Congratulations B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students!
City of Stars: Celebrating a Night to Remember at Prom
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an unforgettable time celebrating Prom with this year’s ‘City of Stars’ theme
Students enjoyed a magical evening filled with great food, dancing, and socializing with friends. It was a night full of joy, connection, and lasting memories under the stars!
Through the support of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. grant, students were able to join and engage in this inclusive school event.
A truly special night that will shine bright in their memories for years to come!





A Perfect End-of-Year Celebration
After a fantastic year of hard work and achievement, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students celebrated with a fun-filled trip to Bird Bowl! Students enjoyed bowling, sharing pizza, and challenging one another in arcade games.
The day was full of laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories with friends—making it the perfect way to relax, have fun, and celebrate an incredible school year together.

B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Celebrate Growth & Friendship
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had their End of Year party at Japan Inn to celebrate a wonderful year of learning and friendship.
Students had the opportunity to choose an item from the lunch menu practicing skills such as decision making, ordering themselves, and advocating for their needs. They had a great time socializing with friends and enjoying time together!
Students loved the performances the chefs put on making a beating heart, a volcano, and even “67” which students LOVED!
A huge thank you to the HDS Foundation for the wonderful graduation gifts and an amazing year of opportunity for my students. I couldn’t be more grateful!
—Written by B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teacher Alexa Schaan

Cheers to an Incredible Year: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. End-of-Year Celebration
A special highlight was a surprise slideshow featuring photos from Community-Based Instruction outings, classroom activities, and memorable moments—showcasing how much students have grown throughout the year in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program.
The celebration ended with peer-voted superlatives, recognizing each student’s unique strengths, personality, and contributions to the class community.
This year has been full of meaningful milestones, lasting memories, and strong connections. We are so proud of our students and all they have accomplished!


Scoops, Smiles, and Success
After a year of hard work at Jeremiah's Ice in Weston and helping the shop open this school year, the owners surprised the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students with an ice cream party to say, "thank you"! Before the visit, students explored the menu, calculated their totals, and...
Behind the Badge: A Day at BSO Weston
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had an unforgettable visit to the Broward Sheriff's Office in Weston! Students enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the facility, including an up-close look at the jail cells. Students had the opportunity to meet and speak with several police...
Celebrating Earth Day Through Mindfulness, Movement, and Nature
To celebrate Earth Day, students enjoyed a meaningful and engaging outing to a local park, where they participated in a mindfulness-based yoga session led by a local yoga instructor and occupational therapist, The Mindful OT and Mindful Holistic Wellness. During the...
Bowling for a Cause—Thank You for Making It Special!
We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who took part in our Bowling for a Cause event! The day was filled with fun, laughter, inclusion, and great memories shared across the lanes. Seeing our HDS community come together-students, families, teachers, staff, friends, and...
Exploring Nature: A Hands-On Learning Experience
Our Miami-Dade B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed an enriching field trip to Markham Park in Broward County, where they visited the Weston Community Garden. The students were warmly welcomed by the Community Garden Board Members Gina Reichenbach and Vianey Covarrubias,...
A Day at Flamingo Gardens!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fantastic day exploring Flamingo Gardens! They learned interesting facts about wildlife and nature, visited animal habitats, walked through beautiful gardens, and enjoyed a tram ride around the park. Students made great classroom...
Broward Sheriff’s Office Autism Family Day
This exciting community event brought together families, educators, and local organizations for a day dedicated to connection, support, and celebration of individuals with Autism. The HDS Foundation, alongside several other nonprofit organizations, hosted resource...
Painting, Creativity, and Inspiration
Special thanks to Patricia Beltran, a talented local artist and proud parent of one of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students, who generously volunteered her time to lead a painting class for our students! Students gathered their supplies—paint, brushes, canvases, and aprons—and...
Mindfulness in Motion!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at Weston Regional Park, participating in a guided yoga and mindfulness session surrounded by the trees. Through stretching, focused breathing, and grounding techniques, students practiced being present,...
Movie Day Fun & Real-World Skills in Action!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fantastic Friday outing at AMC Theater! Before the movie, students explored the menu, chose their own snacks, and practiced budgeting with a $20 limit—calculating totals to make sure they stayed on track. At the theater, they...