February is the month of "Love."

As we continue our Rosedale journey together, we want to take a moment to reflect on something so simple yet profoundly important: the words “I love you.”

In our busy lives, we often focus on routines, therapies, and progress, but one of the most powerful things we can give our children is the reassurance of our love. You can never say “I love you” too much; no one ever hears it too often. These three words hold incredible power—they provide comfort, build confidence, and create a foundation of security for our children to flourish. Whether spoken, signed, written, or expressed through gestures, the message remains the same: you are valued, cherished, and deeply loved.

Let’s consciously say “I love you” every day—not just during special moments but also in quiet ones. Say it when your child is struggling, when they are succeeding, and even when no words are needed at all. These words remind our children that they are accepted precisely as they are and that our love is unconditional.

We love your students and show and tell them daily. We know every second counts and want to fill these seconds with as much love as we can muster.

Black History Month at Rosedale:

We're not only celebrating the month of Love here in the hallowed halls of Rosedale; we're also dedicating the month to commemorating and honoring the contributions of African Americans throughout history. Our goal is to not only teach about African Americans' history but also raise awareness and recognize their fight for freedom and equal opportunity. I'd like you to please read below for events planned here on campus and try to attend as many as possible.

Have a great month, and I hope to see you around!

Matthew Nelson

Principal

Rosedale

7505 Silvercrest Dr.

Austin, TX 78757

512-414-3617 ext. 70744 office

To reward our fantastic staff and provide job-like training to some students who can only leave campus occasionally, we will offer free snacks to all staff each afternoon!

For this to be as successful as possible, we will also need your help. You have the power to make a difference. Please donate snacks to the school, which we will disseminate to our staff. Any individually packaged snacks or drinks (non-alcoholic) will work. You can drop them off at the office, send them with your student, or even have them shipped here from anywhere in the USA.

We thank you in advance for your gifts and for wanting our students and staff to feel the love.

We are so excited about this year's Rosedale Ride and hope you are! This year, we are adding a walk-n-roll so everybody can participate. As you know, this ride is our primary fundraiser throughout the year, and this year promises to be the best one yet! For it to be bigger and better than ever before, we need your help. Please send the above information to everybody and help get the word out. Whether or not your friends, coworkers, and family members are riders, walkers, or rollers, it doesn't matter if they're fans of supporting our students and the special needs community.

We are so excited about Black History Month this year and have several activities and events planned to honor the month and engage our students. We welcome all families to campus on February 21st for a concert by Uncle Jumbo in our gym and hope you can also make the Museum Walk/Potluck on Friday, February 28th.

Each month, we will showcase a few of our outstanding caregivers and ask probing questions that nobody in particular ever wanted to know...except us. We'll learn more about what makes them tick, what makes them tock, and what they think of TikTok :) Enjoy!

1. What are you famous (or infamous) for? For having cats (okay, we're going with infamous). I have always had cats, believing they are misunderstood and can teach us. (they teach us how to sleep?) No, they teach us boundaries. (me-ow!)

2. If you could start a charity, what would it be? I would want to do something for the geriatric population. I think it would be cool to provide services that glam them up, like a salon. (Have you got a name yet?) No, why don't you go ahead and tell me your idea? (Silver Diamonds... you're welcome!)

3. What's one thing you would change about yourself? Not a thing. (such confidence on such short notice). I like the way I am. (sure, but aren't there some little things...) Nope. (not even a teeny, tiny, itsby-bitsy thing?) Are you talking about my height? I love my height (which is no small feat)

4. Where is the strangest place you have slept? On a bench. (Due tell.) During soccer games, I would lie down and sleep on the bench (I bet your coach loved that—way to be ready). It wasn't during my games; it was for the ones before. A friend would wake me up before we had to warm up.

5. If you had a warning label, what would it say? Handle with caution. I'm not dangerous but volatile.

(I wish I had asked this question first...did I mention I love cats and that you are very tall?).

1. If you could change places with anybody, who would it be and why? Rafael Devers...the third baseman for the Boston Red Sox. (por que) He's the best at the position and just signed a 10-year, 315-million-dollar contract (yeah, but can he hit). He's a career .280 hitter and has over 200 home runs (yeah, but is he happy?) 315 million, Bro...he's ecstatic.

2. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten? I've tried Octopus, and it was not my thing. It tasted just like I thought it would: all rubbery and tough. (I've never liked sushi...sashimi) Come again? (sa-shi-mi....so sue me...get it). Next question, please.

3. If you were the ruler of your own country, what is the first law you would put into place? I would mandate universal health care for all (preach, preacher) and also include the legalization of all... (next question, please).

4. Who would you choose if you could meet up with any celebrity for coffee? Easy...Dustin Pedroia. He's my favorite baseball player, the former second baseman for the Red Sox. (who plays second?) Dustin Pedroia..(I thought who played third base) No, that's Rafael Devers....(what's on first base then?)

Just stop—next question.

5. Are you good at remembering things on the spot? Yes (prove it...what's the first question I asked you?). "If you could change places with anybody, who would it be?" (wrong! I asked if you have time for five questions!!!!) Bro.

February Caregiver Social

Tuesday, 2/4 at 11am

Medici Roasters in Springdale General

1023 Springdale Rd #1A

A time to meet and chat with other families who have children with disabilities. Open to all Rosedale families and anyone else in the disability community.

February PTA Meeting

Tuesday, 2/11 from 11:30 am-1 pm

Rosedale Community Room

Lunch will be provided

Spanish Interpretation is available in person and on Zoom.

The resource topic will be summer camps!

Join us on Zoom if you can’t make it in person!

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86277396875?pwd=ZnlOqtickxUEvPZBNIiukHsMJbu3st.1

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We need books for our new Lending Library for parents, caregivers & community members.

Resource books that have helped you, books to share with siblings, neighbors or friends. Books that discuss disabilities to promote understanding, awareness & inclusivity.

We have a cart in the Community Room for the lending library

Thank you,

Kimberly Johnson

Rosedale Proud Parent

Please use this form (click above) for your student if h/she is going to be arriving late or will be attending any doctor's appointments or therapies. For questions, please contact Tracy Castillo at (512) 414-3617 ext. 57110

tracy.a.castillo@austinisd.org

https://www.schoolcafe.com/austinisd

Austin Unite is a social group that provides low-cost opportunities to young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ages 17-25 in the Austin community. In the past, events have included UT sporting events, park picnics, arcades, and more! At the events, participants are paired with trained, college-age volunteers in a ratio that best reflects their level of need/ independence.

Here is the link to the website: www.austinunite.org. To get your child involved, navigate to the "parent interest form" under the participants tab.

Accessibility Services – Adult & Continuing Education

Alternatives to Guardianship Law Clinic