P.A.L.S Program

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Special Olympics Bowling Tournament

Sunday, January 26, 2014

I just wanted to give you an FYI that next year (yes, the planning & scheduling have already begun for next school year) the PALS program will have @ 11 new students joining us! As a result of this, I will be visiting each of the elementary schools on Feb. 10th to meet with the principals, counselors and case managers in order to begin getting the new families ready for PALS. Due to being out on medical leave for 6 months last year (Dec. - May) , you all did not have the opportunity to meet with me at their 5th grade IEP, visit the room, etc. prior to your child starting at Sperreng however, this is typically how I prepare my newest families. I like to show my blog & the pictures posted on it to the families at their child's 5th grade transition IEP so that they have an idea of some of the stuff that we do. Although you signed the SSD media release form that I sent home in September, I do like to make sure that you are aware of this and give you an opportunity to refuse having pictures with your child in them shown to the new families via the blog. Send me a note in your child's notebook only if you DO NOT want their pictures shown and I will take them down from the blog. Although I have enjoyed the smaller, more intimate classroom size this year, I am VERY excited to have a full classroom again. I typically have 8-12 students for all 3 years however last year & this year was unusually small. There will be some adjustments to the program, etc. to accommodate the larger group size but it does allow for more opportunities for the kids both socially, academically, additional work experiences, etc. I will have an open house towards the end of July in order for the families & kids to meet prior to the start of the school year but you will receive a mailing from me mid-summer outlining important dates, etc. Just wanted to give you all an update.

Additionally, you are able to "follow" our blog and have the ability to make comments, ask questions etc. underneath my blog posts but it is by invite only via email. I will be posting all of the announcements, reminders, homework etc. on the blog next year as I don't have the time to write the same thing in 13 seperate notebooks (the notebooks will be used only for exchanging information that is personal & specific about your child only) so please shoot me a note with the email address(es) that you would like me to send an invite/permission link to in order for you to be able to comment or post general questions you may have. There will be instructions via the email (once you receive it) that details how to accept my invite & follow the blog. Please let me know if you have any questions about this. Thanks!!

Special Olympics Field Trip

Hello!

We will be attending the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament on Tuesday, January 28th. The tournament is from 10am-12pm at Show-Me-Lanes with the medal presentations taking place at @ 11:45am. You are encouraged & welcome to attend to watch your athlete though please understand that you will not be allowed on the lanes nor be able to interact with your child until the tournament has concluded. Due to the late return to school the kids won't be eating their lunch until after 12:00. We like to celebrate their hard work by having a pizza party and watching a movie upon their return (they are also usually exhausted after the excitement of the day)so please send in $5.00 and a drink for your child if you would like for them to eat pizza with the rest of the students. Between the LHS Life Skills program and PALS we have 23 athletes on our team (& over 75 athletes from the various south region schools) this year so expect a great deal of pictures to be posted to our classroom blog throughout the event. Check often! It would also be extremely helpful if you could send your child in a pair of slip-on shoes (Crocs, clogs,etc.) to cut down on the amount of shoe tying that myself and the other coach need to do - though it is NOT MANDATORY that you do this. The Sperreng administration, staff and student body make a big deal about our kids "representing" Sperreng at this event so they are encouraged & congratulated on the morning announcements (not by name due to confidentiality purposes), & given a student council send off on the way to the busses. The PALS kids are very popular among all the students and staff at Sperreng and receive a great deal of high 5's, praise and encouragement not only on a daily basis but especially by everyone they encounter in the hallways on the way to busses for the tournament. It is truly awesome to witness this & happens before every Special Olympics event we take part in. Please let me know ASAP if you have any questions or concerns! Have a great week!