EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Local Advisory Committee For Special Education held its annual Special Needs Recognition Program Reception for 2017 Thursday night, May 4, at Martin Middle School.
According to the organization, the awards are designed to identify those individuals or programs that are providing consistently outstanding services for Special Education students, especially in the area of inclusion. Through the hard work and dedication of instructors, other education personnel and their peers, Special Needs students are provided with opportunities that promote self-determination, interdependence and meaningful learning. The EPLAC awards program is an effort to share their stories with others and celebrate their commitment to the students of the East Providence School Department.
The district’s Pupil Personnel Director Julian “Bud” McDonnell was among the dignitaries in attendance for the program, joined by U.S. Congressman David Cicilline who also made an appearance at the event. The award winners also received citations and certificates of recognition from Governor Gina Raimondo, the State House of Representatives and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
The 2017 EPLAC award recipients were as follows:

• Chris Antao, Community Resource, Gnome Surf Therapeutic Program, Silver Spring Elementary School
• Christopher Russo, Social Worker, Silver Spring Elementary School
• Tenika Ortiz, Psychologist, Silver Spring Elementary School
• Kristin Branco, Speech Language Pathologist, Myron J Francis Elementary School
• Filomena Freitas, Teacher Assistant, Kent Heights Elementary School
• Lisa Logan, Teacher Assistant, Martin Middle School
• Isabel Tavares, Student, Silver Spring Elementary School
• Arielle Fox, Student, Orlo Avenue Elementary School
• Haylee Mota, Student, Martin Middle School
• Keigan Grant, Student, Whiteknact Elementary School
• Jacqui Barker, Regular Education Teacher, Orlo Avenue Elementary School
• Cate Cote-Martel, Regular Education Teacher, Hennessey Elementary School
• Erin Carrera, Regular Education Teacher, CTC at East Providence High School
• Erin Rupert, Special Educator, East Providence High School
• Tiffany Bergeron, Special Educator, Whiteknact Elementary School
• Lisa Benetti, Special Educator, Orlo Avenue Elementary School