Marine Parents thank Canton students

Life Skills Center of Canton teacher Polly Ainsworth and her students were thanked by Marine Parents for their project in writing cards and letters to Marines.

They were delivered last month as part of care packages.

Marine Parents will send another set of packages on March 15.

Visit the Marine Parents' Web site

Watch Ainsworth talk about the project last October.

Open house held

Above, Life Skills Center of Canton teachers Michele DiFiori, left, and Polly Ainsworth talks with parents Wednesday night during an open house held at the school. Below right, teacher Shannon Kauffman calls a student during the event.

Life Skills Center of Canton open house

The school, located at 1100 Cleveland Ave. N.W., will host an open house 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 6.

For information, call 330-456-4490.

Comments from January 2008 Life Skills Center of Canton graduates

Dillon Vincent, 17, Plain Township

"It felt good to be able to finish early."






Glenn Beck, 18, Canton

"It's sweet. It's about time. It's great knowing I'm done and I can get
that job."





Jonathan McGregor, 20, Plain Township

"I wasn't sure if I would make it, but I did and I'm proud of myself."






Destani Winn, 17, Canton

"I stand here today as a high school graduate. Some people thought I
would never make it. I didn't even think I would, but I'm up here."

Video of Life Skills Center of Canton graduation

Video of January 2008 graduates receiving their diplomas

Canton school graduates

Here is a list of Life Skills Center of Canton graduates.

Bryson Barksdale --- Canton

Glenn Beck --- Canton

Lyndsey Burnworth --- Canton

Amanda Farhat --- Canal Fulton

Jonathan McGregor --- Plain Township

Jonathan Mencer --- Plain Township

Leah Pierquet --- Plan Township

Corey Thacker --- Plain Township

Jenifer Todich --- Perry Township

Dillon Vincent --- Plain Township

Keshia Washington --- Canton

Destani Winn --- Canton

Life Skills Center of Canton student Jonathan McGregor, 19, a Plain Township resident, won a fall art contest by the school. Jonathan's picture is called "Harvest Moon."

"I've been drawing since I was little," he said. "It's something I love doing. My mom likes to draw. She influenced me."

The contest was judged by staff members.

"His picture was very creative," said Polly Ainsworth, a Title One English teacher at the school and Tuscarawas Township resident. "It was inspirational to other students because they looked at it and wanted to learn from his techniques."

Ainsworth said he wants to have art contests weekly through the fall at the school.

McGregor says he enjoys Life Skills.

"It allows a smooth transition from other schools," he said, adding he is hoping to graduate in December.

Remembering Veterans Day

Canton Life Skills Teacher Polly Ainsworth talks about the veterans display at the school.

View pictures from the display

Letter of thanks for Braille books

To the Canton Life Skills students,

On behalf of the Stark County District Library, I would like to thank you for the beautiful Braille books donated to our collection. Student writing is always a joy, but to have them put into Braille makes it all the more special to the library and its patrons. You put a lot of thought and creativity into your writing and your teacher put great effort into having them published. It was definitely a labor of love that will be appreciated for years to come. thank you again for your wonderful work.

Sincerely
Vicki Muzzi

Stark County District Library Resource Director

School honoring military

Life Skills Center of Canton students will be working over the next few weeks on thank you notes and drawings to help mark Veterans Day.

The notes and drawings will be on display at the school.

Here is an example of a drawing created for the display.

School art contest winner announced

Life Skills Center of Canton student Jonathan McGregor, 19, a Plain Township resident, won a fall art contest by the school. Jonathan's picture is called "Harvest Moon."

"I've been drawing since I was little," he said. "It's something I love doing. My mom likes to draw. She influenced me."

The contest was judged by staff members.

"His picture was very creative," said Polly Ainsworth, a Title One English teacher at the school and Tuscarawas Township resident. "It was inspirational to other students because they looked at it and wanted to learn from his techniques."

Ainsworth said he wants to have art contests weekly through the fall at the school.

McGregor says he enjoys Life Skills.

"It allows a smooth transition from other schools," he said, adding he is hoping to graduate in December.

Student artwork

Jonathan McGregor's art is spotlighted here.

Braille books donated to library

By GLENN WOJCIAK
Hats Off Newsletter

A literature exercise for students at the Life Skills Center of Canton, Ohio has had far-reaching effects.

English teacher Polly Ainsworth instructed her students to write poems and short stories with the goal of having them published for the visually impaired.

The result was a set of 12 books printed in Braille which have been donated to the Stark County District Library.

The project was supported by members of the Canton Philomatheon Society of the Blind, which typed the manuscripts in Braille, and the Massillon Lions Club, which provided a grant to publish it.

Though Braille is a new medium for Ainsworth and her students, she has arranged to have student writings printed in the past. One of those books written by her students was published two years ago with the help of a grant from the Ezra Keats Foundation.

It was distributed to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland and the Massillon Public Library.

White Hat Management provided extra copies for every Life Skills Center across the country.

Touched by the fact that a former blind student could not read a class book, Ainsworth was inspired to have the latest book printed in Braille.

In addition to providing sorely needed reading material for blind adolescents, the new books have also proven to be uplifting for Ainsworth’s Life Skills students.

“I told the students I would only accept positive writings,” she said.
According to Ainsworth, her students are too often moved to submit creative poems and stories dealing with dark subjects such as death and dying.

“My students were forced to contemplate positive subjects,” she said.
Ainsworth discovered they didn't realize what it would feel like to contribute to society in such a positive way and were emotionally unprepared for the sense of accomplishment that followed.

Some broke down into tears when the books were delivered and they saw their words in print.

“A parent of one of the writer’s came in to shake my hand and personally thank me,” Ainsworth said.

The attractive books, now shelved in the public library, have become a great source of pride for the young authors and their families, some of whom have struggled under difficult situations.

Canton school to continue pilot lunch program

Life Skills Center of Canton will continue its pilot lunch program for students who qualify financially.

"We're in the process of talking to the boards this month about the program," said Life Skills Centers Vice President Rodd Coker.

Participating students are asked to fill out a lunch application before taking part in the program.

“Research shows that there is a correlation between good nutrition and student achievement,” said Life Skills Centers Special Projects Coordinator Ron Jones. “One of out goals is to provide every Life Skills Center student a nutritious meal at no charge.”

In addition to Canton, the pilot program was started at Life Skills Centers of Summit County and Dayton earlier this year and was successful, Coker said.

Pictures from Canton school's Spring 2007 graduation

Cedar Point trip

Life Skills Center staff and students recently participated in a trip to Cedar Point.

Students help with Braille book

Life Skills Center of Canton students wrote poetry which was included in a Braille book which was donated to the main branch of the Stark County Public Library.

Submissions consist of poetry, short stories and a haiku.

The Massillon Lions club funded the book project and the Canton Philomatheon Society printed the poems into Braille.

The project was handled by English teacher Polly Ainsworth, a Tuscarawas Township resident.

Story from The Repository

22 graduate from school

Twenty-two students graduated Thursday night from Life Skills Center of Canton during a ceremony at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Canton.

“I did it, Mama,” Brad Zickefoose, 21, of Massillon called out to his mother, Debbie, as he received his diploma.

He later said he was the first member of his family to graduate from high school.

“I wouldn’t have made it without the support of my family,” Zickefoose said.

Speakers encouraged students to follow their dreams.

“I’m sure everyone is familiar with the saying ‘Education is the key to success’ and while some of us are sitting here thinking this is such a cliché,” said Amanda Renish, a 2003 graduate of Life Skills Center of Elyria who served as the commencement speaker. “Please know that this saying speaks volumes of life to each and every Life Skills graduate. Because you are graduating, I believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. I believe your education is the key to every dream you have.”

“Nothing should stop you from reaching your goals,” said school administrator Scott McClain. “You’ve been through too much to stop now.”

Graduating students are from Canton, Massillon, Perry Township, Jackson Township, Plain Township, Malvern, Canton Township, Dover and Alliance.

Text of Amanda Renish's speech to graduates

Hello, My name is Amanda Renish and I work for Life Skills Center of Elyria. My position there is UPSHOTS facilitator.

I have a full scholarship from Life Skills Center and White Hat Management! At this time I am working on my bachelor’s degree in Social Work. AND I WILL go on to get my masters degree!

I am honored to have been invited here by your administrator, BUT most importantly graduates I stand here today in honor of you and your graduation.

I stand here knowing the struggles you have had to go through in order to be where you are today. I know these struggles personally because I too was in your shoes and I am a proud Life Skills graduate. (Class of 03!)

Life Skills Center changed my life dramatically. Here I am working towards a goal in college, and had it not been for the Life Skills Centers I don’t know where I’d be.

I thank God for the Life Skills Centers and all the staff members that have helped me take a look at my life and plant a seed of desire in my heart. Desire to reach for my dreams!

But putting me aside I am most proud to stand here and say that against all odds you too, have conquered graduation! Class of 2007 you guys are awesome!

And you may be too humble to say it, but I am not! This next comment is to all the people who have doubted you, “HATERS” … IN YOUR FACE!

You guys did it and on behalf of the Life Skills staff and Whitehat Management I want to say with all sincerity, CONGRATULATIONS graduates!

I’m sure everyone is familiar with the saying “Education is the key to success” and while some of us are sitting here thinking this is such a cliché…. please know that this saying speaks volumes of life to each and every Life Skills graduate.

Because you are graduating, I believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. I believe your education is the key to every dream you have.

Graduates do me a favor. Take a step back from all this graduation excitement and take a moment to think of your biggest dream you’d like to accomplish…

You got it in your mind? Are you thinking about it?

Now let me let you in on a little secret.

Your education is going to be the reason that you will accomplish that very dream. Your education is the key to all of your dreams.

I have a little gift for every graduate. And that is a key that does not have its notches.

It is a notch less key because I want you to know that your education gives you the power and authority to put notches on this key. Notches that will open doors that you have always dreamed of opening!

I am opening doors everyday and it is because of my education. The very same education that you have!

When the going gets tough after tonight, I challenge you to look at this key and be reminded that you have the power in your life to do anything you seek to accomplish!

After graduation if you need a kick in the “seat”… then I invite you to come back to the Life Skills Center, because I guarantee you the administrator and teachers are going to be at the school waiting to encourage and support you, just like they have done for me!! If you need help deciding which university you will attend, or what career is best for you, please know that the Life Skills Center supports YOU!!!

Graduates congratulations, God Bless and go take the world on with confidence, knowing you have the KEY, especially designed by you, that will open whatever doors you so choose!

Life Skills grad to speak at Canton graduation

With Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed cuts on charter schools and funding, school choice has become a hot-button topic.

Amanda Renish, a 2003 graduate of Life Skills Center of Elyria, said the school has saved her life.

Renish will speak during graduation ceremonies for Life Skills Centers of Canton 6 p.m. June 21 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Canton

Renish told attendees at a recent school rally in Cleveland that she started to struggle in school after her father died.

“That was the beginning of my struggle in school,” she said. “My mother and I were forced to move two sometimes three times a year in order to make ends meet. Another apartment, another group of friends, and ultimately another school! I moved three times in high school alone. After so many moves my grades were slipping tremendously. I was screaming inside for stability. Honestly I was just waiting for my mom to let me drop out. All my siblings did, so I figured I would just fall through the cracks at my school while waiting on my mom to give me the “okay” to quit.”

Renish said she was able to find hope at Life Skills Center of Elyria.

“But when I heard about Life Skills Center of Elyria and how the choice to go to the school was so easy and the curriculum was invented for a kid like me, I started to feel the spark I used to feel when I was in elementary, and my father was alive,” she said.

After Renish graduated from Life Skills, she’s training to be a social worker and works at the school, teaching UPSHOTS, a program on drug and alcohol awareness.