Pollinator Therapeutic Recreation Garden
Our Palm Springs PTR Garden has been specifically designed to meet the physical, psychological, and social needs of all our students in our ASD Program. Students have participated in the design and implementation of our garden. Our students participate in a variety of activities aligned to their curriculum while practicing social, gross/fine motor, and communication skills. The Garden also serves as an area for relaxing when students are in need of self-regulation.
Electives
Palm Springs Middle School offers a variety of electives for our students to pick from. These include; robotics, culinary arts, art, life skills, computers, cognitive game theory, Spanish, adapted physical education, and film studies.
Adapted P.E.
Our PE classes include dually certified teachers that work with students with exceptionalities while providing them with opportunities to be healthy and active. Paraprofessionals assist and supervise students throughout the class. Students are invited to participate in the I Can Do It awards where they receive a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.
Community Based Instruction
Community-based instruction is a strategy or instructional method that promotes instruction, academic, and functional skills in the student’s natural environment. We work on academic, social, and behavioral goals in the community setting to generalize learned skills.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Our school participates in bowling, basketball, soccer, bocce, volleyball, and golf.
Best Buddies / Helping Hands
Best Buddies provides students the opportunity to work on one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through collaboration with our students, Helping Hands serves the community in a series of fundraising projects.
Additional Activities
The Palm Springs ASD Program participates in an end-of-year banquet, picnics, field days, and hosts a robotics competition specifically designed for students with special needs. School-wide inclusion is highly encouraged as our students go to school dances, field trips, school-wide incentives, pep-rallies, and assemblies. Families, staff, and the community are also involved in our yearly Autism Walk.
