"The

sooner you work with a child with a disability,

the greater their potential," according to

Marie Sams, one of the founding members of the

Joseph Sams School.

Since

1984, the private school has been teaching

children with mild to severe intellectual and/or

physical disabilities in a warm, caring

environment. Teachers custom-make learning plans

for each child, specifically tailoring the

curriculum to meet his individual needs.

"Our

speech therapy program is excellent and is

integrated with the school's computer

program," Sams explained. But most important

is the one-on-one attention given to each

student. The ratios of teachers to students is

kept way below the average met in public

programs. A two-to-one ratio is maintained for

the preschool and lower elementary age children

and older students can expect a three-to-one

ratio.

The

Sams School moved into its new home behind the

Fayette Medical Center in August and now has the

space to expand its programs and accept more

students. The current enrollment is 22 and Lana

Carr, the school's director, expects that number

will grow next year.

The

school will host its kick-off fund-raising dinner

at Whitewater Country Club Monday, April 10.

Guest speaker will be Robert Steed, an Atlanta

humorist, author and attorney. Several other

events are planned in the next few months, to

help pay off $500,000 in building costs and meet

the school's operating goal of $920,000.

The

Sams School began as The Early Years with a

handful of children whose parents were desperate

to provide the best learning environment possible

to meet their special needs. The school accepts

children as young as 2 for its program and Carr

hopes to include 18-month-olds as well in the

future. Expansion of the music therapy program

and the addition of new programs is a goal for

the school and its extended family of students,

teachers and their parents.

To

check out the school's new web site, click on www.josephsams.org .

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