News for students, families & friends | | |
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From the Supervisor's Desk
It is hard to believe that we are talking about summer and starting to plan for the months ahead!
One organization that offers summer programming is Dream Team. Dream Team is a co-ed baseball league for youths, teens, and young adults ages 8-26 with disabilities. The athletes are paired with player partners and have assistance as needed. This program is free to all participants, but you MUST register by April 19, 2024. More information is available on their website.
This time of year my staff and I are often asked about summer program supports. Families can find summer support through respite and community living support (CLS) programs which are available by application through other community agencies. I also have several staff members interested in supporting families. If you have a need for these services, please reach out to me directly and I will discuss with staff and help get you connected.
Respectfully,
Riley Denison
Supervisor, New Horizons
Northwest Education Services
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Meet Ashley, Adaptive PE Teacher
by Ashley Pinkelman, MS, OTR/L
apinkelman@NorthwestEd.org
Office: 231.933.5689
Hello parents and guardians! My name is Ashley Pinkelman and I am the new Adaptive Physical Education teacher for North Ed. I am very excited to be here working with your student in APE! Not only am I a certified special education teacher, but I have also spent the past nine years as an occupational therapist, primarily working with children in early intervention, clinics and schools. Having this combination of experiences has provided me with a unique lens to structure APE to be optimally beneficial to all students. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your student(s) over the past couple of months and I look forward to getting to know our extended school families! Please feel free to contact me through the email address listed above if you have any questions.
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As summer quickly approaches, we want to make you aware of a list of summer resources we have gathered. Included in this list are accessible options as well as wheelchair and mobility equipment-friendly locations that students may enjoy. Please see the resources listed below to determine whether the agency/opportunity is a good fit for your child. Parents should speak with an agency directly to ensure that the program is appropriate for their child’s needs and to determine enrollment possibilities.
Please reach out to Cherie if you have questions or if you have additional information you would like to share with the New Horizons community.
Summer Resources (Each bold title is linked to their website)
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Benzie/Manistee
- Kalkaska/Antrim
- Grand Traverse/Leelanau/Wexford-Missaukee
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Centra Wellness Network (Benzie county residents)
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Indian Trails Camp (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Camp Tall Tree (Howell, MI)
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Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning (Mayville, MI)
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OpenSpot Theatre (Metro Detroit, MI)
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Bay Cliff Health Camp (Big Bay, MI)
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Challenge Mountain (Boyne Falls, MI)
- New Hope Church: Hope Camp
- Camp Alec
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Special Olympics - Area 2 (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska counties)
We have compiled a list of local places, organizations and activities that might make participation and navigation a little easier for you and your student - from formal team sport opportunities to casual, quick visits:
Accessible Options (wheelchair and mobility equipment-friendly locations)
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Sleeping Bear Dunes Accessibility Program – The track chair program is meant to be used by park visitors who need assistance to experience a rustic hiking trail.
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Timber Recreation Area - Accessible trail that leads to a fishing pier
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TART Trail - Miles of paved trails with a variety of parking locations
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Traverse Area Community Adaptive Sailing - Adaptive sailing is a program that is inclusive to individuals with all abilities, including but not limited to those with physical and/or cognitive delays, senior citizens, veterans, and those with critical health concerns.
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The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park - Free tours and wide pathways
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Joy 2 Ride Benzie - The program allows individuals who are physically unable to pedal/ride a bike the opportunity to enjoy Betsie Valley Trail using a specially designed wheelchair bike and "volunteer pilots.”
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Traverse Height Elementary School - After school hours use of paved trail and adaptive swings
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Veterans Memorial Park - Paved trail with adaptive swings in Elk Rapids
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Grand Traverse County Civic Center - Paved trail with adaptive swings, also the home field to the Dream Team baseball program
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Grass River Natural Area - This trail, found in Antrim County, has 1.5 miles of boardwalk trails, including the Perception Pathway which features Braille interpretive signs and a guiding rope.
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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail - 27 miles of paved trail
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TC Curling's Wheelchair Curling Program - Jeff Snover would like to get people hooked on curling. He is in a chair and tried out for the Paralympic Team in 2022. Call or email him if you or someone you know would like to learn about the program. 706.726.3170 Jdsnover@gmail.com
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Ongoing Community Supports
Salvation Army - Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau counties
1239 Barlow St., Traverse City, MI
231.946.4644
Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed daily 12-1 p.m.)
Salvation Army - Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim counties
712 Pleasant St., Petoskey, MI
231.347.3531
Open to the public for walk-ins 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., M-F (closed daily 12-1 p.m.)
Salvation Army - Wexford, Missaukee, Kalkaska counties
725 Wright St., Cadillac, MI
231.775.7131
Open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday Food Pantry 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Father Fred Foundation - Most of Northwest Lower Michigan
826 Hastings St., Traverse City, MI
231.947.2055
Open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 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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Free Laundry Service for Those in Need
TC Laundry | 1131 S. Garfield Ave.
1st & 3rd Thursday of each month
8: 30 - 11:30 a.m.
Eastfield Laundry | 1122 E. 8th St.
2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
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Important Dates to Remember
Monday, May 27: No School, Memorial Day
Friday, June 7: Last Day of School
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Community Bulletin Board
The following events and ideas are NOT sponsored by Northwest Education Services. Contact Lisa Poortenga in the school office to add something.
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Autism Acceptance Month Fundraiser
Celebrate and take the opportunity to raise funds simply by presenting a coupon and purchasing a good meal at La Senorita on Monday, April 22, 2024.
Receive 20% off your check by giving the server one coupon (one per check). Lunch or dinner, carry out and sit-down service is accepted. Present the coupon on April 22 to support student activities at the Life Skills Center. Share the coupons with your friends or the table next to you. Thank you for your support!
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In an effort to keep our students healthy, we appreciate your cooperation in following the guidelines for attendance at school. We ask that you keep your child home if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- High fever (usually 100 degrees or more)
- 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
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We follow the
24-hour rule!
If your child is sent home because they are sick or displaying one of the listed symptoms, they need to stay home the next school day. They may return to school once they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin.
Thank you for your help in keeping other students and staff healthy!
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Many 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 Schools to provide breakfast and lunch for our students. You can find the school menus linked below.
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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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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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