• Thursday, October 3rd - No School (Rosh Hashanah)
• Friday, October 11th - No School (Teacher Inservice)
• Wednesday, October 16th - SODE Bocce Ball
• Thursday, October 31st - Last Day of the Marking Period

The Red Clay Consolidated School District (RCCSD) is committed to supporting every student’s academic growth as well as their social emotional and behavioral (SEB) wellbeing. As part of this commitment, along with Delaware’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) state regulations, all teachers (K-3) and students (4-12) will be completing an emotional wellbeing screener this school year.

An SEB screener can identify behavioral and emotional strengths as well as areas in need of growth. This data will allow our school teams to offer additional and more targeted intervention to support the SEB needs of all students.

The screener that the multidisciplinary district committee selected is called the SAEBRS, or Social, Academic, Emotional, Behavior Rating Screener. Teachers will utilize the teacher-report screener (SAEBRS) for students K-3 as well as any students that the school team feels would be best screened through a teacher-report. Students in grade 4 and up are able to utilize the self-report screener (mySAEBRS) if that is deemed appropriate for the student’s cognitive level. Teachers are able to assist students with the mySAEBRS if that is the best fit.

The SAEBRS Screener looks at the following areas of social/emotional wellbeing:

1. Social Behavior
2. Academic Behavior
3. Emotional Behavior

This month students will be learning and practicing how to ask for help. Students will learn who to ask for help in a variety of settings (school, home, community). Students will develop skills to determine if they need assistance, or if they can solve a problem on their own.

Happy National Principals Month! Sending a huge thank you to all the incredible principals who lead with dedication and inspire our students every day, especially our very own Kathie Mattix. Your impact is invaluable!

#ThankAPrincipal #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Our students have been working hard this past month and we are so happy for all that they have accomplished. Thank you to all of our work site partnerships! Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM. #NDEAM

Thank you to Meadowood's Physical Therapists (Erika Netzorg, Sarah Brennan, Jessica Saienga) who keep us moving!

Thank you Mary Anne Terzaghi, Keri Luckanavage, Jackie Fulmer, Darian Beahan, Liz McCormick, Destiny Galarza, Jordan Hulse, and Marissa Giardina for ensuring all of our students have a voice!

- Second Thursday of October - World Sight Day

- October 15th - White Cane Day & Blind Americans Equality Day

- Second Week of October - National Braille Week

We are grateful that our Teachers for the Visually Impaired are apart of our Team!

• Don’t forget to talk with your school nurse if your student needs to take daily medication, emergency medication, has food or environmental allergies or requires treatments in school. Nurses will need parent permission forms, doctor written emergency action plans, and doctor’s orders. Remember any medication sent into school, needs to be in the original container with a pharmacy prescription label.
  
• Please fill out your STUDENT DATA CARDS and return to school. This is important to update your student’s health and your contact information. You can also give permission for Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Tums to be given as needed. This will come home with your student during the first month of school.
  
• Every year, vision and hearing screening is done on each student as part of Delaware State Regulations. Postural screening is done yearly from 5th grade through 9th grade. Screenings typically start at the end of September into October. If you have any concerns with screenings, please contact your school nurse.
  
• If your student requires use of glasses or a hearing aid, please send these in with your student to school every day. Vision and hearing are very important for your child to be successful in school.
  
• Please send in an extra pair of clothes to keep in your student’s locker/classroom just in case it is needed for accidents or spills.
  
• Some school have two nurses. Although Meadowood students are normally served by the first nurse listed, the secondary nurse might also be in contact with you about your child.
  

Forest Oak - Kathie Vachris (302-454-3416) & Collen Sauder

HB Middle - Nicole Ewing (302-239-3423)

McKean HS - Jennifer McGrath (302-992-5526) & Lori Hoffman

MTP - Sharon Buck (302-454-3400)

Have you visited the Meadowood website lately? We've updated the Transition Resources section with Community Activities for Adults in addition to a transition checklist and timeline, guardianship information, and adult health care.

This is a great tool from the National Autism Association to share with family, friends, school staff, first responders, etc. Download here to personalize for your child.

The A-Team DE Resource Directory is now live! We’re excited to share that our website now features a brand-new Resources page. Simply click on "Filter Resources by Topic" and browse alphabetically to find the information you need. This is an ongoing project, so stay tuned for updates on how you can contribute your ideas!

October 8 | Virtual Membership Meeting

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. for a discussion on Guardianship. We’ll be announcing our speaker soon. We’re also excited to welcome a visit from State Senator Kyle Evans Gay. Please RSVP in advance here.

November 12 | Virtual Membership Meeting

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. for a Housing Challenges Q&A. We’ll be announcing our housing advocacy speaker soon. Please RSVP in advance here.

December 10 | Annual Jingle Mingle Celebration

Join us on Tuesday, December 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for our 3rd annual "Jingle Mingle" at the Greene Turtle Restaurant, Christiana/Stanton location (map). Enjoy free appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages while connecting with fellow caregivers of individuals with I/DDs (intellectual/developmental disabilities). Let's celebrate the holiday season with support and good cheer! Please RSVP in advance here.

Down Syndrome Association of Delaware is a non profit organization in Delaware providing support, resources, information and events throughout all year long for families with individuals with Down syndrome. Ari Avila is fluent in both English and Spanish and is very eager to connect Spanish speaking families and share resources. Please reach out to Ari at 302-455-8705 or spanish@dsadelaware.org for more information.

Family SHADE’s Annual Summit, themed “Strengthening the Family’s Capacity to Support Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs”, will be held on Thursday, October 3rd. This event is designed to bring together parents, caregivers, healthcare, youth-serving professionals and community resources to collaborate and enhance the support structures for children and youth with special healthcare needs.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Location: Modern Maturity Center (1121 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904)

For more information or to register click here.

- From the Parent Information Center of Delaware

The Grand’s Sensory-Friendly Family Shows welcome children and adults of all ages and abilities to enjoy the experience of live entertainment together. The Grand’s Sensory Friendly Presentations, also known as “relaxed” or “come as you are,” create conditions that are comfortable for audience members with a wide range of needs. Tickets are just $15! More information about The Grand's Sensory Friendly Presentations is available on their website.

Does your Medicaid Managed Care Organization’s (MCO) plan meet your child’s care needs?

Does your Medicaid Managed Care Organization’s (MCO) Care Coordinator help you resolve issues you are facing with your child’s care or help you find additional resources and supports specific to your child’s needs?

If you have questions or would like to discuss concerns, issues or gaps in services with your child’s Medicaid MCO providers, Highmark Health Options, AmeriHealth Caritas, or Delaware First Health, join Parent Information Center of Delaware and MCO Representatives on this monthly MCO call, and let your voice be heard.

Register here

- From the Parent Information Center of Delaware