Announcing Our First Ever Summer Picnic Camp! |
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Celebrate summer with social and fine motor group activities and a special picnic with friends!
In this 4-day camp for individuals with Down syndrome ages 8-14, participants will have the opportunity to nurture social connections, play games, make their own musical instruments, and plan for, prepare, and partake in their end-of-camp picnic celebration.
Schedule
August 1st: 9:30am-12:30pm
August 2nd: 9:30am-12:30pm
August 3rd: 9:30am-12:30pm
August 4th: 9:30am-12:30pm
Cost
$80*
Location
DSC Campus
4746 11th Ave NE
Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98105
*DDA hours accepted, and financial aid available upon request! Email us at contact@dscpugetsound.org to receive access to this support.
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Calling all DSC Tweens & Teens Friends! Put on your dancing shoes and join us for this year's second dance party at the DSC Campus. Drinks, pizza, and dessert provided!
When: Saturday, July 23rd
Where: DSC Campus
Who: Tweens & Teens with Down syndrome and their parents / caregivers
Cost: $5 per person
DSC Campus
4746 11th Ave NE
Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98109
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Nurture Connection and Community |
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Enjoy a fun, casual gathering at the DSC Campus to check out our classrooms, games, and toys and connect with other kids and families!
First & Third Tuesdays
from 9:30-11:00am
Tuesday, July 5th
Tuesday, June 19th
DSC Campus
4746 11th Ave NE Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98105
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Ready, Set, Kindergarten Is Back for 2022-23! |
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The Ready, Set, Kindergarten (RSK) program provides parents with tools to advocate for their preschooler or kindergartener, ensuring students receive an inclusive education, starting in Kindergarten.
2022-23 Schedule
Saturday, September 17th 3:00-5:00pm (DSC Campus-refreshments served): What is inclusion and why is it worth advocating for?
Wednesday, October 19th 7:00-9:00pm (Zoom): IEP Details and Process
Wednesday, November 16th 7:00-9:00pm (Zoom): Advocacy Advice
Wednesday, January 18th 7:00-9:00pm (Zoom): Goals Drive Placement
Wednesday, February 15th 7:00-9:00pm (Zoom, Guest Speaker): Addressing Behavior Concerns in the IEP with Goals & Accommodations
Wednesday, March 15th 7:00-9:00pm (Zoom, Guest Speaker): Accommodations Support Success in General Education
Saturday, April 29th 9:00am-12pm (DSC Campus): Parent Panel
Cost
$125* (Books included)
Locations: DSC Campus & Zoom**
DSC Campus
4746 11th Ave NE Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98105
*Financial aid available upon request! Email us at contact@dscpugetsound.org to receive access to this support.
**Zoom meeting details will be emailed before each session.
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Introducing DSC's New Project Coordinator, Nora Zehar |
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Born and raised in Paris, France, Nora moved to the US in 2001 with her husband, where they had their twin daughter and son.
Nora loves to travel and has been lucky enough to live in four amazing cities -- Paris, London, Copenhagen and Seattle. She absolutely loves the Northwest and considers it to be home. She started her career as project coordinator and event planner in the fashion industry, where she organized high-end designer fashion shows and events, working in prestigious companies such as Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Cerruti. She has worked as an event planner for profit and non-profit organizations in Europe and the US, organizing fundraising events and training across multiple countries for Microsoft, Air France, and Vital Voices.
Nora was drawn to this role because of its local focus and for the direct impact it has on the lives of local families, finding it so rewarding to be able
to leverage her skills and experience for such a wonderful organization.
In her free time, Nora really loves to travel and learn about fascinating cultures. She also loves music, entertaining, going to the opera and theatre, exercising and staying fit by participating in group fitness classes, bootcamps, and hiking.
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Introducing DSC's New Program Director, Leia Steffas |
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A special education middle school teacher for the Bellevue School District, Leia has been immersed in inclusive school environments from the time she was in elementary school until graduation, where she supported peers with disabilities in special education classrooms and afterschool sports programs. Leia was especially impacted by the great friendship she developed with a fellow classmate with Down syndrome in their high school P.E. class, which lasted after graduation and inspired her to pursue a career in special education.
Guided by the reality that opportunities for work and socialization for adults with disabilities are extremely underdeveloped in our society, Leia has always seen herself working with adults with disabilities and dreams of opening a business that creates opportunities for employment and supports high quality, independent living. At DSC, her primary goal is to help build the Adult Program and provide a space for adults with Down syndrome to experience a sense of community and purpose, guided by the ideas and feedback from the adults themselves and members of the DSC community.
In her free time, Leia enjoys hiking, camping, paddle boarding, spending time with her German Shepherd, Pippa, and traveling to Greece in the summer to visit family.
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Save the Date: Buddy Walk is Only 3 Months Away!
When: Sunday, October 2, 2022
Where: Woodland Park Zoo
Mark your calendars for the 26th Annual Puget Sound Buddy Walk and get ready for a joyful day of community and activities to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and their families. More details coming at the end of this month. Stay tuned!
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Get featured on #dscfamilyfridays!
We are honored to share your photos and stories on our social channels with the fellow families and community members that make up this awesome community.
Whether you've never been featured before or want to add to what you've already shared before, email Sarah at smarquez@dscpugetsound.org with the following information:
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Photos: 2-3 photos of your family
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Bio: A short bio that includes what city you live in, ages of kids, and the activities you enjoy
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Your DSC History: A brief snippet about your experience with DSC and the events or programs you've enjoyed
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Read the Dally Cruz's post here!
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DSC Friends Groups
Stay up to date with your DSC Friends Groups on Facebook!
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Program Dates
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8/1 DSC Summer Camp
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8/2 DSC Summer Camp
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8/3 DSC Summer Camp
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8/4 DSC Summer Camp
Upcoming Events
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7/5 Coffee Chat
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7/19 Coffee Chat
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7/23 Tweens/Teens Dance Party
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10/2 26th Annual PS Buddy Walk
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Hosted by M bar C Ranch & Ms. Kitty, Megarama Day is a fun-filled adventure dedicated to people with Down syndrome and their loved ones from the Pacific Northwest who are ‘Young & Young at Heart’ including siblings.
When:
Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 AM
Where:
M bar C Ranch
5264 Shore Meadow Road
Freeland, WA 98249
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Federal Updates
The Department of Education recently announced their intention to update the Section 504 regulations that protect students with disabilities from disability-based discrimination in programs that receive federal funding. NDSS Manager of Grassroots Advocacy, Kayla McKeon, delivered remarks to the Department via a listening session. Her remarks can be viewed here. NDSS will also be submitting written remarks to the Department which we will share with advocates after submission.
The Department of Education also released their proposed changes to the implementation of the Title IX regulations which protect students from discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. Last year, NDSS Community Outreach Associate Charlotte Woodward delivered a public comment to the Department via a listening session and NDSS also followed up with written comment. We intend to review the proposed changes from the Department and respond accordingly. Please be on the lookout for more information regarding how advocates can be involved with this process and have their voices heard by the Department!
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Help us create an equitable and inclusive world where people with Down syndrome participate fully and are appreciated as unique individuals and valued members of school, work, activities, and the whole community.
Sign up today to donate $21 monthly and help empower people with Down syndrome of all ages and build an accepting and inclusive society.
Already a donor? Thank you! Share the love by inviting your friends and family to donate today.
Together we can make our mission a reality.
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Support DSC While You Shop! |
Are you signed up with Amazon Smile? When you shop with Amazon Smile a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the DSC! Go to www.smile.amazon.com to select Down Syndrome Community of Puget Sound as your charity.
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With the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program, Fred Myer donates to local organizations based on your everyday shopping. Choose Down Syndrome Community of Puget Sound as your organization. Once you link your card to the DSC, all you have to do is shop at Fred Meyer and swipe your Rewards Card.
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