Cloudcroft Municipal Schools celebrates differences

CLOUDCROFT — An estimated 75 residents attended Cloudcroft Municipal School's Celebrating Differences Expo Thursday. 

During the expo, experts hosted exhibits on several topics such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, gifted programs and local mental health services. Information about Developmentally Disabled waivers, support groups, respite services for parents, workforce resources for students with disabilities, college resources and services for life post-high school were also provided.

"It showed them what kind of resources are out there for them to use to help their children succeed," said Tana Daugherty, Cloudcroft High School Principal and Special Education Director. "For example, we had two universities that came to talk about their Special Education programs and so many of our families don't even think their kids can go to college. It really opened their eyes to the kind of help and resources that are out there for these children. Maybe not so much academically, but to go in a residential-type atmosphere, live in a dorm, learn how to work and hold a job and balance their checking account and live independently at some point – those kinds of things I noticed families were getting really excited about."

Daugherty said the district was particularly happy to see neighboring districts visit during the expo and ask questions about Special Education programs Cloudcroft Municipal Schools have implemented.

"Community-based instruction is really popular right now for those kids that may not graduate on a standard pathway, they may graduate on career ability," Daugherty said. "As seniors, we're helping them to go out to community businesses and teach them soft-skills and life-skills to hold a job at some point. We're doing that really well in Cloudcroft so many districts came up to talk to us about how that works."  

Following the expo, Dr. Andrew Egle, a National Autism Consultant, gave a presentation about strategies for dealing with difficult behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Cloudcroft educators and community members. 

"Kids that identify on the Autism Spectrum, the numbers are increasing," Daugherty said. "With that number, there's not a whole lot of training going on with families especially. We get a lot of training in the classroom and in the school about how to help those kids learn in this environment but it's crazy to see the families that don't get the training. (Families) are at their wits end and they want to do better for their children and have a more peaceful environment at home." 

Daugherty said the district hopes to host the Celebrating Differences Expo again next year. Anyone who wishes to be connected to local resources can contact the Cloudcroft Municipal Schools Special Education Department by calling the school's main line at 601-4416.