February Edition

Nicole and Bonnie proudly represented Philip J. Rock Center and School during a two-day visit to Springfield, Illinois. Their time at the State Capitol was filled with meaningful conversations, handshakes, and opportunities to advocate for the incredible students and mission of The Rock.

Throughout their visit, Nicole and Bonnie met with state senators and representatives whose districts serve Rock students and families. They spoke about the daily dedication of staff, the growth of students, and the importance of continued legislative support to ensure programs like The Rock can thrive.

The meetings allowed lawmakers to hear firsthand how The Rock supports independence, communication, transition programming, community partnerships, and student-run microbusiness initiatives.

The trip to Springfield was a strong reminder that advocacy matters. By sharing the voices and successes of Rock students, Nicole and Bonnie helped ensure that decision-makers understand the real impact of their work.

The Rock continues to stand strong — its voice was heard loud and clear at the Capitol.

To celebrate National LEGO Week, our students enjoyed a fun and hands-on community outing to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago located inside Woodfield Mall.

This exciting trip gave students the opportunity to explore creative building stations, colorful LEGO displays, and interactive attractions that encouraged imagination and sensory experiences. Students worked together to design and build their own creations, practiced taking turns, and experienced some fun rides.

Beyond the fun, this community experience supported important real-world skills such as navigating public spaces, communicating needs, following group expectations, and building social connections with peers. The engaging environment at LEGOLAND made learning feel playful and motivating for everyone.

Our National LEGO Week celebration was a wonderful reminder that meaningful learning can happen anywhere—and our students truly built some great memories together on this trip!

We are excited to introduce We Rock Self Care, our new student-run microbusiness created by our transition and high school students!

We Rock Self Care is more than just a product line — it is a hands-on learning experience that builds real-world job skills, teamwork, and independence. Students are involved in every step of the process, from measuring and mixing ingredients to packaging, labeling, and preparing products for sale.

To start, students will be creating and selling:

• 🧼 Handmade soaps

• 🫧 Body scrubs

• 🛁 Bath bombs

Each product is carefully crafted by our students with attention to detail, creativity, and pride. Through this microbusiness, students practice vocational skills such as following multi-step directions, quality control, communication, time management, and customer service. They are also learning about entrepreneurship, budgeting, marketing, and community partnerships.

Most importantly, We Rock Self Care highlights the abilities, talents, and dedication of our students. Every item reflects their hard work and commitment to producing something they can truly be proud of.

More information about purchasing opportunities, product launches, and community partnerships will be coming soon. We cannot wait to share these amazing student-made products with you!

Stay tuned — because at The Rock, we don’t just learn… We Rock Self Care!

This month, we are proud to celebrate an exciting milestone for our transition students, Nate and Dylan, as they headed out to work for the very first time! Both students showed responsibility, focus, and a positive attitude as they completed real job tasks, including placing labels on envelopes and stocking folders.

For Nate and Dylan, this experience was more than just completing a task—it was an important step toward independence and building confidence in a workplace setting. They practiced following directions, staying organized, and working alongside others, all skills that will support them as they continue preparing for life after school.

We are incredibly proud of both boys for stepping outside their comfort zones and showing what they can do. What a great start to their transition journey!

Our students celebrated the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics by participating in fun, hands-on Olympic-themed activities during both our AM and PM shifts.

Students rotated through activity stations designed to encourage movement, communication, teamwork, and engagement. Friendly competitions allowed everyone to practice taking turns, following directions, and cheering on classmates while working toward a shared goal.

To end the celebration, students took part in a special medal ceremony and proudly received a medal in recognition of their effort and participation. It was a wonderful way to build confidence, celebrate accomplishments, and bring the Olympic spirit into our school community. 🥇❄️

At Philip J. Rock Center and School (PRC), learning happens everywhere. Whether students are out in the community, exploring the sensory room, or working together in the classroom, every moment is an opportunity to grow, discover, and build new skills.

Community outings give students the chance to practice real-world experiences. From visiting local stores and restaurants to exploring places around the community, students work on communication, orientation and mobility, social interaction, and independence. These trips allow students to apply what they learn at school in meaningful ways while gaining confidence in new environments.

Back at The Rock, the sensory room provides a space for exploration, regulation, and engagement. Students can interact with a variety of textures, lights, sounds, and movement-based activities that support sensory development and relaxation. The sensory room is also a wonderful place for students to refocus and prepare themselves for continued learning throughout the day.

In the classroom, students work on a variety of academic, communication, and life skills. Lessons are designed to meet the unique needs of each learner while encouraging participation, curiosity, and collaboration. From hands-on activities to group learning experiences, our classrooms are filled with creativity and discovery.

No matter where our students are at PRC, one thing remains the same—we are always learning. Each activity, experience, and interaction helps our students build independence, confidence, and skills that support them both in school and in life.