Guest guest Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Hi Everyone, Attached is the October 2009 newsletter. The Lead Mentors have written the front page. Pathways has some new programs and instructors that are highlighted on the back page. Pathways received an award from the Family Resource Network in recognition for inclusive programs we have shared with them and helped get underway. There is also a very special story written by a mentor in our Dream It Forward Challenge that is a must to read! Attached is also a brochure about our conference on November 14, 2009 called " Dream It Forward " focusing on " authetic " inclusion. Hope to see everyone take the time to come. As always, it we will be filled with many practical things to help our children reach their potential and to get communities and schools more involved!! Best, Melinda Jennis President, Pathways for Exceptional Children Children Teaching Children: Opening Doors to Inclusion In order to make the concept of inclusion a reality, we must begin to promote it as a " lifestyle of action " that permeates school, community, and the workplace. This keynote presentation will highlight how the " children teaching children " model has effectively utilized mentors in a variety of settings, programs, and activities to bring all children together to work, play, and learn. Rusty Van Riper and Jennis, Lead Mentors, and Dr. a Wohle, Director of NJOSEP, will address how training mentors can facilitate the process of inclusion, as well as create the kind of leadership within our youth that can exponentially move inclusion forward into future generations. 21st Century Reflections on " Authentic " Inclusion (Parts 1 & 2) Dr. Shea will emphasize the importance of getting schools and communities to realize the critical role recreational and afterschool programs play in the lives of children with disabilities and explore innovative strategies for including all children in these programs. Dr. Shea will encourage reflection on the social versus medical model of disability, discuss the barriers and benefits of inclusion, emphasize how inclusive after-school and recreational programs can reinforce many skills taught in schools, identify specific strategies for creating and sustaining these programs, and discuss respectful accommodations that must be considered so that all children can effectively participate. " Leading the Dream " Pathways for Exceptional Children has successfully broken down and simplified the process of inclusion into practical steps that can be incorporated more naturally into the daily fiber of communities and schools. Melinda Jennis, President, will share how this vision to build a more comprehensive but common sense approach to inclusion has and will continue to empower leadership at the community and grassroots level toward building measurable outcomes where all children benefit. Keynote Presentations 1) Making the Dream a Reality This class is for youth and adults and will explain how after-school programs and mentoring are win-win propositions for everyone. Parents, professionals, and mentors from Plains, town, River Vale, and other towns in New Jersey will discuss the strategies they used to begin successful after-school and recreational programs.The Lead Mentors will also address community service, internships, and employment options that Pathways offers for youth that can assist them to build college resumes, learn important leadership skills, and provide exposure to careers in teaching, business, and related disability services. 2) Developing After-School Literacy Programs for Children Ages 4-11 Pathways has developed inclusive " Magic of Reading " and " Magic of Writing " programs that have effectively serviced over 126 children since January 2008. Instructors will discuss how they have creatively provided direct instruction within a positive environment where children learn to read and write with teachers acting as coaches.They will show how simple tools can reinforce and motivate functional reading and writing skills. Mentors will also explain the essential role they play as " reading buddies. " 3) Integrating Employment Skills into Everyday Life Instructors, youth with disabilities, and job coaches will present " Project Win-Win, " an after-school program that trains children with disabilities for employment starting at age 12, and uses trained mentors 16 years of age and older as job coaches.This program reinforces the functional reading, writing, technology, and math skills within the context of business, employment, and everyday life applications.They will talk about experiences they have had volunteering and working in businesses, as well as hands-on training they have received from professionals that work in their specific areas of interest.The kids from " Project Win-Win " will be our Disc Jockeys during the lunch break, providing a variety of music and fun for everyone. Building Inclusive Programs that Bridge the Gap Between School and Community A PATHWAYS CONFERENCE Dream It Forward November 14, 2009 9:00am - 3:30pm Alfred Vail School 125 Speedwell Ave. town, NJ 07950 Bre PATHWAYS for Exceptional Children has received three prestigious awards in 2009 from the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association, New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs, and Family Resource Network in recognition of the quality, inclusive, after-school and recreation programs we have developed in the areas of sports, literacy, life skills, and employment. The hallmark of our success can largely be attributed to the emphasis we place on the Children Teaching Children model, which is our mentor program. Our mentors are children ages 8-18 who volunteer their time to help children with disabilities to participate in our programs. In reality, we have found that there is no better way to motivate children to learn than by giving them the opportunity to play, imitate, and develop a true sense of belonging with their peers. The Lead Mentors of Pathways are a group of young adults ages 12 and above. As members of this program, we are very excited to announce our new initiative called Dream It Forward. Our dream is to promote the inclusion of children with special needs throughout the United States, beginning in the state of New Jersey. Our challenge is to get school districts and community-based programs to motivate children to get involved in helping to support children with disabilities and their families.To kick off this challenge, we have designed a conference slated for Saturday, November 14, 2009 where the mentors of Pathways will be speaking about their dream and how they plan to make inclusion a reality for every child.The conference will detail how to build inclusive programs and to learn how to effectively use the Children Teaching Children model in schools and communities.The Magic of Reading and Magic of Writing programs will be highlighted, and mentors will be speaking alongside program instructors about the critical role they play as " reading buddies. " Children with special needs and their peer job coaches will be speaking about Project Win-Win, our employment program for children 12 and above.The young adults who participate in this program will be our disc jockeys at lunch, where everyone will have the opportunity to join in as they play the role of " Masters of Ceremony, " with the possibility of putting your feet in motion with a little dancing! This conference is about the children and how adults can empower them to lead inclusion into the future. It is our belief that we, the next generation, hold many of the answers to finding " authentic " inclusion. We will be the next teachers, politicians, advocates, attorneys, commissioners of education, employers, and leaders of tomorrow who will improve the outcomes for people with disabilities in the future. We strongly believe that inclusion does not happen passively through osmosis, but is an active process of helping people to understand each other and bringing them together to spend time appreciating the differences that make each of us unique. Dr. Shea, Program Coordinator for " Kids Included Together, " based out of San Diego, will be our keynote speaker. She has over 35 years of experience training and assisting people across the nation to make modifications that effectively include children with disabilities.The conference is designed for both children and adults, and our hope is to inspire everyone to get involved.The conference brochure is on our website, www.PathwaysKids.org. Please feel free to distribute the brochure and invite children in your community and schools to the conference to see the opportunities for mentoring and how they can get involved and make a difference! - Jennis (age 13), Rusty Van Riper (age 18), Lead Mentors of Pathways Next Steps The Monthly Publication from Pathways for Exceptional Children October 2009 A Special Invitation To You Redefining the future for people with disabilities For the latest news and information about Pathways for Exceptional Children, visit www.PathwaysKids.org Pathways has always placed great emphasis on early intervention and providing a continuum of quality services that gives all children opportunities to learn from each other. Our Magic of Reading and Magic of Writing programs have been a major success, giving assistance to all children ages 4-10 who need a jumpstart in literacy. Pathways and the Montville Recreation Department are very excited to announce the addition of some wonderful new teachers to our staff who will be developing additional programs that focus on building basic motor, social, and communication skills for children ages 3-7 in a variety of settings. Mrs. Judy McNabb (top left photo) will be teaching our Social Games and Activities class. She has been teaching for 31 years, has a BA in Elementary Education, an MA in Early Childhood Education, and a certificate as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. She taught preschool children with disabilities for 22 years in the and Lincoln Park public school systems. She is known for her love of watching young children learning new things about the world around them. She has been married 35 years and has three children, one with disabilities. Russ Van Ness and Neuhof (top right photo, l-r) have joined us from 1 on 1 Athletics. Both are state certified Physical Educators and Personal Trainers with years of experience working with children with special needs. They have always been drawn to these children, motivating them to cultivate their love of sports and collaborative play. and Russ will be working with us to develop sports programs, specifically the Introduction to Team Sports with an Emphasis on Building Social Skills. Visit their website at www.1on1athletics.net. © 2009 Pathways for Exceptional Children Pathways Expands Early Intervention Programs Recreation Programs: Upcoming programs are posted on our website at the beginning of each month.You can visit www.PathwaysKids.org and click on " Children's Programs, " or the Recreation Department's website: www.montvillenj.org, Click on Municipal Services, then Parks & Recreation, then Forms & Flyers. My " Dream It Forward " Challenge! My name is Dinallo. I am 13 years old and I am going into the 7th grade at the Craig School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. I started volunteering in the Magic of Reading program last spring. My friend told me about the mentor program at the Montville Township Library and asked me to go with her one day. I loved it from that day on. I am dyslexic myself and realized that as I helped the kids with their reading, I was also becoming a stronger reader. By working with the kids, I have learned so much about living with the learning disabilities. I get a lot of enjoyment and pride each day that I take part in the Pathways Mentor Program. I mentor two days each week and plan to continue this Fall. My goal when I am an adult is to be a special education teacher. I like to give back and to help others.This June, I had my 13th birthday. Instead of receiving gifts, I asked my friends and family to make donations to the Pathways' Program, which reached over $1,000.00. I hope it benefits all the great kids I met this year. - Dinallo Pathways Recognized for Collaborative Efforts Pathways for Exceptional Children developed an innovative program four years ago called Learning Through Life. It was designed as an after-school program where academic skills such as reading, writing, and math were integrated into functional life skills needed to help children with disabilities achieve independence.The Family Resource Network received a grant to pilot Learning Through Life in eight schools in Cumberland and Atlantic Counties. Pathways shared ideas and visited several times to provide mentor training. The Family Resource Network implemented the program using three curriculums: a) Community Resources & Healthy Choices, Money Management, and c) Vocational Skills and Choices, and effectively serviced a total of 182 students.The Learning Through Life program has now been adopted and funded by two of these school districts as a part of their curriculum. As a result of these efforts, Pathways for Exceptional Children was chosen by the Family Resource Network as the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.This award was presented to Pathways on September 22, 2009 in recognition of our collaborative efforts in many communities, making possible full inclusion of children with special needs in society. A special thanks to the Family Resource Network for allowing Pathways to share in this outreach! Visit them online at www.familyresourcenetwork.org. akout Sessions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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