Meadowview Moments Newsletter

November 2023

Principal's Note

Dear Families,

On Oct. 30, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ms. Paige Rife as the second administrator for Meadowview! Ms. Rife and I will both provide leadership to the on- and off-site Meadowview programs.

Ms. Rife comes to us with a vast array of experience as a self-contained categorical teacher and director of special education at several schools in Michigan, Indiana, Florida and Illinois. She has extensive background with managing teams, restorative practices and staff development. We are thrilled to have her join our team!

The month of October was a busy one for our Meadowview classrooms. Many of the classes visited The Country Mill and participated in the various learning activities, apple picking, wagon rides and walking through the pumpkin patch. It is nice our classes are able to get out and about again! Look for some pictures below of the various classes and their wonderful trips!

On Oct. 26, WILX visited our Eaton Rapids program and filmed a Schools Rule segment. The students were very excited to talk about their school, the activities they participates in and showing off the new apartment. We hope to be able to spotlight our other programs on TV throughout the year as well.

This month Meadowview hosted the Michigan State Police Vulnerable or Impaired Persons (VIP) fingerprint event on Nov. 9 at Meadowview and Nov. 13 at Potterville.

Thank you!

Dr. Sarah Parker

Director of Meadowview Programs

Field Trip Fun

Oct. 10 was an amazing day for the elementary and middle school MoCI classrooms! The students went on a field trip to The Country Mill where they learned about the life cycle of apple trees, the importance of bees and how trees make oxygen for us to breathe.

Students and staff enjoyed picking apples and pumpkins followed by a hayride around the property. To finish the day, they enjoyed donuts and apple cider. (The staff all agreed the food was their favorite part.) It was a wonderful day!

High School and Adult SCI Classroom Trip

On October 26, the SCI high school and adult classrooms went on a field trip to the Country Mill. Upon arrival, they were taken to smell the donuts and apples. Then they toured the apple room where more than 2,000 apples are stored at a very specific temperature which has to be checked daily in order not to spoil.

Afterwards, students watched the apple press make apples into pulp and cider. Everyone was given an apple, pumpkin, cider and donut as well as a wagon ride to pick the apples in the orchard! Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you to Dean Transportation for driving our classes on the field trip!

WILX Schools Rule Event at Union Street

WILX stopped by to interview our students and check out the Union Street apartment. Check out the Schools Rule news story

Harvest Festival

On Friday, Oct. 27 Meadowview celebrated the spooky season and autumn season during Harvest Festival!

Eaton RESA Parent Advisory Committee

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents, representing each local district who work to positively impact the education of children with special needs. Their mission is to provide a regular forum for the exchange of ideas and information to support parents and school administrators. Check out the PAC website for more information and meeting dates and times.

PAC meetings are the third Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. virtually using Google Meet. Or join by phone: 803.638.8098 PIN: ‪255 367 783#

Letter from the Eaton County Prosecutor

Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Lloyd has issued a letter to families regarding threats of violence made by students and the seriousness of these threats. We encourage families to review this information with students.

Michigan State Police VIP Program

The Michigan State Police Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP) program is a voluntary program designed for those individuals with special needs. Program participants can provide fingerprints and a photograph to be included in a State of Michigan repository which can be used to assist in identifying the person should they become lost or find themselves in a situation in which they cannot identify themselves.

Fingerprints are captured electronically using a system known as Live Scan. Live Scan is a device that captures fingerprints by placing them on a lighted glass screen. Some Live Scan devices also have the capability to capture a photograph as well. The individual’s fingerprints and photograph are stored along with additional demographic information and contact information for a person legally responsible for them.

Once enrolled in the VIP program, law enforcement has the ability to utilize a Live Scan device or mobile fingerprint scanner to access the information and quickly identify a person who may have trouble identifying themselves.

The process to enroll is easy and is outlined on the State of Michigan website.

Paving the Way to Self Determination

The Disability Network Southwest Michigan has introduced a state-wide 3-year initiative for children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Paving the Way to Self Determination is a program being offered to families throughout Michigan to assist them in raising the expectations family members have for their children with developmental disabilities. The program focuses on concepts that will introduce students and their families to the empowerment that leads to living an independent and self-directed life.

Universal Core Vocabulary

October's Core Vocabulary: another, change, every, for, idea, pretty, say, start, thank you, think, try, under

Physical Education News

Check out what's happening in PE in the APE newsletter from APE Teacher Taylor Jackson.

Suicide Prevention and 988 Lifeline

The three-digit suicide hotline, 988, has been designated as a national resource. Users can call or text the number to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. A chat is also available at 988lifeline.org .

The new number will be used in addition to the previous Lifeline phone number (1.800.273.8255) which will also remain available to people in the emotional distress of suicidal crisis. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s network of more than 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005.

September was National Suicide Prevention Month and numerous studies have shown callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has additional resources and information.

When to keep children home from school

Every morning, families and staff should check for signs of illness. If your student has specific symptoms or is diagnosed with a specific illness, please let the school know. Use the following guidance to better understand when to keep children home from school.

Student Illness Policy

Students exhibiting any potentially contagious symptoms may be at risk to themselves or others and should not be at school.

Severely Ill: a child who is lethargic or less responsive, has difficulty breathing or rapidly spreading rash.
Fever: any temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher,
Diarrhea: a child who has two or more loose stools.
Vomiting: a child who has vomited two or more times.
Rash: the child with rash AND has a fever or change in behavior.
Draining Skin Sores: any sore that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing.
Runny Nose: abnormal amounts of thick yellow or green discharge. May return when drainage is clear or treatment started.

Important Dates

11/20-12/1	No School SCI Programs	Thanksgiving Break
11/20-11/24	No School EI Programs	Thanksgiving Break
11/21	Eaton Rapids and Storefront- AM 1/2 Day	PM Staff Collaboration
11/22-11/24	No School Eaton Rapids, Storefront and Potterville	Thanksgiving Break