IvyNotes

October 2, 2022

A Note from the Director

Each October, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s one way we recognize the community partnerships and jobsites that over the years have provided advocacy in the cause of equal employment, and mentorship for our students. Each partner is invaluable in our efforts to prepare students for a successful transition from school to adult life with meaningful work and community inclusion.

This year’s NDEAM theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” As businesses and organizations continue to re-open, we will value your connections and ideas to re-establish a network of varied and rich job placements for our students. Reach out if you know of an opportunity. Meanwhile, scroll down to learn about our current class of Project SEARCH students.

We would like to share two COVID-related reminders: First, if your student displays any COVID-like symptoms, please test using two rapid test (a complete at-home kit). Second, please email studentcovidreport@ivymount.org if your child or a member of your household tests positive and follow guidance.

Have a great evening.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, Oct 5

Non-Instructional Day

No School for Students and Staff

Monday, Oct 10

Professional Day

Please review the full 2022-23 calendar for other dates this school year.

Project SEARCH is Back!

The Ivymount Project SEARCH program recently kicked off its 2022-23 session as instructor Clayton Caden welcomed a cohort of 12 interns from DC and Maryland.

Project SEARCH is a one-year school-to-work program to help young adults make successful transitions from school to a productive adult life. The program model includes an extensive period of training and career exploration, combined with continuous feedback from teachers, job coaches, and employers.

Ivymount School is proud to collaborate with NIH, Montgomery County Government, and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as with SEEC, a local nonprofit that provides community-based employment support to transitioning youth and adults. We also give a special thank you to Montgomery College for generously providing the space for our classroom while we wait for our assigned space at our host businesses to be ready for us.

“The interns were excited to hear that we already have a number of internships ready to take on our interns,” said Lu Merrick, Director of Project SEARCH Programs for Ivymount. “The program has gotten off to a great start. The interns are all very excited to start their internships and build their resumes!”

Classroom 182 "Escapes" Disney World

"Fun Group" in Classroom 182 has never been more magical! Students participated in a virtual Disney World escape room, during which they worked together to figure out answers to Disney-themed trivia questions to "escape" sections of everyone's favorite theme park. Students did an awesome job researching answers about Disney movie history, classic Disney rides, and more.

Last Call for Fall Gator Cards

The Gator Card Business is extending their due date to order Fall cards until Monday, October 10^th! This is your last chance to order your Fall cards, handmade by students in the Ivymount HS Vocational MLN Program. To purchase cards, please send in $1.00 (per card) and the order form with your student to school.

Whether you want cards to use yourself or to send as a gift to someone, this is an excellent opportunity to support our students and all their hard work in student-run businesses!

Click Here for the Order Form

Interested in Joining Best Buddies?

The first Best Buddies event is (tentatively) planned for Sunday October 23!

What is Best Buddies? Best Buddies is an international program dedicated to providing social connections and the opportunity for friendship between individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability and their non-disabled peers.

Who Can Join? Best Buddies is for Ivymount students who are 13 years of age or older.

Who are Ivymount’s partner schools? Ivymount partners with two private high school Best Buddies Chapters: The Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and Georgetown Preparatory School.

Where are the Best Buddies events? Events are hosted at our partner schools, which are located just down the road from Ivymount.

When are Best Buddies events? Best Buddies events are hosted monthly outside of school hours, usually on weekends.

What do students do at Best Buddies events? Students who attend the Best Buddies events participate in various activities such as dancing, talent shows, arts and crafts, sports, etc. There is truly something for everyone!

Click Here to Register!

Ivymount Staff Publish Article

Check out some of the amazing work our Ivymount staff are doing outside of the classroom! Recently, research demonstrating the impact of an IEP goal builder on social goals for autistic students was published in Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.

Staff members Eve Muller and Lynn Cannon conducted a study that indicated that the use of IvySCIP, an online tool designed to support data-driven SEL instruction, results in higher quality social and emotional IEP goals.

Click here to view the abstract or read the article in its entirety.

Click here to learn more about IvySCIP.

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

PTA Dues Drive Underway Now

The Ivymount PTA Annual Dues Drive is now underway and we hope you will consider making a contribution.

As the parent or guardian of an Ivymount student, you are automatically a member of our PTA. While there are no required PTA dues, we rely primarily on voluntary donations by our families during the Annual Dues Drive to fund a significant portion of our family activities and staff appreciation events. Contributions of any amount are welcome.

Donations to the PTA Annual Dues Drive can be made via check or online at my.cheddarup.com/c/pta-fall-dues-drive.

Or, click the button below to contribute.

The PTA truly appreciates contributions of any amount.

Donate to the PTA Annual Dues Drive