Celebrating 17 Years of Making a Difference
Creating, Connecting, and Celebrating Fall!
To celebrate the fall season, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a fun outing to Flamingo Nursery! Students had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, take a relaxing hayride, and explore the beautiful nursery grounds. The day began with a creative pumpkin-painting session, giving students a chance to express themselves and socialize with peers. Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the start of fall while building their social skills and personal development.

Happy Halloween
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students participated in their class annual Pumpkin Carving Contest! Students were put into groups and teamed up to design, carve, and create their very own pumpkin masterpieces with help from their Best Buddies peers. The day was filled with laughter, creativity, and teamwork! After carving, pumpkins were entered into a friendly schoolwide competition where students and staff voted for their favorites in three categories: Scariest, Most Creative & Best Overall. This festive event not only brought smiles but also helped students strengthen skills in development, growth & empowerment, and social interaction. It was a wonderful way to celebrate creativity, connection, and inclusion this Halloween!
Halloween Fun Meets Real-World Learning
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students got into the Halloween spirit with a fun and educational trip to Target! Before shopping, they practiced budgeting skills in class to plan their purchases. Working in small groups, students searched for items under $10 that included 12 pieces per pack, making sure every classmate received a treat! This hands-on activity was a great way to build independence, social skills, and money management while having some Halloween fun!

Budgeting, Ordering, and Building Confidence at Chick-fil-A
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently enjoyed a meaningful and interactive learning experience at Chik Fil A! Prior to the trip, they practiced budgeting and calculating meal totals to prepare for placing their own orders. During the visit, students confidently ordered their meals, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and strengthened their communication, social, and independent living skills. This hands-on activity provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom while building confidence and fostering positive social connections.

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Celebrating 17 Years of Making a Difference
Creating, Connecting, and Celebrating Fall!
To celebrate the fall season, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a fun outing to Flamingo Nursery! Students had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, take a relaxing hayride, and explore the beautiful nursery grounds. The day began with a creative pumpkin-painting...
Happy Halloween
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students participated in their class annual Pumpkin Carving Contest! Students were put into groups and teamed up to design, carve, and create their very own pumpkin masterpieces with help from their Best Buddies peers. The day was filled with...
Halloween Fun Meets Real-World Learning
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students got into the Halloween spirit with a fun and educational trip to Target! Before shopping, they practiced budgeting skills in class to plan their purchases. Working in small groups, students searched for items under $10 that included 12...
Shopping for a Cause: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support the Harvest Drive
Giving back while learning important life skills, that’s what our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students experienced during their recent trip to Publix to support their local Harvest Drive! Students worked in groups to find five items each to complete a Harvest Drive Box, using...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Give Back to the Community
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently volunteered with Hope at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church to help prepare gift bags for the upcoming Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch event! Students worked together to fill each bag with care, practicing teamwork, responsibility,...
Smiles, Music, and Memories: A Homecoming to Remember
This weekend, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an unforgettable night at Homecoming! Students dressed up, danced, and enjoyed an evening full of fun, laughter, and memories. Events like these give our students a chance to practice social skills, build confidence,...
A Night of Connection, Learning, and Support for HDS Families
Thank you to everyone who joined us for HDS Foundation: Parent Connect, Learn & Support Night! A special shoutout to all the parents of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students who attended and to Nathalie Stanish, M.S., Manager of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation &...
Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-Life Skills
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students kicked off their Community Based Instruction Trips with a fun and educational day at the mall! After working hard at their job sites all week, students enjoyed a leisure day that put their budgeting and independent living skills into...
Empowering Independence: Real-World Budgeting Lessons for HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took a trip to @publix to put their budgeting and communication skills into action! Each student worked with an $18 budget to purchase a drink, meal, and dessert. Some headed to the deli for subs, while others explored the hot food section...