November 2025 Newsletter

• Tuesday, November 11th - No School (Veteran's Day)
• November 24th-28th - No School (Thanksgiving Break)

October 30th marked the end of the 1st marking period. Progress reports will be coming home in your student's backpack or emailed directly to you by their teacher. If you have not received anything by Thanksgiving, please reach out directly to your student's teacher.

On Wednesday, October 15th, students across the district came together to participate in the Special Olympics Bocce Tournament. Thank you to Coach Kaiser for helping to coordinate this fun day for our students!

Students across the program have been busy enjoying the fall season with MTSS Parties, HOCO, spirit weeks, pumpkin decorating contests, and so much more!

Thank you to everyone who participated in MTP's fundraising efforts to raise money and awareness around Breast Cancer. $1,100 will be donated to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition on behalf of the Meadowood Program.

This month students will be learning and practicing the skill of Listening to Others. Students will learn the importance of listening and will practice listening to a variety of individuals (peers, teachers/school staff, community members during outings).

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) November 3rd - 7th. This year’s theme,"Finding Your Path," reflects the ways that school psychologists help students, families, and school communities set and achieve their goals.

Thank you to our amazing School Psychologists, Michelle Salvatore, Rachel DeMaio, and Abby Vanderloo!

• Remember to check if your student has an extra pair of clothes (including underwear & socks) in school in case of accidents or spills. Make sure they are updated for the seasons!

• Dress for the weather! Be sure your student has a jacket, hat, and gloves as there are colder days coming! If you do not have these items, please reach out to your nurse for help.

• If your student requires use of glasses or a hearing aid, please send these to school every day! Vision and hearing are important for your child to be successful in school.

• Keeping hydrated is important! Please send in a labeled water bottle with your student.

  
  

PLEASE BE MINDFUL! IF YOUR STUDENT IS SICK, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME!

DISTRICT POLICY STATES:

• A student must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.

• If a student is out for vomiting or diarrhea, they must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.

As part of Delaware State Regulations, vision and hearing screening is done for students in kindergarten, grades 2, 4, 7, 9 or 10 with screenings taking place by January 15th. For students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), it is also done every 3 years when a student is due for eligibility. Postural screening is done yearly from 5th grade through 9th grade. Screenings typically start at the end of September or into October. If you have any concerns with screenings, please contact your school nurse.

What is diabetes? : The body does not make or properly use insulin.

Why do we need insulin? : It moves glucose from the blood into cells for energy.

What happens in diabetes?: There is not enough insulin, or the insulin is not working properly, high blood glucose results in : low energy levels; dehydration; and complications.

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disorder (your body fights itself) where the insulin-producing cells are destroyed. You need daily insulin to survive. Most common in children and adolescents. This is treatable but not preventable.

Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance. Something happening in the body makes the insulin not work properly. Risk factors are overweight; inactivity; genes; ethnicity. Most common in adults but increasing in youth. May or may not require insulin. Can be preventable with a healthy lifestyle.

Common signs and symptoms of diabetes

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Dehydration
• Blurred vision
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Excess drowsiness or fatigue
• Irritability and mood changes
• Yeast infections in girls

How to lower your risks for Type 2 Diabetes?

• Eat healthy food MOST of the time.
• Avoid overeating.
• Seek out whole fruits & vegetables.
• Avoid processed foods & snacks
• Increased physical activity. Ideally 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
• Drink water instead of juice or soda.

Register October 1st - November 15th

This year, Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is launching Plug-in to Care — a campaign designed to connect you with the resources, support, and community you deserve.

🔌Introducing Care Connections: The Plug-in to Care Webinar Series!

Five free webinars. Expert speakers from across industries. All moderated by CAN's CEO Marvell Adams Jr. Register ONCE to get access to all five webinars + replays.

All sessions are at 1 PM EST in November:

🗓️ Nov. 3 | Plug-in to Care: Finding Your Way Through Resources

🗓️ Nov. 7 | Plug-in to Care: Building Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces

🗓️ Nov. 10 | Plug-in to Care: Finding Strength in Community and Connections

🗓️ Nov. 14 | Plug-in to Care: The Intergenerational Balancing Act

🗓️ Nov. 19 | Plug-in to Care: Turning Caregiver Experience into Action

Register for all webinars here: https://www.caregiveraction.org/nfc2025-connect/

This workshop series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm (last 15-minutes reserved for questions and answers) starting November 4, 2025, and ending on November 13, 2025. Autism Delaware Family Support Provider Katie Urbanski will be facilitating the sessions.

About this event: Parent to Parent is a four session workshop series where parent coaches bring their experiences and training to introduce helpful information and skills to other parents who are raising a child with autism. Families will gain a deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and be introduced to supports and skills to help advocate for their child.

Session I: Understanding ASD
Session II: Communication & Autism
Session III: Visual supports and tools you can use
Session IV: Enhancing advocacy skills

The deadline to register is November 4, 2025. Workshop registration closes when we reach the maximum of 25 participants. This training is offered FREE to parents and caregivers. Click here for more information.

DSA welcomes parents and guardians of individuals with Down syndrome to attend our upcoming Special Needs Planning webinar on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00 PM, held in partnership with the team at 1847Financial.

About This Webinar: Families with children and other dependents with special needs, no matter the age or disability, face many important questions about how to best prepare for the future well-being of their loved ones. Special needs financial and estate planning differs in key ways from traditional planning. This webinar will help attendees understand how to bring all of the necessary pieces together into one cohesive plan, so the vision they have for their child’s life can become a reality.

Topics include: Basic Estate Planning Documents, Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), Guardianship vs. Powers of Attorney, ABLE Accounts, “3 Person Retirement,” Tax Planning Considerations, and Funding Strategies for an SNT, among others! Click here to register for the Zoom webinar: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Y84VgDMCR42N0iqfacjBlw...

#DSADE

Purchase Tickets here

Join us on Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom for our November A-Team membership meeting, featuring guest speaker Jody Roberts, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Dr. Roberts will share the latest news from DDDS, including an update on the recent reimbursement rate study conducted by the State. Reimbursement rates haven’t kept up with rising costs or demand and many services are still funded based on outdated 2018 cost data — making it hard to recruit and retain qualified Direct Support Professional (DSP) staff. A-Team will use this study in advocating for updated, realistic funding that supports livable wages and quality care. RSVP here

Thursday, November 13th, 6:00 pm

Special Needs Planning for your loved one with a disability ~ this workshop will cover Government Benefits, Estate Planning and Funding Strategies

Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/yFqqKoCLQlmwm3Zq3jtpLg...

Your Testimony Matters: Help Shape the DHSS Budget

On Tuesday, November 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.*, the State’s Office of Management and Budget will hold a hearing to determine the budget for the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). A-Team is seeking caregivers and providers to give two minutes of testimony—either in person or virtually—about the needs of their loved ones with I/DD.

This is an opportunity to shape the budget. The more families who speak up at these hearings in person or online can make a BIG impact and impression! (Don't forget to wear your famous A-Team green t-shirt!) These hearings will be open to the public and located at Delaware Public Archives in Dover.

If you’re interested, please email us at ateamofde@gmail.com.

Tuesday, December 2nd from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at The Green Turtle, Christiana (across from Hilton, map)

Join us for this year's annual Jingle Mingle at The Greene Turtle in Christiana. Connect with fellow caregivers in the I/DD community, enjoy complimentary appetizers, and enter for a chance to win a gift card in our giveaway! RSVP here

Autism Delaware’s Empowered Connections series connects individuals with autism together with their parents/caregivers and professionals to share information and resources to help families achieve positive outcomes on their autism journeys.

December: Empowered Connections: Knowing Your Educational Rights – Mediation

During our December 2025 Empowered Connections workshop, we will discuss the importance of knowing and understanding your educational rights as a parent and as a student. This session will focus specifically on learning about mediation and meeting facilitation as options for dispute resolution. A special guest from SPARC, the Special Education Partnership for the Amicable Resolution of Conflict, will join us.

Date & Time: Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:00 – 8:15 PM

Register here

Save the Date: January’s Empowered Connections will feature discussions of the autism journey through the eyes of fathers!

Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:00 - 8:15PM

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and jingle all the way through downtown Newark at the Reindeer Run & Romp 5K, benefiting Special Olympics Delaware! This beloved holiday tradition brings together runners, walkers, and festive spirits of all ages for a fun-filled evening of fitness and cheer.

Whether you're racing for a personal best or strolling in your favorite holiday sweater, the Reindeer Run is all about community, celebration, and supporting our incredible athletes. Expect music, lights, costumes, and plenty of holiday magic along the route!

🔗 Learn More & Register Registration will remain open until we reach race capacity. We encourage participants to sign up early as a sellout is expected!

Get ready to take the plunge for a purpose! The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Delaware returns on Sunday, February 1st at 1 PM, with a full weekend of festivities leading up to the big splash.

Whether you're plunging into the icy Atlantic or cheering from the shore, this iconic event brings together thousands in support of inclusion and opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities. From family-friendly activities to community celebrations, it’s a weekend you won’t want to miss.

🔗 Learn More & Register

If you are in need of assistance, start by contacting your student’s DDDS/Columbus Organization Community Navigator for information and referrals.

*If your student is not enrolled with DDDS, call 211 for assistance in finding resources.

Additional Resources:

Salvation Army, New Castle County (302) 472-0750
CHRISTMAS APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Click here for the application

State Service Centers – Contact the State Service Center in your zip code

For general information and to find out which state center is in your zip code, call (302) 255-9675.

• Belvedere State Service Center (302) 892-5972; serves 19707, 19804, 19805 and 19808; 310 Kiamensi Road, Newport, Delaware 19804.

• Northeast State Service Center (302) 552-3500; 1624 Jessup Street, Wilmington, DE 19802

• Porter State Service Center (302) 777-2800; serves 19801; 509 West 8th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

• Claymont Community Center (302) 798-9755/(302)798-2430; 3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703

Food Bank of Delaware (302) 292-1305

Thanksgiving and holiday meal assistance.

Hockessin Community Center (302) 239-2363
Call for information on the holiday adoption program.

Ministry of Caring (302) 652-5523

115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Catholic Charities (302) 655-9624

2601 W. 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805

Neighborhood House (302) 658-5404

1218 B Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Sunday Breakfast Mission (877) 306-4663

110 N Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE 19801