Volume 28, Issue 2 / October 2014 Kingsway Learning Center Parent Briefs Christine Robinson, Executive Director Frank G. Fragale, Elementary Program Administrator Philip Rodriguez, Secondary Program Year’s First Symphony Program Features Percussion Instruments The October 16 Symphony Program at the Elementary Campus will mark the beginning of the 23rd year of the Symphony Outreach Program, a musical partnership between Kingsway and Symphony in C of Camden, NJ The school year’s first performance will feature the percussion quartet. Keep Those Labels Coming! Kingsway is once again collecting General Mills Box Tops for Educa- October Calendar ELEMENTARY PROGRAM 1 No Pre-School Class 6 Fire Truck Visit 13 Columbus Day School Closed SECONDARY PROGRAM 13 Columbus Day School Closed tion. These items can be dropped off at either the Haddonfield or Moorestown Campus. Please help this program grow by asking friends and family to collect these items for Kingsway. lotions while in our buildings. Many staff and students are sensitive or allergic to the fragrances. Both campuses are latex-free, so please avoid balloons unless they are mylar. Thank you. For more information on this program, visit the following website: www.boxtops4education.com. In the Classroom Learning To Make Choices Here at Kingsway Learning Center, we pride ourselves on coming to school each day with a positive outlook. In Michael Smith’s Elementary class (age range 6 to 8 years), the students are engaged in several activities each day that foster their growth. There are several important lessons that young students learn in an early stage. In life, we all make choices and making choices is certainly an important life lesson. Starting this fall, students in Mr. Mike’s class are presented with a way to make choices that help the students communicate what they want. Important Reminders  If you haven’t done so already, please turn in the parent packet mailed to you this summer. The staff relies on the important information it contains to serve and protect your child.  For the Haddonfield Elementary Program Please notify us if your student will be absent or late for any reason. Call (856) 428-8108, ext. 304.  To report absence or lateness at the Secondary Program, you can avoid an early morning call from school by calling (856) 2344442 at anytime, day or night. Dial “0” after the outgoing message begins and leave a voice mail message. And remember, parents and guardians are responsible for contacting the bus company when a student will be out.  Please do not wear perfume, scented after-shave or scented Life has many challenges for our students and not being able to verbally communicate can lead to frustration and that can lead to undesired behaviors. When students are given a Logan is one of Mr. Mike’s students who will be using the “picture choice board.” Page 2 Parent Briefs Staff Perspectives Keeping the Beat By Susan Cleary Music Therapist, All Programs The music programs are in full swing at both schools. Haddonfield campus students are being seen weekly with their class for music for 25 minutes. Some of our younger students have been trying out our large gathering drum, the autoharp, keyboard and reed horns to address IEP goals as well as working on turn-taking, sensory, oral, fine and gross motor skills. They have also been using the iPad for communication to say hello or goodbye. Dancing to the music when it plays and stopping when it stops has also been part of their lessons. Our older students have been listening to music and trying to identify some of the instruments they hear. They have also practiced keeping a beat to the music using rhythm sticks and tambourines. Some have created original ways to move to the music with the sticks or when dancing. The older students have been taking turns creating music on the keyboard and singing a song of their choice for their classmates. Many of our students, who are at least 9 years old, are in the chorus. They have begun learning Disney songs for our all-school concert in January 2015. The new music therapy program has begun and four students are currently participating in small groups. Students are exploring a variety of instruments, singing and moving to the music. Goals for these groups focus on developing interactions between the therapist and students, and non-verbal communication using music, social skills and more. Parents whose children are participating in music therapy will receive more information about the program in the near future. structured play area and cannot verbally communicate for a desired toy, unwanted behaviors occur. This fall, Mr. Mike and his team are implementing a “picture choice board” for the students in his classroom. With the help of several staff members around the school, the team has created something as simple as a laminated poster board so that students can communicate their own choice. The choice for each student will start off simply and will involve choosing a toy to play with in the classroom play area. The students are presented with two pictures of toys on the poster board. The student will be shown to choose the desired toy off the poster board, and then they will be given that toy. When students are shown they can make a choice, it can lead them to understand they have a say in what they want. An easy picture system such as this could help any student communicate with adults what is truly desired. It also helps with the understanding that in life choices are allowed even if verbal communication is a challenge for students. Come & Enjoy the Haddonfield Fall Festival Come join in some Fall fun— and stop by Kingsway’s table at this year’s Haddonfield Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. —5 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, Oct. 19, 12-5). For more information on the day’s events, go to: www.haddonfieldnj.org and click on “events.” Coach® Bag Bingo is Coming to Kingsway Friday, October 24! 7pm—10 pm Haddonfield Campus $30/Ticket  Includes a book of 12 games, 3 boards per game!   Door Prizes! Bring Your Own Snacks & Beverages (snacks and baked goods will also be available for purchase) If you did not receive your Ticket Order Form & Info, Contact Stefanie at: smis@kingswaylearningcenter.org (856) 428-8108 PARENT BRIEFS Stefanie Mis, Editor smis@kingswaylearningcenter.org (856) 428-8108 Published monthly by Kingsway Learning Center’s Community Relations Department to keep parents informed of school events and issues relevant to special education. Elementary Program 144 Kings Highway West Haddonfield, N.J. 08033 (856) 428-8108 Secondary Program 244 West Route 38 Moorestown, N.J. 08057 (856) 234-4442 www.KingswayLearningCenter.org www.facebook.com/kingswaylearningcenter