Woodland Developmental Center

Volume 5, Issue 3 • November / December 2013

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Events Calendar • Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 – There is much to be thankful Christmas break • Jan. 7, 5:30-7 p.m. – Parent Information for this season at Woodland Session, Recreation The holidays remind us to take time to give thanks: thanks to our Opportunities families, staff and wonderful students. We are fortunate to have many dedicated professionals here at Woodland who feel honored to work with At Woodland your children every day. During this special time of year, I again say thank you and happy holidays. Diana Maison, Principal Brian Jex, Asst. Principal I’d like to mention the efforts of our students and their families to give back to the community at this time of year. This includes donating Main Office: canned goods, and working at the Salvation Army sorting and packing (810) 455-1011 boxes for area families in need. Their selfless acts remind us of the reason To report an absence: for this season. (810) 364-7757 We would also like to recognize our physical education teacher, Jen Egan, on her Busing: Teacher of the Year award. Jen was named the top teacher by the American Alliance for (810) 364-7757 Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Congratulations, Jen. To reach your child’s teacher: Call the main office at Jen Egan named Midwest Teacher of the Year (810) 455-1011 Jennifer Egan, Woodland physical education instructor, last month Online was presented with her award as Midwest District (Michigan, The Woodland Word can be Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana) adapted accessed online at www. physical education Teacher of the Year. sccresa.org. Click on the The award is from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Woodland Developmental Education, Recreation and Dance, which sets the national Center button on the RESA standards for physical education teachers. It was presented in homepage. Lansing at the state conference. Egan had previously been named the Michigan adapted physical education Teacher of the Year. She was judged on the quality of the physical education curriculum she developed for Woodland and other professional work. “I had a vision, and the dream was only possible by having great people stand beside me to make programming come true,” Egan said. “I am blessed to work with amazing people at Woodland school every day.” She has worked at Woodland for six years. She has bachelor’s degrees in physical education for students with special needs, and in general physical education and health The Woodland Developmental Center is operated by the from Western Michigan University. She also has a master’s degree in counseling from St. Clair County Regional Oakland University. Educational Service Agency. The Woodland Word | November / December 2013 2

Thanksgiving dinner draws special guests Box Tops labels Room 208 had its annual help in many Thanksgiving dinner at the ways Living Learning Center Nov. 19. Superintendent Dan Room 115 is collecting DeGrow, Special Education Box Tops for Education. Director Cyndi Raymo Each Box Top label is and Woodland principals worth 10 cents and can Diana Maison and Brian Jex be found on hundreds attended. of items. Normally Guests had a meal of the money raised buys turkey, stuffing, mashed needed classroom potatoes and gravy, sweet materials. This month, potato casserole, corn, however, the money cranberry sauce, rolls and pies. will be used to buy food Before the event, students Those invited to for the Salvation Army. learned about the origins of the Thanksgiving dinner received this Another benefit of the the first Thanksgiving and how handmade invitation program is teaching the Pilgrims and the Indians with a drawing by students how to count brought food to the feast. To Michael M. to 10. Go to www. continue this tradition, each boxtops4education.com student brought a food item as for a complete list of a contribution to the meal. products. Questions can be directed to Denise Mackenzie at 455-4421. Range Road speed limit goes down by campus Another fundraiser is being held in Room The speed limit on Range Road in front of the RESA entrance has 208. Campbell soup been lowered from 50 mph to 35 mph at times during the school day labels can be redeemed by the St. Clair County Road Commission at the request of RESA. for free educational Lisa Meredith, RESA transportation coordinator, said the change resources. The Labels for will help with traffic congestion at Woodland making it safer for Education Program is buses to exit the RESA campus and 9th Street onto Range. simple: Meredith worked with the road commission, which did a traffic • Clip and save UPCs study. Charlie Andrews, RESA director of Operations and Special (barcodes) and Projects, said, “This is an important step in student safety and we beverage/ sauce caps appreciate the road commission making the change. They were from participating responsive and listened to our concerns.” products. It is important that you clip the barcode instead of Weather can affect student transportation the front of the labels. • Give the UPCs and Safety is the No. 1 priority of the transportation department. There are differences in busing beverage/sauce caps to your children if a school is closed due to weather or due to a power or building issue. Mrs. Ebmeyer’s room. If a school district is closed due to weather, we cannot go through that district to get to Go to www. another district that is open. For instance, if Capac closes we cannot travel through Capac to labelsforeducation. pick up children in Yale. But if a district is closed due to power outage or other non-weather com for a product list. issues then we will travel through that district. Questions may be School closings are reported on television channels 2, 4 and 7 as well as radio stations directed to Michele WBTI FM 96.9, WHLS AM 1380, WPHM AM 1380 and WSAQ FM 107. Ebmeyer at 455-4429. If you have any questions please contact Art Czachowski, Transportation Supervisor, at (810) 364-7757. The Woodland Word | November / December 2013 3

Contacting Woodland

If you have questions about Woodland, you can call the office directly at 455-4011. For questions about busing, call the transportation department at 364- 7757. This is also the number you should use to report an absence for your child. If you would like to speak with your child’s teacher, you can Students learn it’s good to ROAR be connected by calling Fifty-six ROAR cards have been awarded so far this year, and our ROAR bulletin board is the office. filling up with pictures of the students who have received an award. ROAR is our positive behavior intervention and support program. ROAR stands for Parent mentors Respect, Own your own choices, Always be safe and be Responsible. available During November and December, we have been teaching behaviors that we expect to see in the cafeteria. Please review the following expectations with your child: If you are a new Woodland parent or a Our expectations for the Cafeteria: parent just wanting more • Respect: Keep hands to self, eat only your own food, wait for your turn, use a quiet information or guidance, voice, use kind words when speaking and respect the personal space of others we are happy to connect • Own your own choices: Clean up spills, eat the food you choose you with a “parent • Always be safe: Walk safely, push chairs in, be gentle when putting items in dish room mentor” who can answer • Responsibility: Clean up after yourself; put your plates, utensils and trash where they your questions and belong share their experiences and knowledge. Please call Diana Maison at Woodland honors those who serve 455-4376 for further information. Woodland students participated in a service learning activity in November to honor men and women who are serving or who have served in the military. Students wrote letters and made cards and drawings that were forwarded to the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” campaign through Visitors asked to the American Red Cross. This campaign distributes cards to service personnel. It was a sign in at office wonderful effort by our students and staff to honor those who serve. Parents and other Woodland visitors are Salvation Army campaign again helps needy reminded that they must sign the sign-in sheet Tables to collect non-perishable food items for the annual Salvation Army drive will be set when visiting the school. up by the front doors at both the north and south wings this season. Students from Room This helps us ensure the 217 will pick up donated food on Fridays from the Administration and TEC buildings. All safety of our students. donations will be boxed and delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution. The food drive continues through Dec. 13. Woodland also will be collecting mittens, scarves, and hats for needy children. The Woodland Word | November / December 2013 4

Workers and Students of the Month Butter braid Each month, we hold a special afternoon event to honor Woodland students who have sales a success; demonstrated outstanding work. We are very proud of the achievements of our young people pizza kits are and enjoy the opportunity to recognize their hard work. next

Workers of the month The Woodland Parent Back Row: Kurtis, Amanda, Teacher Organization Kyle, Justin and Gio; Front raised $1,180 from the Row: Lydia, Amanda, Molly butter braid sales this and Steven. fall. Everyone who helped deserves a thank- you. The next fundraiser will be Little Caesar’s pizza kits. Order forms will go out Jan. 6. All proceeds will be used Students of the month to purchase items for From right to left: Julie classrooms. Burge and Danielle; Bill McCoy and Arissa; Deb Lawniczak and Shaylynn; Sensory friendly Tricia Smith and Millie; movies Tammy Brown with Cody and Cali; and Amy Watching a movie Thompson with Alexzander. during prime time hours can be challenging for families and children with Autism and sensory NURSES CORNER with registered nurse Louann Rinke issues. Krafft 8 movie theater offers a Lights Bundling up your child can be a life saver Up, Sounds Down Many of our students have poor circulation. It is particularly important that screening once a month these students are dressed appropriately for the weather because the area of of a first run movie with poor circulation is fragile and more prone to cold exposure and frostbite. the lights turned up and Many of our buses have lifts to accommodate our students in wheelchairs. the sound turned down The temperature on the bus can vary greatly while the lift doors are open, so to a lower volume. bundling your student will help them remain warm during their bus ride. The next movie There have been a few confirmed cases of influenza in St. Clair will be Walking with County. It is not too late for your child to get a flu shot. The flu shot is the best way to prevent Dinosaurs on Saturday, getting the flu. Many pharmacies offer flu shots. Flu shots are also available at the health Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. department. Flu symptoms include; a fever of 100 degrees or higher, moderate to severe Dates and titles are chills, body aches and fatigue, headache, and dry cough. A sore throat is uncommon with the subject to change. Call flu. Kraft 8 at (810) 982- The best treatment is antiviral medications prescribed by a doctor. A child who exhibits 8463 to confirm. symptoms of the flu should be kept home and allowed to rest. Staying home prevents the spread of the illness to other students. If you keep your student home due to illness, please call and let us know. It helps us monitor and identify early illness in classmates. The Woodland Word | November / December 2013 5

Information sessions give parents new insights Training Table Guest speakers will share ideas and opportunities for our students at the four remaining schedule informational sessions. Sessions run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. The Training Table Tuesday, Jan. 7, Recreation Opportunities restaurant inside Presenters: Maggie DeKoyer-Watson and Jen Egan, Woodland staff Woodland is open Thursday, Feb. 20, Sex Education for the Person with Special Needs to students’ family members and RESA Presenters: Jen Egan and Sherry Shine-Thompson, Woodland staff staff members two Thursday, March 13, Nutrition days a week. Please Presenters: Jen Egan, Woodland, and Carol Bublitz, MSU Extension Services call a day ahead to make reservations: Tuesday, April 29, Trusts and Wills (810) 455-4434. Presenter to be announced Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays What is PAC? 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Table service and The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents of students with disabilities. take-out is available Members meet throughout the school year to stay informed about current trends, provide both days. educational opportunities and assist parents in understanding special education rules and regulations and the IEP process. Prices: Students All parents are invited to attend meetings 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Administration $3.50; Adults $4.50 building on the RESA campus. • Jan. 7, 2014 – East Conference Room Salad bar is served • Feb. 4, 2014 – East Conference Room each Tuesday • May 6, 2014 – East Conference Room Wednesdays: Jan. 8 – Nachos and Bowling fundraiser to help Special Olympics brownies

Woodland is planning a bowling fundraiser to support Special Olympics. The event is Jan. 15 – Unstuffed tentatively set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Zebra Lanes in Port Huron. The cost is $20 per pepper soup, bowler for two games and shoes. A 50/50 raffle will also be available. If you are interested in homemade rolls and attending this event, please contact Katie Anderson. frosted cake

Jan. 22 – Shepherd’s KITCHEN CORNER with food service director Sue Negowski Pie, homemade rolls Fresh ingredients at core of healthy meals and angel food cake with strawberries We are always looking for ways to make our meals more healthful. As a result of that, more fruit will be offered at breakfast next year. Jan. 29 – Spaghetti I recently attended a two-day food service directors conference near bake, Texas toast, Traverse City with 600 other people. We were introduced to some different salad and chocolate foods that are lower in fat and sodium. I also was updated on the new pudding cake breakfast regulations that are coming in July. I was reminded after talking to many food directors that we are fortunate to still be cooking from scratch and able to provide all of the choices that we do. Many districts buy everything prepared and just heat and serve. We are offering homemade soups on the menu and also some hot sandwiches to help us all keep warm on these cold days. The Woodland Word | November / December 2013 6

January Lunch Menu Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Weekly Alternate Choice 6 7 8 9 10 Chicken patty Cheeseburger Ham & Cheese Chicken ala King Turkey sub Pizza Carrots sandwich Fresh carrots Oven sweet potatoes Tossed greens Broccoli Baked beans Oven fries Fresh cukes Squash Applesauce Pea’s Banana Grapes Red apple Orange Fruit cocktail Peaches Pears Pineapple Milk Green apple Biscuit Milk Cornbread Milk Milk Milk 13 14 15 16 17 Hamburger patty Spaghetti with meat Sloppy Joes Fish sandwich Ham & cheese wrap Chicken patty sauce Baked beans Fresh carrots Oven sweet potatoes Green beans Broccoli Pea’s Soup Tossed green Fresh cukes Carrots Green apple Banana Banana Red apple Applesauce Fruit cocktail Peaches Grapes Pineapple Orange Milk Milk Milk Milk Bread slice Milk 20 21 22 23 24 Grilled chicken Baked Rotini Turkey w rap Mac & cheese Chili No School patty Broccoli Baked beans Green beans Sweet potato fries Carrots Pea’s Fresh carrots Fresh cukes Applesauce Green apple Banana Banana Orange Fruit cocktail Peaches Grapes Milk Milk Milk Cornbread Milk 27 28 29 30 31 Peanut butter and Chicken Tetrazzini Corn dog Salisbury steak Grilled chicken BBQ pork on bun jelly Broccoli Baked beans Mashed potatoes patty Tossed greens Carrots Pea’s Fresh carrots Oven sweet potatoes Green beans Applesauce Green apple Banana Fresh cukes Red apple Orange Fruit cocktail Peaches Banana Pineapple Roll Milk Roll Grapes Milk Milk Milk Milk The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identify, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete theUSDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr. usda.gov/complaint fling cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866)632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D. C. 20250-9410, by fax (202)690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)877-8339; or (800)845-6136 (Spanish)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Please feel free to call anytime: Sue Negowski (810) 455-4289

STUDENT: PRICES ADULT: PRICES: Milk/Juice $ .50 Elementary Lunch $2.30 Lunch $3.75 Secondary $2.45 Milk .50 Reduce Price .40