Fun times at Crestview Elementary
As a proud Lavallois, I was thrilled to be invited by Sheila Lindsay, special education technician, to speak and perform at Crestview Elementary School in Laval during Autism Awareness Month last spring. Something felt different around the environment, which made Crestview special. The entire gang was engaged and mesmerized during the storytelling.
The younger children were animated during the sing-along. Several volunteers acted out scenes while I told my story. Especially at the end, many students expressed themselves by sharing with me their hobbies, asking questions, talking about their dreams and demonstrating their abilities. Seventy percent of those students are special needs plus have emotional challenges.
It inspired me to share the idea about providing creative arts private lessons and consultations for both students and staff in the future. Coincidently, the administration was thinking the same thing. Some students asked me, “Can you please come back and see us?”
And I kept that promise when I returned in October. Daycare technician Diana Mastroianni, who also helps run morning and afterschool programs, collaborated with me on making this happen. The moment I walked through those doors, students were overjoyed. They ran up to me and gave me huge hugs yelling, “You really came!”
I was happy to be able to start this new initiative, which started off with three students and grew to nine in private and class visits, sing-alongs and consultations and even myself playing music from the library while the sound echoes through those brick corridors, bringing so much light, spark and joy. Some days are hard for students because of anxiety, which lead me to using the tools and improvisation in cheering up students and staff.
What caught my attention the most was that they’re a community that has evolved like a family. What I’ve been seeing with my students there is after they are introduced into the creative arts world, we have conversations, play and joke, and this has helped them go from being anxious to being happy, shining, amazing individuals. Even their teachers needed my twisted mentality dosage from time to time.
Communication is key. Being present is key. Being heard is key. Being happy is key. That’s what Crestview is all about. I’m blessed for our collaboration. I’m glad we made this come true, and we shall continue to make a difference for everyone at Crestview and out there everywhere. To our friendship and many more to come!
Steven Atme is a pianist and composer, gives creative arts lessons and is a public speaker, sharing his experience growing up and living with autism.
