School for the Disable need help with school song.

by Timelord Shepherd

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Request for help with lyrics & music for school Alma Mater & School Spirit Song.

Pendergrass Fairwold School, 5935 Token Street Columbia, SC 29203

Phone: 803-735-3435 http://fairwold.richlandone.org/home/ dkeisler@richlandone.org

Fairwold, as it is known, is a center based self-contained school. Meaning, though we are a public school in Richland Co. School Dist.One, all of our students are disabled. We are also a very small school with an enrollment of around 80 students. Because many of our students live in group homes or other residential placements our PTA is very small. Due to the level of our students we are unable to take part in many of the fund raisers other schools do. Our student’s functional levels range from severe (profound) to mild (educable). We also have students with autism, emotional problems, and developmental delays.

Our Mission, Beliefs, and Desired Outcomes

School Mission Statement

The mission of Norman P. Pendergrass Fairwold School is to ensure that each student reaches his/her maximum potential to function as independently as possible through an Individualized Educational Program by promoting self-esteem, creating a positive learning environment and providing support for students and their families.

Beliefs
•All students should be given the opportunity to learn, achieve and succeed.
•A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
•High expectations and positive reinforcement from all staff are essential to promote self-esteem., respect, and dignity.
•Students learn best when they actively participate.
•Students should be given the opportunity to make appropriate decisions and choices.
•Learning activities should be stimulating and interesting to students.
•School, home and community should work together in order to support the school's mission.
•A variety of special services and resources should be available to all students.
•Students should be set up for success to promote positive learning experiences that result in positive self-esteem.
•Each student has the right to be an active community leader.
•Cultural diversity contributes to an enriched society. Desired Results
•Students will be able to demonstrate maximum independence in self-help/daily living skills
•Students will be able to communicate at home, at school and in the community by using assistive technology and augmentative to the best of their ability.
•Students will be able to demonstrate vocational skills and attitudes appropriate for the work environment including being able to accept supervision and follow directions.
•Students will be able to demonstrate appropriate recreational skills.
•Students will transition into the appropriate community environment to the best of their ability. School Mascot: Grizzly Bears School Colors: Maroon and Gold Grades: Pre-K through age 21

As a staff we meet from time to time to come up with ways to enrich the school experience of our students and to make our school more like other schools. We are greatly limited by funds and family support. During one of these meetings we talked about the Fairwold identity. There are people within our own district who do not know about us. We decided a school song (Alma Mater) for graduation, family day/home coming and other events and a school spirit song for Special Olympics, MAT-P (Motor Activities Training Program) and other events would provide us with something to help to develop school spirit/pride and recognition.

What we need is for someone(s) to write the lyrics and/ or the music to one or both songs. We are willing to provide any information needed to help with the writing. We can also set up a visit to our school to visit with our students if that would help. At last we have no money for this project. The writer(s) would get full credit for the lyrics and music. We may even be able to work out something with the copywrite if you wish. Fairwold would need full use of the lyrics and music but we could work some kind of partnership out if that kind of thing is possible.

If you have any questions please call (803) 735-3435 ext 304 or e-mail me at dkeisler@richlandone.org.

Thanks for your help,

David S. Keisler