VERO BEACH — On Friday, March 27th, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. the 2nd Annual “A Very Special Arts,” student-run festival, will welcome 50 Wabasso School students to Indian River Charter High School (IRCHS) at 6055 College Lane, Vero Beach, FL, 32966.
The afternoon will include live dance, music, art activities and a petting zoo. At 2 p.m. the event will conclude in the dome to a thunderous applause when IRCHS students escort their “Wabasso Buddies” to center stage for a congratulatory medal. The Wabasso School is a public school located in Sebastian, whose primary program is special education and serves students with moderate to severe physical and/or mental conditions from grades K-12.
IRCHS Dean of Students, Mrs. Linda Colontrelle, is the staff sponsor of the event. “This type of exposure to the arts for special needs students is amazing but rare. Through their wonderful talents, our charter kids are taking the opportunity to impact them in such a positive way,” she said.
With the generous support of Chris Adams Johnson, artist and co-founder of Tiger Lily Studios in Vero Beach, and the new Wabasso School Principal, Dr. Kathrine Francis, this program gives special needs students an opportunity to experience the arts in an encouraging and positive environment outside of their classroom. However, the resonance and perspective given to the students is humbling and unforgettable.
Indian River Charter High School (IRCHS) is a public charter school in the Indian River County school district founded in 1998. In 2005, former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, and Education Commissioner John Winn named IRCHS “The Top High School in Indian River County” for “setting high standards, providing challenging content, and consistently supporting students.” The mission of IRCHS is to give its students the opportunity to develop a new set of competencies and foundational skills that will help them enjoy a productive, full, and satisfying life. IRCHS is an ‘A’ school according the Florida Department of Education and the highest performing high school in Indian River County for the past nine years.
