A Day of Discovery at the Weston Community Garden
What a great day for B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs in Broward to come together! Students spent the morning exploring the Weston Community Garden, where they were warmly welcomed by Ms. Gina and Ms. V.
Students learned about the different parts of the garden, including the Food Forest —where anyone in the community can pick fruit right from the branches—and the raised garden beds available for residents to donate $150 a year to grow their own vegetables, fruit, or flowers.
Students had an amazing time picking mangos, pulling radishes straight from the ground, and even tasting them! They also loved smelling the fresh basil and cilantro growing in the garden. After a fun and educational day—and lunch together—the students headed back to school full of new knowledge and smiles. What a wonderful experience of learning, teamwork, and social skills!
Honoring Miami Culture on 305 Day
Students took a break from testing to celebrate Miami 305 Day in a fun and meaningful way. They began by watching a short video that explained the importance of the day and how people across the community celebrate Miami and its culture. They also discussed several events and celebrations taking place throughout the community in honor of 305 Day.
As the celebration continued, B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students joined in sharing some of their favorite memories in Miami, highlighting many of the wonderful things the city has to offer, including the beaches and local zoos. They also enjoyed discussing Miami’s sports teams and sharing which teams were their favorites. During the celebration, students listened to music that reflects Miami’s vibrant culture.
Students enjoyed a delicious Miami-inspired treat of croquetas and tostadas. Finally, they selected and completed a Miami 305 Day coloring sheet to wrap up the day’s festivities.
Ordering, Budgeting, and Thriving Together
Last week, students headed to La Rural Mexican Grill for a fun and enriching Community Based Instruction experience! Before the trip, students reviewed the menu and selected their lunch choices—bowls, burritos, nachos, and more. They wrote down their orders ahead of time to support a smooth and successful ordering process. Once at the restaurant, B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students independently ordered their meals, chose their drinks, used their student IDs to receive free chips and salsa, and demonstrated excellent table manners. They also showed great confidence—asking where the restroom was and requesting extra salsa all on their own. This outing provided a wonderful opportunity to practice independence, budgeting, and social skills in a real‑world environment. We are incredibly proud of the growth our students have shown throughout the school year!
Where Learning Meets the Great Outdoors
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class visited Peace Mound Park for a digital scavenger hunt filled with teamwork and exploration. Students worked collaboratively to locate park landmarks, complete challenges, and capture photos along the way building communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills in a natural community setting. After the scavenger hunt, students enjoyed a picnic style lunch, continuing to practice social interaction, self-advocacy, and independence before heading back to school. Students enjoyed a fun and meaningful day of learning beyond the classroom!
Dream, Plan, Achieve: Goal Setting in Action
After wrapping up an engaging unit on goal setting and future planning, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class explored the difference between short‑term and long‑term goals and how they connect to students’ academic, career, and personal lives. Using Xello, a student‑centered college and career readiness platform that helps K–12 learners build self‑knowledge, explore career options, and create future plans, students identified their interests, strengths, and possible career paths.
To bring their learning to life, students created personalized Vision Boards, practicing self‑reflection, decision‑making, and planning. They wrapped up the project by presenting their boards to the class building communication skills, boosting confidence, and cheering one another on. A powerful reminder that today’s choices help shape tomorrow’s success!
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...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, HDS Foundation honors those who have bravely fought breast cancer, remembers the loved ones we have lost, and stands with the survivors whose strength inspires us all. We recognize the importance of awareness, early detection, and support for...
October marks the 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
HDS Foundation proudly celebrates the many skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce. We honor this milestone by continuing to support inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment in our communities.
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Practice Real-World Budgeting
Today, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students went on their first Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trip to Walmart! Their challenge was to work in teams of three and stay within a $25 budget while purchasing office supplies for their teachers. At the checkout, some...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Open Their First Bank Accounts
This past weekend, HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took an exciting step toward independence by opening their own bank accounts at Bank of America ! As part of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Grant, stipends are provided for each student, giving them the opportunity to set up an...
College Mentors Making a Difference
HDS Foundation is proud to support students at the University of North Florida through our College Mentors Program in partnership with the Transition to Healthiness, Resourcefulness, Independence, Vocation, and Education (THRIVE) Program. The dedicated mentors have...