The game that keeps the mystery, thrill, and surprise ALIVE! One of the biggest traditional Christmas games – Secret Elf. The rules to this game are simple. Each member of the group randomly picks another member’s name to become his or her secret elf. Wish lists are then given to each member so one can know and shop for what their secret elf hopes to receive. After shopping for your secret elf, gifts are wrapped, and the secret elves are revealed at your holiday gathering.

The CBHS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class is already preparing for the Christmas holiday. Teachers Ms. Donna Mansolilo and Ms. Kathy Gormin-Gard began their secret elf process with the class. They gave each student their secret elf, pictures of gifts, and a budget in order to plan ahead before their trip to AC Moore.

On November 20^th, the class headed on over to AC Moore on their quest to shop for their secret elf. This Community Based Instruction (CBI) trip allowed each student to put their budgeting, independent, and social skills to the test. Once they arrived, the students dispersed and secretly shopped for their secret elf. Students used their calculators to make sure they were under their budget, while also trying to get as close to $10 as they could. This was a piece of cake for them now. They also learned independent skills by keeping their secret elf a secret while also shopping on their own.

This event really emphasized the giving and keeping others in mind aspect. It was heartwarming to see how each of the students thoughtfully chose their secret elf’s gift. One of the students, Stephanie, shared that she had to decide whether to spend more money on one gift or purchase several cheaper items for her secret elf. Students also had to decide which gift their secret elf would enjoy more based upon their budget. Problem solving was an important aspect for the students to independently shop. It was a great experience for the class as they walked around AC Moore with their individual shopping carts, gift lists, and calculators.

The second part of the secret elf consists of taking class time to secretly wrap their gifts and will then exchange their gifts at the holiday party. We are looking forward to seeing the excitement on each of the student’s faces as they receive their gifts and find out who their secret elf was this year!

The Homestead Senior High B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Self Determination Class has been focusing on their budgeting skills this week! The class attended their first CBI (community-based instruction) trip to Lowe’s for the Lowe’s Garden Challenge. This challenge consisted of the class, along with teach Paola Papili, shopping for supplies to prepare and create a class butterfly flower garden. Prior to the trip, the students were given the task of creating a shopping list that consisted of plants, soil, and accessories while also stating the number of units for each one. The purpose of the challenge was to make sure their total fell closest to the budget assigned without overspending. When they arrived at Lowes, the students, Ms. Paola Papili, and HDS Foundation staff Meagan Bouscher Miranda worked together to choose and calculate all of items the students desired. The students then paid for their items with their own debit cards, and some students realized that they were over their budget. This obstacle led the students to practice their problem-solving skills. They had to choose an item from their basket to put back in order to stay within their budget. All that shopping led to some very hungry students; so, the class decided to have lunch at Jimmy Johns where they enjoyed sandwiches together before heading back to their school. The students were also able to practice their budgeting skills here as they ordered and paid for their own lunch. The students are super excited as they prepare to beautify their school! One can see the joy in each student’s face throughout the process of picking the items they like, purchasing them with their own funds, and contributing in their own way for this butterfly garden. The HDS Contenders are looking forward to seeing these flowers bloom as well as watching the students grow throughout the year!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! Who else enjoys planning for an ice cream party?! Last week, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program mastered their budgeting skills at Publix while completing the Ice Cream Challenge. The purpose of this challenge was to buy the items necessary for an ice cream party, while coming as close to the budget as possible without overspending.

Prior to the event, teachers Ms. Kathy Gormin-Gard and Donna Mansolillo taught the class how to plan and organize a shopping list while providing a budget for each group. The groups had to compromise and negotiate with one another to come up with an agreement on various ice cream flavors and toppings.

Once the students arrived at Publix, they were divided up into teams and shopped away. It was super interesting to see how each group took on this challenge and how each student in the group took on a different role. As they calculated their total, including tax, the groups were able to problem solve and decide if they could either add or remove any items in order to match the budget.

This CBI trip motivated the students to participate in this enjoyable and educational activity. Not only did they budget their way into an ice cream party, but they also had fun doing it together as they practiced their social and problem-solving skills. Stay tuned as the students continue to represent the “B” in B.R.I.D.G.E.S through their budgeting CBI trips.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” a popular phrase that is said when it comes down to collaboration and motivation for people to work together. Today, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program brought their teamwork skills outdoors instead of in the classroom. The class took their Community Based Instruction (CBI) trip to Weston Regional Park where the students were able to engage in a variety of team building activities.

Building a team and emphasizing collaboration is essential to BRIDGING the differences and getting everyone to work as one unit.  A big component of team building is problem-solving which falls under “Development” in B.R.I.D.G.E.S. The first activity the class participated in was a guessing game. The teachers gave each student an emotion they had to depict in a picture and show in front of the class. While one student explained their picture, the rest of the class came together to guess and solve which emotion was being portrayed. This activity allowed the students to build creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.

The next activity the class participated in was geared more towards the “Social” and communication skills. The teacher asked the class if they had participated in certain experiences which then created a conversation amongst the students allowing them to practice their skills. This was a fun way to learn more about each other by using communication.

The last and final activity was a partnered competition. This excited and motivated the students to fully engage in the collaboration aspect. Two partnered teams competed against each other to see how many balled up pieces of paper they could get in their bucket under a certain amount of time. Keep in mind, they only had two hands between the two of them. This was a challenge, because while one partner had to hold the notebook, the other one had to tear the pages, ball the paper, and throw it in the bucket. The activity was successful in showing the students that they had to come together in order to find the best solution. The students also realized that they had to take on different roles, even if it wasn’t what they wanted to do initially.

All in all, it was a wonderful day filled with enjoyable games and activities for the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program. Having these types of CBI trips and opportunities to further develop their skills are what sets B.R.I.D.G.E.S. apart from other high school programs for students with disabilities. Stay tuned to see what’s in store for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class at their next CBI trip!