Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to our October edition of In the Know newsletter! As we settle into the school year, we want to continue providing you with valuable tools and resources to support your child’s unique learning journey. In this issue, you’ll find a variety of helpful tips, activities, and exceptional learning opportunities aimed at empowering both you and your child. From strategies to foster communication and independence at home to information on community resources, our goal is to ensure you feel confident in helping your child thrive.
We’re excited to share this month's insights with you and look forward to supporting you every step of the way!
Warm regards,
Nadine Milostan
Executive Director
As partners in your child's education, we want to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally. To help you understand the wide range of services and resources available to support your child’s educational journey, we encourage you to read the Student Support Services Handbook. This handbook is designed to provide you with essential information about the various programs, accommodations, and services offered within our district.
Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. We help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.
Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help them develop and learn.
Each Michigan Alliance staff member is a parent or family member of an individual with disabilities who has first-hand experience with the aspects of the special education system. Every staff member is trained in listening, communicating, and problem-solving.
Michigan Alliance for Families is our state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. We are a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative. The efforts of Michigan Alliance for Families align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help improve results for children with disabilities. Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help your child develop and learn. Also, check out our partner agencies and organizations.
Transition planning sets the goals and activities that will help a teenager achieve their post-high school plans. This online workshop will provide an overview of supports that can assist young adults with the transition from school to adult life.
• Understand the transfer of parental rights at the age of majority
• Learn the basics of guardianship and alternatives to guardianship
• Gain an understanding of public benefits that may be available
• Understand the principles of person centered planning and self-determination
• Learn about adult services that assist individuals with employment, accessing community resources, and independent living
Who should attend? Families of teens/ young adults with disabilities, school staff, and other community members.
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/y9pmhhte
If you require accommodations or materials in an alternative format, please let us know two weeks before the workshop.
Within the Waterford School District, we believe that education goes beyond academics. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential part of your child's growth, helping them develop important life skills like managing emotions, building positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and setting and achieving personal goals. Through SEL, we teach students how to understand and express their feelings, solve problems peacefully, and show empathy toward others. These skills help create a supportive and safe learning environment where every student can thrive both in and out of the classroom.
The attached Family Matters Fact Sheet from the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education regarding why Social Emotional Learning is so important.
Welcome to the official Easterseals MORC Miracle League of Michigan website. Our two locations are home to some of the most exciting baseball in the state. The City of Southfield is home to Michigan’s FIRST baseball field for children with any physical or cognitive disability, offering the true Major League experience. Our new field in Orion Township opened in 2019 to provide even more opportunities for these incredible athletes.
“The Miracle League” is a charitable organization that provides children and adults with disabilities an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. There is something about playing the game of baseball that lights up youngsters’ eyes, but for those with disabilities, that opportunity can often be a difficult first step. The Miracle League provides these individuals the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.
The North Oakland Miracle League field is an adapted baseball field located in Orion Twp, Michigan. Check it out at Friendship Park, 3380 Clarkston Rd, Orion Twp, MI 48362. The North Oakland Miracle League has expanded to offer additional opportunities throughout the year. Currently, we are nearing the end of the 2024 Fall Baseball season. However, check out the exciting upcoming opportunities for Miracle League Bowling and Ice Skating!
North Oakland Miracle League on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthOaklandMiracle/
Our history: On My Own of Michigan is a nonprofit founded in 1997 by parents of young adults with developmental disabilities. These families were looking for, but could not find, independent living options for their children.
After much consideration and planning, they worked together to create the option they had searched so long for: a supportive, inclusive community that allowed their children to live their best lives.
In our 25+ years of service to the metro Detroit community, we’ve helped individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other cognitive impairments achieve and maintain independence.
Our vision: Our vision is to be the first-choice community in metro Detroit for people with developmental disabilities.
Our mission: Our mission is to support people with developmental disabilities as they build and maintain their independence.
Please consider attending our open house on November 7, 2024!
WHO WE ARE
New Horizons is an nationally recognized, accredited, not-for-profit organization that helps people with disabilities achieve their vocational goals through personalized employment programs and services throughout Southeastern MI since 1964.
We have strong collaborations and partnerships amongst the communities we serve such as Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health agencies, school districts, and businesses who we partner with to provide job training and work opportunities.
WHAT WE DO
New Horizons provides customizable skill building, job training, and job placement services to individuals facing barriers to employment; with the ultimate outcome of gainful employment.
Please consider attending our open house on October 24, 2024
Thank you to all that came out and supported the Special Olympics athletes. The Griffin's had a successful fundraiser at Miller's Auto Wash on Friday September 27. The LifeTracks students who participate in the Special Olympics program dried cars to help fundraise for this year's program. The team raised $900 for the Waterford's Special Olympics program.
Fall sports are underway! If you are interested in participating, bowling meets on Monday's and Poly Hockey on Tuesdays, If you are interested in learning more about Waterford's Special Olympics program please reach out to Coach Morse at AdamsM01@wsdmi.org
The OU Cares annual Holiday Party is open for registration! This event will fill up, act fast to secure a spot! Teens and adults with autism, over the age of 15, are welcome. The party will be held on Saturday, December 14th from 1:00-4:00 PM in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms on the campus of Oakland University. The cost is $15.00 per person.
The registration for this link can be completed by clicking on the below link:
Plan ahead. Check out these fun activities as the holiday season approaches!
Oct. 20-11:00-3:00-Disability Dirt Days- Holly Oaks ORV Park (ages 10 and up)
Oct. 24- 6:00-8:00pm- Halloween Happiness- Southfield Civic Center- $10/person; $5/caregiver
Nov. 14-6:00-8:00-pm-Hoedown- Novi Civic Center- $10/person; $5/caregiver
Dec. 4- 6:00-8:00pm-Jingle Bell Ball- Waterford Oaks Activity Center - $12/person; $6/caregiver
Jan. 10- 6:00-8:00pm-New Year’s Celebration -Royal Oak Community Center- $12/person; $6/caregiver
Call 248-221-8040 for questions and to register
Great social media accounts for disability and education content
Facebook:
MAF Parent Mentors of Oakland County
Website: https://www.waterford.k12.mi.us/our-district/administration-departments/student-support-services/
Location: 501 North Cass Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 682-3242
The Board of Education of the Waterford School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment.
The District’s Title IX Coordinators are:
Executive Director of Student Support Services and the Director of Safety, Security & Health
248.682.7800
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328