April 2024 – Mainspring Academy held its Spring Special Olympics event on campus, with the help of parent and community volunteers. Congratulations to the 1st place winners of our Soccer and Track/Field Games: Aiden Wilson, Ashlyn Arbogust, Maddox Evans, and Alison D’esterhazy!
Mainspring Academy’s Board of Directors held its 3rd annual Bourbon and Bites event, an exciting banquet fundraiser to benefit Mainspring Academy’s tuition hardship program, which provides families with financial challenges funding to pay for their child’s specialized education. Guests enjoyed a four-course meal with whiskey pairings, prepared by Fish Camp executive chefs.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Friday, May 3rd – Summer Camp Pay-In-Full Due
- Tuesday, May 6th– SCHOOL CLOSED for Teacher Planning Day
- Wednesday, May 7th- Friday, May 10th- SCHOOL CLOSED unless enrolled in Spring Intersession
- Monday, May 13th – Friday, May 17th – Teacher Appreciation Week at Mainspring Academy
- Monday – Parents volunteers will be arriving in the morning to cook a hot, fresh breakfast for staff.
- Tuesday – Staff will receive appreciation bags from parents
- Wednesday – Staff will receive lunch, provided by Mainspring Academy
- Thursday– Parents will write kind notes on the notecards being sent home to fill each staff member’s buckets.
- Friday – Parent volunteers will go to each class to offer something salty and something sweet on a decorated food cart.
- Tuesday, May 14th – Open PAC Meeting in the cafeteria to plan Summer Splash Day
- Wednesday, May 15th– 2024-2025 Full Enrollment Fees Due
- Wednesday, May 15th– Out-of-Pocket Tuition Due
- Friday, May 17th – Week 1 Summer Camp and Camp Extended Care Fees Due
- Friday, May 24th – Week 2 Summer Camp and Camp Extended Care Fees Due
- Friday, May 31st – Week 3 Summer Camp and Camp Extended Care Fees Due
- Monday, June 3rd – Parent Participation Hours and Remaining Balances Due
- Friday, June 7th – Week 4 Summer Camp and Extended Care Fees Due
- Tuesday, June 11th – Cruiseday Tuesday – Students and staff will be encouraged to kick off the summer by dressing like they’re going on a cruise or tropical vacation.
- Friday, June 14th – Summer Splash Day, Last Day of School for Students EARLY DISMISSAL AND NO AFTERCARE
- Monday, June 17th – Teacher Planning Day
- Tuesday, June 18th – Friday, June 21st – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR SUMMER BREAK
- Monday, June 24th – Friday, June 28th – Paint the Summer: Summer Program Week 1
- Monday, July 1st- Wednesday, July 3rd, Friday, July 5th – A 3D World: Summer Program Week 2
- Monday, July 8th – Friday, July 12th– Mixed Media – Summer Program Week 3
- Monday, July 15th- Friday, July 19th – Summer Style – Summer Program Week 4
- Monday, July 22nd – Friday, July 26th – SCHOOL CLOSED for Summer Break, Teacher Planning Weeks to Follow
Questions or missing any forms? Check Quickschools! Many questions and requests can also be submitted in the Parent Corner of our website! More Information (Quickschools)> More Information (Parent Corner)>
MSA BIRTHDAYS!
Sadie B. – May 7th
Kris – May 7th
Mr. Jeff – May 14th
JuanLuis – May 16th
Ariel– May 19th
Ms. Sabrena – May 19th
Noah– May 22nd
Theo– May 28th
Ms. Sara – May 29th
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Mainspring Academy has been awarded a Fall grant from HEAL Foundation to help us enhance our playground! We are so excited to be able to provide some new equipment to help our students regulate, unwind, and have fun during recess!
Mainspring Academy received a donation of $70,000 from the Neviaser Foundation, which will make a significant difference for our recent expansion, supporting the continuance of our goal to provide the quality resources that will help students with intellectual and developmental differences thrive beyond their school experience! The Neviaser Foundation has made tremendous impacts for the special needs community in Jacksonville and we are so thankful to be included in their vision!
On behalf of the Mainspring Academy community of parents, staff, and supporters, thank you for the compassion and commitment you have shown for our students and school. It is the kindness of our donors and volunteers that has helped us to expand in size and quality, furthering our mission to provide quality, individualized education in a safe learning environment for students with intellectual and developmental differences who are often missed.
Thank you for the differences you make.
Hello, It’s me again, Benny the Manatee! May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Did you know studies estimate that mental health conditions are up to 50% more common in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities than the general population? Did you know people with autism are four times more likely to develop depression than neurotypical people, and that it is even considered as the most common mental health condition in people with autism spectrum disorders? Check out the helpful resources below on signs and symptoms of common mental health risks within our unique population:
“Depression in People with Intellectual Disabilities” (University of Hertfordshire)
“How to Recognise When an Autistic Adult is Depressed” (Atwood and Garnett)
“Do People with Autism Experience Depression Differently?” (Psychology Today)
“The Art and Science of Treating Depression in Autism” (SPARK)
“Anxiety in students with intellectual disabilities” (Frontiers in Education)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A few friendly reminders:
(1) All volunteers NOT listed as a student’s parent, guardian, or sibling must complete a Volunteer Application to be kept on file. More Information>.
(2) If seeking parent participation credit, all volunteer hours must be reported via Parent Participation Credit Request Form. More Information>.
Join our Parent Action Committee (PAC) (via Mobile or Desktop App)>
Tuesday, May 14th at 9:15am – There will be an Open PAC meeting in the cafeteria to plan Summer Splash Day
Volunteers will be needed on Friday, June 14th from 9am-12pm for Summer Splash Day. Signup to come!
Please be on the lookout for a summer camp wishlist! We are also in need of handy volunteers to help install playground equipment!
Curious about Mainspring Academy’s needs and how to support us through donations, pledges, or sponsorships? Check out our Ways to Give Page. More Information>
MERCH
Exciting News! Check back towards the end of August! Link to Mainspring Store Coming Soon!
