During the winter recess at The Guild School, residential students enjoyed a busy break participating in enriching activities held at the school, in the residences and at locations around Eastern Massachusetts.

Highlights included an exotic animal visit and a New Year’s Eve party at The Guild; a trip to see Disney on Ice; attending the La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights and Zoo Lights at the Stone Zoo; and making gingerbread houses at the residences.

Thomas P. Corcoran, the new president of the Board of Trustees, is struck that even now, more than five years after his son Conor graduated from The Guild School, staff members inquire about him.

“When I walk around The Guild, I still get asked, ‘Hey, how’s Conor doing? We really miss him.’ ”

What began as an educational lesson in The Guild School’s Bridge classroom grew into a collaborative class project to support individuals impacted by the Merrimack Valley gas explosions.

Whenever Jesse P. is near a pond or lake, he enjoys tossing in a rock or stick to honor someone close to him. “This one is for Mommy. This one is for Daddy. This one is for Calvin (his younger brother).” As he recites names with each throw, he also includes members of his Guild for Human Services’ family.

She jokes that she’s been around longer than the trees. Well, not exactly, but longer than The Guild for Human Services has been naming its Guild School homes for trees rather than street names, a tradition that began several years ago.

When my son, Korey, was born 19 years ago, I knew very little about parenting a child, let alone a child with special needs. What I did know, and learned very quickly, was that I loved Korey with all of my heart – the same way all parents love their children.

I enjoyed being a new mom, although the expected early milestones – talking, sitting up and walking – were delayed and required early intervention. It was soon apparent to me that this journey would be different than I expected.

The Guild’s new Coffee Shop opened for business on Aug. 27, and students have been serving staff members beverages and baked goods for an hour every weekday since. Students operate the cash register, prepare food, fulfill orders and make deliveries around the school.

Jennifer Magnuson, BCBA, oversees a team of approximately 20 caregivers and is responsible for the creation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of clinical supports and techniques for students and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, and autism.

Emily Calden explains her work at The Guild for Human Services simply: “It’s somewhat of a mission of mine,” she says, “to give a voice to students who don’t have one.”

A teacher who has worked at The Guild for eight years, the last seven as a speech therapy assistant, she is particularly drawn to the non-verbal students she sees. She works in both one-on-one and group settings to help her students communicate their desires, express their feelings and socialize.

Jesse H. is happy again.

After Jesse suffered a seizure in 2011 at age 14, his parents, Carole and Dan, witnessed a dramatic change in his temperament. The seizure slowed his brain function and left him unable to handle his schoolwork, making him frustrated and increasingly disruptive. When he was released from the hospital after a particularly violent episode in 2014, he came directly to The Guild for Human Services as a residential student.