April Pinckney Pulse

Greetings friends and fans,

In a thrilling display of skill, teamwork, and Panther prowess, our team clinched first place at this year's Job Olympics in the postsecondary category! Our victory is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students and the staff who support them, underlining our Panther Pride in big, bold letters.

A massive shout-out to Isabelle and Jennifer, whose enthusiasm and dedication made our spring sale a roaring success. Their initiative not only showcased our entrepreneurial spirit but also provided invaluable practical experience for our students, setting a new benchmark for future endeavors.

A heartfelt thank you to our families, communities, and every supportive soul who's been part of this journey. Your unwavering support fuels our drive to empower each student, ensuring that the Panther legacy shines brighter with every passing year.

Let's keep the Panther spirit alive, embracing each challenge with courage and a can-do attitude. Here's to more victories, more milestones, and endless opportunities to make our mark!

-Jenna

KDHE recommends using the CDC’s updated respiratory illness guidance for COVID-19. Lawrence Public Schools has updated its COVID-19 Guidance to reflect this recommendation. The changes include dropping the 5-day isolation period for positive cases and instead asking those with symptoms to stay home until they feel better and have been fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours. Please click here for more information.

Calling all superheroes!

This World Autism Month and throughout the year, Autism Speaks is urging schools, teachers, and kids to recognize their potential as superheroes by championing inclusivity and standing up against bullying for a stronger, more accepting world.

Pledge to be fearless for difference and inclusion!

By rallying together as a community, embracing diversity, taking steps to combat bullying, and promoting inclusion, we will create a school environment where every student feels valued, accepted, and empowered to thrive.

Go to autismspeaks.org/FEARLESS for more information!

Our Random Acts of Kindness Club has been making waves of positivity these nine weeks, touching hearts and strengthening community bonds with their thoughtful gestures.

The club provided serenades for staff members, spreading cheer and gratitude within our school. They also crafted heartfelt cards to children visiting LMH that fellow student and LMH volunteer Nick-E Mershon delivered during his volunteer shift. Their kindness reached the parking lot of Wal-Mart too, where they helped shoppers load their groceries, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for connection.

Another activity was gathering a donation from the Social Service League to enhance our school's clothing closet, demonstrating the club's (and school’s) commitment to tangible community support.

These acts are a testament to the club's mission: to inspire and enact change through kindness. We're inspired by their efforts and encourage everyone to consider: What random act of kindness can you do? Let's keep the momentum going and spread kindness further in our community.

C-Tran students won 1st place in the postsecondary division of the Job Olympics at Johnson County Community College. Students and staff have worked hard all year to prepare, and it paid off! Students earned eight gold, eight silver, and three bronze medals. We are so proud of all of these young adults and the staff who support them every day.

Job Olympics, a competition developed to promote transition and employability skills for a broad spectrum of high school students and young adults, brings together more than 500 students from 40 different area schools. Competitions judged by community business leaders and education professionals test their job and employability skills. Congratulations, Job Olympics Champions. We are Panther proud!

Our second school-based enterprise sale in March was a hit, showcasing and selling a variety of items like house plants, lanyards, potholders, and keychains. Through this event, students practiced valuable skills in customer interaction, money handling, and inventory management. With the venture still in its early stages, we're excited about the future, aiming for regular sales next school year.

The support from our community, including Pinkney neighborhood residents, was fantastic, helping us raise over $600 in profits. These funds will reinvest in our project, supporting ongoing student learning and community engagement.

Stay tuned for another sale coming up before the school year ends!

– Jennifer

Here is an interview with student Anthony Watts, who answered some questions about his work experiences he’s had while at C-Tran. Anthony is currently working at Cordley Elementary as an aide in kindergarten classrooms and in the cafeteria. One new thing about Anthony’s work experience this year is that he rides the city bus to work! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

We are thrilled to announce that our very own, Marie Daniels, one of our esteemed Job Coach/Paras, has been selected as the recipient of the Spring 2024 A.C.E Award! This well-deserved recognition highlights Marie's exceptional dedication and contribution to our school community. Join us in congratulating Marie on this fantastic achievement!

Here are some excerpts from our fellow staff members highlighting Marie's dedicated work here at CC@P:

Marie's approach to her work is characterized by a positive attitude, fostering an environment of support, collaboration, and respect among students, faculty, and staff. Administrator Jenna Viscomi observes "For Marie, true dedication isn't just about showing up every day; it's about consistently going above and beyond, pouring her heart and soul into her work, and striving for excellence in everything she does." This sentiment is echoed by the students she serves; student Ashley remarked, "Marie is the nicest person ever and helps me learn how to be a good worker." Her ability to inspire students speaks volumes about her positive influence and dedication.

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In her capacity as a job coach, Marie’s work performance is outstanding. She is insightful, reliable, and always prioritizes the students' best interests. As the transition specialist here at Pinckney, I have seen firsthand how Marie advocates for students' needs both in our building and when working with them at work experience sites, demonstrating a deep understanding of their individual challenges and potentials. Her dedication to ensuring each student receives the support they need to succeed is a testament to her commitment to her role. (Jennifer Burnes)

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Marie’s intuitive understanding of classroom dynamics allows her to anticipate needs without explicit direction. Teacher Gary Denham stated, "Marie is clutch. She knows where to go and what to do without my having to ask. It's such a pleasure having her in my classroom because I know I can count on her to work with any student and she'll push them to meet their goals." This ability to independently identify and address the needs of students and staff alike demonstrates her exceptional initiative and dedication to going above and beyond her job duties.

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Marie’s exceptional qualities are also noticed by her peers and administrative staff. Administrative assistant Isabelle Stanley noted, "She consistently demonstrates compassion for the students, proactively ensuring their health and safety. I’ve also seen her regularly advocate for those unable to speak for themselves when she brings them to the office for temperature checks." Furthermore, her fellow job coach/paraprofessional Chris Stiles highlighted Marie's pivotal role in their classroom team, saying, "She is reliable and flexible and an important part of our team. She is very intuitive about when to relieve me or our teacher when days are tough. Her sense of humor helps us all on the days when we all feel like we need a break."

The A.C.E Award recognizes and applauds classified employees whose efforts benefit students, faculty and staff, and others within and outside the USD 497 community. Students, faculty, classified and administrative staff may nominate any permanent part-time or full-time classified employee. Award recipients will be announced each fall and each spring.

The recipient of the A.C.E Award will receive a $500.00 award.

Monday, April 8th: Solar Eclipse School Watch Party at CC@P - Viewing starts at 12:36PM and maximum view is at 1:53PM

Friday, April 12th: EC-12th NO SCHOOl; Plan Day