Transition Trender
Vol. 8, 2023
Transition Students Spotlight
GPPSS Transition Services Expands Work-Based Learning Program With Successful Community Partnerships
GPPSS Transition Services has been canvassing the community to find work-based learning experiences for transition age (18-26) special education students at Grosse Pointe Public Schools. Work-based learning was completely halted during the Covid-19 shutdown, so it took some time to build back relationships with businesses in the community. Special education students now have opportunities at close to 25 placements throughout the community, where they work either with supported for a couple of hours each day. "Work-based learning" is an opportunity for a student to learn skills in a supported work environment. Students are placed with a "business partner" a local community business or organization that has agreed to allow students to work and learn about their business as well as develop their vocational and social skills. The decision to add work-based learning to a student's scheduled is dependent on their individual needs and transition plan. It can be an important step in the student's journey to a more independent future with the ultimate goal of "competitive integrated employment". (In other words, individuals would be working in the community alongside other employees without disabilities. It also means earning at least minimum wage and getting the same workplace benefits and opportunities as other employees doing the same job.) Business partners often say the transition students are a wonderful addition. Some note that the specific skills students bring to the table help solve problems at the job site and increase efficiency, but the joy they bring to the relationship is even more rewarding. This year partnerships have been developed or continued with Lochmoor Club, Ford House, The Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Great Lakes ACE Hardware stores, Village Market, The Helm at the Boll Life Center, Fresh Farms Market, CYL Sauna Studio, Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Grosse Pointe, The ARC of Grosse Pointe-Harper Woods, Big Boy, St.Ambrose Church, St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Christ Church Grosse Pointe, Barnes Early Childhood Center, Brownell Middle School, Defer Elementary, Monteith Elementary, Morningside Central Office, Lou's Pet Shop, and the Neighborhood Club. If you are interested in partnering with GPPSS Transition Services please contact kingk@gpschools.org.
New Season Begins for Grosse Pointe's Unified Basketball Teams
Grosse Pointe Public School Systems' co-ed unified basketball teams at Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South provide high school students with varying abilities an inclusive way to get athletic experience by competing against unified teams throughout metro Detroit. Unified Basketball is a program that unites athletes with disabilities and general education peers as teammates, creating a fun and fast-paced, joy-filled experience for everyone. Special education students on the team are paired with peer partners to develop their skills on the court and assist during games. Partners are pulled in from GPS's Peer 2 Peer program and GPN's KNOTS (Kids Need Opportunities to Socialize). The inclusive experience creates an atmosphere of excitement in the school gym as seats are filled with students from the schools and the athletes' families. It is truly one experience in the Grosse Pointe community not to be missed.
Information and Resources to be Offered at the Special Needs Resource Fair
In collaboration with The Family Center of Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods, we invite you to join us for this special event that will have more than 30 different resources for the different learners in our community on February 28th, 4pm-8pm at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. We are excited to have representatives from organizations and businesses from Metro Detroit that provide assistance from birth to 26. This event is free and open to everyone. There will be representatives from: Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Disability Network Wayne County-Detroit, Academy of Dreams, Eton Academy, Ready for Life, Concordia, SPARC, Therapeutic Concepts, Carlyle Center, Lumen, Pam Jar -Lifetime Financial Growth, Mark Sislo-Financial Planning for Special Needs, BlueTree Mental Health, Michigan Alliance for Families, On My Own, Developmental Essential Services, WCCCD, DWIHN, CNS, Full Circle, The Arc of Grosse Pointe - Harper Woods, GPPSS Transition Services, GPPSS Early On, Kids On The Go, Southwest Solutions, and Brilliant Detroit. (Click the picture on the right to join the Facebook event page.)
Did you miss our Transition Planning Family Information session?
Need more information on the next steps for your student as they reach adulthood? Watch this family information session with local transition experts from The Ark of Grosse Pointe - Harper Woods, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and school district speech pathologists, social worker, transition coordinator and special education teachers as they cover everything on how to get your young adult ready for life after the public school and what you should be doing now to prepare for that transition. Scan the QR code or click the image for the video presentation and the slides.
Special Educator Spotlight
Special Educator Spotlight
What you do in the district: I am a Speech-language pathologist for students at Grosse Pointe South and Grosse Pointe's Community Campus. I provide support students from 14-26 years old.
Years in education: 13
Years in the district: 5
What you wished everyone knew: We are all more alike than we are different. I want everyone to know that my students have the same interests and hobbies that many of us enjoy. My students at this age love to be social and feel a part of our school community so it is important that we all find a way to connect with each other and make high school and beyond an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Things you are most proud of: There are so many things! I am proud of everyone who participates in Peer 2 Peer and the enthusiasm towards making it a successful program. I have co-advised Peer 2 Peer over the past 5 years at South. It is a program that links general education and special education peers together with the purpose of promoting diversity and inclusion among our students at South by creating a culture of belonging. Last Spring Peer 2 Peer hosted a school-wide inclusion Day at South which was a very proud moment. I am also proud of the growth of our Unified Basketball program and our greenhouse program which continues to flourish and grow each year. None of this would be possible without a great team that supports each other and makes so many amazing things happen for our students.
Your favorite quote: "Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication."