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Special Services News
Parent Resource Night
Parent Seminar
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Special Services Picnic
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GEHS TEAM WINS JOB OLYMPICS EVENT
Annual Job Olympics - A Professional and Social Event
More than 400 students from the Kansas Metro-Area gathered on the campus of Johnson County Community College on April 4, for the Annual Job Olympics.
Job Olympics is a competition developed to promote transition and employability skills for a broad spectrum of high school students in special education. Four hundred students are expected to participate in Job Olympics this year. Competitions representing actual job and employment situations are judged by business people from the community and professionals in education. Individual judging and written feedback is provided to each student. This allows the teacher and students to assess students’ strengths and areas of weakness. An awards ceremony follows the competition with ribbons, medals and trophies awarded.
After the competitions were complete, students and staff joined together in Yardley Hall for music, fun and fellowship. Students from each district took the stage to introduce their school. GEHS Senior Kyle Christine was selected to address the crowd and did so in fine "fever fashion" ending his commentary with a "Go Blazers" shout!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GEHS JOB OLYMPICS TEAM AND THE 20 PEERS THAT ASSISTED THEM IN THE COMPETITION HELD ON APRIL 4, MEDALISTS INCLUDED:
GRANT JORDAN (2ND- CHECK WRITING)
CORINNE CURRIER (1ST CHECK WRITING)
SAMANTHA COUCH (1ST-JOB APPLICATION)
KATIE BAILEY (3RD FOLDING TOWELS)
DYLAN SHOEMAKER (2ND-STOCKING SHELVES)
RACHEL EICHMAN (1ST-SORTING MAIL AND 1ST STUFFING AND LABELING ENVELOPES)
JOSH MORTON (1ST-FACING AND STOCKING SHELVES)
BRENT BEGGS (2ND-VACUUMING)
KYLE CHRISTINE (1ST ROLE PLAY)
PATRICK CHRISTINE (1ST SORTING MAIL AND 2ND-CHECK WRITING, JOB APPLICATION, AND MAKING CHANGE)
TREVOR CAPERTON (2ND-STUFFING AND LABELING ENVELOPES)
MOLLY MCBRIDE (3RD-VACUUMING)
HANNAH FARNHAM (3RD BAGGING SILVERWARE)
HOLLY STALLSWORTH-3RD ROLLING SILVERWARE, 3RD –FOLDING TOWELS NAD 3RD CHECK WRITING
CAM CURRIER- 3RD STUFFING AND LABELING ENVELOPES
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The Special Populations Dance, sponsored by GEHS Natural Helpers, is an annual event which provides a wonderful social opportunity for students with special needs. The event is structured to support Life Skills students, individuals on the Autism spectrum, and those who would benefit from an afternoon of social interaction among friends and positive peer models. The event allows the Life Skills students to plan, coordinate and participate in a school activity, as well as provide a fun environment that all students can be a part of and enjoy.
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Interrelated Teacher Sandy Smith and Principal Christi Whitter Honored
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Mrs. Myers' Communication Class at Nike Elementary Participates in Autism Walk
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Fall Walk for Autism
The Walk Now for Autism sponsored by Autism Speaks took place on Saturday, October 18th at the Kansas Speedway. Over 10,000 people were in attendance, including over 40 members of "Team Myers" from Ms. Myers Class at Nike Elementary. Together, the people of Missouri and Kansas raised over $270,000. Ms. Myers’ class raised over $3,000, exceeding their team goal of $1,000.
Students who participated in the Walk were Luke, Zachary, Isabelle, and Claire. Ms. Myers stated the reason she created the team was, “to get the parents and community involved in raising autism awareness.” The money raised will go towards promoting autism awareness, promoting autism funding through insurance, and other areas of need. Ms. Myers went on to explain, “students do not always get to participate in little league baseball, flag football, or after school programs, so this was their day to shine and be proud of who they are and all the amazing accomplishments they struggle to make every day.”
Parents raised over $2,500 from family, friends, neighbors, and co-worker donations. Four hundred dollars was raised through a Coin War held at Nike Elementary, in which the kids brought in coins throughout the week. Gardner Animal Hospital and Olathe Ford also contributed to the cause.
Joanne Miller, Zach’s mother shared, “I’m not a doctor and I’m not a teacher, but doing this helps me help Zach. To say I am excited doesn’t begin to cover it. I could never thank you enough for helping my child.” |
Allison Weaver receives Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award
Allison Weaver, Interrelated Teacher at Edgerton Elementary School has been named an Outstanding Special Education Teacher by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). Allison receives a certificate and a complimentary membership to NASET.
This award is bestowed upon teachers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement as a teacher in the field of special education. It recognizes and rewards the special skills and excellence of special education teachers throughout the United States.
Allison was nominated by Principal Sharon Buffington and Dr. Jody Marshall, Special Services Coordinator.
Allison Weaver has been serving students as an Interrelated Special Education teacher for twelve years, the last ten years at Edgerton Elementary School. Allison demonstrates a fierce commitment to students with learning and other disabilities. Shes serves as a leader in assisting all of her colleagues - special and general education professionals alike - to understand that students with learning disabilities can achieve high academic standards.
Allison earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities from the University of Kansas. In addition to her professional training, Allison consistently seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills, serving as an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children and the Division of Learning Disabilities.
LOAN FORGIVENESS OF $17,500 AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
- On February 8, 2006, a new law made permanent loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 for new special education teachers.
- If you are interested in becoming a special education teacher, this loan forgiveness could be available to you.
- There is a vast shortage of special education teachers in schools throughout the nation.
- Job opportunities for special education teachers are plentiful in virtually every state, and in elementary, middle and high schools.
- Special educators work with students who experience a range of learning challenges, including intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities and emotional disabilities.
- Special education is a profession in which you can truly make a difference in people's lives.
- For more information, click here to view a letter from Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
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