Charleston's Independent School Directory 2018-19

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov ISD INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS The Critical Role of Families Since many students are nonverbal, family involvement is a vital component of PACE and another contributing factor to a child’s success. The school maintains daily correspondence with parents. “We really help support them and empower them,” said Del Duca. “As you can imagine, raising a child with significant disabilities is quite challenging. We encourage them (parents) to come in. We encourage them to be a part of what goes on in the classroom – what goes on during therapy. So if the child benefits from a certain physician, they can see how that child benefits.” PACE provides a wide range of services to help parents, including integrating therapy, nursing services and orthotics and bringing specialists and suppliers on-site to fit children with the appropriate wheelchairs or strollers so they can be mobile. “The idea is to let our families be families when their children get home,” said Knowlson. Additionally, they invite families to attend community events and student field trips. “We view the families as part of our team, and I think many of the families view us as an extension of their family,” said Knowlson, who started with PACE two years ago as an occupational therapist before transitioning to therapy director and eventually becoming executive director. She touts their collaborative partnership with the Charleston County School District as invaluable to their continued success. PACE is primarily funded through federal and state dollars that flow through the CCSD and cover 70 percent to 75 percent of costs associated with educating children. The remainder is raised through fundraisers and from individual donors, corporate sponsorships and grants. Therefore, engaging the community is critically important to PACE, and its off-site excursions help the school to raise awareness and garner support, said Knowlson. “One of our primary goals is educating the community on the abilities of our children,” she concluded. For more information on PACE or to donate, visit www. pattisonsdreamacademy.org/pace-charter- school.html or call 843-556-1070. Students take part in PACE therapy sessions. W E S E L L V I N Y L R E C O R D S NEW & USED 423 W. Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 843.884.1346 shemguitars.com ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC BASS UKELELE DRUM LESSONS Now playing... the best guitar lessons, ever! LessoNs offered 7 days aweek ALL AGES | ALL LEVELS