Hi, my name is Belinda Belcher. My son Cameron goes to S.P.I.C.E in Clarkston. Cameron was born with Ring 14 and has fought many seizures and is delayed mentally. My story to you is about his teacher Kara more than Cameron.
Kara is, along with all the other Spice teachers, a wonderful person. We could not have asked for a better teacher for Cameron. The first time my husband and I met with Kara, we saw so much in her. She devotes so much time and interest into all her students.
Kara has been Cameron’s teacher for the past two years and he has come a very long way, more than what we expected considering his chromosome disorder.
Cameron also has teacher Lee Ann and teacher Kathy, who take turns riding on the bus with Cameron and staying close to him at school. They are great with Cameron.
A lot of Cameron’s progress has come from his speech therapist, Amy, and his physical and occupational therapists, Kathy and Jane. I just can’t say enough about what a great teacher Kara has been to all her students. She teaches them in a way that hopefully they will become people who can take care of themselves one day, and doing it with such patience and gracefulness.
She is a unique teacher. I haven’t had the chance to spend a lot of time with all of the Spice teachers, but they all seem great. Each child in the class has their own personal situation, and the teachers have to know how to react to each and everyone. They all deserve a big ‘Thank You? from the community for taking such good care of all the little S.P.I.C.E people.
Belinda Belcher, Clarkston

So what is the SPICE program?
The Clarkston school district services a variety needs for the students.Through early intervention programs ‘which are accordance with the Michigan State Board of Education Administrative Rules for special education ‘special programs, like D.O.L.L.S (Development of Language/Learning Skills) and S.P.I.C.E (Special Program in Child Education) students with special needs are at an advantage.
These early intervention programs are in accordance with the Michigan State Board of Education Administrative Rules for Special Education.
The D.O.L.L.S program is for children from birth to three -years-old. The program focuses on making parents active participants in their child’s education. D.O.L.L.S currently offers professionals in early childhood special education, paraprofessionals, a speech therapist, a physical therapist and a social worker. These individuals support the 24 students enrolled.
The S.P.I.C.E program serves ages three to five. Although this is a classroom program, teachers emphasize that home involvement is important to the success of the students. S.P.I.C.E offers an autistic program and, when needed, allows for special home visits.
The S.P.I.C.E program includes three teachers of pre-primary impaired, one teacher of autistically impaired, four paraprofessionals, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a social worker and a psychologist. The group of professionals serves 72 students.
The S.P.I.C.E program offers many choices for parents to become and remain involved. Programs include: monthly parent support groups, parent-child activities, evening parent volunteer activities, parent communication and parent-teacher conferences.
For more information on the D.O.L.L.S program, call 248-623-3865. For S.P.I.C.E information, call 248-625-9203.