SOUTHEAST – Betsy Ross would be proud. Special needs children enrolled at Brewster High School got into the spirit of America’s 250th anniversary, REV250, by creating Betsy Ross flag pillows. Ross, an American upholsterer, was credited in 1870 with designing and making the first United States flag.
Students in the Careers Skills class created more than 100 of the brightly colored sixteen-inch by 20-inch pillows by hand-stitching them.
Teacher Donna Schneider praised one of her special needs students: “Dominic Delzio Pulver is fully into the spirit of the historical moment. As he sews, he hums the tune to the National Anthem. Dom’s sewing is like a machine: Simply perfect stitching, even and straight.”
The Careers Skills classroom runs its own business, Handy Paws, with the motto, “Where every stitch bears a smile.” It also has business cards featuring a Brewster bear quilting and labels attached to each project.
During the past three years, students have made felting crafts and memory pillows by using favorite t-shirts and flag pillows. “We are teaching skills in our classroom,” said Schneider, adding: “Sewing is great for fine motor skills, following directions, completing a project and attention span. It’s very therapeutic.”
Comments