Easterseals Charter School

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

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Easterseals Charter School

Easterseals Charter School provides programs for eligible Volusia County School pre-k students. This program offers hands-on and comprehensive education for pre-k students ages 3-5 who are challenged with special needs and/or disabilities as defined by their Individual Education Plan (IEP). The Charter School operates two campuses, one in Daytona and one in DeLand.

The Charter School’s inclusive classroom setting integrates students with special needs and typically developing students of the Easterseals Child Development Center. In blended classrooms, this assists in helping all students achieve the best possible outcomes.

For more information please contact our Principal, Dawn Melani at 386-944-7827 or via email dmelani@esnecfl.org

Charter School Teachers

Easterseals Charter School’s lead teachers hold State of Florida Educator's certificates and must meet the same requirements as teachers in Volusia County public schools. Our paraprofessionals, who support our lead teachers, are DCF certified. Both our teachers and paraprofessionals participate in ongoing continuing education throughout the year.

The ratio of teacher to child exceeds the state requirements which allows for more individualized attention for each child in our care. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) outline specific goals and objectives for students to meet his/her own potential.

Parent involvement

Parents play a vital role in their children's success at Easterseals Charter School. Our team encourages parent communication and participation throughout the school year, and works diligently to be available for parent communication. Together, teachers, therapists, parents and caregivers help children learn, live, and play to their fullest potential.

Easterseals Charter School Academic Performance

* 96% of our Charter School students entered typically developing Kingergarten, our goal is 80%
* 80% of our students met their IEP goals and objectives, our goal is 65%
* 100% of students made academic gains, our goal is 100%
*Please note that our school, due to being a Pre-K ESE provider, is not subject to the school grade ratings pursuant to Section 1008.34.

Additional Programs offered at Easter Seals Charter School:

* Pediatric Therapy Services - Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy
* Pre-K and VPK for Typically Developing Children
* Before and After School Care for children up to age 5

Charter School Chair - Dr. Steve Sevigny
Email: sasevigny@hotmail.com

Easterseals Charter School Board 2021 - 2022

Chairperson of the Board - Dr. Steve Sevigny
Chair-Elect/ Vice Chair - Melissa Burt DeVriese
Vice Chair - Paul Schandel
Vice Chair- Ed Dimayuga
Treasurer - Holly Zitzka
Secretary - Nancy-Ellen Otte
At Large– Lauren Burkhalter

Easterseals Charter School Board meets at 1pm on the following dates:

Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The public is invited to attend.

Please contact Donna Dwyer at 386-944-7802 in advance (48 hours recommended) for meeting details.

Please see below for details on how to join the meetings:

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 689-218-0593,,400051860# United States, Orlando
Phone Conference ID: 400 051 860#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options

Governing Board Meeting Minutes:
* Charter School Board Minutes 2-23-21
* Charter School Board Minutes 6-22-21
* Charter School Board Minutes 9-28-21

* Charter School Board Minutes 2-22-22

Annual Budget: Easterseals Charter School Operating Budget
Annual Audit: Easterseals Charter School Audit Report

Our Programs

Our blog

Easterseals Welcomes Local Community and Disability Advocate Staci Tramont to the Board of Directors
Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 2:00 AM

Easterseals Welcomes Local Community and Disability Advocate Staci Tramont to the Board of Directors

Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 2:00 AM

What prompted you to begin your board relationship with Easterseals?As a mother of two children on t…

What prompted you to begin your board relationship with Easterseals?
As a mother of two children on the spectrum and the caregiver of my adult sister with special needs it's imperative for me to help educate other parents, caregivers and our community of the resources available to them. I can think of no better organizations than Easterseals that helps bridge the gaps of accessible care and education early on in one's journey.

Were you involved with Easterseals or disability advocacy prior to joining the board ?
I have not, but am excited to be apart of Easterseals and hope to be a great asset to the board.

Why did you choose Easterseals as a recipient of your generosity, time and talent? What do you hope will be your niche within Easterseals scope of services?
I have a passion to serve families and individuals with unique abilities.
It's important that we strengthen and encourage the relationships, engagement and participation within our local communities. I look forward to assisting with "Community Outreach" and helping create lasting partnerships with community leaders and local businesses.

Why is Easterseals important to our community?
Early intervention is key to educating and getting families the services they need. Easterseals is leading the way!

Staci lives in Port Orange with her husband Chase, and together they have four children: Shea, Chloe, Jacob, and Kennedy Reagan.

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Pediatrician Specializing in Autism Joins Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
Thursday, August 25, 2022, 2:00 AM

Pediatrician Specializing in Autism Joins Easterseals Northeast Central Florida

Thursday, August 25, 2022, 2:00 AM

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, based in Daytona Beach, welcomes James M. Walker, MD, its fir…

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, based in Daytona Beach, welcomes James M. Walker, MD, its first in-house, Board Certified Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician.

The focus of Walker’s practice will be twofold: autism diagnoses for young children (ages 18 months - 48 months) and support for families with children diagnosed with autism. Walker will be the first Easterseals-based physician who exclusively serves this growing and complex population.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Walker has joined our team of professionals focused on children with autism,” said Bev Johnson, President/CEO of Easterseals. “His commitment to our families is a gratifying culmination of years of our leaders strategizing and planning, as we comprehensively serve children with autism from the youngest age to full independence and their families.”

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the world today, affecting 1 in 44 children. In response to this trend and the resulting demand for services, Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence autism program has continued to grow at a rapid pace since its inception in 2008. Today, the program is a recognized autism leader offering early diagnosis, comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and intervention treatment for children with ASD.

“Dr. Walker is well known and respected in pediatric autism research, diagnosis, and treatment circles,” added Johnson. “By bringing him into the Easterseals network throughout North Central Florida, we open more avenues for families to receive the comprehensive services our organization offers.”

In various roles, Walker has served children in Ohio and Florida since 2000. These positions include Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Harbor Behavioral (Toledo, Oh.), University of Florida College of Medicine(Jacksonville), as well as Medical Director of Developmental Pediatrics at Harbor Behavioral and Director of Developmental Pediatrics of North Florida (Jacksonville).
Walker earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Plymouth, Montserrat, and is licensed to practice medicine in Florida and Ohio.

Walker’s services will be available to families who receive Easterseals autism services via the Autism Center of Excellence. Learn more about Easterseals Northeast Central Florida and its Autism Center of Excellence at www.easterseals.com/necfl. ###

About Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
Easterseals Northeast Central Florida offers life changing supports and services for over 5,000 local children annually, partnering with their parents and physicians to improve lifetime success. Children receive early intervention and developmental screening, early childhood education, autism diagnoses and functional assessment, pediatric specialty therapy interventions and family supports such as respite, wrap around care and adaptive technology focused on helping children reach their full potential in how they live, learn and play.

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Easterseals Northeast Central Florida welcomes our first 3rd generation board member
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:24 PM

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida welcomes our first 3rd generation board member

Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:24 PM

Ashley Leonhardt Lee, Vicki Cook Leonhardt, and Sheryl Cook Ashley Leonhardt Lee was installed by he…

Ashley Leonhardt Lee, Vicki Cook Leonhardt, and Sheryl Cook
Ashley Leonhardt Lee was installed by her aunt Sheryl Cook at Easterseals’ annual meeting, who performed the ceremony as Easterseals only Honorary Lifetime Director, an honor her mother and Mrs. Lee’s grandmother Gloria Cook held for many years. Sheryl and her sister Vicki Cook Leonhardt, owners of Tom Cook Jeweler have followed the community footsteps of their parents Tom and Gloria Cook, who were Easterseals champions, locally and nationally for over 60 years. Now, Ashley Leonhardt Lee, Vicki’s daughter and Sheryl’s niece, is excited to embark on her own charitable journey as an advocate for her community and most especially, the children of Easterseals.

“I believe we have one of the best volunteer boards in our area with a healthy make up of seasoned, long term Easterseals supporters and a new class (or cohort) of diverse volunteers with a fresh set of ideas and experiences to help drive us into the future” says President & CEO Bev Johnson. “As a point of interest, we have a board where there is generational involvement. Several board members are 2nd generation volunteers and we have just inducted our first 3rd generation volunteer. We are incredibly fortunate to have longevity and history coupled with new vision and ideals. Our board members are able to honor our past with a strong vision for the future.”

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Meet Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal
Thursday, September 9, 2021, 1:40 PM

Meet Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal

Thursday, September 9, 2021, 1:40 PM

Dawn Melani, Easterseals Charter School Principal My name is Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal. …

Dawn Melani, Easterseals Charter School Principal
My name is Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal. This is my 4th year with Easterseals.

My Primary responsibilities as the Principal are handling all of the day-to-day operations of the Charter School including teacher and paraprofessional supervision and training.

I enjoy building strong relationships with families. Our students benefit in so many ways when they have a strong home-school connection.

I believe to be successful you have to grow both personally and professionally. I have set my goals high and I’m committed to learning everything I can about my position. I embrace change and that has helped be grow personally as well.

I want to be known as the person any staff member or parent can go to for support or resources.
I love to be a mentor, help and give back!

I hope that when people think about Easterseals, they think about all the valuable child development and educational services we provide to help guide parents through the preschool years.

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The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online FREE in October
Thursday, September 9, 2021, 1:24 PM

The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online FREE in October

Thursday, September 9, 2021, 1:24 PM

We are offering any family who has a child with autism the opportunity to attend the PLAY Intensive …

We are offering any family who has a child with autism the opportunity to attend the PLAY Intensive Workshop Online FREE. Please Share with any family that you feel would benefit from this training. Follow the link and enter CODE: IWOParent1021 https://playproject.org/project/intensive-workshop-online/

The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online (PLAY IWO) is a professionally designed course that is fun, engaging, and educationally effective.
You will learn to effectively and playfully engage young children with autism by taking The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online (PLAY IWO), a professionally designed course that is fun, engaging, and educationally effective. The IWO has approximately 10 hours of content to be completed asynchronously and has two live sessions to answer your questions in person.

Instead of having to attend two full days of training, missing work, and/or planning for childcare, learners can take the course when it is convenient for them over a three-week time span! Contact Dorthy Lefford at dlefford@esnecfl.org for more information.
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Easterseals Charter School

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

.easSuspicious activity reporting app - getfortifyfl.com

Easterseals Charter School

For more information please contact our Principal, Dawn Melani at 386-944-7827 or via email dmelani@esnecfl.org

Easterseals Charter School Board 2021 - 2022

Our Programs

Our blog

Easterseals Welcomes Local Community and Disability Advocate Staci Tramont to the Board of Directors

Pediatrician Specializing in Autism Joins Easterseals Northeast Central Florida

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida welcomes our first 3rd generation board member

Meet Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal

The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online FREE in October

Let's Keep in Touch

Our Programs

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida

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Easterseals Charter School

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

.easSuspicious activity reporting app - getfortifyfl.com

Easterseals Charter School

For more information please contact our Principal, Dawn Melani at 386-944-7827 or via email dmelani@esnecfl.org

Easterseals Charter School Board 2021 - 2022

Easterseals Welcomes Local Community and Disability Advocate Staci Tramont to the Board of Directors

Pediatrician Specializing in Autism Joins Easterseals Northeast Central Florida

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida welcomes our first 3rd generation board member

Meet Dawn Melani, Charter School Principal

The PLAY Intensive Workshop Online FREE in October

Let's Keep in Touch

Our Programs

Connect with Us