BERKSHIRE
UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
OUR
MISSION: Union Free School
District is to provide a diversified and quality educational
program which will prepare each student to graduate from
high school and return to his community as a contributing
and successful member of society.
Berkshire Farm Center and Services for
Youth is a statewide nonprofit social service agency with
over a 120 year history of working with children and
families. Founded in 1886, Berkshire's Residential Treatment
Center is situated on a 2,000-acre open campus with
beautiful mountains and sparkling lakes. Our innovative
programs create a caring, structured and stable environment
that provides adolescent boys and their families the
opportunity to learn how to lead healthy, productive lives
together.
The campus is located in Canaan, New
York (2.5 hours north of New York City and 40 minutes east
of Albany, New York).
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION:
Berkshire Union Free School District offers vocational
courses in Culinary Arts, Agricultural Science, Building
Trades and Broadcast Communications. We are currently
contracting with the Career and Technical Education
Resources Center to become a NYSED approved provider of
Career and technical Education.
OUR
BELIEFS: We believe that
learning is essential and lifelong. All persons can learn,
and when expectations are high, standards for all
individuals yield success.
We believe in effective education values
and respond to individual differences. With the environment
having a powerful effect on the individual, everyone has the
right to a meaningful and quality education. Each individual
has the ability and responsibility to contribute to society,
and visa-versa, society has the responsibility to provide
equal opportunity to its members.
A positive self-image encourages the
growth of an individual, and worthwhile change is worth the
risk. We have vision in our program. Quality education
supports the needs and development of the whole person, and
this success in a pluralistic society requires an
understanding and appreciation of the diverse population we
serve.
OUR POPULATION:
Our all male youth population provides more male role
models. We put emphasis on mentor relationships, self-esteem
building and responsibility.
COUNSELING SERVICES:
Youth are provided with individual and group counseling,
school psychologists, guidance counselors, Dean of Students,
speech and language services. A school nurse is also on the
premises.
EXPERIENCED STAFF:
Our staff is TCI trained, and have an average of almost 18
years experience amongst our total of forty teachers. There
are 22 teaching assistants with an average of 5.33 years of
experience, one third of which are certified teachers. 6:1:1
or 8:1:2 classes. Staff to student ratio is 1:3. Day program
teachers are behavioral specialists who are able to do functional
behavior analysis and able to write PLP for IEP's.
FULL-CONTINUUM
OF SERVICES: We offer
individual and flexible programs recognizing special
interventions and a two week diagnostic prior to program
determination/placement.
-
Read 180 -Fast math
-
Computer
assisted instruction
-
GED classes
-
Regents classes
-
Vocational classes
-
Distance learning
-
Project-based summer
program
-
Fluidity of program-changes as students needs change
-
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
-
New York State
Special Education best Practices School
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:
There are 3 tiered suspension alternatives, all in school.
PROGRESS REPORTS:
There is frequent communication with bi-weekly progress
reports to parents and CSE chairs via e-mail, telephone or
mail.
SAFETY:
With a 120 year treatment history, small class ratios,
teachers and teaching assistants, TCI-trained staff, school
intervention workers and duty officers we create a safe
environment for our youth.
STATE-OF-THE-ART-FACILITY:
We offer an 81,000 square foot facility constructed in 1992.
It is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned. There
are computers in every classroom, 3 CAI reading labs, a
multi-media library center, broadcast/multi-media classroom,
culinary arts classroom, two technology shops, auditorium,
gym, weight room, pool and athletic fields.
Adventure Based Counseling
Program
Bruce Potter
Assistant Superintendent
518-781-3500 x3576
Berkshire Union Free School District
Berkshire Farm Center & Services for
Youth
13640 Route 22,
Canaan, New York 12029
bpotter@berkshireufsd.k12.ny.us
James
Gaudette
Superintendent
518-781-3500 x3545
jgaudette@berkshireufsd.k12.ny.us
