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 stayed within a $10 budget—writing down their selections to bring along. When they arrived, students confidently placed their orders, asked questions when needed, and even tried new flavors or samples before deciding.
It was a fun and meaningful way to practice budgeting, decision-making, and independence. Best of all, students enjoyed their treats together, building social skills while sharing a sweet experience with their peers!
Behind the Badge: A Day at BSO Weston
Students had the opportunity to meet and speak with several police officers—including the captain! Students even got the chance to sit on an officer’s motorcycle for some memorable photos.
Throughout the visit, the students truly SHINED as they practiced important real-world skills such as asking thoughtful and respectful questions, engaging in professional conversations, listening for understanding, and using appropriate social communication with our local heroes. They also built confidence, self-advocacy, and perspective taking while learning about safety, responsibility, and career opportunities in law enforcement.
We are so proud of our students for their curiosity, confidence, and outstanding behavior! A huge thank you to Det. Danielle Quinones and the BSO Weston team for providing such a welcoming, interactive, and inspiring experience!
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 session, students practiced mindfulness by engaging their five senses to better connect with and appreciate their natural surroundings. They also learned and practiced calming breathing techniques that can be used as effective coping strategies during moments of stress or frustration.
Throughout the activity, students worked together to complete various yoga poses, encouraging one another and offering peer support along the way. This shared experience fostered social skills, including teamwork, communication, and positive peer interactions.
Overall, the experience supported students’ emotional and physical growth while providing a fun, enriching, and memorable way to celebrate Earth Day.
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 supporters was truly meaningful and inspiring. The event was filled with excitement and a true sense of community, with over 100 attendees joining us to support a great cause.
So grateful for everyone who made this event a success!
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, who spent the morning sharing valuable lessons about the importance of plants and how to properly care for them.
Students enjoyed smelling and tasting fresh tomatoes, basil, and cilantro grown in the garden, and they learned about the vital role bees play in our environment. Several students also had the opportunity to participate in planting a Red Maple tree.
It was truly an amazing day for our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students to explore the outdoors and learn about growing their own food. Special thanks to Gina and Vianey for taking the time to inspire and educate our students.
A Recipe for Success: Learning at Flanigan’s
Students took a fun and educational trip to Flanigan's Restaurant. Before going to eat, students reviewed an adapted menu and completed a menu math activity. The final question on their worksheet asked them what they would like to order and to calculate their total....
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Navigate Success at Dolphin Mall
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students visited Dolphin Mall to practice real‑world independence skills! They used the mall directory to locate stores, planned routes with peers and navigated the mall using teamwork and problem‑solving. Students also practiced budgeting and...
A Special Thank You Video!
We are proud to share a special thank you video from the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida (UNF) highlighting the HDS Foundation’s continued support of the UNF THRIVE program. [video width="1920" height="1080"...
Creativity, Teamwork, and Kindness in Action
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students proudly completed their Rock Snake Project—and what a journey it was! They kicked things off by planning for a Community Based Instruction trip to Dollar Tree, where students researched supplies, created a budget, and prepared for their...
A Delicious Lesson in Independence
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the sweetest day at Yonutz Sunrise as they grabbed a yummy dessert to kick off Spring Break! Students explored many donut options, practiced taking their time to make choices, and then independently ordered and paid at the counter....
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...