Week of 10/29-11/2

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!                                                       

Hello!

This week the students will have News-2-You as homework as well as their reading log. They will not get the News-2-You until Tuesday so don't panic if you don't see it on Monday. The News-2-You will be due on Friday and the reading log due on Thursday along with their library books. On Monday & Tuesday the students will be working on their Thank-You letter for the staff at Longhorn Steakhouse and typing them up. Wednesday is Halloween so we will be cooking a creepy lunch & playing fun games with the whole group. Look for the letter from Mrs. Eichorn that will be coming home in your child's folder on Monday asking for donations of ingredients towards our lunch as the funding has not come from SSD yet to purchase the groceries.  Thursday is library day and I will be assessing each child on their reading progress. We will also be working on those Wh? questions. Friday we will focus on social skills with role-playing & discussion of scenarios that can be encountered in the school & community. I will also read from our Friday book, "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" while working on those listening comprehension skills. Please remember that the students do not have school on the following Monday & Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, the students are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes to school but cannot wear any masks, hats, face paint, wigs, etc. I have been informed that many of the students do not dress up so please consider this when deciding whether or not to send your child in their costume. Since some of our kiddos are still into things that perhaps their same aged peers have grown beyond, some costumes depicting these characters may draw a certain amount of unwanted attention. Please contact me directly if you have any questions. 

Have a great week!!

~Ms. Lay       

CBI Trip to Longhorn Steakhouse with Mrs. Eichorn

Hello,
Today we went to LongHorn Steakhouse for a presentation on jobs they have available and expectations of an employee when having a job. The manager talked about being on time, asking for help, wearing a uniform, hygiene, following directions, showing initiative, taking criticism, etc. The jobs he discussed were server, dishwasher, napkin roller, utility worker, and service assistant (busser). He discussed the importance of working together in an environment like a restaurant, having communication skills with each other, and helping the customers. The server position and service assistant (buster) have the typical requirements that you would expect. The dishwasher takes the trash out in addition to washing dishes. The utility worker comes in at 7 am and does all the cleaning and table setup. They clean bathrooms, wipe tables and set them up, vacuum, and other special jobs. Then leave by 11. The last job was silverware roller and they polish and roll silverware. This position is not available at the Longhorn location in Sunset Hills. Other restaurant that have this position are Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Longhorn in Chesterfield. This job is available at larger locations.

The students had the choice of hamburger, chicken strips, soup/salad, or sandwich (BBQ or steak sandwich)/salad, or sandwich and soup. They did great listening and using their manners while eating. Each student had a question to ask the manager during the presentation and they did great with this.

If you have any questions please let me know. Today was a great opportunity for the students and possible future connections in the community. The manager was looking forward to working with us in other ways.



Amy Eichorn
SSD Teacher
Work Experience Instructor
(314) 729-2400 ext. 1316
Voicemail 1802

Week of 10/22-10/26

This week the News-2-You will stay at school and we will do various activities with it.  The theme of the paper is the World Series.

• On Monday, we will talk about the vocabulary words assigned to the theme. We will discuss the definitions and glue the pictures and written definitions into our personal dictionaries. We will then read through the paper as a class and the students will independently complete all the pages in the newspaper except for the writing section. The students will also complete a journal entry over their weekend activities and share with the group.
• Tuesday: We will review what we read on Monday and the students will answer the questions over the paper. The students will then identify three things that they remember from the paper and construct grammatically correct sentences that they will then share with the group. The students will then do an activity that involves putting words in the correct order to create a complete sentence. We will then discuss how in order to be on a baseball team, a person has to be able to practice "team work", "sportsmanship" and being the "best" member/person you can be. We will relate this to our own personal lives and discuss those examples. Students will be given the saying, "A team is only as strong as its weakest link" and we will discuss.
• Wednesday: Student's will participate in the functional activities that are designed and facilitated by Mrs. Eichorn.
• Thursday: Send in the library books as we will going to the library. Two selected students will navigate the campus and lead the class to the library. The students will check-out new books and we will spend sometime relaxing in the library and reading. At the end of the period, two different student's will then lead the class back to the classroom. I sometimes "block" certain hallways which requires the student's to find an alternate route back to the room in order for them to become more comfortable with navigating different ways throughout the campus. I then test each individual student on their reading progress using the AIMS web program. We will then work on more activities that relate to our News-2-You theme. The students will answer Wh? over the paper and we will create posters to hang up in the room about sportsmanship and team work. The students will complete a writing activity where they will identify a time in their life that they showed team work or good sportsmanship and write about it in their journal. They will then share these with the class where we will work on eye-contact, voice clarity and speech volume.
• Friday: Students will be assessed on their unit vocabulary words. We will then wrap up any assignments or activities that weren't completed earlier in the week. Student's that had a "green" week receive 30 minutes of "Friday Free-Time" where we play various board games. During this activity, we practice skills necessary for fair game play and friendship skills. Upon completion of this activity, we will watch a video clip showing team work and discuss the video clip as a group and how it relates to what we have been focusing on all week. The last 30 minutes of the day, I will read from the student chosen chapter book, "The Amazing Adventures of Edward Tulane".  

HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK: The students should continue to read for 20 minutes each night and complete their reading log. On Monday, each student will receive a short story that was selected for them based on their individual reading level. The students should read this aloud with you ensuring that they understand the words, the questions at the end of their story and their meanings. They then need to read the story again to themselves and answer the 5-7 questions at the end of the story. Students should highlight the section in the reading selection where they found the answer to the question(s) at the end of their story. Students should turn in the entire book with the questions answered on Friday. After the grade is taken, you will receive the book back to add to your child's library at home.

WEEKLY REMINDERS: Tuesday and Thursday night are the Parent-Teacher Conferences. I will be available both nights so please make sure to sign up online for one of the time slots under my name. I look forward to meeting with you all to share the awesome progress that your child is making! So far, only two people have signed up and I'm hoping the rest of you will sign up tomorrow!!

As always, let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns that I can help you with! Have a great week and GO CARDS!!! 

Great Team Photo + more!

Special Olympics Bowling Practice Photos

We were able to bowl two games today at Show-Me Lanes. The students had an absolute blast and can't wait for the tournament! I will keep you posted as to when the exact date is so you can come and cheer your athlete on!

Upcoming Parent Workshops at SSD

November

Strategies for Learning Disabilities
Thursday, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m.
Presenter: St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association
SSD Central Office, Room 61
Ideas for helping your child learn more effectively will be the focus of this workshop. Tips on helping with reading, spelling, math and memory tasks, with a focus on specific perceptual learning disabilities, will be included.

Transition Planning & the IEP: Through the Doorway to Adult Life
Thursday, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m.
Presenter: Joann Noll
SSD Central Office, Room 60
Focus is on the steps parents and students need to consider as they plan for the last years of school and the transition to adult life: personal futures planning; IEPs with transitional goals and action plans; resources for planning for post-secondary education, supported employment and living; working with the adult service system; and funding through Regional Center, Vocational Rehabilitation and Social Security.

Positive Behavior Interventions
Monday, Nov. 5, 6-9 p.m.
Presenter: MPACT staff
SSD Central Office, Room 61
Participants will be taught to think about problem
behavior as a form of communication and will learn the importance of a functional behavioral assessment, how to reinforce positive behavior and how to develop a positive behavior support plan.

NEW!! Participate in the following workshop from home through WebEx. Be sure to supply your email address when registering to receive a link to the presentations.


Planning for the Future: Dealing with My Greatest Fears – 3-part workshop
Mondays, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 6:30-9 p.m.
SSD Central Office, Room 60
Series is designed to provide information to students and their families about the transition process and issues that cause anxiety for parents when planning for the post-school years.


• Session 1: Nov. 5 - SSI, Estate Planning & Guardianship
Presenters: Virginia Rice, Attorney and Joann Noll

• Session 2: Nov. 12 - What Happens After Graduation
Presenters: Representatives of Vocational Rehabilitation, supported employment agencies, sheltered workshops, continuing education

• Session 3: Nov. 19 - Supports for Recreation, Community Participation & Community Living
Presenters: Representatives of St. Louis Regional Office, Recreation Council, post-school enrichment/day programs


A Medical Perspective on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7-9 p.m.
Presenter: Daniel Reising, MD
SSD Central Office, Room 60
Dr. Reising, a pediatric psychiatrist and consultant to SSD, will present a medical perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Helping Your Child with Homework
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7-9 p.m.
Presenter: St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association
SSD Central Office, Room 61
Session will feature a variety of practical strategies for helping your child with homework, including how to study for tests based on your child's learning style, and how to help your child develop more independence in completing homework.

Orientation for Parents to Special Education & the IEP Process
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7-9 p.m.
Presenter: Michelle Levi-Perez/Joann Noll
SSD Central Office, Room 57
(See Sept. 20 for description)

Understanding Asperger Syndrome –
2-part class
Tuesdays, Nov. 13 & 20, 6:30-9 p.m.
Presenter: Colleen O’Leary Card
SSD Central Office, Room 60
Identify and understand the social, communication, sensory and behavioral characteristics of Asperger syndrome and gain an awareness of effective, practical strategies that will support your child in being more successful at home and school. The second session will focus more on strategies, with time for discussion and questions.

Brain Gym – 2 sessions
Wednesdays, Nov. 14 & 21, 6-8 p.m.
Presenter: Kathy French
SSD Central Office, Room 60
Brain Gym is a program of physical activities that enhance learning ability. The easy-to-do, patterned movements target brain function to promote optimal learning, communication, stress management and creativity, and can prepare children with the physical skills they need in order to learn to read, write and function effectively in the classroom. Session 1 covers the background of Brain Gym and brain-based learning. Session 2 focuses on the application for using Brain Gym. Workshop is for parents, teachers and therapists. Resources will be provided.

Sharing Our Strengths Mentor Training
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Presenter: LaRenda Hutt
SSD Central Office, Room 57
This Missouri-wide peer support network matches parents raising children with disabilities or special healthcare needs to other parents. Mentors share experiences, practical information, resources and offer emotional support. Expectations are a willingness to listen and the time to make a few phone calls or send a few e-mails.

Special Education Law
Monday, Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m.
Presenter: MPACT staff
SSD Central Office, Room 61
Training provides an overview of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Safe Schools Act and No Child Left Behind.

Reminders for 9/15-9/19

1.) Don't forget to sign up for Parent Teacher conferences online for either 9/23 or 9/25.

2.) Tuesday 9/16 we will be doing the Special Olympics bowling from 10:00-12:00pm at Show-Me Lanes. This is just the practice and score gathering for the official tournament. Parents are asked to not attend this one but the actual tournament event. That date will be provided at a later time. Make sure you send your child in with a sack lunch and drink for that day.

3.) Wednesday 9/17 is the LPAC meeting at LHS. The topic will cover the use of technology in the classroom. Various presenters, including myself, will be sharing how we use technology in the classroom everyday.

4.) The students will have a new Homework Assignment journal starting Monday. It is larger, has more details as well as a place for your child to write one thing they did in each class for the day. This should help to provide you with more daily details and encourage independence while allowing for the kids to take some responsibility for providing you with some information The sheets will be in a three-pronged folder until the books we are having made have finished being bound & copied.

That's all I have to report for now!

LPAC Oct. 17th -- I'm presenting!

Be sure to attend the Oct. 17th LPAC meeting in the evening of the 17th as I have been asked to present on technology in the classroom. The kid's math teacher, Mr. Belding will also be presenting! Hope to see you all there!!

Changes in News-2-You Homework

I have decided that every other week the kids will bring home the News-2-You as homework and on the opposite weeks they will remain at school in their reading folders do we can do different activities and thematic unit work on them in the classroom. I am hoping that with the additional work on the "at school" weeks, it will increase their independence on these at home but also allow for us to do some major vocabulary and other supplemental activities. On the weeks that we are working on them at school, there will be alternative assignments coming home on two or three of the nights in either reading, writing or spelling. The dreaded spelling lists and tests are just around the corner...you should start seeing these after Halloween. Thanks!! Let me know if you have any questions!!

Friendship

Carlo & Karl taking turns reading to one another from a new library book!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Hello!

Lindbergh High School will be posting a link on their website where you can sign-up for conferences. The dates are October 23rd & 25th from 5-8pm. Each conference will only be 10 minutes long so this is a time with which you can check in with whatever teacher you sign-up for to meet to hear about your child's progress, offer any suggestions when working with your child, etc. There is not enough time for to have any lengthy conversations or discussions about your frustrations. Those should be scheduled for another day after school after you've made arrangements with that particular teacher. You will have to traverse the campus to get to where that teacher's classroom is so be prepared to do some walking. Transition times will be built into the schedules. I will be present both nights and as long as you don't schedule conferences with me back to back I should be able to allot for 20 minute conferences. I cannot emphasize enough that this is a great opportunity to meet with the staff. The kids SLP is Karen Scobbie for those of you wishing to meet with her. If you are not planning on attending either night please let me know. I hope that you all will sign-up to see me and any other teacher your child has. Administrators will also be on deck that night. The link is not up yet on the LHS website but check on Monday. Remember that there are over 2,000 families so the earlier you sign up the better, especially for the elective teachers. Let me know if you have any questions!