January 2025 Newsletter

• December 23rd - January 3rd - No School (Winter Break)
• January 6th - Students return to school
• January 20th - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• January 23rd - End of 2nd Marking Period
• January 24th - Grading Day (No school for students)

Students will also be completing refresher activities about how emotions feel, how to identify others emotions, how certain scenarios make us feel, and how to categorize emotions with our Zones of Regulation. We will be focusing on strategies to use when we are feeling dysregulated and making a toolbox of these strategies. Below is information about the Zones of Regulation and how to create a zones check-in at home.

We encourage families to utilize the language we are using at school to discuss emotions and feelings.

Information about how to purchase Spread the Word t-shirts will be coming home with your student. Shirts are $7.00 and are for the first week of March when we celebrate Spread the Word-Inclusion Day.

The LIFE Conference — standing for Legislation, Independence, Family, and Education — is Delaware’s premier event focused on providing vital information, educational resources, and opportunities for persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, educators, and providers.

The primary goal of the LIFE Conference is to promote and support full community integration. Attendees will have the chance to learn, network, and participate in sessions designed to share knowledge with all participants, including policymakers and the general public.

Learn more and register here: https://lifeconferencede.org/

Saturday, February 1, 10:00 a.m.

Register here or learn more at www.PlungeDE.org

In-Person: Sunday, February 2, 1:00 p.m

Rehoboth Beach

Virtual – Backyard, schoolyard, any time, any place.

It doesn’t matter how you Plunge – all that matters is that you Plunge.

The Best Buddies/Special Olympics Club at McKean is looking for brave volunteers to sign up and plunge with them! Last year they had a great group of staff, students, parents, and alumni participate with them and they are competing in the Cool Schools Challenge to raise the most money and/or have the greatest number of Plungers. Last year they were extremely close to winning, with raising $15,335 and having 43 plungers! If you would like to plunge or donate, please use this link: https://www.classy.org/team/600134

Register here or learn more at www.PlungeDE.org

The Grand’s Sensory-Friendly Family Shows welcome children and adults of all ages and abilities to enjoy the experience of live entertainment together. The Grand’s Sensory Friendly Presentations, also known as “relaxed” or “come as you are,” create conditions that are comfortable for audience members with a wide range of needs. Tickets are just $15! More information about The Grand's Sensory Friendly Presentations is available on their website.