Fresh Start School holds first 8thgrade graduation ceremony

CANTON » Proud parents, faculty and fellow students celebrated the achievements of the first group of students to graduate from the 8th grade at the Fresh Start School in Canton. The June 21 ceremony was held at the Canton Community Baptist Church followed by a reception at the school. Students from ten towns across the state attend the school for its innovative approach to helping children with autism learn.

The Fresh Start School is a state approved special education program for children ages 11-18 founded by FOCUS Center for Autism in 2016. The group of middle

schoolers from Torrington, Burlington and Vernon is moving up to 9th grade in the fall and two of the five graduates are headed to main stream schools. The remaining future freshmen are looking forward to another year at the Fresh Start School.

“We are so proud of the incredible strides these students have made this year both academically and socially,” said Swanson. “By creating safe, social learning environments, students learn to cope with their anxiety and frustration and can overcome the behaviors that have interfered with their ability to

learn in the past.

“For some this may mean eventually returning to main stream education.”

Families who are interested in learning more about the FOCUS Center for Autism and enrolling in the Fresh Start School can call to make an appointment to arrange a tour.

Since 2000, the nonprofit FOCUS Center for Autism in Canton has been dedicated to helping children and young adults with autism spectrum and other related disorders achieve their full potential. For more information visit http://focuscenterforautism.org or call (860) 693-8809.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Students at the Fresh Start School for adolescents affected by autism sing the National Anthem at the June 21 ceremony held at the Canton Community Baptist Church honoring the first graduating class.