Parents of Special Children- Camping Resources

Text Box:     PSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
:President
:Vice President
:Corresponding Secretary
:Recording Secretary
:Treasurer
:Parliamentarian
Grace Einhart
Julie Manley
Carol Pizzuto
      Cindy Sandler
      Nancy Simmons-Henderson
      Monica Stoutenger
      Dee Hall

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Parents of Special Children, Inc.	A United Way Agency

	PSC Newsletter Parents of Special Children, Inc. 2-C Tower Drive Fulton, NY 13069 Phone: 315-598-7672 www.pscoswego.org Fax: 315-598-1774 Psc6000@alltel.net
	PSC NEWSLETTER 3rd Quarter July through September June 2008	AND Special Education Information
PSC STAFF Donna Jones- Program Director Janice Soper- Educational Resource Specialist- TIES Coordinator Theresa Familo- Administrative Assistant Respitality™ Coordinator	SMILES SMILING IS INFECTIOUS, YOU CATCH IT LIKE THE FLU, WHEN SOMEONE SMILED AT ME TODAY, I STARTED SMILING TOO. I PASSED AROUND THE CORNER, AND SOMEONE SAW MY GRIN, WHEN HE SMILED I REALIZED, I'D PASSED IT ON TO HIM. I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT SMILE, THEN REALIZED ITS WORTH, A SINGLE SMILE, JUST LIKE MINE, COULD TRAVEL ROUND THE EARTH. SO, IF YOU FEEL A SMILE BEGIN, DON'T LEAVE IT UNDETECTED. LET'S START AN EPIDEMIC QUICK, AND GET THE WORLD INFECTED [ Author Unknown -- from 'Joke A Day Ministries' ] ******************************************************** For Your Information 2 Parents of Special Children has received a donation of books on autism and other disabilities. We would like to thank the Cannata, O’Connell, and Seeley families for their generous donation to our lending library. We have had a lot lending material that had been loaned out and not returned. The Board of Directors have developed a lending policy effective this date. The policy is to loan a maximum of 1 book and 2 magazines to be returned within two weeks of the loan date. Failure to return the items may jeopardize the allocation funding to your family and your future borrowing from the library. *************************** Parents of Special Children has an educational advocate on staff. Contact our office if you need assistance with your child’s educational program. Your advocate can read over documents, attend formal meetings, or Committee on Special Education meetings. The advocate can recommend options for your child’s program or make referrals to a more appropriate program or agency. Sometimes parents just need another impartial person to help them understand what was said at the meeting, give support and take notes. Contact Janice at 598-1774 Educational advocate. ****************************** Parents of Special Children, Inc is looking for men and women who are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors or to serve on an any of the following committees: Program planning/Evaluation Personnel Allocations Finance Fundraising If you would like more information please call our office 315-598-7672 and speak with our Executive Director Donna Jones. ********************************************************** Workshops 3 Monday and Tuesday, September 22 and 23, 9AM-4PM--Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University presents a two-day series, "Workshops in Supporting Communication." Speakers are Marilyn Chadwick and Mayer Shevin. Day 1 is "Communication Partnerships-A Framework for Support," an introductory level training intended for families and professionals interested in learning about communication support. Day 2 is "Introductory Skills Workshop: Learning to Be a Facilitator." Held at Goldstein Student Center, Room 201. Fee is $75 (lunch on your own). Call Dani Weinstein at 443-9379 or daweinst@syr.edu. Sunday, September 28--10th Annual Downs Syndrome Buddy Walk @ Long Branch Park, Liverpool. Corporate sponsors are needed. Contact dsaofcny@aol.com or Shari at 682-4289 to receive a corporate sponsor packet. ************************************************************************************************** SAIL - Summer Adventures in Learning - 2008 Aggie Glavin, Co-Executive Director/Programs Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York 722 West Manlius Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-0665, www.LDACNY.org SAIL features classes designed to enable students with learning difficulties ages 6 – 14, to succeed and maintain their skills during the summer months. The classes are offered in a small and relaxed environment, and taught by teachers trained in learning disabilities. Emphasis will be on self-advocacy and individual learning styles. SAIL is a program of The Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York Choose 3, 4 or 7 classes from the list below: q Reading: Students will be taught through structured, multi-sensory, phonetic programs using Orton Gillingham, Process Phonics and Wilson approaches. q Math: Students will increase their understanding and develop skills using multi-sensory methods. q Study Skills/Writing Students will learn, practice and apply effective strategies by setting goals, managing. q Strategies: time and using active listening. Classes will include note and test taking strategies as well as an opportunity to learn how to organize writing pieces. q Computers: Students will learn computer skills using the latest software. These classes will reinforce skills learned in math, reading, and writing classes. q Social Awareness: Students will identify individual strengths and weaknesses, and apply knowledge to interact successfully with others. q Art: Students will learn to express themselves creatively. Classes will emphasize hands-on art projects and creative expression. q Music: Students will explore rhythm and movement through music and uncover hidden talents! When: July 8 to August 14, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 am to 2:45 pm Where: Pine Grove Middle School, 6318 Fremont Road, East Syracuse, New York. Fee: check website or call LDA Call for registration forms, or download forms at WWW.LDACNY.ORG * ******************************************************* 4 UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation to Offer Medical Assistance Grants The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments Any child 16 years old or younger living in any UnitedHealthcare region of the United States (all 50 states) and in need of financial assistance for healthcare services will be considered eligible for a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the U.S., and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan. Highlighted criteria for applying: The income max is based on "per individual" in the household, family Adjusted Gross can't exceed $80,000. Visit their website at www.uhccf.org/ and learn more about it. They also have a great Frequently Asked Questions Section. Criteria (modified from their website www.uhccf.org/criteria.html) Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders Announcing the opening of the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (RRCASD) . The RRCASD is a community education and technical assistance center funded by the New York State Department of Education, coordinated by S.U.N.Y. Albany. The RRCASD is located at the University of Rochester, Department of Pediatrics, Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. Its mission is to provide community education and technical assistance on evidenced-based models of practice to families, consumers, educational personnel and community providers to increase their knowledge of effective practice with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, age 4 to 21 years, and to work to improve, expand and better integrate the range of resources currently available in our region. The RRCASD may be reached by phone 585-273-1613 or by email at rrcasd@urmc.rochester.edu to place your name on mailing list. Visit the website at www.urmc.edu/childrens-hospital/autism to learn more about the Center, link to autism related information within the region and beyond, download a copy of the current Newsletter (Posted date:May 2008) and to participate in a community-wide survey of training needs (posting date: May 2008). Program Coordinator is Caroline I. Magyar Ph.D. and may be reach at the general number for RRCA at 1-585-273-1613 ***************************************************************************************** Parents of Special Children invites you and your family to join us Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Mexico Town Park, Route 104 PSC will supply the hamburgers & hotdogs You supply your own non-alcoholic drinks, chips & dip and/or prepackaged desserts to share, & your smiles $2.00 per person to cover costs -Reservations requested. Please send in reservation form and payment by 8/15/08 To: Parents of Special Children, Inc. 2 Tower Dr, Suite C, Fulton, NY 13069 "****************************************************************************************** We ____________________________would love to attend the picnic. Family name ( First & Last please) Number attending _____________ Enclosed is our $_________ contribution ******************************************************************************* 5 Parents of Special Children would like to thank the following contributors to our JAMBOREE 2008 ******************************************************************************* 6 Respitality™ Supporters Please be aware of our continually growing list of Respitality™ supporters. These merchants have consistently shown their support to Parents of Special Children, Inc., by donating a one-night stay, a dinner for two, and/or breakfast for two. The Oswego Cinema has donated movie tickets. If you know of a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast that might be interested in donating, please contact our office at Parents of Special Children, Inc 315-598-7672. We are continually searching for new donations of overnight donations or restaurants to add to our program. Show your appreciation by giving back to those that have given to you. Please keep their generosity in mind when dining out or entertaining out of town guests. The following are a list of merchants that have generously agreed to support RESPITALITY™: SERENDIPITY-Bed and Breakfast BATTLE ISLAND INN-Bed and Breakfast ECONO LODGE-Riverfront Hotel EAST COAST BASS LAKE RESORT PORTLY ANGLER LODGE SCOTTISH INN BEL AIR MOTEL DAYS INN PLAINVILLE FARMS Restaurant BRIDIE MANOR CANALE’S Restaurant BATTLE ISLAND CAFÉ LIGHTHOUSE LANES A Special “Thank You” from Parents Of Special Children, Inc. Educational information. NCLD’S ‘TOP 10’ TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS by Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz Director of Professional Services, NCLD All students, including those with learning disabilities (LD) are faced with a unique set of challenges as they approach the transition from high school to college. It is especially important, however, that students with LD understand their areas of strength and weakness, and manage their transition to college by planning carefully and lining up the right kinds of services and supports that are essential to their success. The following is a ‘top 10’ list of ways for students with LD to orchestrate a successful transition to college. And remember: self-insight, self-advocacy, flexibility and perseverance are all important factors in the transition process. 1. Know your strengths and weaknesses and be able to share them with others. Talking about your LD in ways that can be understood by professors (and even fellow students) is very important. It’s best to assume that people are not familiar with the challenges posed by LD. Be sure to be specific about the nature of your LD and the accommodations that will help you succeed. 2. Get to know the college campus and the resources and activities it has to offer. Knowing your way around campus can make a huge difference, especially at the start of your college career. Whether it’s scoping out the perfect nook in the library, finding the quickest route to the cafeteria, or locating the Student Support Center and the campus health center, having a good sense about where things are in and around campus can save time and avoid confusion later on. And don’t forget to target the laundry room, late night pizza places, and the campus book store while you’re at it. 3. Identify task demands or situations that could prevent you from achieving success. Lots of term papers? Long reading assignments? Taking notes during a class lecture? Preparing for quizzes and exams? These are not going away any time soon! Know what to expect in each of your classes, and make a special effort to discover any and all unexpected demands so you’re not surprised and overwhelmed when they arise. 4. Be proactive, anticipate problems and be prepared with solutions. Make a wish list of the types of help you will need to be successful, and don’t waste any time putting them in place. For example: if you know that writing essays does not come easily, check out the campus Writing Center (often very helpful, and almost always free of charge!) or get feedback from someone before submitting. You can also ask professors to review your work and provide comments before assigning a grade, allowing you to resubmit with corrections (most professors are more than willing to accommodate this request). If reading is an area of weakness, consider a subscription to Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic or other sources that read texts aloud. www.92Y.org www.LD.org National Center for Learning Disabilities 5. Know where to go for help BEFORE you need it. On campus and off, there are lots of places you can turn to for help-- parents, counselors and therapists, and friends are all possible sources. The key is not to wait until it’s too late and you have to “catch up” with deadlines or use up valuable time figuring out the best source for help. 6. Keep your emotions in check. Getting upset or angry at yourself, professors, parents, or friends will drain energy and attention better spent getting work done. Being in a college environment means juggling all kinds of emotions, and there are times when this will seem like a monumental task. Don’t be reluctant to seek help when sorting out you feelings! Everyone needs someone to talk to, and you don’t earn extra points by suffering alone. 7. Balance school demands and social time, without letting either one be all-consuming. All work and no play is a prescription for exhaustion and aggravation. All play and no work is a fast road to failure in school (and in life!). Set reasonable goals for yourself, make sure to devote enough time and attention to schoolwork, and rather than “winging it,” try to schedule down time to relax and be with friends. 8. Don’t forget to eat well and get enough sleep. An endless array of foods (some better than others) and all kinds of social distractions await you in college. Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy diet and getting enough rest. Everyone’s internal clock for sleep is different and some people do just fine with less sleep and frequent power naps. Some people enjoy frequent snacks and small meals while others need more substantial meals on a regular basis. Know how you function best, and be thoughtful about building these important activities into your schedule. (And no, this is not a message from your mother!) 9. Think and plan ahead. Routines are worth their weight in gold during your college career. Thinks about how you would like to spend your time, whether you prefer classes in the early hours or later in the day, clustered on a few days or spread throughout the week, and do your best to organize your schedule accordingly. Don’t wait until the last minute to speak to professors or submit class requests to avoid being closed out of your top choices. And to paraphrase the poet Robert Burns, “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Routines are great, but when they need to be changed, try to rethink your needs and priorities without delay. (And again, don’t hesitate asking for help working out new options). 10. Don’t assume!** In high school, parents and teachers are monitoring your progress via report cards, reviewing IEP goals and other informal channels of communication. Once you are in college, YOU are the one in charge! If you want something to get done, don’t wait for someone else to do it. And always to follow up to ensure that it happens.