Pupil Services Press

It's hard to believe we are halfway through the 24-25 school year! Our staff eagerly welcomed back students after the winter break and are engaging our learners to ensure a strong finish to the first semester. The second semester and 3rd quarter grading period begins on Tuesday January 21, 2025.

Our State Support Team is sponsoring a free virtual informational session for families of teens and young adults who may be interested in getting their driver's license. Guest speaker Julie Dominik is an OT/L, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist and Licensed Driving Instructor. She will help families answer questions such as:

• How do I know if my teen or young adult is ready to drive?
• What can we work on at home to prepare for learning to drive?
• How do I know if it is safe for my loved one to drive with their disability?
• What can we expect during a driving assessment?
• Who do I contact for an assessment?
• Register Here

FREE Two-part series on PERSONAL FINANCES for individuals with disabilities

Disability and Personal Finances Part 1

Thursday, 1/30/2025 4:30-6:00 163 North Building BGSU Firelands Huron, OH

Clearwater COG’s Benefits and Support Specialist Paula Washek will explain Social Security Disability Benefits eligibility and work incentives and answer audience questions.

Disability and Personal Finances Part 2

Thursday, 2/6/2025 4:30-6:00 163 North Building BGSU Firelands Huron, OH

Paula Washek returns to explain need-based programs and financial planning related to disability benefits. She and a representative of the Treasurer of State’s STABLE Account will provide an overview of STABLE and answer audience questions.

Hello! My name is Emily Hanley, previously Emily Tezak and I’m excited to be your school psychologist! I work with students, parents, and teachers to support mental health, learning, and emotional well-being. I work to support students aged 3-22 years old. My goal is to help create a positive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

A little bit about me:

- Education & Credentials: I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from John Carroll University.

- What I’m passionate about: I’m passionate about helping students develop healthy coping skills, build emotional resilience, and find strategies to succeed both academically and socially. I also love helping create a school culture that is inclusive, respectful, and caring for all students.

Fun Facts about Me:

• I just got married this past summer in July 2024. I was lucky enough to spend my honeymoon in Greece.

• I love traveling and when the weather is nice, finding new hiking spots! Although, I love spending time at home just relaxing. I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 cats.

• I’m always interested in learning new strategies for personal or professional growth, e.g., supporting mental health in schools, engaging with kids creatively, etc.

• If I could have any superpower, I would choose the ability to instantly understand and solve problems or the power to make people smile.

How I can help:

• If you're feeling stressed, anxious, or upset, I’m here to talk and offer support.

• If you're a parent or teacher, I’m happy to collaborate with you to help students overcome obstacles to learning and personal growth.

• Check out the list of resources I included below for parents. The resources focus on child development and early intervention support. The earlier we can identify a possible concern and intervene the better!

Resources:

• Child Mind Institute Family Resources

• Child Development & Behavioral Health Resources

• Ohio Early Intervention

• Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive Resources

My Office:

You can find me at Langston Middle School, and I’m always happy to chat! You can reach me at my office phone or email if you ever have any questions or need support.

I’m looking forward to working with you to make this a great year!

Students in Mrs. Kochmit's Transition to Life Skills program have been hard at work during the first semester, participating in meaningful activities that combine classroom learning with real-world experiences.

Each month, the students dedicated a day to volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank and Oberlin Community Services, where they contributed to vital community initiatives. In addition to their volunteer work, they successfully operated the school’s mobile coffee cart, The Phoenix Bean, on a weekly basis. This provided them with valuable hands-on experience in customer service, money management, and teamwork.

Classroom instruction focused on essential life skills, including etiquette, restaurant behavior, and ordering from a menu. These lessons culminated in a special outing to Olive Garden as both a reward for their hard work and an opportunity to apply what they learned in a real-world setting. After packing meal boxes during their volunteer day, the students enjoyed lunch together, practicing their newly developed skills in a supportive environment.

Looking ahead, the students are excited to participate in job-shadowing opportunities and additional volunteer trips during the spring semester. Their commitment to learning and community service serves as an inspiration to us all.