Spring is right around the corner and we are excited to welcome you to another installment of OJR Pupil Services' newsletter, The Wildcat Way.

The past few weeks have been a busy time in our district and this issue provides a helpful recap of our latest initiatives and hot topics - including inclusion, the transition to college, transition services and upcoming events!

Have any questions or feedback? Let us know at community@ojrsd.net!

• Spread the Word: Inclusion

• Our Most Recent Advisory Event
• What Should I Know about the Transition to College?
• Parent-to-Parent Q & A Transition: HS to the Adult Services
• OJR Presents: Gifted 101 Online Session for Elementary Parents
• Spotlight: World Down Syndrome Day
• Upcoming Events and Opportunities

A recap of important information for our families:

Spread the Word: Inclusion took place on Wednesday, March 1. On this national awareness day, students, staff and supporters across the nation came together to bring kindness to others with an intellectual disability and to consider the impact of the language we use in our daily conversations. To learn more, please visit https://www.spreadtheword.global/.

OJR hosted an Advisory event on Thursday, March 2. High school students spent much of the morning in their Advisory classes, which was divided into two, hour-long blocks.

During the first hour block, students celebrated Read Across America Day by reading for 25 minutes, viewed an extended Paw Report production by our Television Production students and played a 20 minute Kahoot of Owen J. Roberts Trivia.

During the second hour long block of time in Advisory, teachers and students were given a list of fun activities designed to help everyone know each other a little bit better. Some of the activity options included board games, team building challenges, card games and other introductory activities.

Finally, all students in grades 7-12 attended a 45 minute presentation by Melissa Hopely Rice. During the presentation, Melissa shared her life experiences and the inspiring people she’s met in her life. Melissa also covered important topics such as bullying, mental health and suicide prevention.

On Wednesday, March 1, at OJR High School, 10 OJR parents and three students attended a presentation entitled "What Should I Know about the Transition to College?”. Facilitated by Melody Nay, OJR Transition Coordinator, the presentation featured keynote speaker Cherie Fishbaugh, Director of Autism Services/Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP) and a student D-CAP Ambassador from West Chester University.

During the evening, Ms. Nay shared with families the topics discussed during their child's HS Transition Interview, including post-secondary goals, student IEP goals and accommodations, student participation in IEP meetings, students advocating for accommodations and the difference between high school entitled accommodations and access to accommodations in a post-secondary school (college).

Ms. Fishbaugh and the student ambassador elaborated on the differences in higher education, including the different laws, classes, faculty, team members, disclosure requirements, student self-advocacy expectations and more. The presentation provided information about West Chester University's Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD), West Chester University's Autism Services/Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP), and College Autism Readiness Retreat (CARR) programs.

Ms. Fishbaugh also provided information on Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Autism Support Initiative for Success programs. PASSHE schools have developed autism support programs to provide services to support the needs of neuro-diverse students. These services address areas of self-advocacy, problem solving, self-regulation, executive functioning skills, and employment skills. The programs vary across sites, but in general, provide a combination of individual and group support that extend across academic, social, and employment environments.

On Thursday, March 2, at OJR High School, 12 OJR parents participated in an informal conversation entitled "Parent-to-Parent Q & A Transition: HS to the Adult Services”, facilitated by Melody Nay, OJR Transition Coordinator. Parents of OJR graduates of the Community Connections Program (students aged 18-21 years old) and parents of OJR students preparing to exit/graduate this year shared their experience and insight with current parents of students in OJR's High School Life Skill Program and the Community Connection Program.

Topics covered during the conversation included:

• Options for students with intellectual and/or Autism for work experience through Chester County's Discover Program and Phoenixville's Project Search Internships Program.
• Eligibility requirements for Adult Services and Support Providers (MH-IDD (Mental Health-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation), ARC Agency of Choice, Provider Management Services, etc.)
• Transition process and support from high school to volunteer work or employment (OVR, Job Coach support, transportation to and from work)
• Home and Community Services
• Power of Attorney and/or Guardianship
• Special Needs Trusts, financial planning, MA, Waivers, and ABLE accounts
• Social groups and recreational activities during and after high school

Be sure to check out our "Eyes on the Prize" section below to learn more the resources and events available to OJR families.

Many elementary parents have questions about Gifted Education and how it differs from Special Education. On Tuesday, March 14, Owen J. Roberts hosted representatives from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in an online parent session. Experts Erin Cummings and Ryan Venner took parents through their role in the Gifted Written Report (GWR), walked them through how student placements are determined and provided an in-depth look at the Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP).

Started in 2006, World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) takes place every year on March 21 and aims to raise awareness about Down syndrome

The month (third in the calendar year) and date (21) is significant and were selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

There are many ways you can help to raise awareness and educate the community about Down syndrome. A common activity on this important day is wearing colorful or mismatched socks, to show support your support. You can also support a fundraiser, host an event at work, share posters at school, learn from a webinar with your family, start conversations about Down syndrome with people you know and share social media posts with your network.

Here at OJR, the community was invited to Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Families and students joined together to support the Middle School Best Buddies and raise awareness for Down Syndrome by purchasing mismatched socks to wear for $5. Socks can still be purchased by scanning the QR code on the flyer below, or by visiting https://ojrms-best-buddies.square.site/.

Upcoming OJR Pupil Services events: