Curriculum
OUR CURRICULUM
Students are educated in non-graded classes that are divided into 5 areas:
Early Childhood
Primary
Intermediate
Middle School
High School
The entire Syble Hopp Curriculum is community-based and revolves around five components:
Functional Academics
Community Living
Independent Living
Recreational/Leisure Skills
Vocational Training
The balance between the components is determined by the age and functioning level of the child. The younger the child, the more academics; the older the child, the more emphasis on Independent Living, Community Living and Vocational Skills.
A full range of other support services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, adaptive physical education, adaptive music and the use of a therapy pool are all available as needed.
Community-Based Instruction CBIs
Functional Academics
Functional Academics at Syble Hopp School vary according to the student’s individual needs and age; however, the functional use of academic skills is stressed at every age along with finding a mode of communication each student can use successfully. A variety of community experiences are offered each week so academic skills can be generalized into the community. In Early Childhood many sensory experiences are explored. Active learning is key and therapy services are provided. During the Primary grades students are grouped by student needs. The range of educational activities includes literacy and math, community experiences, cooking groups, sensory input, communication, self help and social skill development. Once a student is at an Intermediate/Middle school age, the focus is on functional reading and math, phonics, reading for pleasure, daily living skills, pre-vocational skills communicative and social skills. The High School program is a functional, life-skills curriculum. SHS emphasizes community-based instruction to provide a smooth and successful transition to adult life. Student schedules are determined by curriculum needs and individual work schedules.
Community Living
The students of Syble Hopp School are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a variety of community based instruction (CBI) activities several times each month. This curriculum teaches functional life skills according to the student’s needs and age. Students learn appropriate behavior and safety skills in the community and generalize skills learned from school to real life experiences in the community. Students also learn to shop and bank in the community, along with participating in the many resources that are available in our community through restaurant experiences; visiting the library; the zoo; bowling; The Wiedner Center; fishing; the many parks etc. The funding for the CBI is provided through the dedicated parents of the Syble Hopp School Parent Organization.
Students at our school access the community many ways including the use of the Green Bay Metro Transit System. Students learn how to use a bus pass, request a transfer and follow a bus route. The transit system has a helpful video which our teachers use as a resource.
Independent Living
The Independent Living curriculum at Syble Hopp School starts at a very early age. Skills start with the day to day necessities of eating, using the bathroom and dressing. Life Skills have been a part of the Syble Hopp curriculum since the early days when Syble Hopp herself would take students to her home for overnight stays. The overnight experiences later expanded to St. Norbert College and students staying overnight at Hopp with our High School students. In 1991 we applied for and were granted federal dollars to begin an apartment program in an apartment complex in Ashwaubenon. Since then, until June 2007, we rented an apartment at Marvelle Lanes where the range of skills able to be taught increased greatly. The Independent Living curriculum for the students of Syble Hopp School was enriched once again in 2007 when the Weyers' Family Home Duplex was built adjacent to school. The close location of the Weyers' Family Home not only allows students the use of the home for after-school experiences, but now creates the opportunity for real life instructions during the school day for a larger number of students.
The Life Skills taught include banking, cooking, washing dishes, bed making, planning menus, shopping for groceries, house cleaning, using the washing machine and dryer to clean your clothing during your stay; learning how to use the dish washer, stove, microwave, telephone, radio, TV, etc. Students learn to work together in a positive way with their house partners and to live outside their current home and its support structure under the supervision of the house mother. Self help skills are learned and practiced daily.
Recreational/Leisure Skills
Everyone deserves to have a little fun in their lives! Life skills are worked on daily at Syble Hopp allowing students to learn the functional skills needed to communicate ones feelings and engage in a conversation or board game with a friend. At Syble Hopp School, our students are given a number of opportunities to participate in a variety of recreational and leisure activities both in and out of school. Opportunities for these skills to be practiced are not only available during the regular school day and Community Based Instruction days, but also through the many after school programs and events. Homecoming, Prom, Special Olympics and other after school activities are a few of the events students look forward to.
Vocational Training
The basic skills of independence start at a very early age for the students of Syble Hopp School. Responsibility for ones actions and the self confidence needed to engage in different jobs is encouraged with every student. Work programs are set up both in school and through community employment.