November 11, 2017

Good Afternoon!  I hope this finds everyone well this bright Saturday afternoon.  Personally, I’ve got a load of laundry going, chicken soup on the stove and Ryan and I are getting ready to take Rosie (our Rottie) for a walk.  Life is good!

I’d like to take this time to wish those of you who have served in our military a Happy Veterans Day!  Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

School Supplies:  A few students still do not have colored pencils for class.  This is something we use quite frequently.  If you are unable to get out and purchase them, please send $2 with your son/daughter and we will purchase them on our next CBI activity.  We often walk to 5 Below or The Dollar Tree and can purchase them there.

Skills we are working on in class:

Responsibility:  Having all materials required for class, ready to learn when the lesson is started.  Some students (most students) are waiting until the class starts and then leaving the class to get pencils, planners, etc. out of their backpacks.

Respect:  Not talking when another person is talking.  Not talking when the teacher is talking.  Not getting out of your seat to use the bathroom when a lesson has started.  (There is ample time before and after our lessons for the bathroom)

Classroom:  The Dollar Up Method – how many dollar bills should you give a cashier given a certain total.  (Example:  If you bill is $6.88, how many one dollar bills would you give a cashier to pay your bill?)   We are also working on job interview skills and what makes a good employee

Vocational:  Work Quality and Quantity   Doing your best work, and staying on task.

Community Based Instruction:  Using a map/directory in the mall.  The difference between Department Stores and Specialty Stores, Using an elevator and escalator (tricky!) and The Dollar Up Method

Attendance/Responsibility:  We have noticed that some students have been missing quite frequently but showing up for their day at Fairlane  or Kerby’s.  Only for the absences to begin again.  While both activities are learning experiences, we require students to participate in all of the learning experiences:  classroom, job sites and community sites, not just their favorites.  For most students,  participation in these activities is part of their IEP., and without expected attendance, they will not make progress towards their goals.  We will be looking at attendance closely in the coming week; students who do not have a minimum of 75% attendance record may have to miss their CBI activities (Fairlane, Kerby’s, Target, Planet Fitness) until their attendance is back in good standing.  If you son or daughter has a health concern that is preventing them from attending, please contact us and provide a doctors note, so that we are aware of this and your son/daughter is not penalized.

Upcoming Dates:

November 22 -24 – No School – Thanksgiving Break

December 2  – Weekend Activity at Buddy’s Pizza – details coming soon!

Future Event:

January 18 (tentative date)  – Parent Meeting   S.T.E.P. (Services to Enhance Potential) will be here to discuss the importance of enrolling with CMH and the programs and opportunities S.T.E.P provides once a student exits Dearborn Public Schools.  You don’t want to miss it.  S.T.E.P is much more than the workshop we were involved with a few years back.  I have worked closely with them since I’ve been in this position and I am very impressed with all they have to offer, as well as any of their staff members that I have worked with.  We have a a big group of students who are approaching that 22-23-24 age, as much as we’d like to keep them forever, it’s a good time to start thinking about their future.

 


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