Soaring Heights School is pleased to present the first edition of the Eagle Gazette, a monthly newsletter written and designed especially for State College students, parents and teachers by Program Director Shelley Roderick. This and future issues will include important school contact information, dates, and events, a student and staff member spotlight, a special word from the Program Director and an informative, special interest story about autism. We invite you to view our May newsletter anytime on our website or Facebook page and keep an eye out for future issues as they become available!

Dr. Suzy Scherf, a Penn State University professor with a wide background in autism intervention and research, will present Debunking the Myths of Autism at Soaring Heights School at 180 Regent Court, Suite 50 in State College, PA 16801 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
 
Dr. Scherf will review current issues with autism such as vaccines, behaviors, repetitive behaviors, and early identification of potential issues during this free presentation.
 
View Dr. Scherf’s recent TedxPSU presentation online here.
 
An RSVP to attend the presentation is preferred, but not required. Walk-ins are welcome. Interested individuals can RSVP by calling (814) 325-2131.

​Soaring Heights School students formed teams and bowled several games during their physical education class, held at Bellefonte Lanes, which met several PA Common Core State Standards for student learning in physical education. The class also exposed students to games and activities for healthy living in a different environment. Bellefonte Lanes designated lanes especially for student use during the activity.
 
Pictured left to right: Student Gavin C., Bellefonte Bowling Lanes Assistant Richard S., student Kaden N. and SHS Physical Education Instructor Brian B. 

Soaring Heights School students in State College supported Comfort Cases in the spirit of Christmas.
 
Comfort Cases is a national organization that aims to give each child in foster care a book bag or overnight bag filled with toiletries, a change of clothes and other items needed to move to a new home.
 
Students donated money and items in conjunction with Northwest Bank in Bellefonte, PA so children in need received Comfort Cases in time for the holiday season. Students raised funds, shopped for, packed items, and delivered them to the Northwest Bank in Bellefonte, PA.
 
Photo 1: Lincoln S., Bank Assistant Catherine A., Talon H., Margaret S., Vance W. and Kaden N.
 
Photo 2: Kaden N., Laura T., Talon H., Vance W. and Lincoln S.

Students and staff of Soaring Heights School in State College continued their participation in the Travis Manion Foundation service project by singing Christmas carols to the residents of the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home.
 
Students and staff sang a variety of seasonal Christmas songs and also created and handed out homemade Christmas cards for all 340 residents.
 
Since the fall of 2019, Soaring Heights School students and staff have participated in a number of service projects to give back to active military and veterans in the community through the Travis Manion Foundation.
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First row L to R: Gigi B., Randi T., Austin S.  Second row L to R: John Dibert, Ewan S.

​Soaring Heights School students visited the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, PA on Friday, December 6, 2019 for a remembrance of the lost sailors, soldiers and Marines during the attack on Pearl Harbor Naval base and surrounding military installations on December 7, 1941. This attack forced the United States into the second World War. 
 
Students and faculty visited the Battleship Pennsylvania 14-inch guns memorial outside on the ground of the museum and learned that the 14-inch guns displayed were not on the Battleship Pennsylvania and had been switched out with new guns prior to the attack. These displayed guns were on the island though as the attack commenced. The Battleship Pennsylvania was damaged during the attack but was repaired and later participated in at least seven battles during the Second World War.
 
Pictured left to right: Jessica J., Logan S., Lincoln S., Devin H., Aydan M., Margaret S., Haidin C., Kaden N., Angelica L., DeAnn P., Vance W.

​Students and staff at Soaring Heights School in State College recently invited several local veterans to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal as part of their service project for the Travis Manion Foundation.
 
Students thanked the veterans for their service and prepared a holiday meal that they all enjoyed together. 
 
Pictured L to R: A. Johnson, Gavin C., Lee Waite and Kaden N.

​Students and staff at the Soaring Heights School in State College, PA recently visited the Tannenbaum Christmas Tree Farm in Centre Hall, PA.
 
During their visit, staff and students took to the field to learn about growing trees for the holiday and creating wreaths from the boughs of the trees. Each student then created, decorated and displayed their own wreath in the classroom for all students and staff to see!
 
Pictured: Gavin C., Angela F. and James I. display their wreaths at school and Antonio Y. decorates his wreath at Tannenbaum Christmas tree Farm.

​Soaring Heights School staff participated in the 12th annual Autism Speaks Walk at the People’s Natural Gas Field in Altoona on Sunday, October 6, 2019. The State College staff raised funds for the Autism Speaks Walk Fundraiser over the past year through various fundraising programs. They assisted with set up, organization and clean up after the program. All proceeds go to Autism Research and help for local families.