Bi-County Times
October 2022
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JEANNE SULLIVAN
A few reminders:
1) Communication with classroom staff - If you need to talk with your child's teachers please
remember that during the day classroom staff are teaching in the classroom. They will do
their best to respond to email and requests for phone calls during the day. In most cases,
emails and phone calls will be returned prior to the start of the school day or after school is
released. While we want to be responsive to address your concerns about your child or
events that may have occurred during the day, unless there is an emergency, staff are not
expected to respond to emails and phone calls after 4:00PM and before 7:30 AM.
Thank you for understanding!!
2) November Calendar
Wednesday, November 2 - Early Release
Friday, November 11 - Veteran's Day - No School
Wednesday, November 23 - AMS, Franklin - No School / All Other Programs Early Release
Thursday, November 24 - Friday, November 25 - Thanksgiving - No School
We are actively looking for ways that BICO can support our families. One idea we have discussed is creating some virtual family workshops. If you have some suggestions on topics that you would find helpful, please reach out to me jsullivan@bicounty.org.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!
Jeanne
Special Needs Planning – Free Workshop For Families & Professionals
When my family first heard the term “Special Needs Planning” we didn’t take action. I often think back to this time and realize that there were 3 main challenges keeping us from doing so:
- This planning seemed too complex to handle.
- These conversations were scary to think about.
- We were unsure of where to turn for help.
Every month, we host a free workshop that helps families address these key issues.
- Here is a link to the Facebook post about this workshop: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=539199444878017&set=a.506429041488391
- Our traditional workshop geared toward helping PARENTS and PROFESSIONALS understand how to plan for the future of a child with disabilities.
- We are offering two different time slots for this workshop!
- November 8th at 12PM EASTERN TIME – Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3SB9yjQ5SBufvGzPJxkO6A
- December 6th at 12PM EASTERN TIME – Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E33fwbbFRsSDFhwrRjbhwA
OCTOBER HAPPENINGS AROUND BICO
EDLP & PDLP : Mansfield
SLBP : Bellingham
TEAP : Blackstone
TEAP : Wrentham
TEAP : Plainville
SEAP : Plainville
TEAP : Plainville
TEAP Wood worked hard this month with spooky Halloween writing! Students loved getting to write their own plays about Halloween horrors!
SEAP : Bellingham
AMS : Franklin
SLBP : Bellingham
LREP had so much fun going on a leaf hunt outside with Ms.C's class. The students then used some of the items they found to make beautiful fall suncatchers!
LREP : Norton
STAP : Walpole
Learning Center : Blackstone
The students at LC prepped, cooked, enjoyed and cleaned for their Halloween breakfast! Many had not cooked before so it was a real experience for everyone. Breakfast consisted of bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage, and pancakes. It was delicious!
SHS : Walpole
LRTC 9-12 : Walpole
The students in Mrs. Wood’s classroom opened their Kool Kids Cafe this month. Each week, the students pass out the week’s menu to their classmates. Their classmates pick and choose what they would like to purchase off the menu. Every Thursday morning the classroom is turned into a cafe, complete with tables with tablecloths, mood lighting and music. When they come to the Cafe, students pick up their order and then have a seat at the cafe tables. Students take turns serving, running the cash register and DJing. It’s a great time for everyone to socialize with each other.
LRTC 18+ : Walpole
The LRTC 18+ program has been very busy. We have done lots of activities, set up a new classroom fish aquarium, and learned about being a chef. For our community outings we have gone to the Big Y, Wards Berry Farms, and Mansfield program to read to the younger students.
ATP : Walpole
ATP students took part in several cooking activities this month. Students participated in the initial planning process, which included determining recipes of interest, researching recipes, making a list of ingredients, and budgeting and shopping for items needed. They worked collectively to prepare, cook, serve, and clean up after instruction.
Making It Possible!
#PositiveSignThursday
Every Thursday, a #PositiveSign that was created by a member/ members of the BICO community is shared with the collaborative to incorporate into their day!