Praise for the New School of Montpelier

The Bridge recently published this letter to the editor about NSM.

Editor,

Last week our son Ned, who suffers from autism, graduated from the New School of Montpelier. This fine school educates students with significant disabilities. They are truly wonderful people who work very hard and sometimes must deal with difficult behaviors.

As an example of their thoughtful caring, they staged a beautiful graduation ceremony for Ned, attended by his family, friends, teachers, and fellow students. Jayne Albano, who has used her musical gifts to teach and entertain the school’s students, was the master of ceremony and led the assembly in songs that were Ned’s favorites.

The staff prepared a lavish spread of Ned’s favorite foods, and a tasty cake bearing his likeness was served. They presented Ned with graduation gifts that included a monogrammed water bottle, suspenders bearing guitars and musical notation, and a pair of mirror sunglasses that gave Ned a CSI: Miami look that he very much enjoyed. Jayne also presented him with a karaoke-style machine that Ned will love using to sing his favorite tunes.

We especially want to thank Linda Copping and the school’s staff for planning the celebration and the teachers, friends, and students who attended. These include Aaron, Alanna, Casper, Chad, Christine, Claudia, Curtis, Dana, Glenn, Heather, Hilary, Joel, Julia, Kara, Kaylee, Kyle, Mike, Nat Frothingham, Natira, Ned’s Uncle Tim Reeves, Nicole, Ricky, Stephanie, Susan, Sydney and her mom, Tara, and Zack. We apologize if we left anyone out.

The New School taught Ned many skills but more than this, they taught him patience and kindness by their example.

Ed, Laurie, and Ned Morrow