Meadowview Moments Newsletter

October 2023

Principal's Note

Dear Families,

We have had a very successful first month of school. The students are showing great growth, and all of the students seem very happy!

For those of you that have not yet filled out information via the FinalForms website, please do so as soon as possible. It is necessary that we have updated information, including medical information, for all students. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office and we would be happy to help.

Our students are all about routine, and when our routine gets thrown off it definitely has an impact on our kids. As we transition from summer to fall to winter, routines start to change. Soon we will have a huge change – we set the clocks back! It will soon be getting lighter in the morning and super dark much earlier, starting at 5 or 6 p.m. That can throw us parents off, and it can certainly throw off our kids!

It’s really helpful to talk about these things with your children. When they’re confused because it’s 5 p.m. and dark, talk through the change with them. That will help them to understand that the routines are staying the same, even if the sky is darker now.

We appreciate you all and are thankful for the ability to serve your students.

Educationally Yours,

Dr. Sarah Parker

Director of Meadowview Programs

Remind App

All of our classrooms have started using the Remind App to communicate with families and as a school. Please ensure you're connected to your student’s classroom as a means of communication with school and staff.

Final Forms Enrollment

We are very excited to announce that Eaton RESA has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign academic forms for your students.

Please click on the Eaton RESA Parent Playbook to get started in FinalForms. If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Use Support”.

If you are unable to access or complete the forms online, please give us a call 517.541.8750 or stop by the Meadowview School Office (1790 East Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI 48813).

Program Spotlight- Emotional Impaired Program

EI Elementary Happenings

The school year is off to a great start and I am blessed to witness the wonderful academic and behavioral growth I have already seen in our students since returning from summer break. Our students have been hard at work (and play!)

- On August 28, students celebrated Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri's birthday by reading about his life before his video game development career. His main hobby was studying and collecting bugs! In his honor, we researched bug types, characteristics and habitats. Students created their own bugs out of clay and created nature-inspired habitats for them to live in. Instead of cake, we celebrated by making our own gummy worm dirt pudding!

- September 15 was International Dot Day and we celebrated by unleashing our creativity and building our artistic confidence by reading the book "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds and creating our own art masterpieces using only dots. Students learned about the art technique pointillism, where small, distinct dots of color are applied in a pattern to form an image.

- NWEA testing is upon us! Students have been watching informational videos on what to expect, going over test-taking strategies, familiarizing themselves with the computer-based program and tools, and answering test practice questions to prepare.

The Meadowview EI program is off to an amazing start! Our 2023-24 school year is being forged by building new friendships and building confidence and trust. Our students are learning and playing together across the program. Our team of teachers, Ms. Alex Leppek, Mrs. Kim Cook and Mrs. Angela Miller work together to create environments where the students can best learn and flourish.

The students have been learning about soccer and kickball in their P.E. class. At the culmination

of their soccer unit, our APE teacher, Ms. Taylor Jackson hosted an all-program soccer game. The kids had a blast and the staff enjoyed cheering them on.

In our EI program we are proud of our "all hands-on deck" philosophy, which includes our Dean bus drivers. As part of our PBIS program, students have been earning "gold moose bucks" for having successful bus rides to and from

school. What makes this incentive special is that the students are able to "shop" at Dr. Parker's (our gracious principal) store. The items in the store range from simple stickers to gift cards. The students are able to shop with their "gold moose bucks" once a month. The

anticipation is growing as we are nearing our next shopping date.

Another exciting opportunity that our students are able to earn is "Fun Friday." Based on their

classroom criteria/expectations, students may earn the chance to watch a movie and enjoy a snack with their peers on Friday afternoon. This has been a super successful event and the students really enjoy spending time together. The EI team is very proud of our students, and we are looking forward to our continued growth!

Eaton RESA Parent Advisory Committee

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents, representing each local district, that works 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: +1 803-638-8098 PIN: ‪255 367 783#

Special Education Millage

On November 7, Eaton County residents will be asked to vote on a special education millage that will provide additional funds to support students with disabilities. Eaton RESA is leading an informational campaign to educate voters and share information about the importance of this funding for all students in all districts within our service area. Please check out, and share, the information on the millage website.

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, including their home address and a contact person, email address and phone number for the 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 to 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.

Fun at Disney On Ice

On September 22, our MOCI and MICI High School and Transitions classes went to Disney On Ice in Detroit. The students had planned this trip in February 2023, but it was canceled due to weather. The students especially enjoyed the Encanto performance with Disney On Ice. Compliments were given to our teachers and students with how well behaved they were. The students were actively dancing in their seats and overall enjoyed the wonderful day!

Universal Core Vocabulary

September's Core Vocabulary: almost, call, listen, name, nice, over, place, sit, time, we, write

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.

Meet Our New Teachers

High School SCI Teacher– Mrs. Karen Larkin

My name is Karen Larkin. I am currently teaching in the SCI middle school room here at Eaton RESA. I remarried two years ago and I have two children and my husband has two children, together we have six grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with our kids and grandkids, my husband and friends, and reading. Summer is my favorite season. Thanks for all the support from everyone here at Meadowview.

Middle School MOCI Teacher– Mrs. Elizabeth Siler

Hello! I am Elizabeth Siler and I am the middle school MoCI teacher in Potterville. This is my 24th year in education and I have been privileged to have been afforded experience in a variety of arenas in the field. My children and I live in Charlotte with our cat, Queenie. In my free time, I do housework, run a home baking business and work on a second masters degree in special education from Central Michigan University. Our family loves having time together and traveling when time permits.

Transition 1 Teacher–Mr. Brian Lorente

Hello, my name is Brian Lorente. I enjoyed the opportunity to sub throughout the program last year so when the opportunity came for me to join the team full time this year I was thrilled to accept. After graduating from Olivet College in 2001, I took a job at the VFW National Home. For the last 23 years I worked at the Home doing a multitude of different jobs. My primary role for most of my time there was running the Life Skills Program, working with the teen population, as well as manning the National Veteran Helpline.

I currently live in Eaton Rapids with my wife Keri and our two kids Elle and Colten. Our family is very involved in sports both at the school and travel levels. I coach both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at different levels throughout the year and I enjoy teaching youth the values, sports and competition that come along with the game. Also, when time allows, I am a big sci-fi fan and enjoy watching college sports on the weekend.

My kids keep us very busy with several sports including basketball, volleyball, cross country and coming soon- track and field! I enjoy the chance to travel whenever possible either for sporting events or family getaways. I am originally from the Upper Peninsula, so I enjoy the chance to return home as often as possible. Being from the UP I am a huge fan of hunting, hiking and being outdoors as much as possible.

I am a very goal-oriented person, so I am excited for the opportunity to set and reach goals with our students this year. I believe that everyone can continue to grow as a person and in their professions. Together we are going to work hard throughout the year to achieve our classroom goals and provide the best environment for students we can.

Adult SCI Teacher –Mrs. Dawn Pifer

Hi My name is Dawn Pifer. I am excited to be a part of the Eaton RESA team. I have previously worked as a Social Worker in the medical field, preschool teacher for a daycare and a special needs school bus driver.

I live in Charlotte, and have two boys Cody, 18 and Brady, 16. I am married and have two dogs named Paladin and Peaches. In my spare time, and especially in the summer months, I work on a peach farm.

I enjoy watching sports that my sons are in (cross country, swimming, and track and field) and I love the Detroit Tigers. I enjoy traveling and exploring various places along the lakeshores of Michigan and I like to go camping and the beach to watch the sunset.

I love working with students of all ages and abilities. I look forward to this school year as I embrace this opportunity. Our classroom motto is, “I am Capable”. My hope is to help students achieve their most capable goals this year!

New Adult Living Apartment at Union Street

We have some exciting news for our Transition Programs at Union Street in Eaton Rapids. Late last year, demolition started in one of the rooms in order to transform it into an apartment. The apartment is designed to give the students an opportunity to work on everyday skills such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, making a bed, folding and taking care of clothes, etc. The students are so excited to have this space and are eager to start working!

State Senator Sarah Anthony visited the apartment on September 11 and discussed with Dr. Sarah Parker the available resources we have for our Adult Transition age students, as well as the continued need to support Eaton RESA with funding that can provide learning spaces like this for all students.

2023-24 School Year Calendars

Meadowview Packard Campus EI Program

Meadowview Packard Campus SCI Program

Meadowview Off Site Potterville Elementary/Middle Program

Meadowview Off Site Eaton Rapids High School and Union Street

Meadowview Off Site Post Secondary Transition Program-Charlotte Store