So far this year...

1

Welcome to TCS's 10th Anniversary Year

Nov. 9th ‐ The Community School's Fall Open House,2 ‐ 3:30pm. 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA30030. Open to anyone who is interested.

Nov. 15th ‐ Crock Pot Cookoff benefiting TCS, 7pm.Generously hosted by Atlanta Kick CrossFit. 764Miami Circle, Suite 206, Atlanta, GA 30324.

Dec. 4th ‐ Souper Jenny Grilled Cheese Night, 5 ‐9pm. 1 West Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030. 10%of proceeds will be generously donated to TCS.

Feb. 6th, 2015 ‐ The Community School's SouthernSoiree in honor of our 10th Anniversary Year! Ticketsgo on sale December 1st. For more information, visitwww.thecommunityschool.net/southernsoiree.

FALL 2014

This year marks The Community School's 10th year of operations! We are grateful to YOU for all ofyour support of TCS's programs over the years. Thank you!

Thank You from a TCS Student

Dear TCS Donors,

To everyone who helped donate their donatedpossessions, belongings, and money to TCS, you guys areawesome! TCS is doing a lot to make good use of anythingyou donated. Without you, TCS wouldn't have been able toteach the amazing stuff it's teaching today. I respect you foryour kind actions, and I always will until the end of time.Keep it going!‐Danny‐

Upcoming TCS EventsMark your calendars and check www.thecommunityschool.net/events or our Facebook page(www.facebook.com/TheCommunitySchoolTCS) for information on these and other upcoming events!

A Letter from theExecutive Director

I want to tell you two stories thatcapture at least a little of theessence of what we do. I tell you

these because it is the support of ourcommunity—of you who are reading this—thatmakes these stories possible. I am forever gratefulfor the support that you provide to us, and I wantto make sure that I communicate back to you someof the positive results that your support provides.

A young man who is a part of our Young Adultprogram struggled for years in every school settinghe had ever been in. He was often isolated, and attimes became so frustrated and angry that he wasplaced in hospitals, experiences that increased hisfeelings of being misunderstood and mistreated.This same young man, after working with us for acouple of years, is now much more stable, happy,and productive. He has begun to attend college,and is participating in extracurricular activities oncampus. He has developed a circle of friends inthe TCS community, and these friends are gettingtogether to talk and eat together, to play games,and to explore the city. He can envision a life ofindependence.

An adolescent boy began attending our SchoolProgram this fall. He, too, has struggled in otherschools, and has yet to find the right program thatwill both educate him and help him to integrateinto the larger world. In his first three months atTCS, he has had some moments of significantstruggle. He has donethings that most otherschools would probably nottolerate. I am almostcertain that his experiencewith us will end in somereal success. By fine‐tuning his environment—thatis, simplifying his schedule, providing him moreopportunities for reflection and personal growth,eliminating some of the most challenging parts ofhis day—we are already on the road to improvingthis student’s quality of life and potential forbecoming a truly contributory part of thiscommunity.

2

Continued on Page 6

The Community School prides itself on individualizedinstruction and classes that are designed with thestudents and participants' interests in mind. Butwhat exactly does that mean? Here are two examplesfrom current School Program classes.

In Biology class this fall, students studied plant andanimal cells. They createdtheir own models of thedifferent types of cells‐one with candy and onewith legos. The animalcell model included acinnamon roll to represent the cell membrane, icingas cytoplasm, a Reese's peanut butter cup as the

nucleus, Twizzlers as thegolgi body, jelly beans asribosomes, rainbow airheadsfor endoplasmic reticulum,and lifesaver gummies formitochondria. Delicious!

In Indepence Class, students completed a unit oncooking and nutrition by comparing value, nutrition,and taste of homemade, prepared, and frozenpizzas. They looked up recipes, graphed thedifferent pizza types' fat and proteincontent, prep time, cook time, andcost. Of course, they also did extensivetaste testing. To quote one of thestudents, "I thought the frozen pizzawas the worst because the taste wasboring. I thought the homemade pizzawas the best because I made it myselfand it had the most flavor." Well said!

Student Activities

How You Helped Last Year

3

Melissa Burton ‐ TeacherMelissa is a teacher in the SchoolProgram at TCS who teaches avariety of core academic subjects aswell as some art classes. She hasten years of prior experience,

including four at The Lionheart School, another areaprogram using DIR/Floortime as a strong influence.Melissa has a BS in Art Education and holds aGeorgia teaching certificate in Art and SpecialEducation.

Zachary Batson ‐ Assistant TeacherZach is an Assistant Teacher at TCSwho works with the young adults andassists with the students as well. Zachhas a BA in Communications, and muchof his background has been in earlychildhood education. An avid musician,

Zach's chief instrument is the guitar but he alsoplays drums, bass, and piano. Some of his interestsinclude spending time with his wife, creativewriting, hiking with his dogs, playing drums for theBuzzards of Fuzz, and all things Godzilla.

In the 2013 ‐ 2014 program year, you helped TheCommunity School provide direct services to 20students and young adults in the School and YoungAdults in Transition Programs.

Special highlights of the program year included:• The first Overnight Adventure at TCS• Cleaning up Candler Park• Internships at PAWS Atlanta,Refugee Resettlement andImmigration Services ofAtlanta, and others• Field trips to the Center forPuppetry Arts, FernbankMuseum, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and CCP NorthAmerica (a video game development company).

TCS School Program classes are unique andinnovative to cater to students' individual needs.Some classes and units that were taught last yearinclude:• History of Pirates• Hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party after reading Alicein Wonderland• Learning math skills through baking and holdingBake Sales

The young adults also have their share ofindividualized classes and sessions that includecollege assistance and support, job and transitionskills and assistance, counseling, creating a TCSparticipant newsletter, and group discussions.

Welcome New Staff!

There are countless goals accomplished every day at The Community School. Below are two stories aboutseveral students and young adults highlighting some of their successes.

Last year, TCS had a number of ongoing successful internships, including in particular two placements ofyoung adults at Sherlock’s Wine Merchant and the Hirsch Academy. At Sherlock’s, one young adultparticipant was offered a permanent, paid position after he completed his internship given his reliability,loyalty, and productivity.

A School Program student who has struggled with significant anxiety for several years made dramaticchanges in his ability to participate in the program. At the beginning of the year he was often avoidant ofjoining any group activities or venturing out of the building at all, but by the spring semester he was fullyparticipating in his entire curriculum, including going on a field trip to Turner Field to watch a Braves game.

Success Stories

Continued on Page 6

4

Deborah AdamsRichard and Lynne AdamsBrenda and Andy AlexanderWendi Alper‐PressmanAmazonSmile FoundationAmerican Sports Management Inc.Margaret AmrheinBonnie and Robert AndrewsAnonymous Foundation (2)

Anonymous (4)Tricia AppletonDawn ArnoldRobert AshmoreAtlanta KickAtlanta Gymnastics Center, LLCRebecca AutreyMartina BaermanCarolyn Bannister and

Dan McCurryKimberly BantaThomas and Sarah BarefootWilliam and Glenda BellMark and Donna BergesonWalter BergesonGary BergmanConsuelo BillsCecilia BlankKathy Bohrer and Fred TydemanKelly and Chris BohrerKristine BourqueLisa and Gary BraunPaula and George BrennerBright Wings FoundationJean BrooksToby and Martha BrooksJeffrey and Frieda BrownCharles and Mary BrueggemanFrederick BrusoMatt and Chrissy BrusoDoug and Nancy BryantMarianne BurkeMichael Burke

Lee and Steve BuseyRobert and Mary BuseySharon BuseyRuth CallahanJulie and Stewart CarnesRuss and Shelley CarnesMary and Ron CarusoThe Catholic Foundation

of North GeorgiaMelissa and Steve CazaletBeth ChampDavid and Jane ChampRebekah Champ and

Timothy RobySarah ChampStephen and Patricia ChampThomas Chapel and

Jennifer McCoyBen Chapman and Julia LeffTerry and Lynn ChastainChay J's New Orleans CandiesPamela ClarkLorna CobbBarbara and Don CollinsCatherine and Tom ConteLeslie and Laurie Cotton‐SmithMary and Milton CrosswyMary Lynn and Joseph CullenBen DavidowDecatur Craft Beer FestivalLeah DenisonAlan DobrinTom Dong and Rebecca ZhangPaul and Wendy DonnanTerry and Marilyn DornbushDot DorseyShaun Doty and Natalie SamplesAngela DoyleSusan DuncanJay and Jackie DurhamStephen EidsonRandall and Kimberlee EliKirk ElifsonBridget ElliottBernielle ElseyAllen and Gale EvansKim EvansFarm Burger LLCGraham and Lynne FeltonMarian and John Fetzek

Chrys and Mike FieldsLarry and Margie FieldsDanielle FilesFinn Brooks Family FoundationFirst Baptist Church of

Decatur FoundationCaroline FohlinSusan Foxworth and

Monty HamiltonGary FreedRobert and Irene FritschJen GaleasCory and Mark GatliffLisa GilbertTara GilbertJoye and Melissa Gilbert‐RossJ. David GloverNancy GonceMelissa Greene and Don SamuelShyrel GreenhillPeter and Doris Gregory

Alex and Joanne GrossSherry GroveJeff HancockMary Lou HardingAnna HeilbrunVirginia Hepner and

Malcolm BarnesCarol and Bill HershSarah Hersh and Jared BeckermanHoward and Denise HilleyHLM Accounting & Tax, Inc.Hodson & Co. Foods LLCJulie and Darren HoggLynn HollidayThe Holly Lane FoundationCheryl HulbertInsurance Counseling &

Management Inc.Allison Israel

THANK YOU to our 2013 ‐ 2014 Donors

You have helped make a difference in the lives of adolescents and young adults with autism.We cannot thank you enough.

Continued on Page 5

5

2013 ‐ 2014 Donors, Continued

This list does not include in‐kind donations.Please report any errors or omissions to

Sarah Hersh at 404‐573‐2012.

Michelle JenkinsAnnie Jeter and Lucille GulleyStephanie and Steven JohnsonMichael JohnstonBernard and Karen KahanJeffrey and Marsha KelleyTim and Jane KellyKatie and Andy KennedyMolly Kent and Deena SnipesCharles KremerThe Kroger CompanyRaymond LawheadBobby and Mary LawrenceMary LeightDara and Scott LeslieLincoln Financial FoundationSally LipseyLMI Holdings LLCBruce and Tammy LuciaSindre LundbergSean and Judy MartinJohn MartinSharon Matthews‐RohadfoxCarolyn McCarthyMatthew McKenna and

Kathy FranchJames McManusVirginia and Larry McMichaelAnton MeansGloria MeauxHeather MedlockBetty MicolMighty MeatballsLisa MiglioreThe Miracle Makers FoundationChristopher and Barbara MizellSara MorganVernice MorissetLisa Angert MorrisAnthony MorsellaValerie MorvanSherry MossAnnie and John MullinsEric MunizJenny MunroDave NelsonGraham and Margaret NelsonSpenser NorrisLynn PasqualettiSumurti PatelJulie and Tim Pennington‐RussellRichard Perano

Rich and Alden PerkinsRandall and Diane PettitPho Sho Sandwiches and PastriesDebi PrestonThe Pup TruckR. Scott PyronAntoinette Reed and

Gregory OhmanDale ReidSarah ReiffBill and Kathy RhinehartJanice RiceIvan RioboPatrick RiordanJan and Gordy RiversRob and Lori RoarkRobert and Shirla RoarkRyan and Lori RoarkSheryl RobertsonRobert RosenDeborah RosenbergAllen Rosenfeld and

Gina GiannoneJoye RossBrenda RothmanAgata Rozga and Rich VuducJohn SampsonLee SamuelLydia SappTim and Beate SassAlbert and Blanche SchlessingerAlison and Tom SchneiderMark and Paige SchneiderScott SchnellRob and Mary SchulerEldon ScottMaya SelberCarl SevilleSeyfarth Shaw Attorneys LLPJane ShawTodd SheetsShenanigansRebecca ShepardLauren ShibleyShred Day DonorsHeather SilerTim SilvisFrank SloverAlex & Betty

Smith Donor‐Advised Fund at The CatholicFoundation of North Georgia

Karen SmithRussell SmithKellie SnipesMajor and Sandra SnowPatti

SolomonStephanie

SolomonDarrell

SpenceDavid and

Barbara StahuraMary Beth StarkMary Lou StillMeredith StockingKate SwensonRandall TannerDonald and Nancy TaylorElaine TaylorVirginia ThompsonAmy ThrasherTime Warner Employee Grant

ProgramsDavid TriemerCharles and Sharon TroncalliStephen UrbrockTyler VanimanKatie and David VigilanteJohn VollenweiderElizabeth WagnerPolly WasdinWatch Me Shine, Inc.Valerie WestLinda WhiteheadChristopher WillettDebbie WilliamsFrances Wood Wilson FoundationPhillip WiseDianne WoodMichael and Marylee WoodenThe Robert R. and Carolyn B.

Woodson FundThomas and Mary WorkmanLisa and Richard YatesYeah! BurgerKathryn ZickertMichael and Diane ZieringBrandy Zimmer

THANK YOU!

Why Support TCS?Your gifts can truly help change the lives of our

participants and their families. One parent whose sonstarted at TCS this year says she has already seen

significant changes in him and it has been life‐changingfor her whole family.

Won't you be a part of an adolescent's, young adult's,or family's transformation by donating to TCS?

Thank you for your support!

Please use the form on the next page to make a donation.

Shop and Support TCS!When you shop at Kroger, Target,

Amazon, or online through iGive, you cansupport TCS! It's easy to sign up for these

rewards programs ‐ just visitthecommunityschool.net/other‐ways‐to‐

get‐involved for details.

TCS Needs You!Please consider donating to The Community School today. Your contributions are vital in making sure ourstudents and young adults can continue to participate in classes, internships, community field trips, weeklyhikes and outings, and therapeutic support. You can make a difference. Every little bit helps!

In‐Kind DonationsThe Community School is always in need of,

well, stuff! These donations are also taxdeductible and very much appreciated:

• Stamps• Projector• Microscope• Office Supplies

• Tablets• Scanner• Video Cameras• Office Chairs

For a full list please visitwww.thecommunityschool.net.

6

This is complex work, and we work hard to bethe absolute best that we can be. As I haveoften said, we are on the cutting edge ofinnovative and effective programming foradolescents and young adults. We will remainon that cutting edge as long as it benefits thefamilies we work with. With your support, forwhich I am exceedingly grateful, we willcontinue to help the members of thiscommunity thrive.

Thank you,

Dave NelsonExecutive Director

Letter from the Executive Director con't

Continued on Page 7

Jimmy Holt ‐ Assistant TeacherJimmy teaches P.E. as well as affinitiesclasses at TCS. He is from Tucker, GA andgrew up around the Decatur area. Jimmyhas a BA in Philosophy from EmoryUniversity. He enjoys all things related to

superheros and Star Wars but focuses mainly on theirmoral and philosophical aspects. In his spare time you canfind him playing Magic the Gathering, outside playing withhis dog, or listening to Weird Al.

Kelsey Bohlke ‐ Graduate Counseling InternKelsey is currently pursuing a Master’sDegree in Rehabilitation Counseling atGeorgia State University. In 2013 shegraduated from Emory University with aBachelor’s degree in Psychology. In the

past she has worked at the Marcus Autism Center and as aco‐therapist at Beyond Words. At TCS, Kelsey providesindividual and group counseling to School Programparticipants. When she’s not in school or working she likesexploring the food, parks, and other sights in Atlanta.

Wecome New Staff con't

Enclosed is my tax‐deductible donation in the amount of:

$1,000.00 _____ $500.00 _____ $100.00 _____ $50.00 _____ Surprise us! $________

Name_________________________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number ___________________________ Email Address__________________________________

This gift is in honor/memory (circle one) of: ________________________________________________If you would like us to send a letter notifying the honoree or honoree's family, please provide their name(s) and address:

Name __________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________

You may also give online at www.thecommunityschool.net/support‐our‐programs/donations/.Mail completed forms to: The Community School, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030

THANK YOU!

□ Please record my gift asanonymous; I do not wish tobe acknowledged inpublications

7

We Want to Hear from You!Please complete a brief survey about this newsletter (you may also take it online at tinyurl.com/lml95a2).Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps us improve our communications with you. Thank you!

1. How often would you ideally like to receive thisnewsletter?□ Twice yearly (current schedule)□ Annually□ I do not wish to receive this newsletter anymore.(If you select this option please provide us with yourname and address using the donation form below sowe can take you off the list. You may also call us at404‐573‐2012.)□ Other:

2. How do you prefer to receive news from TheCommunity School?(If applicable, please provide us with your contactinformation using the form below so we can makesure you're receiving the newsletters you wish to.)

□ Online only, through the monthly e‐newsletter□ Online only, through social media and/or TCS'swebsite□ Mail only, through this newsletter□ All of the above□ Other:

3. Does receiving these mailed newsletters makeyou...□ More likely to donate to TCS□ Less likely to donate to TCS□ No effect on giving□ Other:

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Megan McCoy ‐ Graduate Counseling InternMegan McCoy, M.S., LMFTA, has aMaster’s Degree in Marriage andFamily Therapy from DrexelUniversity and is currently adoctoral student at the University of

Georgia. She has over six years of experienceworking with individual, couple, and familypopulations in both in‐home and outpatientsettings. At TCS, Megan supports young adults andtheir families and does individual and groupcounseling.

Matt Varley ‐ Graduate Counseling InternMatt is enrolled in the M.S. MentalHealth Counseling program atGeorgia State University and has aB.A. in Religious Studies from Brown

University. Matt has extensiveexperience as a professional tutor for middle andhigh school students. He loves spending time withhis friends and family, traveling, cooking tasty food,and reading. At TCS, Matt provides individual andgroup counseling to young adults and co‐leadsaffinities groups with students.

Wecome New Staff con't

The Community School

308 Clairemont Avenue

Decatur, GA 30030

404-308-8548

info@thecommunityschool.net

www.thecommunityschool.net

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROGIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

DECATUR, GA

PERMIT NO. 410

Thank YOU!On behalf of The Community School’s students, young adults, families, staff, and Board, Thank You to all of ourdonors who have helped make this year possible! It is only through friends like you that The Community School is

able to offer a future filled with hope and promise to our students and young adults. Thank You!

About TCS and Autism Spectrum DisorderAbout The Community SchoolThe Community School (TCS) exists to serve the needs ofadolescents and young adults with Autism SpectrumDisorder and related challenges. By tapping into eachperson’s potential to develop relationships, communicate,and problem‐solve, TCS helps its participants reach thegoals that are right for them. Goals may include finishinghigh school, attending college, building friendships,developing daily living and job skills, and much more.

TCS’s two main programs, the accredited School Programand Young Adults in Transition Program, focus on thefunctional, emotional, and developmental growth ofstudents and young adults in order to increase theirindependence and help them lead happier, successfullives filled with meaningful relationships.

ASD: An Overwhelming NeedThe CDC estimates that 1 in 64 children in Georgia hasAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Without properintervention, the symptoms of ASD can negatively affectan individual’s academic progress, ability to developrelationships, and the possibility of living independently asan adult. Supporting a person with autism can cost morethan $2.4 million over a lifetime, and while this cost canbe reduced dramatically with early diagnosis andcomprehensive intervention, intervention tends to focuson very young children. Services for adolescents and youngadults lag far behind, leaving many families withoutsupport. While the Atlanta area is home to severalorganizations that serve people with ASD, TCS is the onlyone that exists exclusively to address the needs ofadolescents and young adults.

Executive Director,Dave NelsonSchool ProgramDirector, Tara GilbertYoung Adult ProgramDirector, Beth ChampDevelopment Director,Sarah Hersh

School Program StaffSarah ChampMari BurkeMelissa BurtonBen DavidowJimmy HoltLee Samuel

YA Program StaffChrissy BrusoKim EvansZach BatsonSara Morgan

Office ManagerStephanie Solomon

Counseling InternsKelsey BohlkeKelly KeyserMegan McCoyMatt Varley

TCS Board of DirectorsKelly BohrerToby BrooksJoye Gilbert‐RossLynn HollidayDave NelsonRichard PeranoDavid Vigilante

TCS Staff andBoard of Directors