Creekside Newsletter 5/03/19

UPCOMING EVENTS

Teacher Appreciation Week

5/06/19 - 5/10/19

Mother's Day Tea

5/09/19 at 1:30 pm

Creekside Cafeteria

NO SCHOOL

Staff Development Day

5/10/19

RESOURCE TOOLS

Educate Autism...

What's the Big Idea!?

The idea for the website comes from working within an Applied Behavioral Analysis school for children with autism and from one of the site's founders having autism within their close family.

They've experienced ABA tutors spending a lot of time creating materials for their teaching programs and they felt that by putting some of these materials online it might reduce the time spent on creating materials and allow more time for teaching.

Their goal is to help people who may have a child, or are teaching a child, with a learning difficulty focusing primarily on children on the Autism Spectrum .

They try to help by providing:

downloadable materials to use in educational programs
tutorials on how to make teaching aids
articles, graphics and videos about interventions and behavioral principles

The creation of many of their materials is guided by an assessment tool used by Behavioral Analysts called the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills Revised (ABLLS®-R: Partington, 2010). They have done this in order to ensure they don't create materials on a "whim" and that they are related to an Applied Behavioral Analysis assessment tool and so to ABA as a whole. You can access their website HERE

AUTISM SPEAKS WALK

Thank you to all who came out to support the Autism Speaks Walk April 14th or donated! Our efforts as a community raised $4,479 which far exceeded our goal of $2,500! It was a gorgeous day and we had many people come visit our Creekside School booth!

Message

From Ms. Megan

Hi Families,

We have had a super busy week as our efforts increase exponentially to prepare for next year!

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I am so honored to work alongside the most talented, passionate, and willing group of educational professionals. Each day, the team unites to foster a day of engagement and purpose for our students. They work endlessly to develop new and exciting programming to meet the particular needs of each student. When the day is done, they work collectively to ensure that every family has a very detailed account of their child's day (usually with associated pictures) to allow our families to actively communicate with their child at their unique communication level. What an invaluable educational experience that this team delivers. It is this great work that makes the difference in lives everyday. Thank you teachers, therapists, and teaching assistants for all of the work you do at Creekside each and everyday!

Mother's Day is just around the corner and the classroom teams have been planning a Mother's Day Tea Party on Thursday, May 9th at 1:30pm in our cafeteria. We invite all mothers, aunts, grandmas, and other folks who have played the role of "mom" in our students' lives. We wish to honor all of your love, patience, and support for our students!

Fun Fact: Creekside will be sponsoring a table at Animal Assisted Happiness's fundraiser dinner on May 19th. Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH) is an organization that has worked closely with us for several years. Their farm facilities not only provide a therapeutic environment, but also vocational skill building opportunities. Just this last Spring Break, Ms. Roullo spent some of her free time working with them to increase their visual supports for when our students visit. This collaboration not only benefits our students at Creekside, but also other students that partner with AAH.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ~ MEET AARON!

(written by Ms. Roullo)

Aaron is one of our high school students and is 16 years old. He has younger sisters and an older brother and lives with his family in San Jose. Aaron has many interests and skills that he demonstrates here at Creekside in the classroom and off campus in the community. In the classroom Aaron is a big help during our Morning Meeting and is often the first one to respond to questions and share his opinion. Aaron also helps another student with locking the campus gates in the morning and unlocking them in the afternoon. He will also help complete many jobs on campus such as, cleaning, gardening, and preparing materials for the classroom, just to name a few. Aaron will soon have the opportunity to work in the front office learning specific skills.

Aaron enjoys going on shopping trips to the store and mall with his peers, the park and track outings for exercise, and fun learning experience field trips to the recycling center, post office, and other local places. Aaron also helps with our partnering organizations in the community. With his peers, he delivers meals for Meals on Wheels every Monday and Wednesday to individuals at their home. He also helps in the process of making and packaging handmade play-dough for the younger kids at Duck Pond Playspace. And a favorite of his is taking a monthly outing to Animal Assisted Happiness to spend some time with helping to care for the animals and learn/practice vocational jobs in that setting.

Aaron continues to impress me (Areil) as I work more and more with him. He is so quick to learning new hands on tasks and jobs. He has a great ability to imitate others facial expressions, dance moves, and movement exercises. He also enjoys singing and dancing to his favorite show tunes like, Animaniacs, Looney Tunes, and other classic cartoons.

Aaron's ability to draw cartoon characters step-by-step with detail from a guided book is incredibly impressive to see. I look forward to all of the other cool things Aaron will teach me and what he is willing to try out of his comfort zone. Another couple of Aaron's favorites are playing math games on our classroom SmartBoard, riding bikes, baking in the kitchen, playing/listening to music in the music room, art, and putting together puzzles up to 100 pieces of his preferred cartoon characters. I hope everyone gets the chance to hangout with Aaron and engage in one of his favorite activities. Aaron has shown so much improvement on making eye contact with others and greeting them in the morning and throughout his day independently, if you haven't met Aaron yet, please introduce yourself he enjoys meeting new people. We Love Aaron!

Take a Look in our Classrooms!

Message

From Ms. Julie

3C and 3A students will be hosting a special Mother's Day Afternoon Dance and Tea on Thursday, May 9th, at 1:30pm! Students will be making decorations and delicious treats to honor all of you amazing moms!

We will also continue with our Unique Learning Unit on Helping our Planet. Students will read a story about renewable and non-renewable energy resources, such as oil, coal, wind energy, sun energy, and water energy. They will do follow up worksheets to reinforce what they are learning. Students will be introduced to the digraphs ch & sh, focusing on such words as chip and ship!

It will be a busy and exciting week!

Message

From Ms. Roullo

Next week the students will create the Calendar Art for the month of May. We will discuss all of the important events and days happening this month. The class will learn about and engage in activities and art projects that are related to Mother's Day. Students will also prepare for our Mother's Day Tea and Dance leading up to Thursday. They will help make decorations and light snacks.

During your 3 day weekend, I would like to encourage families to take an outing to the park and have lunch at the lunch tables to celebrate Mother's Day!

FREE WAYS TO HELP FUNDRAISE FOR CREEKSIDE!

AMAZON SMILE:

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support our school every time you shop, at no cost to you. Go to smile.amazon.com and search for our school name. There are other Creekside Schools so please make sure you choose the one located in San Jose and founded in 2010.

BOX TOPS:

We are collecting BOX TOPS! Just clip and collect every Box Top you receive and periodically send them back to us.

RECYCLING:

Send in rinsed plastic bottles and non-alcoholic cans only! The kids will be taking them to the recycling center every so often. Recycling can be dropped off at the cafeteria or just call us and someone can meet you curbside!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AROUND THE BAY AREA

5/09/19 Thursday - Autism Support and Information Meeting

Time: 6:30-8:30 pm at Parents Helping Parents, Sobrato Center for Nonprofits

1400 Parkmoor Avenue, San Jose, 95126. Meetings are an opportunity for parents to meet informally and to share ideas, experiences and information. RSVP HERE

5/11/19 Saturday - AMC Sensory Friendly Films: Avengers: Endgame (PG13)

5/14/19 Tuesday - AMC Sensory Friendly Films: Avengers: Endgame (PG13)

5/25/19 Saturday - AMC Sensory Friendly Films: Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (PG) Time: See participating theaters

What: AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.

More Info: https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

5/11/19 Saturday - Pops In The Park (recommen ded by our music teacher Ms. Karen)

Time: Noon at Performance Pavilion, 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, 94538. This concert is outsid e and seating is on the lawn, so bring a blanket, a picnic, sunscreen and enjoy the music! There will be free kazoos for everyone. This is a great opportunity for students to experience a large ensemble without the constraints of a concert hall. Students can get up and move, dance, whatever.

This concert will take place at the Performance Pavilion. See the flyer HERE

5/11/19 Saturday - Day Out on the Ranch

Time: 12:00-3:00 pm at Thorson’s Arena 2005 Hayes Lane, San Martin. The CHP is hosting a FREE Rodeo for those with special needs. There will be rodeo skills stations, rodeo event demonstrations, live Blue Grass music, horse back rides and petting zoo. Hot dog, chips and drink are provided.

5/18/19 Saturday - A Walk On Water Surf Therapy

Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz. A full, rejuvenating day for the family: surf session, as well as art, yoga, music, plus breakfast, lunch and and snacks. Surf Therapy events are free, but reserve now, spots are limited and fill up fast. https://awalkonwater.org/event/santa-cruz-ca

5/25/19 Saturday - Paddle 4 Good: Paddle Together

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. at Shoreline Lake, Mountain View

Paddle4Good's Paddle Together program brings the special needs, volunteer, & paddling communities together for a free, safe, amazing, half-day on the water, with safety & inclusion as the primary goals - participants have the opportunity to safely stand up paddle (SUP), kayak, peddle boat, & more with a friendly set of community volunteers & skilled crew of paddlers. The Paddle 4 Good events are for those with special needs ages 4-24. Registration starts on April 13th! Limited space. Click here to sign up to receive a reminder when registration opens. For more info about Paddle 4 Good's Paddle Together program click here. Also: Sept. 7, Sept. 8, and Oct. 4.

6/01/19 Saturday - Scientists & Artists Benefit for Autistry Studios

Time: 6:00-9:00 pm at Autistry Studios, 448 Du Bois Street, San Rafael

Scientists & Artists: a Nerdy & Neurodiverse Benefit for Autistry Studios: Out-of-this-world presentations by a NASA scientist, a New York artist, a VR specialist and an Animation Writer. Click HERE for complete details and to purchase tickets!

6/03/19 Monday - Kepler's Speaker Series: Graeme Simsion

Time: 7:30-9:30 pm at Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Kepler's presents Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect and now the Rosie Result. In the third and final installment, Don and Rosie’s final tale will explore the parenting quandary they undergo as their son, who takes after his dad, struggles to adapt socially in school. Through his writing, Graeme has successfully helped increase awareness of autism and continues to advocate for organizations that support people with autism. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

SUMMER PROGRAMS from VIA SERVICES

Via West provides residential respite care with weekend and week-long special needs camping programs throughout the year. We offer innovative programs and activities that include both learning and outdoor experiences, plus independent living skills and skill building activities that are specifically designed to improve self-sufficiency. Their summer brochure can be found HERE

Six Sundays June-August, 2019: SFASA Summer Pool Parties

Time: 1:00-4:00 pm at AnT Swim School, San Jose

Our pool parties for autism families return this summer! Registration coming in May. Event dates: June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18

Saturdays (Weekly) - Dance for Al l - Inclusive Exercise Class

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm at the El Camino YMCA, 2400 Grant Rd, Mountain View, 94040

This weekly class offers a safe and accepting environment where differences are accepted without judgment and special need participants can exercise side-by-side with their family members and other Y members. Attendees participate in a series of dances, choreographed to popular music enjoyed by youth, as well as Pilates-based exercise that exposes them to moves they would find in a number of other Y classes. More Info at: Class List