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Pasco board proclaims May 15'025'0June 15 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month after former student testimony; district highlights transition job programs
Summary
The school board declared May 15'025'0June 15 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month, approved a proclamation, heard a former student's account of growing up with Tourette's and heard about Cypress Creek High School's transition job-training programs.
The District School Board of Pasco County unanimously approved a proclamation declaring May 15 through June 15 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month and heard testimony highlighting the role school supports can play for students with tic disorders.
Fran Howard of the Office of Student Supports Programs and Services read a letter from Mark Ammiano, identified in the meeting as a former Pasco student who now works in law enforcement. The letter described being diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age six and a half, co-occurring ADHD and OCD, and the role of school accommodations in his success. "My name is Mark Ammiano. I am 32 years old... At the age of 6 and a half, I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome which caused motor and vocal tics," the letter said. Howard introduced the letter and framed it as an example of how district supports and caring teachers helped the writer succeed.
The board also highlighted district transition programs during the presentation. Board members and staff showcased two Cypress Creek High School initiatives'1the Coyote Car Wash and the Caffeinated Coyotes coffee program'which give students in transition education on-the-job experience while allowing them to remain in public education services up to age 22. The presentation named job placement transition specialist Kelly Cox and teacher John Souza in connection with those programs.
The proclamation cites prevalence estimates and co-occurring conditions: "current estimates are that 1 out of every 100 school age children in The United States has Tourette Syndrome," and notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly "50 percent of children go undiagnosed," language mirrored in the proclamation read to the board. Mrs. Beaudoin moved approval of the proclamation; Mrs. Harding seconded the motion. The board voted "Aye" and the motion carried.
Board members encouraged awareness and community support; Mrs. Beaudoin invited the public to wear teal on Tuesdays during the awareness month to show support.
The proclamation and the accompanying presentation were informational and symbolic actions intended to raise awareness in schools and the community; the board did not adopt new policy or program directives during the vote recorded in the meeting minutes.
