Special students honored

Daniela Masatani was overcome with tears of joy as her daughter Analise, who is deaf and partially blind, received her graduation certificate on Wednesday from College View School.

“She’s just made such tremendous progress here,” Daniela Masatani said of her daughter, wiping away tears. “She is a lot more social; she took off like a jet.”

Twelve students with special needs, who have demonstrated improvement in their learning skills, were honored at the ceremony held outside in front of the school.

Graduating students will transition into mainstream schools that will further serve their needs through special-education services.

Analise, 6, who wears a cochlear implant and is partially blind, will be attending Washington Elementary School in Burbank to take part in the deaf-and-blind program.

Dressed in blue caps and gowns, the students earned their certificates as parents, teachers, guests and school board members cheered and congratulated them on their success.

“It’s a huge milestone to be able to move from the most restrictive environment to a less restrictive traditional campus,” Principal Nancy Epstein, said.

The school caters to children and young adults with cognitive challenges and physical handicaps, Epstein said. The students at College View School range in ages from 3 to 22.

Andrea Minassian hugged her mother as she got her certificate during the awards ceremony.

The 12-year-old smiled and posed for a picture while she sat in her mother’s lap.

“She’s growing up,” Andrea’s mother, Adrineh Minassian, said. “She will be going to junior high school.”

After the graduation ceremony, parents and staff accompanied students back to class.

Some students received certificates of achievement for showing improvement in various skills.

“Our goal is to enable the kids to become as successful as they can through the educational system,” Epstein said. gnp.college.grad.1.0622-CPhotoInfo6C1S7KHT20060622j18a7xncCYNTHIA PERRYNews-Press and Leader(LA)Special Education teacher Mary Garripoli helps Miguel Zurita accept his graduation certificate from school board member Mary Boger at a ceremony at College View School Wednesday.