MAY/JUNE

Volume 1, Issue 11

WoodsEdge Howl

Parent Newsletter of Kalamazoo RESA’s WoodsEdge Learning Center

IMPORTANT DATES

May 2-8 KIA Young Artist Exhibit

May 10—Offsites Talent Show

MAY 12-HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

May 13-17 Spirit Commit-tee WELC Sportswear Sale

May 14—School Safety Meeting

May 16 Parent-Child Dance

May 17 WELC PROM

May 24-27 No School-Memorial Day Recess

May 28 School Resumes

May 28-June 7 WELC Sportswear Sale

June 5 ARTISTS ALL exhibit

June 14 GRADUATION

June 16 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

June 24-28 No School

PROM WEEK--WATCH FOX 17!

Parent’s are invited to attend the Parent

Child Dance for Grades K through Mid-

dle School on May 16th, 2013 in the

school cafeteria. Please RSVP the num-

ber attending to your

child’s teacher.

Carmen Jonaitis was recently named

an Assistant Director for WoodsEdge

Learning Center; serving the KRESA

off-site ASD classrooms half-time.

Dr. Jonaitis brings her passion for

coaching staff in best practices and

teaching in an effort to provide sup-

port to KRESA’s ASD students in

Parchment, Portage, and Schoolcraft

classrooms. Since this new position

is half-time, Carmen will continue in

her role as an Early Childhood Spe-

cial Education teacher at WELC.

Our Mission: We are an innovative school dedicated to developing independence in our students.

Best Wishes Carmen! On Monday, April 22nd, 23 students from WoodsEdge’ Recreational Dance class at-tended the ChiBam! Concert at Chenery Auditorium. ChiBam, a tap dancing troupe accompanied by a live jazz trio, kept our students tapping right along with the performers! Our students were able to at-tend the concert through the Michigan Youth Arts’ Arts & Culture Trek Grant. The activity is supported by the Michigan Youth Arts & the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Schoolcraft Middle School seventh grade student Josh Worden (right) par-ticipated in the annual Wax Museum project and presentation on April 19. Josh researched Albert Einstein for several weeks in his Language Arts class and gave a wonderful presenta-tion (as Albert) during the Wax Mu-seum project. Many parents and teachers agreed that Josh was one of the most prepared and confident speakers in the entire Wax Museum. Also pictured is Garret Schwan (left), one of Josh’s best friends. Mr. Kato’s class loved their visit to the Wax Mu-seum and seeing all of the awesome presentations.

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*Families who prefer that their son or daughter not participate in the Pledge, please contact your child’s

teacher so we can accommodate your request.

Classroom assistive technology devices are being utilized to allow students to help

deliver and participate in the WoodsEdge morning announcements. Lite-tech assis-

tive technology, such as picture boards and symbols and high tech devices such as

voice output, allow students to “say” the Pledge of Allegiance, sing the “Happy Birth-day “ song, announce student and staff birthdays and report the weather. Participat-

ing in the WoodsEdge morning announcements provides our students with an excel-

lent opportunity to utilize a variety of communication and assistive technology mo-

dalities. Students pictured from Eric Murphy’s classroom are (right) Anna Ferguson

and Rick Hartman; and (middle) Tim Adams. Pictured from Dana Martin’s Classroom

is Dane Mills (left).

Student artwork will be on display for families and the general public during a special exhibit at WoodsEdge from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. ARTISTS ALL, a collaborative effort sponsored by the Arts Council and WELC will feature selected 2D and 3D student art using mixed media. Over the past few months, WoodsEdge stu-dents have benefited from art instruction provided by Heather Bigelow through a special grant. The ARTISTS

ALL expo will give our community the opportu-nity to see what our students can do as they enjoy refreshments with family and friends.

Come and join us for this first time event!

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WoodsEdge Howl

ULS Curriculum

Themes MAY—JUNE

Pre-School - Fun on the Farm

K-12 - Earth & Space Science

Transition - Relationships

*******

Students and staff continue to follow The WoodsEdge Way. Expectations for areas throughout the school are introduced each month. Students have opportunities to read social stories, watch videos of students model-ing the desired expectations, and practice themselves.

Recently Introduced—Locker Rooms

Our Mission in Action

WE are committed to mak-ing sure that every student has a way to communicate. WE allow students TIME to do things independently.

WE ask: What am I doing for my students that they could do for themselves?

WE use state of the art tech-nology to foster independ-ence.

WE implement evidence-based practices.

WE use a team approach.

WE recognize each student as a unique individual with

unique strengths and needs.

THE WOODSEDGE WAY We are SAFE We are INDEPENDENT We COMMUNICATE We are the WOLVES!

PBIS

Josh Worden and Garret Schwan recently competed in their first Schoolcraft Middle School track meet. Josh ran the 400m and 800m dash, Garret ran the 70m and 100m dash. Both boys participate in practice daily and are among the top runners in their indi-vidual distances.

Our Vision: A community without

barriers

Our Mission: We are an innovative school dedicated to developing independence in our students.

Student Absences

Please remember to call the school absence line whenever your child/young adult will be absent. If you call the office absence line, rather than the teacher, the office will inform the teacher of the absence. Thank you for your coopera-tion! It helps in our goal to keep everyone safe and accounted for.

Absence Line:

269-250-9402

In recent months, school safety has become an important topic throughout our

nation. KRESA Administration and Staff are taking seriously our commitment

to our students in the event of an emergency. Safety drills are regularly con-ducted to give staff and students practice in responding to a severe weather or

community emergency. While our students were enjoying their first day of

Spring Break, WELC staff participated in a simulated “Intruder Drill”. This drill

provided WELC staff an opportunity to practice and discuss the best ways of keeping everyone safe.

Effective May 15, 2013, all parents and visitors who come to

WoodsEdge will be required to go through the Front Office,

even during busing times. An informational meeting for par-

ents and families regarding this change will be held on May 14,

2013, from 5:30pm—to 6:30 pm. Administrators will be avail-

able to discuss concerns with parents and families as we work

together to ensure a safe environment for our students.

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WoodsEdge Parent-Student

Handbook Available

The handbook is available on our

website: www.kresa.org/

woodsedge Click on “Parents”

More information will be added to our parent page in the future—stay tuned! If you would like a printed copy of the handbook, please contact the school office at 250-9400

For Transportation questions or problems on existing routes, please call the District Transportation Office first. If you require additional assistance, or for transportation questions or problems with a new route or a new student's busing, please call Lynne Seibert at 250-9412.

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WoodsEdge Howl