Rochester Community Schools Adult Transition Program & Services

STAFF  Anne Evans – Director of Special Education  Sandy Turner - Asst. Director of Special Education  Jennifer Lamar – Teacher Consultant  Katie Cloos-Classroom Teacher  Peggy Dona – Classroom Teacher  Stephanie Smith – Classroom Teacher  Julie Mielnicki – Classroom Teacher  Margie Maher – School Psychologist  Jennifer Anderson – Speech and Language  Sabrina Krolicki – Social Worker  Cheryl Guy- Physical Therapist  Kristin Newer- Occupational Therapist

PURPOSE OF THE BASIC CLASSROOM This program was primarily designed to meet the needs of students who have mild - moderate cognitive impairments. Although these students are expected to achieve supported independence in adulthood they will often require some supervision throughout their lives, but can learn skills to maximize their independence. The curriculum is based on the state’s content standards as measured by the Extended Grade Level Content Expectations (EGLCEs). The challenge is to strike a balance between the academic content and the needs for functional skill development. This balance is accomplished through Core Materials. The Core Materials provide a foundation for transition skill development (communication, employability, daily living, self-advocacy, and social strategies) in the context of routine classroom activities. A key component of the program is that ALL students in the classroom will participate in the SAME standards- based activity; however, the expectations for participation will vary based on the student.  Level 1: Students typically require maximum support within instructional tasks. For these students, increasing the level of participation is the main objective.  Level 2: Students may require picture support and other direct support in learning and the demonstration of comprehension.  Level 3: Students are typically learning to read text, produce simple writing, perform basic math processes and can independently demonstrate comprehension of modified learning information. In summary, the purpose of this program is to help learners with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and community than would be available if they were only given access to a typical classroom education.

OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES  Our school based Occupational and Physical therapists are available to our classrooms as a general consultative support service and/or direct service depending on the needs of each individual student.  Rochester Community Schools OT/PT Mission statement is: Through collaboration with the staff, students and parents, Rochester Community Schools Occupational and Physical Therapists apply their specialized knowledge in child development, motor learning, and task performance to identify and establish solutions and/or adaptations that promote student’s physical participation and function in their educational setting.

Overview of Activities Domestic skills are allowing our students to learn important skills such as: laundry, properly folding clothes, ironing, sewing, sorting and matching. Homeroom means that your student is in their caseload teacher’s classroom. During homeroom, calendar skills, clock skills, money skills, and community safety skills are taking place. Grocery Shopping is allowing our students to go to a grocery store in Rochester and choosing items that they would like to have and prepare for lunch during the week. The students are working on following a shopping list (which the students prepare before they go shopping), locating the items on their shopping list, and paying for their purchases. Lunch allows our students the opportunity to prepare their own lunch. Students prepare this meal based on individual preferences and ability. Some students prepare a microwave meal, others make their own sandwiches. This is a really nice way for us to tie in their weekly grocery shopping experience.

Overview of Activities Cont. Physical Fitness is currently taking place in the community by going to the park and playing either kickball/baseball or power -walking around the block or in the park. Once the weather gets too cold for us to exercise outside we will offer the opportunity for your student to attend an exercise class at the Rochester Athletic Club weekly. Student Free Choice Activity takes place three times a month on Friday afternoons. This is the student’s time to decide where they want to go, what they want to do, and who they want to go with…this is generally a community activity. My Chance to Dance takes place with our fabulous Physical Therapist – Cheryl Guy! The students are learning dance moves while exercising. This also takes place once a month in the Harrison Room. End of the Day Jobs allows each student to have a responsibility for having a job at the end of the day that keeps our room nice, clean, and ready for the next day. The students are learning to dust, straighten up shelves, cleaning mirrors, turning off/on the Smartboard, turning on/off the computers, cleaning the kitchen, etc.

Overview of Activities Cont. Cooking includes looking at expiration dates and determining what goes in the refrigerator vs. the freezer vs. the cabinet. We are also teaching the students to read the words that go along with their cooking activities. Crafts is allowing our students to show and discover their creativity, and it has also turned into a money making venture for us. The students are making items that are being sold in the community: such as: lanyards for ID badges. The money generated will go directly to benefit the students. We will keep you updated with future projects. The students are also able to go to the craft store and pick out their own craft project; which allows them to explore various crafts that they might enjoy. Employability Class is giving us the opportunity to “give back” to the community. We do many projects for Disability Awareness, Parent Advisory Committee, etc. This activity takes place in the building and is offering the students the opportunity to learn job related skills. This class works on job skills. We have outside companies giving us work to complete in the building. Some work includes; sorting papers, collating papers, weighing objects, putting boxes together and more. Reproductive Health – We will be using the F.L.A.S.H program, which is approved by the Board of Education and the same one that was used last year and in high school.

WORK BASED LEARNING  For a student to be eligible for Work Based Learning, they will have had to demonstrate the ability to possess basic work skills in the classroom setting.  Students will go out to their job sites during the week either between 2-4 days per week. Students that attend work based learning may go out to their job sites, one to two semesters as determined by their schedule.  While on the job site, students are expected to follow the rules and expectations of their job duties and of the place of business they are working at.  Each student has a manager/boss to report to at work along with the assistance of a job coach/teaching staff and other natural supports within their work environment.

COMMUNICATION  Principal (best method of  WBL Coordinator/Teacher Consultant  Teacher and Phone Number: Katie Cloos Classroom Phone: Stephanie Smith Classroom phone: Peggy Dona Classroom Phone: Julie Mielnicki – Classroom Phone:  Social Worker  Psychologist:  Speech  Physical Therapist:  Occupational Therapist – Check student planners/binders for upcoming events/outings and class information.