May Pinckney Pulse

As we bid farewell to another fantastic school year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm. Together, we've created unforgettable memories and achieved remarkable milestones. Let's carry this spirit into the well-deserved summer break, and I look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for the new adventures that await us in the upcoming school year.

Wishing you a wonderful summer filled with joy and relaxation!

Warm regards,

Jenna

Your mental health matters! Good mental health can help you cope with stress and improve your quality of life. Get tips and resources from @NIMHgov to help take care of your mental health.

https://go.nih.gov/cZFldR8 #MentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

Parents and Students, as a reminder, please make sure students’ meal account balances are positive before the end of the year. Balances -$25 or more will be sent to collections. Student meal debt across the district is currently -$102,752. Meal accounts can be paid online (www.myschoolbucks.com), or via cash/check at the schools or ESC.

Donations to the Meal Support Fund (to help students in need) can be made via cash/check at the school or ESC, or online here: Meal Support Fund Donation Link

As we wrap up an incredible year, we want to celebrate the outstanding progress and achievements of our students working in community settings. A huge thank you to our invaluable business partners and the elementary schools that have warmly welcomed students for work experiences. Your support plays a pivotal role in our students' growth.

Cordley Elementary

Kennedy Early Childhood Center

Sunset Hill Elementary

Woodlawn Elementary

Checkers Foods

Dillons

Lawrence Country Club

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Lawrence Public Library

Princeton Children’s Center

Shane Heiman (dog walking)

Uplift Coffee

Our approach is centered on getting to know each student individually, recognizing their strengths, and tailoring the right supports for them in community work settings. The collaboration with our community partners has been so helpful in this process. Our students have embraced the opportunity to learn new skills, work independently, and some have learned to use public transportation to and from their work sites.

It has been particularly rewarding to see students with different support needs working together at the same locations but in varied roles. Observing one student guide another, ensuring they are prepared and punctual for work, and assisting them with tasks at the end of the day exemplifies the compassionate and supportive community we strive to build and be a part of.

These experiences not only enhance our students' practical skills but also nurture their growth into empathetic, responsible adults. Witnessing their development firsthand is a privilege and one of the many highlights of working at Community Connections at Pinckney!

Thank you once again to all our community partners for your continued support and commitment to our students’ success. Here’s to more achievements and partnerships in the coming year! Reach out to jennifer.burnes@usd497.org if your business is interested in becoming a business partner. We are always looking for places for students to gain work experience and are wanting to begin a more formal job shadowing program next year!

Clubs serve as a supplement to the regular curriculum, offering students an opportunity to pursue new interests or deepen existing hobbies. Some clubs are designed to get students up and moving, possibly through short field trips (e.g., Photography, Pokémon Go), while others focus on fostering social communication in an engaging setting (e.g., Puzzles and Board Games). These activities provide a break from routine and enable interaction with peers from different classes. This year, students had the opportunity to engage in clubs twice a week, with the flexibility to choose new clubs every nine weeks. While teachers typically oversee these clubs, this year, we were fortunate to partner with SNAP-ED Nutrition Educators from the K-State Research and Extension Office for our cooking club during the last two rotations. This collaboration introduced many students to the fundamentals of healthy cooking in a supportive, small-group setting. Other clubs this year included Board Games, Puzzles, Photography, Acts of Kindness, Animation, No-Sew Quilt Making, Maker Space, Pokémon Go, and Wellness.

If you have a special skill or interest and can dedicate two hours weekly, we encourage you to consider volunteering next year, even if only for one rotation. Your involvement would be supported by our staff, with no more than eight students per group. For more information on how you can contribute, please contact jennifer.burnes@usd497.org or jviscomi@usd497.org.

Friday, May 10th- End of the year Plant and Maker Space SALE from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM @ Community Connections at Pinckney

Thursday, May 16th- Project SEARCH Graduation at 10:00AM @ Community Connections at Pinckney

Friday, May 17th- C-Tran Graduation at 10:00AM @ Community Connections at Pinckney- This will be the graduates' last day of school.

C-Tran Last Week of School Schedule-

Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st- C-Tran Regular Full Days.

Wednesday, May 22nd- 1/2 Day from 8am to 11:30 am.

Thursday, May 23rd- 1/2 Day, from 8am to 11:30 am. C-tran Students Last Day of School!

STC-MS, SAP and FirstStop Last Week of School Schedule-

Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st- Full Days.

Wednesday, May 22nd- 8:00 am to 1:30 pm- Early Release.

Thursday, May 23rd- Full Day.

Friday, May 24th- 1/2 Day from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. (There will be no Lunch Service this day)

STC-HS and SAP Last Week of School Schedule-

Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st- Full Days.

Wednesday, May 22nd- 8:00 am to 1:30 pm- Early Release.

Thursday, May 23rd- Full Day.

Friday, May 24th- Full Day- Students Last Day of School.

Monday, June 10th-Thursday, July 11th- ESY(Extended School Year) Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM @ Community Connections at Pinckney