About STAR Program Inclusionary Practices

The Cape Cod Collaborative’sSTAR Program is committed to meeting the individual needs of students and families. Our commitment includes offering students inclusionary opportunities, both with peers and within the community, while building a healthy and strong learning community within the Program’s Osterville campus.

Inclusionary Practices

Students Transitioning into/out of Osterville Program

Action Plan:
The IEP Team will continue to assess the appropriateness of each student for placement at the Collaborative and will convene as necessary to plan transitions into and out of the Collaborative Program.

  • The Collaborative has coordinated with students, parents and school districts to develop appropriate activities for students. Students are assessed for health and safety considerations and the availability of appropriate academic supports and activities in local school districts.
  • The appropriateness of the student’s placement within the STAR Program is discussed at every Team meeting. Students are assessed ongoing for readiness to transition back to their home district. If such a determination is made, the Program works with the home district to facilitate a successful transition plan.
  • If a determination is made that a more restrictive setting is required for students, the Program works with the family and home district to facilitate the transition into another program.
Osterville Students Integration with Barnstable School Programs

Action Plan:
The Collaborative will continue to evaluate and to expand integration opportunities with the area Public Schools. The Collaborative will ensure that integration opportunities are regularly scheduled and available for Osterville students.

The Collaborative has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Barnstable Public Schools to support the integration of STAR Students within the Barnstable Public Schools. Some opportunities have included:

  • Barnstable High School – High school age students have the opportunity to participate in integrated activities at the Barnstable High School such as social groups, cooking activities, lunch program.
  • Barnstable Intermediate School – Middle school age students have the opportunity to participate in activities at the Barnstable Intermediate School, such as small group activities and school assemblies.
  • Centerville Elementary School – Elementary students from the Osterville campus participated in weekly activities at the Centerville Elementary School, in arts, science and social activities.
  • Barnstable Horace Mann School – Pen Pals, Classroom visits
Osterville Students Integration within the Community & Local School Students Integrating with Collaborative Students at the Osterville Campus

Action Plan:
The Collaborative will continue to expand and refine community integration activities and facilitate reverse inclusion opportunities.

  • Middle School and High School students attend regional Best Buddies dances on a regular basis (usually 4 x per year).
  • Participation in Cape Cod Special Olympics each May

Community  Inclusion Activities have included:

  • Swim time at the YMCA
  • Trips to the grocery store (planning and purchasing items for cooking activities)Recycling trips (e.g. to dump or bottle
    return)
  • Camp Burgess YMCA farm program visits, visit to Not Enough Acres Farm
  • Collaboration with Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary: field trips to Sanctuary plus naturalist visits to program site
  • Cape Cod Regional Technical High School students participate in activities at the Osterville campus.
  • Barnstable High School’s current community service curriculum includes placement at the Cape Cod Collaborative’s Osterville
    campus.
  • Sandwich High School community service hours
  • Osterville Garden Club