All of us here at IHS Transition II program want to wish each of you a great and joyous holiday season this year!
As the saying goes...A picture is worth a thousands words...so here's a bunch of pictures to fill in those words...Happy Holidays!!!
This is a class project to promote the independence of adults with disabilities that attend school at Independence High School in Williamson County, TN.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
2013 Christmas Party Recap
All of us here at IHS Transition II program want to wish each of you a great and joyous holiday season this year!
As the saying goes...A picture is worth a thousands words...so here's a bunch of pictures to fill in those words...Happy Holidays!!!
New Job Site for 2013
Independence High School Transition II program: New Job Site for 2013
This semester one of our students, Jose Cantu, began work at a new job sites to the Williamson County School District this year; Embassy Suites in Franklin, TN. WCS and Transition II programs are excited to add Embassy Suites to the growing list of great businesses throughout our county that are supporting our students by providing them with real world job experiences. This semester we work at Tractor Supply, Our Thrift Store, Embassy Suites, and WCS Central Office.
Jose's job responsibilities at Embassy Suites include House keeping, Banquet services and facilities services. Jose really enjoys working at Embassy Suites and the people that he works with each day. For now, Jose works there two days a week. We asked Jose how he likes his new job "It's cool, it's the best!" What is his favorite job at Embassy Suites, "Towels, cleaning and stocking chips and water."
The one thing that we always see when Jose returns from work each day at Embassy Suites is a big smile!
Thoughts for the New Year
IHS Transition II class and teachers
IHS Transition Teachers, Marie Wicks, Maria Griego
Dr. Jay Whitlow and Lauren Huffmaster
Thoughts for Christmas
I would like to take a minute to reflect on the WCS Transition II program. In honor of the new year, I think it is important for us to reflect upon the successes of this year.
Yesterday there was a gathering of about 75 students, teachers, families, and community members. The schools worked together to provide music, a photo booth, crafts and presents for everyone.
As I looked around, I saw students with significant needs, students with severe behaviors, students with intellectual disabilities, and physical disabilities all on the dance floor smiling, laughing, dancing and singing. The students found friends on the dance floor that they may not have ever met before. Everyone was happy, everyone seemed at peace.
In the past two years I have attended many of these types of parties and I don't remember one "melt down" or major incident occurring. Among friends and peers we see the best in our students. When attending such events we see our students' joy and laughter, their desire to participate. We see them for their abilities.
As we move forward in our year, we will find ourselves dealing with difficulties, in those moments I hope we can remember our successes and the purposes held before us.
In my class, I recognize a significant decrease in negative behaviors this year. This is a major success! The students, the families, the administration, and the teachers around my students did not give up! We believed in one another, worked as a team and are now seeing major results. It took time but our efforts make a difference.
Last week we started a new job placement with some of my more difficult to place students. These students have great strengths to offer but there are issues that keep them from finding employment. At this new job site, I saw focus, excitement, and productivity like I have not seen before from this group of students. On their first day at this job site these students felt successful! I love this. This is what Transition II is all about.
To the outside observer walking into my class, the students may only seem to be working on crafts or playing on the computer. When I look at my class, I see a group of individuals learning to work together. I see students increasing their ability to focus over an extended period of time. I see students learning how to express themselves and what is important to them through a blog and personal journals. I hear students learning how to advocate for themselves and make themselves heard in appropriate ways. I see students thriving in a community when only last year that same community seemed scary and overwhelming.
There are so many successes I have observed this year, so many reasons to be thankful. As you reflect on your year I hope that you also will find growth and joy in the lives of those who surround you.
--LH
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Community Outing: Christmas Shopping
The past couple of weeks the IHS Transition II students have been learning about spending money and how to save money through the use of coupons found in the newspaper, social media sites, and websites. Then they figure out items they would like to buy for parents, siblings, and/or friends. Each student made a list of items and the stores at the Coolsprings mall that they would shop at before they went to the mall. Today, we all checked our list twice to see if Mom, Dad and siblings were nice. We headed out to the Coolsprings Galleria to do our shopping. These students did an excellent job with finding great deals on many different stores. Each student was able to purchase great gifts for their family members. No parents we won't tell you what you got for gifts either, HA!
Also, some of our staff and students had a little fun with their shopping like Jordan. A little ride on the mall carousel and hanging out with the big guy himself; Santa Claus. Jordan knows all the important people. He has all the big time friends. Jordan make sure the big guy has us all on the nice list, please!
Also, Today the IHS Transition II students and staff really found themselves diving into the Christmas and Holiday spirit with making the props for the photo/prop booth. They are working on a Photo/Prop booth for our upcoming Transition II County wide Holiday party. To kick it off the students and staff made the props for the photo booth and had a little fun with the props as well. Just 19 days away from the big guy showing up with gifts for all us that are on the nice list.....Happy Holidays from IHS T2 students and staff!
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