Escambia Westgate School/Snoezelen® Complex   Schedule of Events for Westgate Students and Parents Saturday, October 6th 11:30 am Lunch for parents and their children 12:15 pm Puppet Play and Puppet Show in the Children's Tent 1:00 pm Mr. Mac Presentation A self-directed music and movement experience 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Parade Preparation and Parade to the Main Stage Dress up costumes available Parents are welcome to bring any hats, costumes, instruments or flags that they know their children enjoy The events above are created for all children present at the festival.  During the above hours, we will have an emphasis on the students of Westgate and have people on hand to assist with the needs of your special child. Children's Tent remains open until 6:30pm.  See Children's section for a full list of activities.  History Escambia Westgate School dates back to 1946 when Mrs. Lucy Petree opened the Petree School for mentally and physically handicapped students.  Mrs. Petree, having a handicapped child of her own, devolted all of her time and energy to making sure her child had adequate educational services.  Over the next decade, Mrs. Petree's school grew tremendously.  By the late 1960's, community support for the Petree School was overwhelming.  Many church groups, clubs, and community leaders were making an effort to help handicapped children.  In 1977, funds were appropriated to build a new special education center.  The location was to be at 10050 Ashton Brosnaham Drive.  Today, Escambia Westgate School serves the needs of Pre-K, Elementary, Middle and High School students with varying exceptionalities.  Mission Escambia Westgate's primary educational purpose is to ensure that each student's inherent capacity for growth is nurtured and developed regardless of his functioning level. Philosophy The faculty and staff of Escambia Westgate School recognize the importance of improving the functional level of students with varying abilities in the home, community and school settings.  Our desire is to provide a smooth transition from the school setting to a community and work setting.  We recognize that significant gains in learning take place when students can learn a skill at school and utilize that skill in the community.  A genuine rapport between school and home should exist to enable our students to develop values which will allow them to make a positive contribution to their home and community.  The Snoezelen® Concept Snoezelen® (pronounced "snooze-lin") is a multi-sensory stimulation environment designed to improve the lives of children with severe physical, learning and sensory disabilities.  Snoezelen® rooms employ color, lighting effects, textures, aromas and music to stimulate those who can be otherwise nearly impossible to reach. Fundamental to the Snoezelen® concept is an understanding that individuals with profound and multiple handicaps exist in a world of sensation rather than intellect. Snoezelen® rooms elicit responses that traditional settings cannot.  When visiting Snoezelen® rooms, children are happier and experience improved concentration and coordination, while those with self-injurious or autistic behaviors become less agitated.  Snoezelen® rooms encourage learning by giving these children the power to make choices, to explore, play, reflect or just relax - and by helping them communicate, gain confidence and build trust. How You Can Help/The Snoezelen®Foundation Snoezelen® is a breakthrough that has swept through Europe and Canada, and now Escambia Westgate School is prepared, with your help, to be one of the first to bring this wonderful treatment model to the United States.  Creating a state-of-the-art Snoezelen® Center is a challenge and an opportunity for our community.  A non-profit foundation has been established and the newly-constructed Snoezelen® Complex at Escambia Westgate School has four fully equipped therapy rooms, with plans to add a gym and pool as our funding allows.  ***A Westgate Information Booth about Snoezelen® will be at the festival. -

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