Oceans of Fun at Jawonio End-of-Summer Musical

Jawonio's summer education program was "oceans of fun" this week as more than 100 students sang, danced, and played all types of fish and creatures performed an original musical production called, "Go Fish."

The children sang 10 songs accompanied by soloists, dancers, narrators all put together by the more than 100 staff, therapists and aides. The musical was the culminating event of the Jawonio 6 week summer education program. The program's last day is today.

"As always, parents, families' friends and staff are brought to their feet and brought to tears all at the same time," Jawonio spokesperson Diana Hess said. "Some of our children have never spoken, sang or offered a smile in public.  To watch the pure joy in their faces as they made songs come alive was just extraordinary. The show was truly a magical moment in time for the children, and a testament to our staff." 

The program contained a quote from musical director Joanne Bower saying,"It takes all kinds of fish to make the ocean a beautiful place that it is-just the way it takes all kinds of people to make a world filled with harmony and color"

Hess said kudos must go to Jill Warner and the Board of Directors for their ongoing support as well as Jerry Staller, Education and Clinical Services Director, Eileen Montalbano, Family Support Services Director, Ken Balban, summer director, Joanne Bower our musical director, teacher, Paul Rasullo and entire staff and support staff for this educational and transformational experience.

The Jawonio Summer Education Program is a six-week program that provides children ages 5 to 21 who are eligible for extended school year a true home in which they receive continuation of their individual education plans established by their school districts. Beginning in 1949, known as Camp Jawonio, it was also an overnight program for children. The last year of the residential program was in 1980 and in 1981 we launched the summer education program began and it has remained a day program ever since.

Student campers follow their IEP's (individual education plans) they receive classroom instruction and then the day is enriched with outdoor physical education, art, music and swimming. Specialty events and trips are planned, as well as a late-night barbecue dance and an end-of-the-year musical theater show experience.

The counselors are master teachers in special education, and many of the college students who are aides are aspiring educators and therapists under the program direction of Ken Balban, a former BOCES administrator. The educational experience is enhanced utilizing outdoor recreation opportunities in our camp-like setting. The children come from all of the Rockland school districts, some from Orange and Westchester counties. The attendance is between 100 and 110 children.