Hello families!
I hope that the holiday season is going well for your family. Things in the ALC are forever changing and exciting! Below is some information about the new and exciting things your student has been exploring this month:
New friends - We've had some change within our classroom in the last few weeks. We've added three new students to our class, and one student moved away. This has meant learning names of new students, and processing saying goodbye to someone we'd come to know. This has also meant that our schedule has changed a few times this fall, and I am so proud of how well all of our students handled these changes! J
New challenges - These first few months of school are PACKED with exciting learning! In the beginning of the year, we spend a lot of time helping students learn (and often re-learn) their new school routines. Now that we've been in school a few months though, we are increasing our expectations for independence. It has been so amazing to see the challenges our students are rising to!
I hope that the holiday season is going well for your family. Things in the ALC are forever changing and exciting! Below is some information about the new and exciting things your student has been exploring this month:
New friends - We've had some change within our classroom in the last few weeks. We've added three new students to our class, and one student moved away. This has meant learning names of new students, and processing saying goodbye to someone we'd come to know. This has also meant that our schedule has changed a few times this fall, and I am so proud of how well all of our students handled these changes! J
New challenges - These first few months of school are PACKED with exciting learning! In the beginning of the year, we spend a lot of time helping students learn (and often re-learn) their new school routines. Now that we've been in school a few months though, we are increasing our expectations for independence. It has been so amazing to see the challenges our students are rising to!
Many holidays and celebrations
- This season brings many diverse reasons to celebrate for the many families
that make up our Mountain View and ALC communities. In class, we talk generally
about lots of holidays that students may participate in or be exposed to. While
the holiday season is filled with joy and merriment for many people, it can
also be a stressful time--particularly for kids, and most especially for kids
impacted by disabilities. Sometimes it is easy to forget that while decoration
or celebration is fun and exciting, it may also be overwhelming or just too
different for some kids. In no way do I suggest NOT celebrating or NOT exposing
kids to the holidays. I just like to make sure kids are prepared! This season
is fun, and even if your family celebrates in non-traditional ways, these
mainstream traditions are something they are potentially going to be exposed to
in their community for many years to come!
Fun times before
Winter Break – This is a very fun time at Mountain
View and in the ALC. We have a few activities coming up this week and next that
your student will have the opportunity to join. Here are some of the fun
activities you can expect to hear about:
·
Friday, Dec. 9th- Personal
Responsibility Celebration (Schoolwide good behavior and attendance party)
·
Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 13-14th
– Ornament decorating for local charities
·
Friday, Dec. 16th-
Holiday Party in the ALC! We will enjoy hot cocoa, popcorn, cookies and a
holiday movie as we ring in the end of the school year for 2016! J
