Outreach & Workshops
Attend one of our events to learn about learning disabilities and proven strategies for success.
Churchill Center & School’s Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program is essential in strengthening our mission of fostering greater understanding and support for all people with learning disabilities by training other educators, supporting families, and enlightening the community.
Since the inception of our Community Outreach Program in 1990, more than 37,500 educators, parents, students, and other supporters have been given the opportunity to experience and broaden their understanding of learning disabilities.
We offer Teacher Workshops, Parent Workshops, Student Workshops, Community Service Events, and a Speaker Series. Each one of these programs offers our community a variety of services to recognize learning disabilities and to then equip the participants with strategies and knowledge to offer further assistance.
Reviews from Outreach Program Attendees:
- “What a great role model Churchill Center & School is for our community.”
– Educational Program Director - “Please accept my gratitude for your willingness to come and speak with our staff. There’s a lot of exciting things happening with study skills — a daily “organizational tip of the day,” teachers actively teaching study skills, and many more ideas brewing.”
– Middle School Director - “You had a positive impact on me when you presented at our school, and I am still using your references.”
– High School Principal - “Faculty members found the topics to be pertinent and directed to their needs and concerns.”
– Learning Consultant - “The speakers were fascinating and I am avidly reading their book, Overcoming Dyslexia. I am very impressed with the knowledge base of the teachers at Churchill as well as their dedication and professionalism!”
– St. Louis Area Psychologist - “Both presenters were terrific and all in attendance left with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to begin a new school year.”
– Elementary Principal
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Wilson Reading System® Introductory Course (October 2024)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® INTRODUCTORY COURSE - OCTOBER 2024
WHEN:
• Tuesday, October 22, 2024
• Wednesday, October 23, 2024
• Thursday, October 24, 2024
TIME: Daily from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (lunch on your own)
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
COST: $700 per registrant (lunch on your own)
WHAT:
This course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System® (WRS) 4th Edition curriculum and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification. Over three consecutive days (16.5 hours), this course examines how WRS addresses the teaching of phonemic awareness, word identification, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through an integrated study of phonology, morphology, and orthography with students in grade two and above with persistent phonological coding deficits. Participants learn about reading research, dyslexia, appropriate student identification and placement, program implementation, progress monitoring, scheduling, and creating a successful learning environment. Principles of language structure and how to teach language with direct, multisensory methods are demonstrated and practiced during the course. Participants explore the standard 10-part Wilson Lesson Plan and practice planning and delivering a lesson while receiving modeling and feedback from a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer during the course.
Everyone Deserves To Learn To Read!
Wilson Reading System® (WRS) is the flagship program of Wilson Language Training® and the foundation of all other Wilson ® programs. The Tier 3 Structured Literacy (SL) program is based on phonological-coding research and Orton-Gillingham principles.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the course, participants will be able to-
• Define dyslexia and describe common characteristics.
• Explain the process of identifying appropriate students and placing them in the Wilson Reading System.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential and cumulative, engaging multiple learning modalities with multisensory techniques, repetition and feedback.
• Create an optimal learning environment, prepare a lesson plan and practice techniques.
• Understand the key components of instruction and presentation of lessons in three blocks:
BLOCK 1: Word Study/Foundational Reading Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 1-5
- Phonemic Awareness, Decoding, Vocabulary, High Frequency Word Reading, Single-Word Accuracy/Automaticity, Phrasing/Prosody, Fluency and Comprehension at the Sentence Level
BLOCK 2: Spelling/Foundational Writing Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 6-8
- Phoneme Segmentation, Encoding (Spelling), English Spelling Rules, High Frequency Word Spelling, Vocabulary, Concept Mark Up, Sentence-Level Punctuation and Proofreading
BLOCK 3: Fluency/Comprehension: Lesson Plan Parts 9-10
- Vocabulary, Listening/Silent and Oral Reading Fluency and Comprehension, Narrative and Informational Text
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Participants may enroll in the WRS Level I Certification Training or the online course WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) within five years of completing a WRS Introductory Course.
2. Materials are not included. All materials can be purchased directly from Wilson Language Training®.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: Any refunds for cancellations will only be issued if cancelled seat can be filled, less a $50 processing fee. This applies to seats purchased with any accepted forms of payment.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Please email Rachel Wheatley, Director of Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Wilson Reading System® Seminar for Parents (October 2024)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® SEMINAR FOR PARENTS - OCTOBER 2024
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
* RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. *
RSVP to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@churchillstl.org
TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED:
• Brain Basics
• Why Wilson® Works: Ten Critical Points
• What does this mean for my child?
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO FEE TO ATTEND.
As a Wilson Accredited Partner, Churchill has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
Our in-house, WLT-certified trainers deliver valuable professional learning to Churchill faculty and educators from schools in the St. Louis region and beyond. The Wilson Reading System is an intensive, multi-sensory program for students who have been unable to learn to read and spell with other teaching strategies.
Experience Dyslexia®: A Learning Disabilities Simulation
EXPERIENCE DYSLEXIA®: A LEARNING DISABILITIES SIMULATION
WHEN: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
COST: NO free to attend, but you must register in advance. ONLY 60 participants!
PRESENTED BY: Churchill Center & School's Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program
WHAT:
Join us for a series of simulations designed to increase awareness of the difficulties and frustrations that people with dyslexia encounter daily.
You will rotate through six stations that simulate various language-related tasks similar to those encountered by dyslexics in the classroom and workplace. We hope this experience will lead to greater empathy and understanding when working with students/children with dyslexia.
This session is limited to 60 participants. Reserve your spot now! Participants must be 18 years or older.
LEARN MORE HERE:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/z87d952/lp/7aa2b60e-e690-4b9f-8144-69261ed9b1d1
Wilson Reading System® Seminar for Parents + Informational Session/Group Tour (November 2024)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® SEMINAR FOR PARENTS - NOVEMBER 2024 +
CHURCHILL INFORMATIONAL SESSION & GROUP TOUR
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
* RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. *
RSVP to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@churchillstl.org
TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED:
• Brain Basics
• Why Wilson® Works: Ten Critical Points
• What does this mean for my child?
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO FEE TO ATTEND.
As a Wilson Accredited Partner, Churchill has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
Our in-house, WLT-certified trainers deliver valuable professional learning to Churchill faculty and educators from schools in the St. Louis region and beyond. The Wilson Reading System is an intensive, multi-sensory program for students who have been unable to learn to read and spell with other teaching strategies.
INFORMATIONAL SESSION & GROUP TOUR TO FOLLOW PARENT SEMINAR
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
WHAT: Informational session and brief presentation, followed by a group school tour
* RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. *
RSVP to Carmen Carroll at ccarroll@churchillstl.org
Wilson Reading System® Introductory Course (Columbia, MO)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® INTRODUCTORY COURSE - NOVEMBER 2024
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Friday, November 15, 2024
TIME: Daily from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
WHERE: CALE Education and Company
2201 West Nifong Blvd | Columbia, MO 65203
COST: $725 per registrant
WHAT:
This course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System® (WRS) 4th Edition curriculum and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification. Over three consecutive days (16.5 hours), this course examines how WRS addresses the teaching of phonemic awareness, word identification, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through an integrated study of phonology, morphology, and orthography with students in grade two and above with persistent phonological coding deficits.
Participants learn about reading research, dyslexia, appropriate student identification and placement, program implementation, progress monitoring, scheduling, and creating a successful learning environment. Principles of language structure and how to teach language with direct, multisensory methods are demonstrated and practiced during the course. Participants explore the standard 10-part Wilson Lesson Plan and practice planning and delivering a lesson while receiving modeling and feedback from a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer during the course.
Everyone Deserves To Learn To Read!
Wilson Reading System® (WRS) is the flagship program of Wilson Language Training® and the foundation of all other Wilson ® programs. The Tier 3 Structured Literacy (SL) program is based on phonological-coding research and Orton-Gillingham principles.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Teacher Scholarships are available based on individual need. Please see Churchill Center & School's website for details.
2. Cancellation/Refund Policy: Any refunds for cancellations will only be issued if cancelled seat can be filled, less a $50.00 processing fee. This also applies to seats reserved with a Purchase Order.
3. Teacher and student materials are not included. They are not necessary for the workshop. If you have a teacher manual, please bring it. If you would like to purchase the teacher and/or student materials, you can purchase them directly from Wilson Language Training.®
4. Churchill Center & School reserves the right to cancel if the event has less than eight registrants.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Please email Rachel Wheatley, Director of Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Churchill Speaker Series Presents… Dr. Robert Brooks
Churchill Center & School's Speaker Series Presents...
DR. ROBERT BROOKS
"Nurturing Resilience in Children and Teen"
WHEN: Monday, November 18, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
COST: FREE!
WHAT:
Mental health struggles are on the rise in all groups, especially in children and teens. In this presentation, renown psychologist and author Dr. Brooks will discuss strategies that parents, teachers, and other signifiant adults in a child's life can use to nurture hope, caring, responsibility, self-discipline, and resilience. Many examples will be used to illustrate these different strategies.
This free event is made possible by the Steve & Ginny Orthwein Family Fund
LEARN MORE!
drrobertbrooks.com
Churchill Center & School’s Sibling Workshop
Churchill Center & School's Sibling Workshop
*** Exclusively for siblings 5th grade through college-aged of Churchill day or summer school students. ***
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
at Churchill Center & School
Sibling relationships can be complex and challenging. When a child is struggling with a learning disability, those relationships can become even more complicated.
This workshop will focus on activities that simulate what it is like to have a learning disability/dyslexia. Siblings will have the opportunity to actually experience some of the frustrations felt by children with LD via these simulated activities. We hope it will help siblings understand the daily social and academic struggles experienced by their brother or sister with a learning disorder. Some time for discussion and Q&A will be provided.
Sponsored by the Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program.
Free to attend. Must register to attend.
Wilson Reading System® Seminar for Parents (January 2025)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® SEMINAR FOR PARENTS - JANUARY 2025
DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
* RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. *
RSVP to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@churchillstl.org
TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED:
• Brain Basics
• Why Wilson® Works: Ten Critical Points
• What does this mean for my child?
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO FEE TO ATTEND.
As a Wilson Accredited Partner, Churchill has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
Our in-house, WLT-certified trainers deliver valuable professional learning to Churchill faculty and educators from schools in the St. Louis region and beyond. The Wilson Reading System is an intensive, multi-sensory program for students who have been unable to learn to read and spell with other teaching strategies.
Churchill Center & School Admissions Informational Session & Group Tour
CHURCHILL CENTER & SCHOOL ADMISSIONS INFORMATIONAL SESSION & SCHOOL TOUR
WHEN: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
TIME: 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
WHAT:
• Coffee, informational session and brief presentation
• Group tour
RSVP! Carmen Carroll at ccarroll@churchillstl.org
For questions or further information, Contact Director of Enrollment Management Susan Howison at showison@churchillstl.org
Wilson Reading System® Seminar for Parents (April 2025)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® SEMINAR FOR PARENTS - APRIL 2025
DATE: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
* RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. *
RSVP to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@churchillstl.org
TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED:
• Brain Basics
• Why Wilson® Works: Ten Critical Points
• What does this mean for my child?
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO FEE TO ATTEND.
As a Wilson Accredited Partner, Churchill has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
Our in-house, WLT-certified trainers deliver valuable professional learning to Churchill faculty and educators from schools in the St. Louis region and beyond. The Wilson Reading System is an intensive, multi-sensory program for students who have been unable to learn to read and spell with other teaching strategies.