Meadowood Program Newsletter

Friday, October 9th - 7th Grade Fall Ball

Tuesday, October 13th - SODE Bocce Tournament @ McKean HS

Friday, October 16th - No School (Teacher Inservice)

Wednesday, October 21st - SODE Night of Heroes

Friday, October 30th - McKean's Homecoming & End of 1st Marking Period

Monday, November 2nd - No School (Grading Day)

Tuesday, November 3rd - No School (Election Day)

Wednesday, November 11th - No School (Veteran's Day)

Monday, November 23rd - Tuesday, November 24th - No School (Parent Conferences)

Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th - No School (Thanksgiving Break)

McKean High School is being honored on Wednesday, October 21st for Outstanding Unified Champion School at Special Olympics Delaware's Night of Heroes! This includes McKean's Unified Club (meets during advisory), DIAA Unified Sports (Flag Football, Basketball, Track & Field), Unified Sports (Bocce and Soccer), Unified PE class (run by Coach Kaiser and Ms. Costenbader), whole school engagement (Spread the Word Week), and fundraising (Polar Bear Plunge and Over the Edge).

🎫Join the celebration and reserve your tickets by Friday, October 9th and be part of a night filled with inspiration, recognition, and unforgettable moments!

This month students will be learning and practicing how to ask for help. Weekly lessons will include who to ask for help in a variety of settings (school, home, community), learning what to do when something is hard, expected vs. unexpected behaviors, and identifying what zones they may need help in. Review the Asking for Help social story at home with your student to help reinforce what they are learning in school.

The Red Clay Consolidated School District (RCCSD) is committed to supporting the whole child—including each student’s academic growth, social-emotional development, and behavioral wellbeing. As part of this commitment, and in alignment with Delaware’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) requirements, students will participate in a Social-Emotional and Behavioral (SEB) wellbeing screening tool this fall.

The SEB screener helps schools identify students’ strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful. The information gathered will help our school teams better understand students’ needs and provide targeted interventions and resources to support their social-emotional and behavioral wellbeing. For students in the Meadowood Program, a modified screening tool will be used that is appropriate for each student’s abilities and needs. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the support they need to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn and grow.

Looking for an easy recipe to try at home?

This visual recipe makes cooking an omelet quick, easy and accessible!

MTP students practiced following steps, gathering ingredients, measuring, mixing, safely using the microwave, and of course, taste testing the final product!

October is here, and it’s filled with opportunities to recognize, celebrate, and raise awareness!

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting important awareness days, recognition weeks, and special observances that shine a light on the incredible individuals, causes, and communities that make a difference every day. From celebrating the dedicated professionals who support our students to raising awareness for important health, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives, October is a time to learn, appreciate, advocate, and celebrate together.

In October 2026, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. This year’s NDEAM theme will be "Celebrating Value and Talent," carrying the spirit of last year's celebration forward through 2026 in honor of America's 250th birthday. We will recognize the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities add to the nation’s workplaces, communities, and economy.

Here is a snapshot of MTP students working hard to improve their vocational and daily living skills.

We are so happy and excited to welcome back Kathie Mattix as she returns from medical leave. Your leadership, commitment, and positive impact make a difference every single day. We are so grateful for all that you do!

#ThankAPrincipal #NationalPrincipalsMonth

This October, we’re celebrating the incredible physical therapists who help individuals build strength, improve mobility, reach their goals, and gain confidence every step of the way! 👣 A special thank-you to the dedicated physical therapists (Erika Netzorg, Sarah Brennan, and Jessica Saienga) who support our students and help them thrive. Your patience, expertise, encouragement, and compassion make a lasting difference every day. We appreciate all that you do! Thank you for helping our students move, grow, and succeed! 💪 #ChoosePT

October is AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the many ways people communicate beyond spoken words. AAC gives individuals a voice and provides opportunities to express thoughts, share ideas, make choices, build relationships, and participate fully in their communities. Everyone deserves to have a voice, be heard, and be understood. A special thank-you to the speech-language pathologists (Mary Anne Terzaghi, Keri Luckanavage, Jackie Fulmer, Darian Beahan, Liz McCormick, Destiny Galarza, Marissa Giardina, Marissa Reed, Jamie Neidlein, and Anya Glasco) who help make communication accessible for all! #AACAwarenessMonth

October is a time to raise awareness, promote understanding, and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of people who are blind or visually impaired.

Other recognition days in October include:

- 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!

News2You Article

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month—a month to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, raise awareness, and promote a world where everyone is valued for who they are and all they can achieve. Let’s celebrate abilities, accomplishments, individuality, and inclusion while recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for every person to learn, grow, connect, and thrive.

News2You Article

The Class of 2027 senior portrait scheduling page is now active and open for 2027 Seniors!

Upcoming seniors can access the scheduling site either through the customized link provided or by visiting the Legacy Studios website and searching by school. Both the school customized link and a link to the Legacy Studios website are provided here:

seniors.legacystudios.com/

seniors.legacystudios.com/thomas-mckean-hs

For assistance, contact customer care at:

· Call: 716-512-6336

· Email: customercare@legacystudios.com

· Chat: seniors.legacystudios.com

Register for basketball, figure skating or snowshoeing here October 1st - November 15th

Registration is open for Special Olympics Delaware's Young Athletes program! Young Athletes is an inclusive sports and play program that introduces children to basic sport skills while building confidence, friendships, and healthy habits in a fun and supportive environment. Join us this season and watch your child learn, grow, and shine alongside their peers!

• Open to young children of all abilities
• Fun, engaging activities
• A great introduction to sports and teamwork

Sign up today

Join SODE for Fall 2026 Zoom Fitness with Nikki! Every Thursday from 5:30-6:15 PM, September 3 through October 29 (no class September 24), we'll work on flexibility, mobility, cardio, and strength from the comfort of home. Open to SODE athletes and families, with exercises adaptable for all fitness levels.

Sign up today and receive the Zoom link: ow.ly/FN2550ZEWHu

Meet us any time on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00-10:30 AM at this fenced-in playground with places to climb and balance for a casual get-together. Open to all families with a loved one with Down syndrome & no RSVP required! Please reach out to outreach@dsadelaware.org (302-464-6276) or spanish@dsadelaware.org (302-455-8705) with any questions.

Lunchtime Learning series will take place Wednesday October 7, 2026, focusing vocational rehabilitation (VR)and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the federal law that drives VR. The session is designed to encourage us to look beyond current obstacles and imagine a vocational rehabilitation system that is strong, innovative, and responsive for the years ahead.

The webinar is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 but registration is required. Visit bit.ly/4AJJHNB to sign up!

Costumes are optional, but good times are guaranteed at our upcoming Fall Teen/Adult Dance! Registration is open for our next dinner & dance on Saturday, October 24 from 6:00-8:30 PM at Elks Lodge in Wilmington (on-site parking available). This event is open to individuals with Down syndrome ages 14 and older and their guests (see guest policy in registration form). Parents and guardians are not required but are welcome to attend. The deadline to register is Monday, October 12. No walk-ins allowed. Register here

Join us for a live Zoom Info Session where we'll walk through how the program works, review the upcoming calendar of events, answer your questions on the impact and support for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disABILITIES, and show you how your family can get involved in an incredible year ahead.

Wednesday, November 4th – 6:30 PM
Live on Zoom

Secure your Zoom link by RSVPing today at: www.dfrc.org/about-hand-in-hand/buddy-sign-up/

Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Reindeer Run! Grab your holiday gear and join us on Friday, December 4 for a festive evening of fun, fitness, and holiday cheer, all in support of Special Olympics Delaware! Run, walk, and celebrate the season with us! Register today! give.gofundme.com/reindeer2026