Transition Newsletter November 2023

Happy November from Lake Forest Transition!

November begins the season of thankfulness and appreciation.

Appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of all the wonderful qualities of someone or something.

We have so much appreciation for our Transition students and families!

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Students were asked about what they appreciate. Here are their answers.

Emerson: I appreciate my mom and dad and hanging out with my friends.

Quinn: I appreciate the opportunity to volunteer on community outings.

Irving: I appreciate my parents and my teachers.

Jane: I appreciate my teachers, family and friends.

Regan: I appreciate my mom and dad.

Hannah: I appreciate my Mom, my friend Julia, Nancy, and going to Meatheads.

John: I appreciate my Dad, my friend Elliana, and Nick.

Tyler: I appreciate my Dad, my friend Nicolette, Sam, and going to the zoo.

Julia: I appreciate my Mom and Dad, my friend Jack, Robin, and going to McDonalds.

Elliana: I appreciate my Nana, my friend Nicolette, Nick, and going to Walgreens.

Nicolette: I appreciate my Dad, my friend Julia, Nick, and going to visit my brother at his apartment.

Alex: I appreciate my cat Annie, my friend Nicolette, Nick, and going to Luke's in Lake Bluff.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR NOVEMBER

November 22-24

• Thanksgiving Break. No attendance for students and staff.

Hi! My name is Jessi Mather and I am very excited to be joining the team this fall. I have worked as both an oncology nurse and school nurse for the past ten years. Our family moved to Lake Forest in January and we are loving the town and the community. My husband and I have three daughters ages six, five, and two - along with a rescue dog, cat, and rabbit! We enjoy spending time outdoors together rain or shine! I enjoy cooking, baking, and swimming. My hope is to add chickens to our family soon! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and working together.

As part of our 2023-2024 Parent Series, we are requesting parent volunteers to spearhead a parent focus group. We are looking for parent volunteers to meet three to four times throughout the year to review and give feedback on our Transition Roadmapping and Resources. The Transition Roadmapping and Resources will guide our district's implementation of transition services for years to come, so we want to invite you in as an important part of the stakeholder group.

If you can attend, I would ask that you keep these days and times available to participate in the parent series. There is an option to meet virtually, so if you cannot physically make it to West Campus, no worries!

Here is a list of the dates, times, and items that we will cover. While it may look like a lot, your input at the table is really what I am hoping for in this process.

Our students asked Pete about his new position as Director of Special Education and other very important things. Here are some video highlights of the interviews.

With Thanksgiving Break around the corner, the word appreciation of course comes to mind! I am personally thankful for the wonderful students and staff that I have the privilege of working with at Lake Forest Transition.

There are lots of people in all of our lives to be thankful for. Our students have expressed appreciation for their family, friends, pets, school staff, work supervisors, and many more.

There are also countless ways to show appreciation. This month I am encouraging everyone to show appreciation to someone that they care about. It can look like:

• A smile
• Saying “thank you”
• Doing something together like watching a movie or cooking
• Listening
• Helping someone out with a chore or task
• Being together
• Having a meal together
• Making a card
• Laughing together
• And so much more!

Things we appreciate at transition, work, home, and in the community.

What does it mean to appreciate something?

How can you show appreciation for someone?

Talk about a time that you showed appreciation for someone.

Talk about a time you felt appreciated.

How do you feel when someone shows appreciation to you?

How do you think others feel when you show appreciation for them?

How do you think someone would feel if you didn't show appreciation after they did something nice for you?

I am so thankful for all of the free resources available for staff and families! November 1st Infinitec is offering a free training titled “Implementation of AAC at Home.: Using your child’s augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system at home can be the key to helping him or her to communicate successfully in places and with people that are not as familiar. This family-centered workshop will identify evidence-based strategies to encourage the use of AAC systems in the home environment. Participants will discuss how to build on your child’s current communication strengths as you use AAC tools and strategies during existing activities and routines throughout the day."

***Parents that attend this webinar and wish to have additional, child specific

support can contact Heather Miller Schwarz (hmiller@ucpnet.org) to check the

availability of virtual coaching opportunities.***

Click the button below to register.

Happy Fall and special thanks to all of our wonderful community supports! This includes our community employers and community team members that support each student's experience.

With your support, students are able to make connections, find jobs they have passion for, and carry out the necessary skills to be working adults in their community.

The Lake Forest Transition Center thanks you and has gratitude for your generosity.

There will be a Parent/Community event on November 10th at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (990 Corporate Woods Pkwy, Vernon Hills) etitled "Housing Panel." This exciting day will allow you to hear from a total of eight providers all outlining a variety of residential programs and services for young adults and adults with disabilities. This day will also allow the opportunity to network with other families who are navigating the transition planning process. We highly encourage you to join us, as critical information will be shared at this event.

The following providers have confirmed their attendance on November 10th. Please take the time to explore their services by clicking on the links below. Times are approximate and subject to change.

Registration is 2/3 full so please do not delay in registering for this event. We will begin promptly at 9:30 and anticipate being done by around 2 p.m. Light lunch and snacks will be provided as well!