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March 2022

News for students, families & friends

School News Look for a fresh edition of Transition Update each fall, winter and spring as we share helpful information, school projects, student success, and events with our school families and friends.

Transition Campus Guiding Principles We believe all students are entitled to a learning environment that promotes independence to the greatest extent possible through the use of experimental learning. We believe students will physically access and interact with their environment to the greatest extent possible. We believe all students have the basic right to affect their lives through a functional means of communication. We believe working together as a team with positive intentions will ensure effective programming for all students. Dignity is innate. We believe it is our responsibility to preserve and advocate this basic human right.

Life Skills Center students S.O.A.R. S - Safe O - On Task A - Aware R - Respectful

Life Skills Center Classroom Enterprise Who doesn't like a sweet treat once and a while? Students in Susan Bulger's classroom are learning to make homemade sweet treats in our school bakery and then selling the baked goods to students and staff each Tuesday as a means to support this ongoing skill-building enterprise. Skills learned include: Creating shopping lists  Grocery shopping Sales/marketing  Counting money  Communication  Social skills  Bakery skills  Bake sale proceeds go back into buying supplies, and funding extra activities for the class such as a visit to the John Ball Zoo, local restaurants, and other community outings.  

Honored Authors (L-R): Jade L., Kat P., Austin H.

Classroom Initiative: Author's Chair Students in Mike Libby’s and Lena Scarpace’s classrooms at the Life Skills Center are honing their communication skills through a unique program called Author’s Chair. Modeled after the First Author program (Don Johnston Inc., 2015), the Author’s Chair is designed to provide instruction and practice in writing, speaking, and listening. Each week begins with a “mini-lesson” targeting a specific communication skill (e.g., “How to be a good listener”). Students then write about a self-selected topic and choose a photo or create a drawing to accompany their writing. At the week’s end, students head to the podium—a place of honor—and read what they have written in front of an audience of classmates and staff. Members of the audience ask questions and make comments related to the presentation. Finally, an Author of the Week is selected and presented with a Certificate of Excellence. The Author’s Chair program encourages a culture of acceptance where each student’s voice is respected and celebrated. 

The TC Dream Team is Back! The Dream Team is a co-ed baseball league formed to include youth, teens and young adults ages 8-26 with disabilities. Dream Team players are paired with partner players from local baseball and softball teams who play alongside the Dream Team members to provide assistance as needed. Registration for 2022 Season: Beginning mid-March. Watch the Dream Team Traverse City website and Facebook page for more detail. Tentative Schedule: May 5 and May 12 – Dream Team Practices May 14, 21, 28 & June 11, 18 – Dream Team Games

Revised Mask Guidelines North Ed has updated its COVID-19 masking policy. Masks are now strongly recommended for students, staff and visitors to North Ed facilities and classrooms. This policy aligns with current guidance from local health departments and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and reflects a downward trend in positive cases reported regionally. In addition, masking is strongly recommended when using school transportation. Please understand there is still a need to be flexible, and North Ed may adjust its masking policy in response to COVID-19 trends and changes in guidance from government agencies. See the full letter here.

Important Dates to Remember Mid- to end of March – Dream Team Registration March 28 - April 3 - No school - Spring Recess May 2-4 – 2022 State Summer Olympic Games May 30 - No School - Memorial Day June 3 - Graduation June 10 - Last Day of School for Students and Staff - Full Day 

Student & Parent Resources

Disability Network - Events Arts for All - Events Special Olympics - Website North Ed Website North Ed Parent/Student Resources Transition Campus web page

Northwest Education Services Transition Campus/Life Skills Center 880 Parsons Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 Tel. 231.922.6357 |  NorthwestEd.org