Happy Holidays from everyone at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics and The Keystone Academy. We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

THE KEYSTONE ACADEMY

The Keystone Academy is off to a successful and busy start. As we prepare for the approaching holidays, we would like to take a moment to share with you some of the exciting things our school has already experienced and to let you know about a few of our upcoming events.

It is a wonderful sight to see the smiling children when they come into school each morning. We are excited by the changes and the growth each of our students has made in the first five months of our opening school year. Our dual focus on both academics and social skills has kept our students challenged in ways that have instilled truly inspiring change. Staff from the clinic and the school continue to collaborate to create unique and fun ways for students to learn. As you walk the halls of the school, it is clear that the advances the students have made gives them increased sense of pride and fosters continued overall growth.

The first intersession was a success and we are already looking forward to the second intersession of the year, which will occur from January 3rd through the 7th. Our Fall intersession consisted of a variety of events, in which many of our school students participated. Several of the children spent their time learning to surf, swim and engage in sensory gymnastics while others remained on school grounds to create an elaborate and beautiful garden walk. The intersession culminated with two exciting trips to the Jacksonville Zoo and to the Fantasy Farm in Palm Valley. Students thoroughly enjoyed getting out of the classroom and interacting with the animals. Fortunately only one staff member suffered minor injuries during the visits. It turned out to be a learning event for everyone: Never stick fingers into the cages of wild animals!

For Halloween, students dressed up as superheroes, princesses, tigers, and many other costumes throughout the school. Each class enjoyed trick or treating from room to room, and finished off the candy filled day with socializing during a Halloween party.

For Thanksgiving, the students, staff and families of TKA gathered to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and show.

Our last celebration of the year included a holiday performance by the students. Each class worked hard on practicing their own special song. For the grand finale the entire school came together to sing Jingle Bells.

KEYSTONE BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS

The clinic has had a very busy year filled with lots of changes. We have welcomed many new faces, increased the services we offer, and revised some of our administrative processes. We have expanded our services to include treatment for children with mild to severe food selectivity and/or food or liquid refusal. We have also added a new girls group to our existing boys group and siblings group therapies. Please check our website or contact our front desk if you are interested in enrolling in any of these sessions, which are briefly described below.

Our Elementary-Aged social skills boys group therapy program is designed for males in the middle to upper elementary school range, who exhibit various emotional and behavioral difficulties (e.g., ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder). The group meets for one hour every Thursday evening at 5:00 p.m. Program curriculum focuses on a variety of social skills tailored to client areas of need as determined by child and parent surveys. Areas of focus may include understanding social cues, conversational skills, learning to share, coping with stress and anger, dealing with teasing or bullying, as well as a variety of other subjects. During sessions, topics are introduced and discussed, therapists guide children in activities specific to the area of focus, and children engage in problem-solving and role playing.

Our Adolescent/Young Adult Social Skills Group targets social skills deficits and difficulties. The individuals in this group are prompted to rate their social skills and identify areas of weakness. The group focuses on the components necessary to acquire a specific social skill. Each group member practices these skills within a safe environment. Areas of focus generally include understanding nonverbal language, knowing when to approach others for conversation, appropriate small talk topics, and beginning, interrupting, or ending a conversation. Group members are encouraged to discuss social difficulties and use problem solving strategies to generate alternative solutions. This group also focuses on more complex social competencies, such as maintaining friendships and dating.

Our Elementary-Aged girls group is designed for girls within the ages of 6 to 9 years old with various emotional and behavioral difficulties such as ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Downs Syndrome, Anxiety, Autism, etc. The group meets every Thursday evening from 5-6 pm and focuses on a variety of skills to address each client's needs and deficits.

Children are taught the use of "Hassle Logs" which allow them to record information about difficult social or emotional incidents, self-reflect, critique, and improve their responses. These logs are reviewed during session and used to facilitate group discussion about common social and emotional difficulties. Children are also given "Star Sheets" to take home every week in which they (typically with the help of a caregiver) record instances in which they were able to successfully implement skills learned in group or something commendable they did that week (e.g., showing good behavior, helping a friend).

WELCOME NEW STAFF

	Elizabeth Bell is the Operations Manager of Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics and The Keystone Academy. She received her undergraduate degree from Benedictine College and her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Tennessee. Mrs. Bell's previous experience includes serving as the Executive Director of a sexual assault center, Contract Manager for a national healthcare company and Director of an inpatient psychiatric program for children. She provides an array of services for Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics and The Keystone Academy such as human resources, accounting and payroll, employee management and training, and quality assurance.
	Karrin Clark is the Office Manager of Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Phoenix. Ms. Clark's previous experience includes serving as a Business Office Director for a mental health/substance abuse facility, Independent Contractor providing data services for a mental health/substance abuse facility, Business Office Manager for a hospital and Office Manager for a dental office. She performs billing functions, accounts receivable, supervision of staff and many other tasks consistent with the day-to-day operations of Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics.
	Garrett Adamson was born and raised in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida and is a certified Florida Educator in grades K -6 with also an ESOL endorsement. Garrett brings diverse teaching experience to The Keystone Academy from previously working in Title 1, Inclusion, ESOL magnet schools, and substituting throughout the Duval County school system. Currently working on his BCaBA certification through the Florida Institute of Technology, Garrett plans on increasing his experience in ABA therapy while teaching at The Keystone Academy. Garrett teaches intensive Math, Language Arts, and Reading through pullouts and also conducts ABA therapy sessions with clients after school. During school breaks in the summer, Garrett is a 9th year certified First Responder, holding a Lieutenant status for the City of Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue.
	Scott Scheff moved to St. Augustine from North Carolina. He received his Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Illustration from Flagler College. He was drawn to the field by his interest in behavior modification. Scott works as a 1:1 instructor at the Keystone Academy and is continuing his education in Physical Therapy. When not working hard at The Keystone Academy, Scott spends his time running and traveling.
	Jessica Seckinger graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She completed her internship at New Foundations Children and Family Services, counseling children living in a group home, and assisting group therapy with men convicted of domestic violence. She has gained experience working with people with varying mental disabilities at the Patrick B. Harris Mental Institution, the Lee University Developmental Inclusion Classroom, and in the public school system. Jess worked for over a year at the Jacksonville School for Autism as a 1:1 behavior therapist before joining the Keystone Academy team. Jess plans to begin her BCaBA coursework this spring to further her knowledge of ABA/AVB.
	Kyle Gay is originally from Sarasota, FL. She graduated from Florida State University in the summer of 2009. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Family and Child Sciences with a minor in psychology and a concentration in education. After graduating from college, Kyle began her teaching career as a pre-k teacher at a local preschool where she taught for two years. She is currently enrolled in the Teach First Coast program at Florida State College of Jacksonville to obtain her Professional Teaching Certification in elementary education. Kyle serves as the School Coordinator for The Keystone Academy. In this position, Kyle monitors attendance, policies and procedures, and admissions. Kyle also works as a substitute teacher in all classrooms when needed.

We will announce more new staff in the January Newsletter.
We look forward to serving you in 2011!

KEYSTONE BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS STAFF

THE KEYSTONE ACADEMY STAFF