November 12, 2023

A Note from the Director

Dear Families,

As part of IvyCares we are excited to celebrate World Kindness Day tomorrow. Be sure to check your student's backpack for a special treat. IvyCares about our families and we want to pass on the kindness to you! Scroll down to see some of our activities and lessons as we celebrate and invest in our culture of kindness.

We have an abundance of COVID tests provided by the MD Dept of Health with extended expiration dates of 12-15-23. Please let your classroom teacher know if you would like us to send some home. Tests are also available for pickup anytime in the main office. These tests can be used by anyone in the household.

For high school and post-high school families, a reminder that Ivymount and SEEC will host an informational session about Project SEARCH on Wednesday, November 15. See below for more information about the session and check our our Six Decades Story about Project SEARCH. Did you know that Ivymount was the first non-public school in our region to become a Project SEARCH site?

Also a reminder that school pictures will be taken this week. Check with your classroom teacher if you don't already have information about the date.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED!

Dates to Remember

November 13 - 17

School Pictures

November 15

Project SEARCH Info Session

November 22-24

Thanksgiving Holiday

November 28

Giving Tuesday

Students Celebrate Strengths During IvyCares

The celebration of kindness and positivity is going strong for IvyCares month. In the Speech Department, the SLP team created a "Wall of Strengths" on the bulletin board to hang in the Speech Suite. Students have been completing slips of paper in sessions that talk about their strengths "I am ___" "My strength is ___" "I am a very ___ person." In group sessions, students have been completing them with peers by talking about each other's strengths and practicing giving/receiving compliments. Staff have also started to write them about other SLPs in the department, and hanging them on each others' doors to give shout outs to our coworkers.

Ivymount Staff Take Care of Each Other

In addition to students, Ivymount staff are also spreading the IvyCares spirit by taking advantage of opportunities to recognize strengths, express gratitude, and take care of each other. Highlights from this week of caring include a special pie tasting treat from Sunflower Bakery, whose mission is to prepare individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities for employment in baking and related industries through skilled, on-the-job training. Staff also gave back to the community through a blood drive benefiting the American Red Cross. Plus, staff enjoyed delicious smoothies and an afternoon pick-me-up snack on Friday's professional development day.

Order Pies from Ivymount Partner Sunflower Bakery

Ivymount families can also enjoy a delicious menu of holiday favorite pies, such as Apple, Apple Crumble, Chocolate Pecan, Pecan, and Pumpkin. Place your Thanksgiving order online by Thursday, November 16 at noon in time for your treats to be delivered to Ivymount on Monday, November 20. Select Ivymount as your Thanksgiving Pick-Up location during checkout.

Sunflower Bakery is an exciting enterprise that combines skills training with hands-on work experience to prepare young adults with learning differences for employment in baking and related industries. Every purchase supports Sunflower's workforce development training program. Do good by eating well!

Music for Autism

Ivymount Outreach hosted Music for Autism on the weekend for another free concert. Over 65 students and families members from Ivymount School and throughout the community gathered to enjoy a live performance of Argentinian music featuring the popular Tango and many other classics. Quintango is a sextet of classically trained musicians who play violin, cello, bass, piano and bandoneon. The group has performed around the world, at the White House and with schools across America and internationally.

Say Cheese!

Tell your student to smile for the camera this week. School pictures are back. Each classroom will be scheduled for a class photo as well as individual photos.

You should have received information about the date for your student's class and individual photos as well as order forms from your classroom teacher.

Bus Evacuation Drill Set for Wednesday

Ivymount School will be having a Front Door Bus Evacuation Drill when students arrive on Wednesday, November 15. This is an annual drill under the direction of the MCPS Department of Transportation. MCPS support staff and Ivymount staff will be assisting with the drill.

Students who are transported by bus will be directed by the driver/aide to leave the bus through the front door. Students will be asked to leave their belongings and move approximately 10 feet from the bus. Once all students and bus staff are off the bus, the aide will go back on the bus and bring the students’ belongings (if a student insists on taking their belongings, they will be allowed to do so).

This Wednesday - Project SEARCH Info Session

Wednesday, November 15

4:30 pm at the Ivymount Campus and Online

Learn more about how the Project SEARCH program helps young adults make successful transitions from school to productive post-school life.

Parents, professionals, and applicants who are interested in applying to the Project SEARCH programs can attend this hybrid session in person or remotely.

Can't join in person? Use this Zoom link

REMINDER

LISS Funding Application Deadline

November 30

The deadline to apply for FY 2024-Round 2 Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program is quickly approaching! The LISS program is provided through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) of the Maryland Department of Health. LISS financial assistance is awarded through a random selection process and can be applied to many Ivymount Outreach Programs or other eligible services/items.

Click here for more information

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

PTA Planning a St. Patrick's Day Dance

The Ivymount School PTA is excited to host the first St. Patrick's Day Dance since before the pandemic. This dance is open to all programs and ages across the whole school. We are looking for a few volunteers for the Dance Committee to help with planning and coordination.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Gillian.Economou@gmail.com

Get Involved in Our Upcoming PTA Events

Parent/Caregiver Hangout - Corner Bakery Bethesda

Wednesday, December 6 at 9:15 am

Winter PTA Meeting via Zoom

Tuesday, January 9 - 7 to 8 pm

Spring PTA Meeting - In Person at Ivymount School

Friday, April 12 - 9:30 to 10:30 am

Sneaker Drive Raises Funds and Helps the Environment

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the PTA's ongoing Sneaker Drive with GotSneakers. Things to know:

Sneakers (and cleats) can be in any condition (with or without laces/insoles).
Pairs only.
No crocs, sandals, dress shoes, or other types of shoes.
Send shoes to school with your student or drop them off inside the main entrance of the school.
If you have 12 pairs or more, contact trish.stone@yahoo.com for a collection bag.

Read Ivymount's Six Decades Stories

Since 2011, Ivymount has interviewed 117 alumni families to better understand what post-school life looks like and how we can better prepare students and families for the transition to adult life. Click here to read our latest Six Decades story about one former student.

Give the Gift of Successful Outcomes

Ivymount depends on your support to provide quality programs for neurodiverse children, young adults, and their families. Be part of our momentum as we work to create positive outcomes for students and families.

Support Ivymount