News for students, families & friends | | |
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From the Supervisor's Desk
Thank you to the many families that responded to the "Family Gatherings" survey with their topics of interest last month. We are excited to begin sharing information that you have requested which will hopefully be beneficial.
There were a wide range of topics requested. We will be targeting each topic to the grade level and the preferred time that the majority of parents indicated. There are a number of topics that span the grade levels and will be offered during both the 12-1 and 4-5 times. Each session will be offered in person and have a virtual option to support the needs indicated by those who responded.
The Family Gathering information will come monthly in separate emails; be on the look out for our first topic soon. Please note if there is a registration for the session, it will be indicated in the email. Any registration is just to help identify the number of people in attendance for materials, but you are always welcome to join if you didn't have time to register in advance.
If you missed it last month, there is still time. Please take a moment to complete the attached five-question FAMILY GATHERINGS SURVEY to share your thoughts on what information you are most interested in learning as we begin our planning.
Respectfully,
Riley Denison
Supervisor, New Horizons
Northwest Education Services
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Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
by Dawn Staley
dstaley@NorthwestEd.org
Furry faces have become familiar at New Horizons Traverse Heights! Freda and Haven, both registered Therapy Dogs, work with students to help achieve goals and objectives on their IEPs. Dawn Staley, Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (and Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired) has been incorporating dogs at several North Ed center-based programs for the past four years. She has observed students not only progress on their goals but also greatly enjoy their time working (and playing) with the dogs!
There are many benefits of working with therapy dogs. Research has proven that the simple act of petting a dog lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, and releases an automatic relaxation response. Therapy with dogs encourages mobility, may increase movement in joints and increases the duration of an activity. AAI may increase language use, social interaction and lower anxiety. Students and staff alike look forward to their time with Freda and Haven!
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Social Worker Shares
by Cherie Wilson, LMSW
cawilson@NorthwestEd.org
Office: 231.933.3573
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), social and emotional learning is the process of developing students' and adults' social and emotional competencies--the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors that individuals need to make successful choices. SEL helps make individuals understand and regulate their emotions, successfully complete goals, take others' perspective or point of view, develop positive relationships and make responsible decisions.
Why Social Emotional Learning in schools?
Research tells us that both the physical environment and the psychological environment of a school building have an impact on student achievement. The physical environment of a school building includes anything from classroom size to lighting, to accessibility, while the psychological environment is related to classroom climate and student-teacher interactions. When we take SEL beyond the classroom, we not only emphasize the importance of these skills, attitudes and behaviors to our students, but also increase the likelihood of mastery.
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At New Horizons, all grades are being exposed to Everyday Speech. Everyday Speech has a Social Communication Curriculum (SCC) and a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum. The SEL aligns with CASEL competencies;
- Self awareness,
- Self management
- Social awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
| The materials are modern and interactive, with video modeling. Research shows that video modeling increases student retention and application across different settings and can help accommodate for difficulties with executive functioning skills and information processing. There are lessons for each grade level under each competency. Staff are working to modify the information for each lesson for their classrooms. Students participate in SEL lessons weekly in their classrooms. | |
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Ongoing Community Supports
Salvation Army - Serving Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau counties
1239 Barlow St., Traverse City, MI
Phone: 231.946.4644
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.)
Salvation Army - Serving Emmet, Charlevoix and Antrim counties
712 Pleasant St., Petoskey, MI
Phone: 231.347.3531
Open to the public for walk-ins M-F from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.)
Salvation Army - Serving Wexford, Missaukee and Kalkaska counties
725 Wright St., Cadillac, MI
Phone: 231.775.7131
Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food Pantry 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Father Fred Foundation - Serving most of Northwest Lower Michigan
826 Hastings St., Traverse City, MI
Phone: 231.947.2055
Open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Northwest Food Coalition - Provides a complete list of where to locate meals or food pantries in your area. Visit the website or call 231.642.4702
Other Area Resources:
Homelessness - Prevention and Support
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Important Dates to Remember
**Friday, Jan. 19**: HALF DAY for SE Students
Monday, March 25 to Monday, April 1: No School; Spring Recess
Tuesday, April 2: School Resumes
Monday, May 27: No School; Holiday
Friday, June 7: Last Day!!
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Nurse's Notes
by Jamie Tornga, BSN, RN
jtornga@NorthwestEd.org
Office: 231.933.3570
In an effort to keep all of our students healthy, we appreciate your cooperation in following the guidelines for attendance at school. Please keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms:
• Vomiting or diarrhea (should be symptom-free for 24 hours)
• High fever (usually 100 degrees or more; should be free for 24 hours)
• Sore throat that has lasted longer than 3 days
• Persistent cough
• Red eyes with drainage, itching or burning
• Any undiagnosed rash
• Head lice (may return after treatment)
• Extreme fatigue and/or irritability even in the absence of the above symptoms
Please notify the school office as well as the transportation department if your child will be absent. Thank you!
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Community Based Learning (CBI)
by Shannon Eno
SEno@NorthwestEd.org
Students in Mr. Eno’s classroom got to use some of the math and social skills lessons learned in class in the community during the month of December. First they traveled to Traverse Heights to make Christmas cookies. Students practiced dividing the dough before rolling it out and using some holiday cookie cutters to form their desired shapes. Once they were baked they had a lot of fun decorating and eating them! The students also got to travel to Bob Evans to practice reading and ordering from a menu. Each student used their mode of communication to order their meals independently. They did an amazing job ordering and waiting for their food to arrive. Everyone used their best manners while waiting and eating. The staff at Bob Evans were really impressed and asked us to come back again soon. Both trips were filled with laughing and learning.
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Many of our students in our center-based programs use multi-modal communication. Learning signs to support spoken or augmented communication can increase comprehension and communication. However, it is important to note that American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete language in and of itself. These signs are taken from ASL and are used as a visual to support spoken and augmented communication. | |
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What's for Lunch?
North Ed partners with Traverse City Area Public School to provide breakfast and lunch for our students. You can find all the school menus on their website.
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Policies & Procedures
Student / Parent Handbook | Procedural Safeguards Notice
Attendance
Students are expected to be in school on a consistent basis; however, we know illness, appointments and therapies sometimes happen during the school day. If your child will not be in school, you must notify the school office or their teacher directly by 9:30 a.m. Please call 231.933.3560
If your child will be out of school for an extended period, please let your child's teacher know so we can determine if there is a need for continuing their education outside of school during this time.
Extracurricular Involvement
If you would like your child to participate in any school-run, parent-initiated, extracurricular activities (sports, choir, school dances, etc.), you must give notice to your student's teacher three weeks prior to the event start date. We must have time to assemble the IEP team to determine if any additional supports are needed for safe participation.
Parents: Sign Up for Text Alerts
Northwest Education Services uses text messaging to inform our school community of school closures and other emergencies. Click the link School Closings & Alerts to learn more about how we communicate and keep you informed.
How to Sign Up:
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Text any one of these words to the number 67587: subscribe, optin, or yes
- Repeat this process for any wireless phone numbers that you wish to include
- You’ll receive a confirmation text message when you sign up
NOTE: If your cell phone number is not on file with the school, you will not be able to receive text messages. Text messaging service is limited to contact numbers tied to North Ed staff and student databases and is not available to the general public. If you are unsure whether your phone number is on file, contact the New Horizons office at 231.933.3560.
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Know someone who would be a good fit to join our program staff? Please send them our way during one of the upcoming Open House events. Let us know if you have any questions. | |
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New Horizons
933 Rose St., Traverse City, MI 49686
Tel. 231.933.3560 | NorthwestEd.org
Northwest Education Services
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
Tel. 231.922.6200 | NorthwestEd.org
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