Korey’s Kennedy Day School Graduation

The Kennedy Day School, located onsite at Franciscan Hospital for Children, provides fully collaborative special education, therapeutic, and health services to students, ages 3 to 22, with significant, complex needs from more than 30 cities and towns across Massachusetts. If you have questions regarding the Kennedy Day School, please contact Lynne Goyuk at lgoyuk@fhfc.org or 617-779-1113.

Korey Foley’s story at Franciscan Hospital for Children began when he was just three years old. Nineteen years later, Korey has become a well-known, smiling face both inside and outside our halls for friends of the hospital and the Kennedy Day School (KDS). Often referred to as the “Mayor of KDS,” those staff and fellow students who know and love Korey would describe him as smart, friendly, funny and an enthusiastic ambassador for the place he has come to know as a piece of home.

Last week we celebrated a big milestone for Korey, his family and his friends – his graduation from the Kennedy Day School.

It was a standing-room only crowd in our gym as Korey’s family, friends, teachers and fellow students gathered to celebrate his 22^nd birthday, the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Korey’s teachers each shared memories, life lessons and well-wishes with our honoree, reminding him that while his time as a student of the Kennedy Day School was coming to a close, he would always be a member of the KDS family. A handful of Korey’s friends also shared their own memories and support,

“Dear Korey, We have known each other for a long time. I have had so much fun with you over the years, playing sports in APE and listening to your music in leisure. You are a good friend. You are also smart and funny. Good luck with your new job. I will miss you!” – Almir, KDS Student

“Dear Korey, Congrats. I am so happy for you. I loved laughing in music with you. I liked doing work together in the classroom. Good luck at your new school. I hope you have fun and make many new friends. I will miss you.” – Kevin, KDS Student

“Dear Korey, Well done. We first met in Ms. Anderson’s classroom. It was perfect when we played games together. I also liked playing basketball with you in APE. That’s wonderful you are starting a new program. Good luck. I hope to see you soon.” – Devin, KDS Student

Korey’s graduation address to guests was thoughtful and reminiscent of his favorite memories at the Kennedy Day School,

“I am feeling happy that I am graduating, but also sad because I will miss my friends. I will remember doing work here in speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and voc. I will think back about putting my toes in the water at camp, going apple picking in the fall, making ornaments for craft fair in December, and celebrating my birthday in my classroom with my friends. I have liked playing music for my friends in leisure. Music group has been fun for me because I like playing instruments, especially the xylophone! Thank you to my teachers for working with me. I will come back to visit you my friends! Thank you, and goodbye to my teachers and friends!”

The program continued with musical offerings that captured a few of Korey’s favorite things – song, dance, and Elvis. After a slideshow with nineteen years’ worth of memories and a few more words of thanks and appreciation were shared, Korey recessed out the gym with his diploma, ready for the next chapter and another round of celebrations!

Korey, congratulations on your graduation and thank you for the years of memories, laughs, and thumbs-ups! Thank you for being such a strong ambassador for Franciscan and the Kennedy Day School and representing our Values in all that you do. Thank you to your family for sharing you with us, and for allowing us to celebrate so many milestones with you along the way. We’re so pleased to be a part of the next step in your journey, and to welcome you as an employee of Franciscan Hospital for Children!

To learn more about Korey’s story, please click here. To learn more about the Kennedy Day School, please click here.