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50th Anniversary
Dinner
On October 17, at the
LaGrange Country Club, almost 200 community members gathered to
celebrate LADSE's 50th year anniversary. Senator Christine Radogno
presented LADSE with an Illinois Senate Recognition of this significant
milestone. WGN radio talk show host, John Williams, was guest
emcee for the evening, adding his wit and humor to the program which
took a walk back in time from 1957 to today noting important world and
LADSE events. Thank you to all who took part in this evening which
recognized and affirmed the work of LADSE and its dedicated staff
throughout all these years. It also affirmed the strength of the
LADSE/District partnerships in serving the students and families of our
communities.
 E
Jim Surber, Executive
Director
Fifty Years of
Partnership
We have no bells and
whistles, no record breaking test scores or athletic achievements.
We don't ask for financial support through fundraisers and other local
marketing hype that draws community attention. For 50 years LADSE
has just gone quietly about the business of helping students with
disabilities to achieve all they can to enable them to have a better and
more fulfilling life.
LADSE's success, and it has
been very successful and nationally recognized for its programs and
innovative practices, can be attributed to the people...the
administrators and those who provide services to kids. The
superintendents of LADSE's member districts have been committed to
providing quality education to their students with disabilities, and
have always sought strong leadership for LADSE. The districts have
provided fiscal support to the partnership that serves their students.
LADSE's executive directors have been diligent in seeking and hiring
talented staff. And, without much fanfare, this talented staff
listens and learns the needs of students, parents, and district staff,
practices their skills, and seeks additional and advanced training and
education, because they are dedicated to educating and serving children.
Recognition is always welcome, but if you personally know these people,
you understand it is not expected. Those who work in special
education are truly a group of hardworking, dedicated individuals.
They are not 9 - 5ers...they work for and think about the good of their
students beyond what is required by their job description.
Fifty years ago, C. Lewis
Martin, the assistant Superintendent of LaGrange/LaGrange Park District
102, recognized the need for more organized and appropriate services for
students with special needs, and successfully worked to modify the
Illinois School Code to allow for the formation of special education
joint agreements. Martin was the first Executive Director of
LADSE.
In this, our 50th year,
LADSE honors C. Lewis Martin and all those who followed him serving a
population who with help and support have much to contribute to their
families, their communities, and the workforce. We are proud of
all who came before and all who currently work at LADSE. From the
support staff who keep the place running, to the professionals who are
working directly with the students and families, a very big thank you
goes out to all. |
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