By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
Multi-colored puzzle pieces cover a bulletin board at Weston School; some surround the outer edges of the board, and hang from the wall where the board is mounted.
Sold for 25 cents each, the pieces show the school’s efforts toward Autism Awareness, during a month of focusing on the disorder. Eight students in the entire district are classified as autistic, according to Director of Special Services Audrey Press.
It’s Weston School’s first year recognizing National Autism Awareness Month, held in April each year, and teachers hope to expand on it next year. The puzzle pieces adorning the bulletin board are still coming in, as families pledge more to the cause Shannon Buda, the school’s special education teacher who helped plan the fundraiser, said.
”It’s just to bring up autism awareness throughout the school,” Ms. Buda said. “Next year, we’re kind of hoping to teach some lessons for autism awareness, so this sort of gave us ideas for next year.”
Proceeds from the pieces will be donated to Autism Speaks, a national charity raising funds for autism research.
In addition, North Bank Street residents Cathy and Carl Wiedwald Ms. Wiedwald is a candidate for the Board of Education sponsored an essay contest for students at the school, and donated a $50 Borders gift card for a prize. In the essays, students will describe what autism means to them, Ms. Wiedwald said. Ms. Buda, Ms. Wiedwald, and Weston School Special Education teacher Jennifer Deitrich will judge the contest.
Though the contest is only for Weston students this year, the Wiedwalds might open it to additional schools next year, though the planning for 2010 hasn’t begun yet.
”I think it’ll bring awareness to the kids, and a little more understanding,” Ms. Wiedwald said. “I don’t think some kids really understand it unless they live with a family member or sibling that has autism.”

