Dear Parents,

October was certainly an exciting month at school! Our C-Tran Clubs are now in full swing, with students enthusiastically participating in everything from Puzzles Club to Walking Club. Students have begun to utilize our pottery space and how to form, paint and glaze their own pottery with the help of our amazing para Amanda! We were thrilled to go see Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards at the Lied Center on October 4th.

Don't miss our Student Showcase Sale this Thursday, October 24th from 12-2pm, where students will display and sell their creative projects and artwork – it's a wonderful opportunity to support our young entrepreneurs!

Our school-wide Halloween party is October 31st, from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. We encourage families to attend! As the weather becomes cooler and more unpredictable, please encourage your young person to come to school dressed in layers and bring a light jacket for our community trips!

- Jenna

Troy's class had a blast bowling during one of their Wednesday community outings!

We've launched our 2nd rotation of clubs, offering students a choice between Cooking Club, Marathon (walking) Club, Creator's Corner Club, Photography Club, and Puzzles Club.

Why do we offer clubs? Clubs provide students with opportunities to:

• Learn new skills

• Enhance existing abilities

• Stay physically active

• Make new friends

• Improve social communication

• Step out of their comfort zones
  

Here are some of the benefits of each club:

Cooking Club:

• Develops teamwork through turn-taking

• Enhances collaborative decision-making skills

• Promotes healthy eating habits

• Improves kitchen safety awareness

Marathon (Walking) Club:

• Boosts physical fitness

• Explores new community locations (e.g., the North Lawrence levee)

• Encourages social interaction during walks

• Provides sunshine therapy and fresh air

• Develops perseverance and goal-setting skills
  

Creator's Corner Club:

• Teaches practical skills like sewing

• Promotes environmental awareness through upcycling projects

• Enhances creativity and problem-solving abilities

• Improves self-advocacy as students express their project preferences

• Develops fine motor skills
  

Photography Club:

• Combines creativity with technology

• Encourages physical activity through phot walks

• Develops observational skills and attention to detail

• Improves patience and turn-taking (sharing cameras)

• Enhances visual storytelling abilities

• Promotes appreciation for community and nature
  

Puzzles Club:

• Enhances problem-solving skills

• Promotes teamwork and collaboration

• Improves concentration and focus

• Develops spatial awareness and logic

• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation

Through these diverse club offerings, students can explore their interests and develop valuable life skills. Do you have a special talent or interest you’d like to share with our students through clubs? Reach out to jennifer.burnes@usd497.org. Clubs meet for one hour twice a week.

Community Outings!

The White Oak Ranch, managed by Ms. Becky Buchanon, is a magnificent open-air arena for horses and horseback riding lessons.

Earlier this month, the middle school STC class had the opportunity to visit White Oak Ranch to socialize with a variety of horses. The students got to observe, groom, and pet the horses. They were also able to feed some apples and carrots as snacks for the horses. Additionally, the students participated in a short demonstration and hands-on practice with Ms. Becky Buchanon.

One of our students, Amber, showcased her wonderful skills with the horses and assisted other students in cleaning and remaking a horse’s stall.

We are very appreciative of the White Oak Ranch family and managers, who have always kept their gates open for the hearts of the students in our program.

If your child is sick, please keep them home. Please use these guidelines to determine if your child should come to school:

Follow Us! Want to see what our amazing interns and staff are up to? Scan the QR codes or click them below to follow us @projectsearchconnects on Facebook and Instagram!

Arrival and Dismissal-

C-Tran: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

STC/FirstStop: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

SAP: 8:00 - 2:30 PM

Wednesday -

C-Tran: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

STC/FirstStop: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM

SAP: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

• Doors open at 7:45 AM
• All students will enter through side doors at bus drop off entrance or Front Entrance facing 6th Street
• Students arriving after 8:00 AM - enter through the main door

8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Main Office Number- 785-832-5800

Extensions:

Administrator/Principal- Jenna- Viscomi- x2115

Transition Specialist C-Tran- Jennifer Burnes- x2258

Admin Assistant- Isabelle Stanley- x2755

Please call our main office number at 785-832-5800 or email jviscomi@usd497.org or isabelle.stanley@usd497.org to report an absence or to check a student out during the school day. Please leave a message if you are unable to reach us.

Download the First View app on your phone or device to help keep track of the bussing schedule and arrival/departure times.

Go to your devices App Store and type in FirstView, download the app to your phone/device. You will then enter the school code. The C-Tran code is YFF5 and the STC code for middle/high school is RDNE. First student will use this app for notices of bussing running late and other important information.

For any questions or concerns, please call FirstStudent at (785)-841- 3594.

October:

10th- End of 1st Quarter

11th- No School

16th- HS STC/C-Tran Conferences 4-8

17th- MS STC - No School; day conferences. HS STC/C-Tran Conferences 4-8

18th- No School

November:

25th-29th- Fall Break- No School

December:

18 HS/C-Tran half day - MS all day

19 End of 2nd Quarter

19 HS STC/C-Tran half day - MS STC all day; staff all day

20 Winter Break- No School