Happenings & Stories

The new year has started for the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class! Yesterday, the students went on their first CBI trip of the year to the Bank of America and Panera Bread where they were able to engage in their budgeting, resources, independence and social skills....

GOBBLE GOBBLE! What are you thankful for? This week the Homestead Senior High B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Self Determination Class gathered at Olive Garden to give thanks and celebrate Thanksgiving. In lieu of the usual turkey and mashed potatoes, students opted for Italian where...

The Homestead Senior High B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Self Determination Class has been focusing on their budgeting skills this week! The class attended their first CBI (community-based instruction) trip to Lowe’s for the Lowe’s Garden Challenge. This challenge consisted of the...

There is nothing more American than BBQ! The Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program continued their budgeting journey this week on their CBI trip to Mission BBQ. At this outing, the students not only got to practice their money management skills as well as social skills,...

The season of giving is upon us! This means making others feel special by showing love and appreciation. Many get the special pleasure of spreading holiday cheer to their community by giving gifts and making wishes come true. With that being said, the Cypress Bay...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! Who else enjoys planning for an ice cream party?! Last week, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program mastered their budgeting skills at Publix while completing the Ice Cream Challenge. The purpose of this challenge was...

There’s something about spending an afternoon eating a great meal with our friends that just can’t be replaced! The Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program got to enjoy their lunch with friends at the Weston Diner yesterday. The class took their Community Based Instruction...

Pizza Pizza Pizza! Last week, the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class took on a three-part pizza challenge that gave students the opportunity to practice their budgeting, independence, development and social skills.   The first part of the challenge took...

Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class gets together for a new learning opportunity towards independent living. On Tuesdays, the students participate in an in-class activity that prepares them for their Community Based...

The game that keeps the mystery, thrill, and surprise ALIVE! One of the biggest traditional Christmas games - Secret Elf. The rules to this game are simple. Each member of the group randomly picks another member’s name to become his or her secret elf. Wish lists are...

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” a popular phrase that is said when it comes down to collaboration and motivation for people to work together. Today, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program brought their teamwork skills outdoors instead of in the classroom. The class...

Budgeting. A topic that Ms. Donna Mansolillo and Ms. Kathy Gormin-Gard have been teaching the students in the Social Living Skills class at Cypress Bay High School. Students are currently learning how to be responsible – especially with money. Bank of America is...

The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program supports the development of high-school based  social and community life skills activities designed to meet the needs of High School Students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Structured in the form of a grant, the HDS Foundation...