As with many schools Lakeside has entered graduation season. We come together at four different ceremonies that acknowledge the achievements and growth of our students for each of our four schools. It culminates the entire year of our staff and students and all that they have achieved together.
You see, the students at Lakeside have already attempted to succeed in school. For a variety of reasons their public schools could not meet their needs within their current environment. They were referred to one of Lakeside’s Schools or Academies so that they could receive clinical, behavioral and educational support for their specific needs.
It is predictable that they would enter our schools with a significant sense of reserve, fear, anxiety or even anger to be taken away from their friends. Our professional and caring staff begin the process of building relationships and helping students to overcome significant life obstacles so that they can have the opportunity to go to class, deal with their personal issues and find new ways to cope with their life circumstances.
Whether clinicians, behavioral therapists or teachers, our compassionate staff use brain-based and trauma-informed values and skills to help our students understand why they are struggling with their own regulation, anxiety and other emotional deficits. We teach them about their developing brain and work diligently to help them find strategies for their own brain regulation.
Core to our values is the power of relationships. Building relational integrity and trust takes some intentional time where we have to engage in difficult conversations, manage anger, struggle with very difficult life issues and gradually create a path towards health, healing and success. Sometimes it takes several years to work through some of these life struggles.
Our graduations are moments where we can celebrate together the work and success that has been given by parents, students, Lakeside staff and the school district staff that have referred them to Lakeside. Our students give moving speeches of life transformation that are inspirational. They openly state where they were when they came to Lakeside, what people and processes helped them, and where they will be going next in their education and/or careers.
We congratulate the class of 2025 for all that they have achieved. It is a unique and transformative journey for each student. These celebrations represent the heart of Lakeside and bring about a full expression of our mission. All that has been achieved together is truly so enriching and impactful for us all who have worked diligently in order to make sure our students find a way to purpose, productivity and hope for a bright future.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
