The Woodland SUMMER 2017

The newsletter for and about Woodland Developmental Center

The Woodland Developmental Center is operated by the St. Clair County Regional

Educational Service Agency.

Diana Maison, PrincipalBrian Jex, Assistant Principal

499 Range RoadMarysville, MI 48040

Main Office: (810) 455-1011

To report an absence: (810) 364-7757

Busing: (810) 364-7757

OnlineThe Woodland Word is available online at www.sccresa.org. Click on the Woodland Developmental Center button on the RESA homepage.

Lunch menuLunch menus are available online at www.sccresa.org (Click on the Woodland button on the left-hand side of the homepage) or in the school office.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Building gets some polishingWe start the new year with a building that is clean, bright and has had a few improvements. We have new carpeting in the Living Learning Center, which is always nice and gives a fresh feel to the place where we teach so many of our independent living skills. Please also take a look at our South Courtyard, which has been cleaned and weeded.

I am always so pleased to be reminded how our staff, students and parents work cooperatively to provide the best possible environment for learning.

Woodland’s spring musical took center stage at the Marysville High School Performing Arts Center. The theme of the event was TV theme songs. The arts are a regular part of the curriculum at Woodland.

Spring musical fills gym with TV theme songs

The Woodland Word | Summer 2017 2

Contacting WoodlandIf you have questions about Woodland, you can call the office directly at 455-4011.For questions aboutbusing, call the transportation department at 364-7757. This is also the number you should use to report an absence for your child. If you would like to speak with your child’s teacher, you can be connected by calling the office.

Parent mentors now available If you are a new Woodland parent or a parent just wanting more information or guidance, we are happy to connect you with a “parent mentor” who can answer your questions and share their experiences and knowledge. Please call Diana Maison at (810) 455-4376 for further information.

Visitors asked to sign in at officeParents and otherWoodland visitors are reminded that they must sign the sign-in sheet when visiting the school. This helps us ensure the safety of our students.

Baylee, Peyton make progress through MOVEClassrooms 105 and 119 are proud of the skills their students are gaining using the Mobility Opportunities via Education (MOVE) curriculum. This edition highlights Baylee from room 119 and Peyton from room 105.

Baylee began her career at Woodland in an SXI classroom. With the support from the team at Woodland, Baylee was able to move to a SCI classroom. Baylee uses a pacer to allow herself maximum independence in the classroom and throughout the school. She has a basket attached to her pacer that allows her to be responsible for her own belongings such as her backpack and notebook. Baylee also uses the basket to carry her trash to the trash can and put her dishes after lunch away.

Room 105 loves to brag about Peyton. Peyton is standing for all her transfers. She is standing at the hygiene support station for her personal care, standing to get into her activity chair, standing to get on and off the bike and to get into her pacer. She is standing after long breaks from school and when ill. Peyton is MOVE-ing her pacer to right. She is improving with her yes and no responses. Peyton works hard to maintain her posture and head control. She is also making improvements with Eagle Eyes.

PeytonBaylee

Completion Ceremony brings out many smilesSix Woodland Developmental Center students received certificates of completion from the school June 8 during the annual Completion Ceremony. Earning certificates were students Robert, Cody, Kenyatta, MacKenzie, Nicholas and Sarah, representing four classrooms.

The Woodland Word | Summer 2017 3

FROM THE FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR

What’s in a school lunch? Nutrition!Most of you have heard about the meal requirement changes to our national school lunch program over the past few years. Do you know what they are and why? Here are some quick facts about our school lunch program that will make you feel good about the meals being served to our children.

School lunches are age specific. We provide appropriate portion sizes and calories based on their age. Growing bellies grow at different rates for ages and sizes.

School lunches are balanced. We ensure that all students receive a well-balanced meal including grains, protein, fruits, vegetables and dairy in every school lunch!

School lunches offer a rainbow of color. It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables come in an assortment of colors but did you know that each color tends to provide different vitamins and nutrients? Our lunches ensure that we balance a specific variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure all varieties of nutrients are served in a week.

Sodium is on its way out. High sodium in a diet can lead to high blood pressure, which can damage the heart and kidneys. That is why we have made adjustments to lower the amount of sodium served in our lunches without affecting flavor.

School lunches include more whole grains. Whole grains provide a variety of nutrients and fiber. Fiber helps keep children fuller longer so that they can focus on what is being taught in the classroom, not on their growling stomachs. That is why our school lunches have replaced all grains with whole grains. – Sarah Hill, Food Service Director(810) 455-4289 • Hill.Sarah@sccresa.org

CalendarAug. 4Break Aug. 7 BreakAug. 11 BreakAug. 14 Staff Professional DevelopmentAug. 21–Sept. 4 BreakSept. 5 Classes resumeOct. 9–13 BreakOct. 17 Classes resumeNov. 20–24 BreakNov. 27 Staff Professional DevelopmentDec. 25–Jan. 5 BreakJan. 26 BreakJan. 29 Staff Professional DevelopmentFeb. 16–23 BreakMarch 30-April 6 BreakMay 14 and 18 BreakMay 25 and 28 BreakJune 8 BreakJune 15 BreakJune 25–29 Break

Mark Morley, second from right, and Jim DeMeester accepted the first Green Guardian school award at Earth Fair this spring. They got it on behalf of the students in room 216. With them is Pine River Nature Center Operations Coordinator Sarah Nelson, left, and assistant coordinator Carrie Kloka.

Woodland recognized for environmental efforts

Sarah Hill

The Woodland Word | Summer 2017 4

Lakeport field trip looks at natureThis summer at Woodland School your student has been studying Pure Michigan. On Aug. 9, students will take a field trip to Lakeport State Park. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt (south) unit of Lakeport State Park is a day use area, one mile south of the camping area and is adjacent to Lake Huron. Students will enjoy a picnic, bird watching, lawn games and relaxing. Students should bring a sack lunch. A box lunch will be provided to students receiving a school lunch. Questions should be directed to Jen Egan at (810) 455- 4439.

Water makes exercise funStudents will be outside for physical education, participating in water activities on Aug. 16. Student should bring a bathing suit and towel. Woodland will have pools, sprinklers, water play activities, sponge toss, and adult and child water slides.

Health policies work to benefit everyoneA few reminders as we begin a new school year. Please take a few moments to look over the School Health Policies. Especially note that your student must be home for 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea, or elevated temperature, without the use of medications. Students sent to school before the 24-hour period will be sent back home to help prevent the spread of illness to other students. Students released from the hospital after illness or surgery require a release from the physician to return to school. Please contact the school for further details. It is also extremely helpful if you inform

the school when your child is out due to illness. This information helps us monitor other students for illness and report accurately to the health department as required.

– Louann Rinke, BSN, RN, School Nurse(810) 455-4364 • rinke.louann@sccresa.org

Retirement plans still include Woodland kidsKaren Schneider was in the nursing program at St. Clair County Community College when she did a practicum at Woodland. She never left. Julie Burge had taught for a couple of years in Lapeer schools when she took a teaching job at Woodland. That was more than 35 years ago.

Both are retiring this year after decades working with the children and staff at Woodland. Karen said, “I just can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.” Julie said, “I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know all the kids and do all kinds of different things.”

Karen is a teacher aide from St. Clair who spent nearly 30 years at Woodland before retiring this summer. She had worked in several classrooms, retiring from room 101 with children ages 3 to 7. “They’re like little sponges,” Karen said. “They all have a smile on their face. They’re just a delight to be with.”

Julie has worked in virtually every area at Woodland, in different classrooms through the years. In that time, she also taught music and art. Among her lasting memories of Woodland? “The progressiveness of the programs for kids, and everyone being supporting of what you’re doing, professionally and personally,” Julie said. “It’s always been a great place to work.”

Karen has no set plans for retirement beyond camping, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. Julie and her husband, Chuck, retired last year from Woodland. The Fort Gratiot couple plan to spend more time with their grandchild. After that, they’ll just see how things go. Karen also plans to continue volunteering with Special Olympics and Unified Sports. “The Woodland staff is a family,” she said. “They’re here for everybody and everyone is here for you. It’s just a very unique place to work.”

Julie said she is sure she’ll visit Woodland from time to time.: “It’s just part of your life.”

Louann Rinke

Julie BurgeKaren Schneider

The Woodland Word | Summer 2017 5ST. CLAIR COUNTY RESA ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY

RESPONSE ACT (AHERA) 2016 NOTIFICATION

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that each year, district workers and building occupants receive notification about asbestos activities such as response actions and inspections. The purpose of this correspondence is to meet those requirements and familiarize you with the asbestos related activities that have been conducted in St. Clair County RESA during the past year.

MANAGEMENT PLANSIn 1988, St. Clair County RESA contracted with an environmental consultants firm to conduct inspections and develop asbestos Management Plans for asbestos containing material (ACM) within all district owned buildings. These Management Plans are located in the administrative office of each building and are available to the public for review. A copy of each building management plan is also located at the Maintenance Building.

SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIESThe AHERA regulation requires periodic surveillance of the condition of ACM every six months. The regulation also requires Reinspections conducted every three years by Michigan Accredited Inspectors. St. Clair County RESA has contracted with an independent consulting firm, Nova Environmental, Inc. to conduct the Reinspections. The next Reinspection is scheduled for 2019. Previous Reinspections and six month periodic inspections can be located in the buildings’ Management Plans.

ASBESTOS ABATEMENTSt. Clair County RESA has not performed any asbestos abatement projects within the last year. Questions regarding asbestos removal projects or any asbestos-related issues can be addressed by Mr. Russ Witherspoon, Supervisor of Maintenance, at (810) 455-4151.

PESTICIDE CONTROL ACT NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION

Public Act 131 of 1993 amends the Pesticide Control Act to require school administrators to notify parents and guardians of their right to be informed prior to application of pesticides at the school

This is to notify you that the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency, (RESA), contracts with an exterminator for a monthly service, which is provided on the second Thursday of every month. If necessary, the State Licensed Pesticide Applicator will use gel baits (and occasionally liquid spray) on the interior perimeter of the building. Liquid pesticide spray is not used in or around any building while it is occupied by students. In addition, the company sprays the exterior perimeter of the building annually in the spring.

A record of dates of all pesticide applications is available in the Buildings and Grounds office.

If you would like prior notification, please request a Prior Notification Form from:

Russ Witherspoon, Supervisor of MaintenanceP.O. Box 1500, Marysville, MI 48040-1500(810) 455-4151

Training Table RestaurantThe Training Table restaurant insideWoodland is open to RESA staff and Woodland parents. Please call (810) 455-4434 a day ahead to make reservations.

Hours: Tuesdays andWednesdays 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Price: $4.75 adults, $3.75 clients

Salad bar is served each Tuesday. The menu changes each Wednesday.

Safety drills required at schoolWoodland, like all other public schools, is required to conduct 10 safety drills each year. Public schools are required to conduct five fire safety drills spread throughout the school year, two tornado safety drills and three lockdown drills. One of the tornado safety drills must take place in March. The drills can’t take place on the same day of a state-mandated test. At least one of the drills is required during a lunch or recess period, or at another time when a significant number of the students are gathered but not in the classroom. Contact Assistant Principal Brian Jex with questions about drills.

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MATP Games give lessons in motor trainingStudents participated in the MATP Games at the Macomb Intermediate School District in July. MATP stands for Motor Activities Training Program.

The Motor Training Activities Program is a part of the Special Olympics commitment to offer sports training to all individuals with special needs, regardless of ability level. The emphasis is on training rather than competition.

The MATP trains participants in motor-based recreation activities and enable them to take part in a program which is age and ability appropriate, beneficial and fun.

The MATP trains participants in six basic motor skills designed to relate to specific sports and daily living skills: Mobility, Dexterity, Striking, Kicking, Manual Wheelchair, and Electric Wheelchair.

Students received award ribbons for participation.

Local students find a LINK at WoodlandSt. Clair County middle and high school students are again working and playing this summer with fellow students from Woodland Developmental Center through the LINK program. This volunteer program brings county students in on Thursdays through Aug. 17. Students chosen for the program are “linked” to a Woodland student with a disability. Woodland’s Lisa Koehn, who coordinates the program, said, “This will be a valuable learning experience for students who might want to go into teaching, the medical field, or who need hours for community service.”

Sun Daze lets Woodland kids enjoy outdoorsThe Sun Daze in July brought a number of typical beach activities to the back yard of Woodland. Instead of students actually heading to the beach, the beach came to them. Sun Daze is one of a number of programs this summer behind Woodland. Students also participated in Pure Michigan outdoor stations, which let them choose from a number of different fun activities.