Another busy week has come and gone!  We are enjoying the students so much!  Everyone is excited now that we have moved into our new classroom.  We have lots of room to move around and enjoy each others company without being right on top of each other!  We will have an Open House when the room is ready – right now there is still a lot of organizing to do and furniture to be delivered.  Look for an Open House date the first week in October.

A few reminders…..

• Please speak with one of the teachers your son/daughter will be not be going home on the bus. (A text is fine,  too!)  If we have not heard from you directly, students will be placed on the bus to go home.
•  Bank account money is not needed yet.  Once we are ready to begin CBI (Target, Leo’s, etc.) we will announce it on the blog and at that time you can send in bank money for your son or daughter (if you choose).  We are thinking it will be another  2-3 weeks before we are able to start our job sites and CBI.
• Some students still need supplies.  A list is on the blog a few entries back for your reference.  All students are expected to come prepared for class so that they are able to benefit from our instruction and activities.
• Please leave a message if you call and we don’t answer.   Repeated calls are disruptive to the classroom during instruction time.    We will call you back as soon as we can.

Upcoming Dates:

September 14 – Half day – 11:00 Dismissal

September 19 – Late Start/DIA Field Trip – students will need a bagged lunch

October 12 – Half Day – 11:00 Dismissal

October 17 – Late Start/Three Cedars Pumpkin Farm ($6 per student)

We made it through week one!  This was one of the smoothest starts to a new school year we’ve had in a while!  We are quickly getting into a routine and getting to know one another.   We have a GREAT group of students and we are looking forward to what the year will bring. We will be moving into our new classroom down the hall as soon as our furniture arrives.  We are very excited for the new room, as it will give us much needed space.   Fingers are crossed for next week sometime!

A few reminders:

• For those dropping students off and picking up, students are welcome to enter the building at 8:00 a.m., and they must exit the building no later than 2:50 p.m.   We do not have an office that can accommodate early drop offs or late pick ups.
• Thermal lunch bags need an ice pack if they contain ingredients that can spoil:  dairy (yogurt, milk, cheese), meat, etc.  Please place the ice packs in the freezer overnight before placing in the lunch bag.  If they are not frozen they will not protect your son/daughter’s food from spoiling.
• When students are absent, please call or text us and we will mark them “excused”.  There is nothing extra you need to do.  If we don’t receive a  call/text, students will be marked “absent”,  but not excused.    Students are welcome, but not expected,  to call/text in their absences on their own.  This is a great way to teach responsibility and job readiness.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!  Thank you for a great first week and we hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Hello!  We hope everyone is enjoying their summer!  We’d like to welcome all our new students and their families to the class!  We’re looking forward to a great year.  Since we do have quite a few new families, I thought I’d post a few reminders to get everyone started!   We understand not only the students are transitioning from a K-12 program, but so are the parents.  We hope this little “survival guide” will help get things off to a great start for you!

FIRST DAY of SCHOOL 

• August 27th – half day – dismissal at 11:00 a.m.
• August 28th – full day – students will need to bring a cold lunch

** Please note, while teachers and staff start the previous week, we will be in meetings and unable to answer phone calls or emails

CLASSROOM PHONE

313-701-7985   Call or text anytime.  If you would like us to call you back,  please leave a message.  We do not answer the phone during instructional time.  If there is an emergency please text so that we will see it.

SUPPLIES

• Academic Planner  (Monthly, 8×10)   MOST IMPORTANT!
• 5 Pencils
• Colored Pencils
• Pencil Case
• Calculator
• Thermal lunch bag with cold pack
• Watch (or other time keeping device such as a phone or ipod)
• Girls  – Purse AND wallet
• Boys – wallet
• 1 box of kleenex
• Girls – personal hygiene items to be kept in purse or backpack
• OPTIONAL but HELPFUL:  1 container of disinfecting wipes (such as Chlorox)

LUNCH

Students need to bring a cold lunch every day beginning August 28th.   Please make sure foods are nonperishable and/or lunch bags have a cold pack in them.  Lunches should be brought in a thermal/insulated bag. (Not a paper or plastic bag)

HOURS

• Arrival 8 a.m.
• Dismissal 2:45 p.m.
• Half Day Dismissal 11:00 a.m.
• Lunch 11 a.m.  depending on job assignment
• Late Start Arrival 9 a.m.

CALENDAR

We are part of Howe School and follow the elementary calendar regarding days off and half days.  Additionally, if Howe School is closed due to inclement weather, we will also be closed.

JOB SITES and COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION

Job sites and CBI will begin towards the end of September/beginning of October, once transportation is able to schedule our runs.  This is a HUGE task and in the meantime, it’s a good time for the students to get reacquainted and used to a routine.  By the time we’re ready to go out, it’s not so overwhelming.  We are one of the only districts that provides this much transportation to get the students into the community, and we are so thankful to the Transportation Department for their support of our program.

MEETINGS

If you need to meet with us we are happy to do so.  Please call or text our classroom phone to set up an appointment.  Showing up unannounced takes instructional time away from students and it is hard to focus on your needs when we should be teaching.  We can accommodate most schedules if we know ahead of time.

FACEBOOK

Don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook Page:  “Dearborn Transition Program” to see pictures of the students and our activities throughout the year.

COMMUNICATION:

It’s very important to check you son/daughters planner every night.  This is the link between us and you.  It will have job assignments, community based instruction assignments, field trips, etc inside.

This blog is published (most) Friday afternoons and will go directly to your inbox.  Please make sure you read it to stay on top of classroom information.  Paper notes are not sent home.

Remind System:  If you provided your cell phone number, you have been subscribed.  This will be used for group texts to be sent from one of the classroom teachers to the entire class, while keeping phone numbers private.  You cannot reply to these messages – they are outgoing only.

Facebook Page:  A fun way to see pictures of the students and their activities in the program.  Sometimes we will post other helpful information there as well.

Meetings:  We are happy to meet with you if you would like a meeting.   Please just schedule an appoinment as mentioned above.

Language Assistance:  If you need assistance, please call Lila Amen at 313-827-3120

Enjoy what’s left of summer!  Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!  🙂

It’s that time of year – time to say goodbye for the summer!  It has been an honor to have been part of your lives for another school year.  Thank you for always supporting us and this program.  For those of you moving on, either by choice,  because you’re 26, or because you’re moving on to Project Search, we wish you the best of luck and happiness!  It has been a joy having you in our class.

Tomorrow is a half day, dismissal will be at 11 a.m.   We will have donuts in the morning, and give out our final awards.  We are looking forward to a fun time.

School starts back August 27th next year – until then – stay safe and have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Camp

Ms. Cote

and staff!

We’re down to the last week of school (almost)!  Tomorrow will be our last day for job sites and Community Based Instruction.  So next week – we decided to shake things up a bit!  We will be having our first ever SPIRIT WEEK!!!

• Monday – Hawaiian Shirt Day
• Tuesday – Dress Up Day for Mexican Fiesta
• Wednesday – Detroit Tigers Day – or your favorite sports team
• Thursday –  Red White and Blue Day!   (Half day dismissal!)

Bank Account Balances will be sent home today!

That’s about it for now – things are winding up quickly.   Let’s have a great last week of school!!!

Hello!  It’s Memorial Day Weekend!   Whatever your plans, we hope you have a great time!  As of now, the weather looks to be beautiful.  I am heading to Chicago with my family, and Ms. Cote will be working on her garden.  When we return we will have 12.5 days of school left!

Upcoming Dates – please note some cancellations on our CBI schedule

Tuesday May 29 – Kerby’s – CANCELLED

Tuesday June 5 – Field Day at EFHS**

Tuesday June 12 – Mexican Fiesta **

Thursday June 14 – Last Day of School – 1/2 Day!

** Students who are fasting may stay home on these days, as they involve physical activity and/or eating.  There will not be anyone left in the building to stay with those who are not participating.  Thank you.

Good Morning,

The Parent Meeting with S.T.E.P. on May 16th has been cancelled.  After numerous attempts, I have not been able to get a confirmation from our speaker.  I apologize to those of you who were planning on coming, but I’d hate to have you all here and not have a speaker show up!

Tomorrow, our Special Olympians will be headed to Spring Games.  We wish you the best of luck, good times and great weather!!!   We will miss you!

For those of us who will be here tomorrow – we are headed to the DIA.  Students will need a bagged lunch, but do not need any additional money.  This will be our last trip of the year.

Other dates:

May 16th – Late Start

May 18th – Zumba!  $5 – please send in beginning next week.  This is our last class of the year and we will be doing something special to say Thank You to Ms. Susan for bringing so much fun to our class!  We will have pizza that day too – at no cost to the students.

May 25-28 – No School

May 31-June 1 – Special Olympics Summer Games!

June 5 – Field Day at EFHS

June 12 – Mexican Fiesta

June 14th – Last day of school!  1/2 day!

Wow!  It’s May and beautiful weather is finally here!  We are in the final stretch of school – it’s hard to believe there are only 30 school days left!  Here’s what’s going on:

May 16th – Parent Meeting – Services to Enhance Potential (S.T.E.P) will be here to let parents know the types of benefits and services that are available to them once students exit Dearborn Public Schools and have enrolled with CMH.  This will be an informative meeting and any parent is welcome, but particularly those who have not enrolled with CMH should attend.  The meeting will be here at Hype at 10 a.m.   Information will follow shortly.

May 16th – Late Start

May 18 – Zumba!  (Last one for the year!)

May 25-28 – No School (Conference Release Day/Memorial Day)

June 5 – Field Day at EFHS – lunch provided (halal)

June 12 – End of the Year Celebration – Mexican Fiesta

June 14th – Last day – Half day of school!

Special Needs Prom – Please direct all questions to naurae@dearbornschools.org    Her group is putting on the prom and probably has all the answers you are looking for!  LOL   We are looking forward to seeing all of your pictures!!!  🙂

Hello!

Student assignments for Community Based Instruction have changed  This includes Target, Kerby’s and Fairlane.   Please take a look at your son/daughters planner and note changes for April, May and June.  Tomorrow’s Fairlane group includes:  Yasmeen, Mo K., Jamie, Tori and Fowzi.   If you son/daughter was originally scheduled, they have been moved to a different day.

Please don’t forget students need $5 if they wish to participate in Zumba on Friday.  The pizza party afterwards is free whether they want to Zumba or not!  Just remember to bring a drink!

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a great Spring Break!  We are ready to finish out this school year and have a lot going on between here and there!

Weekend Activities:  Students will have until the end of the month to finish up the April activity with a friend.  This will be the last activity of the year.  As we our own children get older, it is becoming more difficult to schedule activities on the weekends.  We DO love seeing the students when we can and we will continue to provide the program as long as our schedules permit, it just might not be as frequent as it has been.  Our plan all along was to teach the students how to plan an activity and to think about the steps needed to get there.  They should have identified the friends they enjoy and who are easy to get together with.  And for those who have completed the activities, I think we have done that!  I am very proud of our students!

Scheduling:   Due to SAT testing, we will not have busing to go to work sites or CBI sites April 10th, 11th, or 24th.   School will be in session.

Self Defense:  Mr Tank is back tomorrow April 10th!!!

ZUMBA!  April 20th Ms. Susan will be back for our final (we think!) Zumba class of the year!  $5 per student   We will provide a pizza lunch that day.  Students should bring their own drink as usual.  Class starts at 10:30!

Looking Ahead:

May 16th – Late Start

May 25-28 No School

June 5 – Field Day at EFHS

June 12 – End of the Year Celebration @ Mexican Fiesta

June 14 – Half Day/Last Day of School!

Sick Reminder:  A tiny room and lots of bodies make it easy for germs to spread quickly!  We’ve had several students go home sick today.   While we DO understand these things can come on suddenly, please err on the side of caution if your son/daughter is feeling ill and keep them home.  As always, students must be symptom free for 24 hours of any fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.  Thank you!