Norfeldt Elementary School in West Hartford will initiate a music therapy enrichment program for special needs students using a generous grant from the Probus Club of Greater Hartford.

Representatives of PROBUS and SEPTA with West Hartford Public Schools teachers and administrators at the music therapy grant presentation Tuesday. Back row (from left): Micheal Croll, Edward Pelteir, Dr. Robert Dobrow, David Maslin. Front row (from left): Michelle Tremblay Lacroix, Ellen Phillips Willcuts, and Paul Vicinus. Submitted photo

Submitted

Norfeldt teachers were looking to utilize the skills of a certified music therapist, Emily Bevelaqua of CT Music Therapy, to enhance language development, peer interaction, and group participation within the school and classroom.

The music therapist will use a developmental approach to music education. Students will learn through music, which facilitates development across all curricular areas, including language, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

A $1,500 Probus Club grant, in conjunction with a $500 contribution by the West Hartford Special Education PTO, will provide 30 sessions of group music therapy during the 2016 – 2017 school year.

The Probus Club is a voluntary service organization of PROfessional and BUSiness people dedicated to helping individuals with developmental challenges and special education needs. The Club provides numerous camperships to special needs students and sponsors attendance at sporting events and an annual picnic for group home residents. Probus has been a significant contributor to Horizons.

To further its mission, Probus recently created the Supporting Special Needs Education Project, which is designed to assist the efforts of educators to enhance the learning environment and outcomes for students with special needs. In particular, the club wishes to support special needs teachers who often must utilize personal funds to enhance their students learning.

The PROBUS Club’s support for special needs education has previously included program assistance grants to American School for the Deaf, Intensive Education Academy and the River Street School.

“I am thankful to my colleagues for their expertise, collaboration and genuine passion around teaching and learning with our students. I am grateful to PROBUS for this grant and for all that they do for children, adults and families of the multiply disabled,” said Michelle Lacroix, a special education teacher at Norfeldt and Whiting Lane Schools.