[Greensboro cerebral palsy and orthopedic school]

              GREENSBORO CEREBRAL PALSY AND ORTHOPEDIC SCHOOL
HISTORY
The Greensboro Cerebral Palsy School opened ita doors on January
12, 1950 and received applications from 20 individuals seeking admission. There were no policies, procedures or delegation of
responsibility.  The School was to be open two afternoons each week
for two hours each. A college senior was the only employee for the
full four hours. A psychologist and a speech therapist were employed
for one hour each week. The nursery was to be manned entirely by
parents and volunteers. The budget was estimated at $59.75 per month.
By the fall of 1950 the School was in operation five mornings a
week with a nursery, classroom, and a full-time physical therapist
whose salary was paid by the Greensboro Junior League. Mrs. G. E.
Bell, Jr., was Nursery Teacher and Acting Director.  A 20-member
Community Board was responsible for all operations under the presidency
of the late W. H. Holdernesa.  In the fall of 1951 an Arts and Crafts
teacher was added.
In 1952 a building fund drive raised $55,000.00 and in February,
1953 ground was broken at the building site which was donated. The
new School building was truly a community effort. Many firms gave
materials outright or at cost. Many skilled workers gave their
services, from the architect to the plumbers. Much of the work was
done on weekends and every volunteer was given something to do. The
building was completed in September, 1953 and the School began a
full-time program on a five-day week. The first full-time Director
was employed. A speech therapist was added, and a lunch program was
begun.  Board membership was increased to thirty and put on a rotating basis.
During the first five years the emphasis was on adding needed
services, on increasing the time the School was in session, and on
securing adequate facilities for the School. Tremendous strides
were made in all these directions. The average number of children
being served remained about the same during most of this period.
The second five-year period was devoted to organization, refinement, and expansion of services already started.  Two new services
were added during this period:  An arts and crafts class for adults
in 1956, and occupational therapy in 1959. The classroom program
was increased by the addition of two teachers and an aide; arts and
crafts became full-time from half-time; a therapist and two aides
were added in physical therapy, and a second speech therapist was
employed.  The work day was lengthened and adjusted. The entire
program was better organized and coordinated. Enrollment more than
doubled.
The third five years saw a complete study and revision of
policies, charter and by-laws. A new wing was added, doubling the
space for the School. This was made possible through the use of
Hill-Burton funds and matching funds secured from the local United
Fund, the Duke Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Junior
League of Greensboro, and other individuals and organizations.