FIRST Students Attend Children's Theater Foundation Performances
Students at FIRST School had the unique privilege of attending three different performances in area schools that were produced by the Children’s Theatre Foundation (CTF), a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide top quality, live performances to school-age children in the mid-Ohio area.
English teacher Heather McClain organized the field trips with the assistance of the Foundations for Living transportation staff. “We saw Walk Two Moons, a heartwarming story about a girl searching for her mother, at Mansfield Senior High, The Diary of Anne Frank at Shelby High School, and the Shakespeare comedy As You Like It at Ashland High School,” said McClain. “We were able to get 11 tickets to each performance and make it a co-ed field trip which is unusual for our students.” FIRST Principal Vanessa Wagner said the students really enjoyed the programs. “We really want to thank the Children’s Theatre Foundation for making these shows available to students. Exposing our students to the arts and the rich storytelling of the actors was really a highlight for everyone.”
FIRST School serves up to 80 female students ages 12-17, along with a small unit of 8-12 male students. Students are generally referred to Foundations for Living by social and children’s services agencies in their home counties and are often in the custody of these agencies, with acute mental health needs. The school operates on a four-period block schedule that allows students to earn credit at an accelerated rate, which is of significant value in a school where many students are credit deficient. FIRST offers a GED program. FIRST credits are recognized and accepted by the student’s home school, and students who complete graduation requirements while at FIRST are awarded diplomas from their home school district.