Weekly Newsletter September 16-20, 2024

Academy Pet: (Peeps)

It is that time of year again, and many of the students have been asking when they can bring Peeps, our class bunny, home. Typically interested families can pick up Peeps on our Friday dismissals and bring him back to the Academy the following Monday. We provide everything he needs for the weekend, including a care sheet so you know exactly what he needs each day. This is a great way to give your student temporary responsibility without the commitment of a full-time pet. Peeps are used to being in homes with other pets and small children. The sign-up genius for this semester is listed in the link below. Students can sign up for multiple weekends, if you have any additional questions feel free to reach out to Mrs. Hodge at khodge@acadstl.org 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA8AE2CA1FDC34-50896855-1stsemester

We’ve had a wonderful week in the classroom! We dove into Luke 5 and discussed how we can be helpers to our family and friends, just like Jesus’ disciples. The children also started a new reading program, which they’re very excited about! We took time to draw self-portraits of our families, and it was so fun to see their creativity. To top off our week, we enjoyed a fun Pizza Friday.

This week, our students have truly excelled, demonstrating hard work, resilience, and adaptability despite unexpected changes in our routines. We are incredibly proud of their focus, teamwork, and the way they supported one another through each challenge. Looking ahead for groups  1 and 2, we have History and Biology tests next week. Please take some time to encourage them to review over the weekend.

It was a great week for Groups 3 and 4!

Students have been actively participating in community outings, and working on building friendships. Some highlights of the week included reading and discussing Uncle Tom’s Cabin along with current events and doing IXL in math. Since our virtue of the month is kindness, we’d like to give a special shout-out to Group 4 continuing to add links to their kindness chain.

UMSL Succeed Open Houses

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 9, 2024, 10 a.m.-12:00 noon

Sunday, December 4, 2024 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Registration link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYbjFcmG6bWoasFNNCKWcAN4vMMfcbYhpqV6UoqhiaIKMgRA/viewform

SUCCEED provides an opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop the skills necessary to become participating members of their community through inclusion in university life and, in so doing, to enrich the diversity of the university. Students who qualify for the Succeed Program are eligible to receive a Chancellor’s Certificate from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. This requires the completion of 44 credit hours within two years. Incorporated into the program are vocational exposure, training, and internship opportunities. Independent living skills (a.k.a. life skills) are likewise taught and encouraged by our program coordinators.

https://www.umsl.edu/education/oipe/program/index.html

FAMILY AUCTION CONTRIBUTIONS

OCTOBER–

Goal: Obtain 3 bottles of liquor & sign up for a committee (Please only purchase liquor on the Sign-Up Genius) Link will be available by the end of September.

NOVEMBER–

Goal: Obtain $250 in Gift Cards (Preferably in $25-$50 increments)

DECEMBER-

Goal: Sell 25 Raffle Tickets ($10/Ticket) Prize $1000

Auction Website to Purchase Raffle Tickets

JANUARY-

Goal: Obtain 3 Ads/Sponsorships (See Donation Form)

FEBRUARY–

Goal: Obtain items for 5 Silent Auction Baskets

($150 min/basket) AND 1 Extraordinary Item (>$250)

Link to Amazon Wish List will be available soon

MARCH–

Goal: Sell (2) $100 “Best of Live” Raffle Tickets

Auction Website to Purchase Raffle Tickets

APRIL-

Goal: Obtain a table of ten for the auction and all parents are asked to come and help set up the day before the auction and assist with tearing down the night of the auction.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Winter at 636-368-6274/Kwinter @acadstl.org

BCI’s Disability Transition Planning Conference

September 27, 2024, at Ameristar St. Charles.

Boone Center, Inc.’s (BCI) mission is to inspire, develop, and support people with disabilities through a continuum of innovative employment opportunities.

BCI will host a free Transition Planning Conference on September 27. Dr. Tiffany Jameson, a neurodiversity global evangelist, will be the opening keynote speaker and breakout sessions designed to bring you the information you want most. You’ll get fresh insights and practical tips.

The event will also include a resource fair, allowing you to connect with providers and discover new products and services for advocacy, education, recreation, housing, employment, and more.

Date: Friday, September 27

Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, St. Charles, MO

RSVP:

RSVP: https://2024BCITransitionPlanningConference.eventbrite.com

LifeBridge Camp is offered to those who live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County who are between the ages of 6-18 (19-21 if enrolled in high school). Typical camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with group sizes of up to 80 campers per day. LifeBridge supports include up to a 1-1 staff-to-participant ratio, personal care needs, and accessible transportation if available.

Registration links for the camps:

October 12 One-day Camp,

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYFf0sB2E-_zEK6PYbqEr8RHdb3OboNZUuBjeLgrxxbLZXhA/viewform

November 9 One-day Camp,

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKQ2CR6oGadIiuGh3wukdFKWf04T48AO3j54RQcF4a388MyA/viewform

December 14 One-day

Camp,https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgHkzzuwzyDbP2T3HpfYf-uDnShB6ZOWezZ244mzz_JSfwnw/viewform

Questions about camp?

Contact Shea O’Bryant at 314-701-7264 or

shea@lifebridgestl.org LifebridgeSTL Website

At the YMCA, everyone deserves the chance to participate and succeed. That’s why we offer comprehensive inclusion and adaptive support services across various programs, from fitness, swimming, and adaptive sports to day camp, overnight camp, child care, and more.

Our dedicated staff team is trained to provide personalized support, whether through one-on-one assistance, small group activities, or dedicated adaptive programs. In our safe and supportive environment, individuals with disabilities can build confidence, make friends, and reach their full potential.

YMCA Website for Inclusion and Adaptive Support

FestAbility 2024 – 

Save The Date!

FestAbility is an annual event that celebrates the disability community through education, empowerment, and unity. Join the St. Louis Arc and other agencies to celebrate FestAbility 2024 on October 5 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum. https://www.festability.org/

LINK TO ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP SEMINAR REGISTRATION

https://umsystem.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pdemtqjkoG9B29LCUNR9_rWgqX80Kjvtc#/registration

Families at Ease Conference (STL), Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Westport Plaza’s Sheraton Westport Chalet with morning and afternoon sessions. Families and caretakers of special needs dependents will enjoy sessions presented by experts in the field, learn about existing resources and tools, and have the chance to connect with area organizations and like-minded families.

Topics include Public benefits eligibility, Employment training, Housing, Special needs trusts, and Transition to adulthood.

Our morning session is 9:15 am – 12:15 pm.

Our afternoon session is 1:45 pm – 4:45 pm.

Both sessions may enjoy a complimentary lunch

and vendor fair from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm.

Vendors on-site include St. Louis Arc, Miriam School & Learning Center, Easterseals, Academy of St. Louis, Sandberg Phoenix, and more. The afternoon session is a repeat of the morning session. Register Here