Hillcrest High Students, Staff Help Special-Needs School

Donations from Spirit Week at Hillcrest High School earlier this year will help students at the county district's Washington Center School, which serves students with special needs.

"Students and staff were generous in their giving of time and money to benefit the children of Washington Center," administrator Linda Thigpen said. "Their contributions allowed for the purchase of a vibrating recliner which plays music for the multisensory room. This chair provides calming and sensory stimulation for the student population." 

The funds provided also are allowing the occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech departments to purchase switches, weighted vests, and vibrating objects to promote developmental skills in a variety of settings, she said.  

"Washington Center is very grateful to Hillcrest High School and their student council for their amazing work!" Thigpen said.

Washington Center is a unique “one of a kind” facility. It is a separate school within Greenville County Schools that serves students ages 3 to 21 with severe mental disabilities. Many of these students have concurrent challenges such as autism, blindness, deafness, or physical disabilities.

Staff uses assistive technology and augmentative communication, multi-sensory rooms, and a mobility program that allows students in wheelchairs to move about school while learning about their environment.