The Help Group’s Village Glen School, Bridgeport School and Summit View West School put on two productions this year, “Aladdin” on Nov. 17 and “Grease” on Dec. 9. Students rehearsed several days during the week for months to make sure they were stage ready. Students from Bridgeport Vocational Education Center also got in on the fun by helping to build and design the “Grease” car prop in the play. Each year The Help Group’s staff picks a musical they believe will best showcase their new class’ talents.

“The students have had a blast,” said Theatre Director, Jacqueline Shultz. “Where the students started and where they end, they’ve made incredible leaps. It teaches so much in terms of comprehension, reading and listening. Theatre is the most collaborate art there is, it’s truly been a rewarding process for everyone.”

Village Glen School is a college preparatory program that serves students K-12 with high-functioning autism and challenges in the areas of socialization, language development and peer relations. The Pace Program offers honors and AP classes for gifted students. The Beacon Program provides additional positive behavior support for students with behavioral challenges.

Bridgeport School provides basic skills education, community based instruction and vocational training, for students ages 5 to 22 with mild to moderate cognitive delays and challenges with social communication and or language development. Summit View School is a college preparatory program for students with learning differences who possess average to above-average intellectual capabilities.