purpose is to prepare students for transition into adulthood. We focus on functional life skills and activities of daily living and offer wrap-around services that make life better for the students, to maximize their level of independence.”

Instructional areas are determined by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and may include communication skills, self-care, functional academics, fine and gross motor skills and behavior and socialization skills. The school offers a community-based component and introduces students to job, recreation and leisure skills. Referrals are made through the student’s local public school system, and funding is through local and state boards of education.

The open houses are walk-in friendly, and no pre-registration is required. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be in effect. For more information, visit www.childrensguildschools.org/transformation-academy or email Sarah Weitzel at [email protected].

Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, The Janet and Frank Kelly Autism Center, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Outpatient Mental Health Center, The Academy: Therapeutic Group Homes, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Featured on WJZ

by thechildrensguild | Mar 8, 2021 | News

Baltimore’s WJZ featured on their evening news on March 3, 2021, “Children’s Guild Works To Provide Students With Unique Ways To Learn, Boost Success In The Classroom,” with interviews from Jenny Livelli, incoming President and CEO; Julie Hummer, The Children’s Guild Alliance Board member, who is the parent of an 8th grader at Monarch Academy Global Laurel, and a parent of a graduate of Monarch Academy Glen Burnie; and Jamie Wilson, Clinical Supervisor for The Children’s Guild. The segment highlighted our unique educational and mental health approach, as students return to in-classroom learning.

The article noted:

Not every student flourishes in school. Some need a different approach to learning tailored to their needs that goes beyond books and traditional classroom instruction.

That’s where the Children’s Guild comes in.

The nonprofit organization is being led by Jenny Livelli, its first female CEO and President.

She said their program gives students in Maryland and Washington, D.C., a chance to learn through hands-on and project-based learning at four charter schools and two special needs schools.

“It’s not just sitting and receiving education, it’s actually becoming part of the learning process,” Livelli said.

Watch the video and read the article.