Monday, November 17, 2003

By Angela Boseman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Twelve years ago, when Lisa and Joe Rajakovich's oldest child started first grade at Word of God Elementary School, they were thrilled to discover that children with autism and other learning disabilities would be in his classes.

	Maria Rajakovich leans on Raymond Gable as they line up to return to the classroom after recess. Both students are in the third grade at Word of God School in Swissvale. (Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette)

Because of a new program at the Swissvale school, Dan Rajakovich learned to appreciate that he and other students who weren't "typical" were "different but the same" as they participated in sports and learned the fundamentals of art, music and other subjects together.

But after their fourth child, Maria, came along, the Rajakoviches' feelings about the program ran much deeper. Maria was born with Down syndrome, and she was able to follow her three siblings to Word of God.

"It was such a comfort for us to know that she could go," Lisa Rajakovich said. "We're so fortunate that our diocese offers a wonderful program like this because a lot of other dioceses don't."

The program at Word of God is an outgrowth of St. Anthony School Programs, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Now operating at 11 schools throughout the region -- seven elementary, three secondary and Duquesne University, where students receive vocational training -- it has become a nationally recognized model for inclusive, Catholic special education.

Thomas O'Toole, executive director of St. Anthony School Programs, said it was unique because it is "the only program where a child can enter in kindergarten and, at age 21, still be in a setting with peers. Others do inclusive education at elementary and high school levels, but no one is close to ours with different sites and, especially, with Duquesne."

The program encourages academic excellence through basic elements such as homework and class participation while focusing on vocational skills such as day-care assistance, mail room training and other support functions.

"What sets it apart from others in its class is that everything comes from the religious standpoint that everyone is equal in God's eyes," said Lisa George, director of education for St. Anthony. "It's a loving, caring environment because it's Christ-centered."

That was part of the reason the Rajakoviches enrolled Maria, now 9, in the program, but their connections to Word of God went beyond their four children.

The couple met in kindergarten at the school when it was called St. Anselm, dated in high school, married and chose to raise their family in the same neighborhood and at the same school where their story began.

"We wanted Maria to have the religious aspect, and it's nice to continue the family tradition," Lisa Rajakovich said. "Plus, she's flourishing there. She's reading and spelling and writing."

So is Nicole Hardiman, of Regent Square.

Public school teachers said Nicole would always be in special education classes. She couldn't read, and they said she'd never be able to learn.

Mary Ann Hardiman didn't buy any of that, so she sent her daughter to Word of God the year St. Anthony School Programs began operating there. Nicole was in the second grade.

"I'll never forget," her mother said. "She came home and said she had a surprise for me, then she read a book. I was in tears. Her progress has been phenomenal."

Nicole Hardiman continues to defy the odds.

Last year, she was awarded the St. Joan of Arc Medallion from St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind in recognition of more than 100 hours of community service. She was the first student from St. Anthony School Programs to receive the award, which honors Catholic high school students for their achievements in volunteerism.

Now, at 19, she is enrolled in the program's site at Duquesne, where typical college students act as job coaches for her vocational training. She works with children at Carlow College School and is preparing possibly to become a teacher's aide.

"She loves Duquesne and she loves kids," Mary Ann Hardiman said. "It's amazing how she has grown from second grade into this beautiful young lady. She's her own person."

Nicole's is one of many St. Anthony success stories. Over the past 50 years, 789 students have been served and more than 95 percent of post-secondary graduates have been placed in the work force.

How it works

The program's goal is to promote independence. Teaching methods that organize and structure learning are used mainly for students with autism, though they work well for all students.

George oversees the education process for the program.

"Our expectations are high," she said. "We demand a lot, not only for academics but also for social skills and behavior, because that's what will carry on in life."

About 50 percent of students in St. Anthony School Programs have learning disabilities or subnormal IQs, 30 percent have autism and 20 percent have Down syndrome.

Though students don't have to be Catholic, those who aren't pay higher tuition.

"They make sacraments with their class, and that means a lot to Catholic parents," George said.

St. Anthony students' main classroom is called the "resource room." The student-to-staff ratio is 3-to-1 with a maximum of 13 children at each site.

Students are assigned to age-appropriate homerooms and included with their general education peers 50 percent of the time.

"We find that their friends and peers are the best teachers, because they learn from them by example," George said.

A student's Individualized Education Program in the resource room encompasses reading and language arts, math, handwriting, computer and social skills. It ensures that each continues to learn at a pace that fits the student's abilities.

Students with more severe needs work in the resource room more often. They stay with their homerooms mostly for classes such as physical education, social studies, religion and music, in addition to Mass. Those who can handle other academic classes are included as much as possible.

"Inclusive class skills determine success with their peers," George said. "Raising their hand, being prepared for class, doing homework, and following rules, plus functional things like counting money, shopping and telling time, are part of the focus. The goal is for them to be productive citizens of the community."

Mary Ellen Begley, a special education teacher at Word of God, said: "Kids progress because of the interaction and support. Students here look out for our students. They're invited to birthday parties and they participate in all extra-curricular activities."

Mary Ruth Nardozzi is one of many students who enjoys the support of peers and teachers.

"I'm 13, a teenager!" she said with a broad smile after being congratulated for spelling her last name.

She said her favorite part of school was music class and that she had lots of friends: "Everyone is nice."

George agreed that that was why students such as Mary Ruth excel.

"Our kids end up being the most popular in the whole school since everyone knows who they are," she said. "Other parents always say they like it because it teaches their kids acceptance and how to be a better person."

Hardiman said that attitude helped her daughter to develop the confidence she needed to exceed expectations and strive toward independence.

"The teachers were so kind, considerate, and open," she said. "They told the kids that the students from St. Anthony are just like you and me, they just learn differently. I've never met more caring teachers than the ones at Word of God and St. Anthony."

Looking ahead

On Friday evening, St. Anthony School Programs held its annual Opportunity Award Dinner to kick off the yearlong 50th anniversary celebration. The event is a major fund-raiser for the program, which relies on the support of donors.

Over the years, the list of donors has included local community leaders and Robert F. Kennedy, who donated $50,000 from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation in 1962.

In the meantime, students and parents such as the Rajakoviches remain grateful.

"In my research online, I've found that many other parents who have kids with Down syndrome are frustrated because there's no inclusive religious education in their area," Lisa Rajakovich said. "We're so fortunate that our diocese sees the need to support and offer it."

O'Toole wants to add more sites to make the program available to every child in the diocese.

When the opportunity is given, the possibilities are endless:

Maria Rajakovich said she wanted to be a cheerleader and a doctor when she grows up; her mother is a pediatric nurse.

Nicole Hardiman, who recently visited the apartment of a friend from Duquesne, now wants to move out on her own.

"I told her she has to stay with us forever," said her mother, laughing. "But if we help her manage her money and things, I know she could keep a job and live on her own."

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