Transitioning to Summer - Families Together

Transitioning to Summer:  9 Tips for Special Needs Parents Spring is here, and yet there is talk about the end of the school year.  With less than two months to go, summer vacation will be upon us. Teachers and children are anxiously waiting for school to end, while parents are anxiously scrambling to plan for what to do with their children for two months at home. Here are some tips to think about as the school year winds down: 1. Evaluate & Review 2. Plan Retention Activities  3. Visit Next Year's Classroom 4. Break out a social story or video  5. Make a countdown calendar  6. Schedule Playdates with familiar faces 7. Prepare for summer camp 8. Plan a daily schedule 9. Plan family activities Click here for details on how to make these 9 tips easy! Summer is a time for your child to enjoy himself/herself and to get a break from the academic expectations that come from the school year.  These tips can help the school year end on a successful note and ease your child into a fun-filled summer.

Public Comment Open to US Dept of Ed - Families Together

Public Comment Open to US Dept. of Ed. on Kansas Compliance in Special Education   The US Department of Education plans to focus on student performance in special education.  The plan is to balance "the focus on improved educational results and functional outcomes for students with disabilities while considering compliance as it relates to those results and outcomes."  States are evaluated on dropout and graduation rates, whether or not students with disabilities are disproportionately suspended or representative of certain racial groups and post-high school outcomes.  To leave a comment before the June 14 deadline, click here.

Champions Special Ministries Summer Day Camp - July 15-19, 2013

Champions Special Ministries, a nonprofit ministry located in Overland Park, Kansas will be holding a 5 day Day Camp, July 15-19 at Heritage Christian Academy, 16000 Blackbob Road, Olathe, KS, 66062 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, Monday-Thursday, and 1:00-8:30, Friday.  This is for ages 6-28 with an intellectual, cognitive, or physical disability. We will have a 1-2 or 1-1 ratio, camper to volunteer during our week of camp. We will have 5 days of high energy fun, games, activities, sports, dance, music, arts and craft, bible devotions, prayer and much more! We will end our week with the families' of campers invited to a cook-out, closing program, and square dance! 

You can go to www.Championsspecialministries.org to sign up today!  You can pay on-line, also. Spots are limited, so sign up today!  Please let me know if you have any questions and pass the word to all of your friends!  We are excited to host an amazing camp for some of our most favorite people in the world!

Blessings,

Alison Gromer

Braille Boot Camp on the News

Matt Flener’s feature on Braille Boot Camp aired Sunday night on KMBC. In case you missed it, click here!

Camp Poss-Abilities

2013 CAMP POSSABILITIES

New location and new facility with an outdoor therapy space!

PossAbilities, Inc.

New location as of 6/2013

6223 Slater

Merriam, KS 66202

THERAPY GROUPS

• Fun Weekly Themes

• Max. 1:4 registered therapist to child ratio.

• Max. of 6 children per group.

• All group programs include screenings, materials, & home program ideas.

• Fully equipped handwriting clinic

• Sensory integration gym

• Small secure environment

• Easily accessible off of I35

Deadline to Register June 1

Preschool Speech and OT Group

(Groups forming for Mid-June thru Aug)

For children 3-5 yr. old

Max. 6 children

Call Brookes at (816) 332-6138

Handwriting Help

For children 8-12 yrs. old

Max. 6 children

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-2:00

June 13 – July 2

6 one-hour sessions

$180

Contact: Jean

jwetherilt@hotmail.com

Handwriting Help

For children 6-10 yrs.

Max. 6 children

Wednesdays 12:30-1:30

June 19 – July 24

6 one-hour sessions

$180.00

Contact: Jean

jwetherilt@hotmail.com

Yoga

For children 4-6 yrs. old

Tues and/or Thurs 3:30-4:15

June 17-August 1

6 for $90.00, 12 for $180

Contact: Robin

rhoffman1@kc.rr.com

No classes on July 4th

Bicycling Intensives

(Learning to Ride)

For children 7-14 yrs.

Max. 5 children

June 24,25,26,27,28 @ 10-11:30.

$225.00

Contact: Jean

jwetherilt@hotmail.com

Also Offering:

• Individual therapy

• Specialty Groups (smaller size, additional staff)

• Therapy in Pairs

• Therapy Intensives

• Keyboarding/Typing

• Interactive Metronome

• Infant massage

More information online: www.Poss-Abilities.com

New Soccer Program for Athletes with Special Needs

* NOTE FROM JB: *

When signing up for any sport, please be sure to alert them at registration of your child's individual needs and accommodations necessary for his/her success, including the most basic things like requesting or providing a high contrast or belled ball!

TEAMSoccer Registration is NOW OPEN  SPORTING Blue Valley is excited to announce the addition of TEAMSoccer to our growing list of soccer programs for youth ages Pre-K through age 18.    TEAMSoccer is a program designed for players with physical and/or mental disabilities, who wish to learn and play the game of soccer - and have FUN!    TEAMSoccer will take place on six Saturday mornings this fall at the Overland Park Soccer Complex - training facility of SPORTING BV.     This program is NOT a team vs. team program.  It is more of an individual based program that will include drills for skill development, fun soccer games and scrimmages.     For our inaugural season, space will be limited.  We suggest you sign up EARLY to be a part of TEAMSoccer for Fall 2013.     REGISTER     More information can be found on our website   www.sportingbvsoccer.org or call Paula Bullis 913-685-2872 to learn more

Challenger Air - September 7, 2013

MISSION:
Challenge Air builds self-esteem and confidence of children and youth with specials needs, through the experience of flight.

Since 1993, Challenge Air has enriched the lives of 30,000 children and youth with special needs through its unique aviation programs. Challenge Air's mission reflects the life-changing impact the flight experience has on children, families, donors, sponsors and communities as a whole.

With a network of nearly 3,500 volunteers, nationwide volunteers serve as pilots, ground crew, fundraisers, planning committee members and in numerous other capacities. As Challenge Air continues to grow and add more programs across the country, its mission will remain true....

To continue to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to special needs children and youth through the gift of flight.

Challenge Air
7363 Cedar Springs Road Dallas, Texas 75235
1-877-FLY-KIDS



Dear Friends of Challenge Air,                                                   May 2013

It's time to register for the Summer and Fall Challenge Air Fly Days!  Over the next six months, Challenge Air will host six scheduled events with hopes of adding two more.

In January, 20 pilots flew 82 kids in our 17th Annual Fly Day in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida hosted by Banyan Air Service.  On April 20th, Collin County Regional Airport tower was busy servicing 23 planes who flew over 100 kids and their families.  Special thanks to Cutter Aviation for their continued support.

Next up, a private Fly Day for 15 summer camp participants attending camp at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Cedar Park, TX.

Below is a list of the additional scheduled Fly Days: (click here to register)


Aurora, Oregon "Fly Day"
Everett, WA - July 27
Hosted by  Historic Flight
Paine Field

Kansas City,  MO - Sept. 7
Hosted by Signature
Charles B. Wheeler Airport

Denver, CO - September 28
Hosted by XJet
Sponsored by Jeppesen
Centennial Airport

Conroe, TX  - October 19
Hosted by Galaxy FBO
Lone Star Executive Airport

Ft. Worth, TX - November 2
Hosted by TexasJet
Meacham Airport


I continue to feel blessed to serve Challenge Air for Kids & Friends. Please call or e-mail if you have stories to share, recommendations for improvements, ideas for the future Fly Day cities or just want to talk.

In Appreciation,

April Culver, CEO
214-351-3353
aculver@challengeair.com<mailto:aculver@challengeair.com>
Challenge Air for Kids & Friends | 8008 Cedar Springs Road | Dallas | TX | 75235