Filed under: General and Misc — ssscoleman at 1:34 pm on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
From the National Down Syndrome Congress
Video footage from NDSC’s “We’re More Alike Than Different” campaign will be included in tonight’s edition of ABC’s “20/20: What Would You Do?” at 10 PM ET/9 PM CT.
The segment will use an actor with Down syndrome to portray a grocery store bagger who is berated by a customer (another actor). The question posed by the television show is, what will other shoppers do? Hidden cameras reveal the answer and speak to the need for us all to advocate for workers with disabilities. In a clip from the NDSC video, self advocates Christi Hockel and Mark Hublar are shown at their respective real-life jobs at Safeway and Wal Mart, demonstrating that employees with Down syndrome are more like their colleagues than they are different.
Ask your friends and neighbors to watch tonight’s show and then ask them, “what would you do?” You might discover that you have a wonderful opportunity to educate and advocate!
Filed under: General and Misc — ssscoleman at 1:09 pm on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Learn about the new Parents United in Partnership with CPS to bring back recess and CPS and “Go for the Gold” partnershipe with CPS and the USDA Midwest. Sorry parents, we informed of a meeting (today, Wed. May 19th, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00) a bit late. HOWEVER if you are interested in keeping our children healthy, please visit these sites that will inform you about current initiatives.
www.GoForTheGold.org is an initiative to improve school food and fitness by adopting Michelle Obama’s HealthierUS School Challenge. BENEFITS FOR SCHOOLS INCLUDE:
$1500, Gold, $1000., Silver, and $500. Bronze financial awards for each school meeting the Challenge
4 year certification recognizing the school’s outstanding work
healthy kids, benefits to learning and environment!
4. Old Business / Updates
• Teacher Appreciation – Pam Anderson
• Drummond Montessori Matters Update – Mollie Stromberg
• Tortoise Concert – Mollie Stromberg
• Pink Tower Party – Mollie Stromberg
• End of the school year picnic – Laura Lopez & Maria Holstead
5. New Business- Committee Reports
• Spring Room Parent Assignments & Recruiting – Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
• Spring Uniform Swap – Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
• Fall Walk-A-Thon –
• Drummond Buddy Family – Grace Kwon
6. PTO Elections for 2010-11
Nominations:
Sabrina Craig and Melissa Sterne as new Co-Presidents
Maria Devrya as new Vice President
Megan Hinchsliff as ongoing Treasurer
Simone Widney as ongoing Secretary
7. Kudos / Thanks
Pam Anderson and Maria Sotelo for Teacher Appreciation Day Activities
Neha Ghandi for Home Depot Bird House Project
Filed under: General and Misc — grace at 11:46 pm on Friday, May 14, 2010
There is an incredibly simple way to stand up for funding for our children’s schools, and prevent catastrophic statewide cuts. Just visit www.noto37.org, and the site does all the work for you. At the first prompt (for school name or zip code), type in “Drummond”. Highlight the Drummond name, and click to proceed. The site finds your elected officials, gives you a prewritten letter that you can edit if you wish, and sends the email– all in about sixty seconds. This is our only chance to save our schools — please visit noto37.org today and spend what might be the most important minute of your day!
Send this link to others (friends, relatives, neighbors) and ask them to do the same. Thank you.
Filed under: General and Misc — Jonathan Goldman at 3:40 pm on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Here we go again! Drummond has been told by CPS that we need to approve the budget and School Improvement Plan (SIPAAA) by Friday. So, we are rescheduling the LSC meeting yet again, and the LSC will now meet Friday, May 14th at 7:30 am, in room 007.
A letter was sent home today in the student backpacks which outlines the SIPAAA and budget, and you can also view the entire SIPAAA document by clicking here.
Your participation in the meeting is welcome, and as always you can share your comments and feedback with the LSC by email at
Filed under: General and Misc — ssscoleman at 1:37 pm on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Parent Education and Support Group
Let’s Play! Using games to support academics and development
Ever wonder how you can support what your child is learning in school or what he or she is doing in therapy?
Come hear the educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapist discuss benefits of commercially available games. We will talk about how different games support your child’s academic curriculum, facilitate language development, and enhance motor skills.
We will also discuss how you can modify the games and the rules of games to meet the needs of your child.
Filed under: General and Misc — ssscoleman at 10:09 pm on Tuesday, May 11, 2010
FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE ROOM (FCRR) – appointments available
Looking for information on autism or a visual support for your home or classroom?
The resource room is open to the public and includes a lending library, computers with Boardmaker software, a laminator, and a lot of Velcro!
Who: Families, teachers, professionals, community members
When: Call for an appointment.
Where: 1001 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: FREE
How: To schedule an appointment, please call 312-564-4060 or email .
GETTING ALONG SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP for children with Asperger’s & HFA
Be put on the wait list now for the summer session – starting the week of July 5!
Social skills groups meet once a week for nine-consecutive weeks. The children work with certified clinicians on a variety of topics, including understanding emotions, initiating play, receptive & expressive communication, and making new friends. The nine-week session is free of charge and registration is filled on a first come, first serve basis. (Flyer attached for dissemination to the families you serve.)* To be placed on the waiting list, please call Katie at 312-564-4060 or email . ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS:
o “Spring Fling for Autism Awareness” Resource Fair, April 24 8:30- at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 West 111th Street, Chicago. Join Chicagoland Autism Connection for a day of activities and information. For more information, see www.chicagoautism.org
o Dixon, IL Super Conference presented by Future Horizons, Inc with special keynote speakers: Dr. Tony Atwood, Dr. Jed Baker, and Dr. Temple Grandin, July 22 & 23 – register by May 1 for discounted rates ($95-$210). For more information, call 800-489-0727.
o Structured Teaching Workshop for Parents, May 11 at Have Dreams, 515 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL. $100/person. A one-day, interactive workshop gives an overview of Structured Teaching and its application in home, school and community settings. To register or for more information, contact Lydia at 847-685-0250 (Ext 111) or .
Filed under: General and Misc — Jonathan Goldman at 5:51 pm on Sunday, May 9, 2010
Due to the shifting budget timeline from CPS, the LSC meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) has been cancelled. Instead, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 18th at 6:00 pm.
