Miller Newsletter

It is hard to believe this week has arrived! What a school year! Of the many memories I have of this school year, I want to share a few with you.

• I had the pleasure of spending most lunch periods with the middle school class. We often read young adult fiction, sometimes we had dance parties, and, on a few occasions, we just chilled until classroom staff returned from their lunch. This was definitely a favorite time of my week and something I hope to continue next school year.

• One time afterschool, a preschooler looked at me and said, "You're the principal?" when I answered, she said, "but you came and played with us." I do enjoy my visits to preschool. It is a great place to hang out if you need some joy, lots of movement, and straight talk from a preschooler.

• High School's Snack Shack brings a lot of joy and a much-needed treat for our staff members. Everyone has their job and they hold the staff to the expectations of Snack Shack---1 treat for 1 ticket!!

• Finally, the Clarinet Choir assembly was so enjoyed by our students. I hope this is a group we can bring back year after year.

So many bright spots this school year!

Over the summer, please look for information from the school district on updating your contact information in Infinite Campus. Finally, August 14th will be our school's Back to School Night. Look for more information in July.

Have a terrific summer!!

Julie

Our Graduation was a success. Looking back at all the milestones that our students have achieved and all the memories we have created over the years are so fulfilling. All of our Graduates have made us proud and excited to see what the future holds.

On Tuesday, May 21st, MOA Architecture unveiled the final drawings for the new building design. In addition to bigger classrooms, a newly designed media center, wider corridors, more equipment and strategically designed parking and bus lanes, the school finishes are designed to enhance student independence as well as provide a multisensory approach for way finding throughout the school. Check out the floorplan, exterior mockup, the overall layout for the project as a virtual tour of classrooms, entryway, media center and community space.

Timeline:

• May- A general contractor is selected after a competitive bidding process
• June - Final presentation of design to school board (BOE)
• June- Portable buildings will be removed
• Fall 24- Construction begins

We are so grateful for the BOE and school district's vision and dedication to this project. We know there will be some unexpected issues to work through and we are so excited for this work to begin.

Are you interested in seeing the building finishes and taking a virtual tour of the design? Use the QR codes or click on them to access the tour. Also join us on Back to School Night in August to see samples of paint colors, flooring and wall finishes.

Spring Fling was a huge success! Everyone was super excited for the western theme. All the students danced, enjoyed the company of therapy horses and shared lots of smiles. We would like to say thank you to the Spring Fling committee and all the people that went above and beyond to make this day special for our students.

This week was Staff Appreciation week. We celebrated our amazing staff with a Zen room, stain glass projects, blizzards and a drink cart. We truly appreciate the amazing work our staff do everyday for our students! The teamwork, comradery and compassion we share and have for each other is what makes Fletcher Miller the phenomenal place it is.

May 1st we celebrated our transportation team. We appreciate the care, concerns and safety they provide our students. Thank you to all our families that donated to help us provide food and snacks!

Thank you to our Transportation team!

The 44th Annual Mary Carpenter's Tournament of Champions was May 1st. Mary Carpenter started this event to provide students with disabilities the same opportunity as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality sports program; becoming active members in society who lead healthy lifestyles. Our Elementary students has so much fun running the races against each other and other students from the district.

May 23 Last Day of Preschool

May 24 Preschool Graduation 9:30am

May 24 Last Day of School-Early Release @ 1:20pm

Home Builders Foundation offers FREE accessibility modifications to your house, even if you are a renter! Their goal is to increase their clients’ independence and quality of life. Examples of renovations include ramps, bathroom modifications and lifts. The degree of modifications vary based on if you own your home, live in a multi-family or single-family home, or if you are a renter.

Here is the process:

1) Apply online at https://hbfdenver.org/apply-for-assistance/

a. On the “How did you hear about us” question, select Fletcher Miller School and you will be moved up on the list

2) Complete an interview

3) The team comes in, performs an evaluation on your house and provides recommendations on modifications

4) Volunteers perform the modifications for FREE

Learn more at https://hbfdenver.org/ or reach out to Miller's mental health providers, Jenna Ebener jenna.ebener@jeffco.k12.co.us or Zachary Darrow zachary.darrow@jeffco.k12.co.us

Click on the house to access the application

Dear Fletcher Miller Family,

We have created a few Zoom calls to help you navigate through the next steps.

On 5/13 - For families with children ages 3-17

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfu2oqTkoH9Sr2K5kKl8WynWV9gvSUlT_

Learn about the state, county, and federal programs available to support children and youth with disabilities. We will share about the different children's Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, social security, county funding for unmet needs, upcoming changes, and more. We will provide participants tools such as

Fast Facts to guide them moving forward and will have time to answer questions.

On 5/20 - For families with children/youth ages 14-21

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpduqorz8pE9O_OxwCzxOgT6eRQxLvGedB

Learn steps to take to prepare for and transition into adult disability services. We will share about the different adult Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, guardianship and power of attorney options, social security, options for what day to day life looks like after school services end, and more. We will provide participants tools such as a Transition Wheel and Fast Facts to guide them moving forward and will have time to answer questions.

Fletcher Miller School and Family Voices of Colorado have partnered this year to provide families support navigating several aspects of Medicaid, including SSI and waivers. This support is free to families. If you would like more information please reach out to your child’s teacher, the school psychologist (Zachary Darrow) or contact Family Voices Directly. Contact information below:

Family Voices of Colorado

Phone Number: 303-877-1747 Email: info@familyvoicesco.org Family Voices Website: https://www.familyvoicesco.org/

Fletcher Miller School Psychologist

Zachary Darrow Email: zachary.darrow@jeffco.k12.co.us

With the summer on the horizon, here are some tips from our Physical Therapists about flying. Check out their tips and tricks on how to plan your next flight!

Website: https://fletchermiller.jeffcopublicschools.org/
Location: 200 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO, USA
Phone: 303-982-7200