IvyNotes

October 23, 2022

A Note from the Director

Dear families,

We're well into this quarter and everyone at Ivymount School is hard at work. As you'll see from our highlights below, students in all programs and at all grade levels are learning, thinking, questioning, and creating their way through the curicullum while also working on their individual goals. The staff are providing motivation, support, and original ideas and supports. Great work, everyone!

A reminder to register for the PTA Movement and Movie Night next weekend. We would love to see as many families come out as possible. Until then, have a good rest of your evening.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, November 8

Professional Day

Thursday, November 10

Project SEARCH Information Session

Friday, November 11

OSSE Not Transporting DC Students

Post High School Celebrates NDEAM

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), PHS students completed projects to learn about what makes them good employees and how they can contribute to future workplaces. Students discussed how their best qualities, like flexibility, good time management, and reliability can contribute to job success!

Creativity With Books

The MAP seventh graders got to test their creativity after finishing the novel, The Last Book in the Universe. Students were tasked with identifying an area of the book that was the most interesting to them and then developing a project that represented that element. The students came up with a wide variety of projects, from maps of the landscape, to character profiles, to social commentary on the class structure. The students were then able to show their projects to their peers and talk about why this area of the novel interested them so much. Projects were well thought out and students did a great job completing and sharing their work!

All About Nutrition in P.E.

During the nutrition unit, students are learning about how healthy food choices help our body by giving us the fuel needed to learn, grow, and be active. The students are using the federal MyPlate symbol of the five food groups to guide them in figuring out that "all foods fit" and the understanding that there are "go", "slow", and "whoa" foods. "Go" foods are okay to eat most of the time, "slow" foods are foods that are okay to eat sometimes, and "whoa" foods are okay to eat every once in a while.

Speech Team Presents "This is Me"

Ann Kern (pictured left) and Danielle Evans of the Ivymount SLP team presented at the 40th Anniversary Autism New Jersey conference about a tool they developed to help young people express their strengths and advocate for themselves..

This is Me: A Self-Advocacy Tool is a customized, electronic tool used by a student with their teacher, speech language pathologist, and/or educational team. The tool uses a story creation application to record information about the student’s strengths, interests, and preferences, as well as strategies and supports the student uses in the areas of communication, self-advocacy, executive function, and behavior. This ensures that important information about the student's support strategies doesn't get lost during transitions to a new classroom, therapist or job setting.

Download a This is Me How-To Guide

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

Movement and Movie Night

Saturday, Oct 29

5 pm - 7:45 pm

All Ivymount School families are welcome to attend the PTA’s Movement and Movie event. It's free for all Ivymount families. First, take part in a high-energy session of ZamDance, full of movement and music. Then, enjoy some snacks and get out your lawn chair and blanket to enjoy an outdoor movie: "The Rise of Gru."

Dress up in a costume if you like and bring the whole family!

Click on the link below to RSVP and to volunteer with set up, clean and pass out snacks, if you’re able to do so.

Parent and Caregiver Hangout

Wednesday, Nov 2

9:15 am - 10:30 am

Corner Bakery (across from Westfield Montgomery Mall)

Are you interested in getting to know other Ivymount School parents and caregivers? Looking for advice, tips, or a friendly ear from others who understand? The PTA hangouts are a great opportunity to form new connections. Join us!