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Name of Site: Ottawa Area Center
Contact Person: Brian Pianosi, Director
Address: 10160 96th Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464
Phone: (616) 738-8960
Fax: (616) 895-4223
Email Address: bpianosi@oaisd.org
Designation date as MOVE Model Site: September 27, 2002
MOVE International Trainers:
Roger Buurma, Physical Therapist
Judy Castillo, Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
Linda Cole, Physical Therapist Assistant
Tom Dryer, Physical Education Teacher
Description of Site:
The Ottawa Area Center (OAC) is a public school serving the unique educational needs of students with mental impairments. OAC serves approximately 245 students. The mission of the Ottawa Area Center is to be a leader in providing individualized special education services which maximize the students' quality of life.
Number of students using the MOVE Program: 85
Age range of students: 3-26
Number of classrooms using the MOVE Program: 14
Students/staff ratio: 9:3
Other notes of interest:
Ottawa Area Center has a versatile staff of approximately 100 dedicated teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, therapists, consultants and support staff. The staff is committed to providing students with creative academic, vocational and social experiences that develop the child holistically, promoting success in family and community life. In addition to classroom activities, OAC offers a variety of unique programs and support activities to help every student reach his or her full potential. Ottawa Area Center uses a team approach to education. A collaborative team of teachers, staff and parents work together to develop individual goals for each student in the areas of communication, daily living, mobility and fitness, quality of life and vocational skills. Communication and the ability to express oneself helps a person feel understood and connected to the world. Many students are unable to communicate in traditional ways. The OAC teachers and Speech Therapists work with students on speech and language development including sign language and augmentative communication systems. The role of the OAC Occupational Therapists is to support the classroom staff and help students develop the skills necessary to achieve their maximum level of independent function in the following areas: eating and self-feeding, use of their hands, visual motor, dressing and the use of information obtained through their senses. The OAC Sensory Stimulation Room is a unique environment specifically designed to stimulate the students' senses through color, texture and motion. Adaptive Physical Education activities are designed to help meet each individual's needs, enabling them to achieve their greatest use of movement and physical ability. Depending on individual ability, students experience new and exciting challenges through activities such as bowling, walking, cross-country skiing and obstacle courses. Having a swimming pool also allows students the opportunity to experience different levels of water therapy and swimming instruction. OAC's Physical Therapists focus on physical gains. Students receive daily therapy aimed at improving gross motor development. Learning to walk with walkers, changing body positions and developing head control are just a few examples of the physical gains OAC is working toward. Throughout the year, the Ottawa Area Center plans community outings and special activities to maximize the student's quality of life. Staff members plan activities around everything from the Prom, to holiday parties, to celebrating the arts. OAC runs an on-site barn program. This program includes a riding program, a heated classroom where small groups can learn about farm related activities, and the opportunity for some students to participate in grooming and feeding the animals. The students greatly benefit from interaction with the animals. OAC also incorporates a music program as a source of entertainnment and therapy for the students. Various groups of students gather around a piano and sing songs on a weekly basis. Students enjoy applying motion to lyrics, playing rhythm instruments and sing-a-longs to favorite recordings.
Directions to Ottawa Area Center:
From Lansing, Detroit, and Kalamazoo regions proceed to Grand Rapids and take West I-196. Exit off I-196 onto Lake Michigan Drive (M-45). Go west approximately 15 miles on M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive) through the communities of Standale and Allendale to 96th Avenue. Turn South (left) onto 96th Avenue and proceed approximately 1-1/2 miles. OAC is on the East (left) side of the road. From Chicago, Holland, and Muskegon regions use US 31 to M-45. Go east on M-45 to 96th Avenue. Turn South (right) onto 96th Avenue and proceed approximately 1-1/2 miles. OAC is on the East (left) side of the road.
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