May 2022
Lewport Intermediate Education Center
From the Principal's Office
Dear IEC Families,
The end of the year is quickly approaching. With only eight weeks of school left, it will be two very busy months at the IEC. This is the time of year that we start planning for next year. We are now into our second year of the District Strategic Plan, which is the framework of our educational goals for the next couple years. As part of the end of the year planning, we will be working collaboratively with the staff to work on student promotions and placements. We believe this is a collaborative process and we value input from all stakeholders.
The process is very complex and takes many factors into consideration. We consider class size, academic needs, social-emotional needs, and structure of the program. We look at each student individually. If you would like to provide any input for us on your child's placement we ask that you fill out the Google form, Student Information Form by Monday, June 13, 2022.
If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the specific needs of your child or to receive an explanation of the programs offered next year, please contact Karen Ruero in the main office 716-286-7252. This is a great opportunity for you to let me know if your child requires a specific learning environment to be successful in the classroom.
You will be notified of your child’s class placement for the 2022-23 school year at the end of August.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rodriguez
Mark the Calendar
Friday May 27th & Monday May 30th- Memorial Day Recess- no student attendance
May is....
National Mental Health Awareness Month
National Physical Fitness & Sports Months
National Military Appreciation Month
SO much to celebrate!
Tuesday May 3rd is National Teacher Appreciation Day- Thank you to all the amazing teachers at Lewport IEC
Multi-Age Students Volunteer at the 1st Ever “Niagara Falls USA Marathon!”
Multi-Age Starts a New Film Plastic Recycling Program at the IEC!
Students at the IEC have recently been educated about the importance of recycling plastic bags and film plastic. Dr. Leslie Golhoffer and her daughter, Maddy, are spearheading this campaign. Together they have created a fun and informational video to teach others about the importance of recycling to our planet and water life. You can watch the video https://youtu.be/0owhlbckMAo
Please consider collecting film plastic and sending it to school to fill our special recycling bins- set up especially for the cause.
Multi Age Students taking initiative to better Lewport campus
they could walk around the playground area and pick up garbage during
their recess on this beautiful spring day.
Thank you girls- great job!
IEC Music Leaders of the Month
Each month, one student from Band, Orchestra, Chorus and General Music will be chosen as a Music Leader of the Month. These students demonstrate the 3 R’s (Responsibility, Respect and Resourcefulness) in these classes.
For the month of April, the following students have been chosen by Mrs. Spinnegan, Mrs. Zachary and Mrs. Carere:
Band - Sofie McCormick
Orchestra - Madeline Golhofer
General Music - Evonna Farrar
Chorus- Emilia Price
Congratulations! Keep up the great work!
April is Occupational Therapy Month- a message from Mrs. McLaughlin, MS OTR/L
In my 9 years as an OT I’ve found that there are 3 types of people in the world: those that when I tell them that I’m an occupational therapist they get a blank look over their face, and those that smile and nod their heads like they know exactly what I’m talking about. Then there is the rare person who knows what OT is!
One of the most common responses I hear is “Oh, yeah! So you help people find jobs!” Well, no. Except for in community mental health settings where that could be a part of an OT’s day.
So when I explain to some people I am a pediatric OT some are even more puzzled. This is a setting that most people aren’t familiar with, sometimes even other therapists or coworkers! I know that when I was in OT school my biggest question was always “What does occupational therapy actually look like in this setting?”
Well, below I have included an overview of some of the awesome things we do in this profession! Please feel free to scan through or if you see one of us around (Laura/Marjorie) and would like to know more, feel free to ask!
What Kind of Clients do Pediatric Occupational Therapists See?
Pediatric OTs can work with a wide variety of children, all the way from premature newborns to 21-year-olds. While the difficulties may vary, all of these children will have some sort of diagnosed disability or other condition. Most commonly, we see children with diagnosis like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, etc.
What Kind of Skills do Pediatric OTs Address?
Like occupational therapists in adult settings, pediatric OT treatment usually begins with ADLs. One of the biggest differences here is that very often, you will be doing habilitation instead of rehabilitation. Pediatric OTs work on any skill that is a barrier to participating in these tasks or other age-appropriate occupations, like play or education. Commonly, this includes fine, visual & gross motor skills, ability to transition between tasks, emotional & behavioral regulation, ability to process sensory input, attention, and ability to follow directions.
How do Pediatric OTs Improve Client Functioning and Performance?
Like other settings, pediatric OTs can address deficit areas in a variety of ways. Most commonly, pediatric OTs will work to improve the underlying skills to enable a child to participate in appropriate occupations. For example, a pediatric OT may work on fine motor coordination to help a child tie their shoes independently. Generally, a pediatric OT will use a variety of approaches when working with a client, sometimes even choosing to use an accommodation temporarily while developing the underlying skills needed to do the task more independently.
In what Settings do Pediatric OTs Practice?
Pediatric occupational therapists can practice in a wide variety of settings. Here are the most common:
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
School-Based: This setting involves working in the school system with students that have been identified as having a disability that affects their education. All treatment in this setting must be educationally relevant, which means that some skills are not addressed if they aren’t interfering with their ability to participate in school. This area of practice is also federally mandated by IDEA.
Outpatient
What education/training do you need to practice pediatric occupational therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapy practitioners must first obtain a degree in occupational therapy, which is currently a Master’s or Doctorate degree for occupational therapists, and an Associate’s degree for occupational therapy assistants. Then, they must pass the NBCOT, a national board-certifying exam. Finally, OTs and COTAs must become licensed in any state where they intend to practice. They also are required to complete 36 hours of continuing education courses every 3 years.
I love being a pediatric occupational therapist, so I could go on for days about this area of practice, but for now, I hope this brief overview about what pediatric OT is has helped you learn a little bit more about this specialty area!
Girls on the Run - Kicking Into Gear!
The 2022 season of Girls on the Run is off to a GREAT start! Girls on the RUn is a physical activity-based positive youth development program. Girls learn life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. Important social, psychological and physical skills are developed and reinforced throughout the practices.
Throughout the season, coaches Miss Khatib and Mrs. Khatib, help girls develop and improve competence, feel confident in who they are, develop strength of character, respond to others and themselves with care and compassion, create positive connections with peers and adults and make a meaningful contribution to their community. The team is working towards a 5k the first week in June!
GIRL POWER!
The Easter Bunnny at the IEC!
Sharing Spring Fashions
(& Repairman Dan joining in!)
IEC K-Kids Present at the Lewiston Kiwanis Meeting
On Wednesday, April 6th the IEC K-Kids attended the Kiwanis weekly meeting at
Tin Pan Alley. Jackson Carr, William Pawlack, James Donnelley, and Josh Adamson represented the 5th grade club and told Kiwaniians all that they had accomplished this year. Some of their successes included helping the Aquarium of Niagara at the Annual Beach Sweep; the IEC Food and Coat Drives; supporting Hospice, the Lewiston Senior Center, and Community Missions; sending Valentines to residents of Our Lady of Peace; and performing random acts of kindness throughout the IEC.
After their presentation, the students enjoyed dinner and fellowship with the Kiwaniians. It was a great night and the KKids did an amazing job! We are growing some amazing leaders here at Lew-Port!
IEC Newsletter for Health & Wellness with Mrs. Thompson
Ms. Khatib, Mrs. Jaruszewski, Mrs. Dougherty 4th & Mrs. Lester, Mr. DiCamillo, Mrs. Danahy Mrs. Dougherty & Mrs. Siuta/Block’s 5th grade classes will be participating in the Health & Wellness program May-June with Mrs. Thompson. Topics that will be discussed includes:
The Role of Family & Family Values
The Role of the Endocrine System
Growth & Development
Puberty
Hygiene
Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Cyberbullying & Internet Safety
Infections/HIV & AIDS
Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. Topolski, Miss Daly & Mr. Siuta/Mrs. Baio’s 3rd grade classes will be participating in the Health & Wellness program from May-June. Topics that will include:
The Role of Family & Family Values
Personal Body Safety
Neighborhood Awareness
Stranger Danger
Nutrition & Healthy Eating/Exercise
Internet Safety
Bullying & Cyberbullying
Personal Hygiene
Students will be participating in activities on their chromebooks / ipads, and will reflect on topics discussed each week. Students are also encouraged to leave questions in the “question box” each week on topics in Health that may require further explanation.
Lewport IEC
Email: trodriguez@lew-port.com
Website: www.lew-port.com
Location: 4061 Creek Rd, Youngstown, NY, USA
Phone: 716-286-7253
Twitter: @LewportIEC