Transition Plus Newsletter
October 2020 Edition
Want to add someone to our email list? Email colleen.knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
Transition Plus Community,
While distance learning is not how we want to interact with our students, and we hope to get back together, we would like to thank everyone; family members, staff, students, and teachers spend a lot of time and effort making connections possible.
In This Edition:
- Calendar
- Upcoming events
- Meet and greet
- Family Resources
CALENDAR
October Calendar
Tuesday, October 13: Virtual Conferences 4:00 - 7:00
Wednesday, October 14: Virtual Conferences 8:00 - 12:00 (noon)
Wednesday, October 14: Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic @ Tplus Parking 11:30-2:30
Thursday, October 22: Site Council
Friday, October 30: Latino Festival
No Photo Day because Covid 19
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SHOUT OUT!!!
I wanted to shout out to all the students who have been in contact with their teachers so far this year!!!
GREAT JOB !!!
YOU ROCK!
WE'RE PROUD OF YOU !!!
Give yourself a pat on your back - you deserve it!
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Upcoming events
Site Council
We are seeking members for the Transition Plus Site Council, which meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Our first meeting will be on October 22 this year. If you are a student at TPlus or a parent / guardian of a TPlus student we want to hear your voice and help you with the family perspective of the community we serve.
Please consider joining. You can contact Shekinah Dillon if you are interestedShekinah.Dillon@mpls.k12.mn.us
Conferences
Virtual Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 13 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm and Wednesday, October 14 from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon.
Your student's teachers will host 10 minute virtual conference meetings. Sign up for a meeting with any teacher by clicking here: https://www.myconferencetime.com/transplus/
Also, please make sure that Transition Plus has your updated email address and phone number so that we can contact you. Update the call at 612-668-4100, or email melissa.freeman@mpls.k12.mn.us.
Cow Tipping Press
Tplus has a unique opportunity to give you the voice of those who can normally be hindered by the inability to write by hand or speak clearly. We will work with you Cow Tipping Press Every Friday from October 9 - November 6 to get jobs published by 10 students who have something to say! The same opportunity will be offered again from February 12 - March 12.
Cow Media works with students 1: 1 to get their thoughts, ideas, and voices published. Students do not need to be able to write by hand.
Parents, Teachers, or Students simply need to email Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us or their education case manager to sign.
Ten students must enroll in the first lesson to continue the opportunity.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AND REMEMBER OUR Latino Families !!
By October 9, please send Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us videos or photos:
- past or present celebrations
- dances
- family elders
- art
- beloved music
- Stories
- recipes
- the arts
- great educational resources
- books
- anything else that can help a person learn about your culture
How it should be shared:
- use flipgrid to record videos of a student / staff member / family member reading a poem, story, story, or description, singing a song in Spanish or Latin
- write or take a picture of your favorite food/recipe
- link your favorite songs, or beloved song from your culture
- Digitally send photos or documents to their case manager or email Colleen
Tplus will celebrate many cultures represented by our community throughout the year, so please be prepared to share your resources with Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
Flu Shot Clinic @ Tplus
Tplus will host a Flu Shot Center on Wednesday, October 14th (same day as conference meetings) from 11: 30-2: 30 pm in Transition Plus parking, weather permitting. The forecast needs to be 50 degrees or higher.
Customers will be asked to stay in their car until someone is available to give the vaccine.
It is free for those who do not have insurance. It is generally covered as a preventive care for those who do, but people want to double check their insurance first. A mask is required.
Questions? Call Emily Nurse at 612-405-7961.
When: 10.14.20 @ 11: 30-2: 30
Location: Tplus Parking Lot
Cost: It is free of insurance, usually covered by insurance
Required: Mask
Indian Ed Contest
CALL ALL STUDENT ARTISTS !!!
MPS Indian Ed is hosting a competition to celebrate and promote American Participation and American Indian Week.
Prizes include a gift card and a display of your posters.
Submissions ending October 13th, 2020 and should include "American Indian Awareness and Family Involvement Week"
Submit art and / or questions to Christine.Wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us
AIPAC Elections
Minneapolis Public Schools The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) has begun its work for the 2020-21 school year. They collected nominations earlier this year but decided to postpone the elections by holding a live Covid 19. We are asking all American Indian families and high school students to go this link to vote!!! Voting will remain open until Wednesday, October 7th.
Ballots were also sent to families by email and can be found on our website Facebook page.
Please contact Christine Wilson, Family Involvement Coordinator, Christine.wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us for questions
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MEET & GREET
Rachel Prince -School Counselor
Corner Corner
Greetings! My name is Rachel Prince, and I am a School Counselor at Transition Plus. School counselors work in three domains: post-secondary education, social / emotional, and academic Here are some ways I can support your student and family Transition Plus:
- Post-Secondary education and training: exploration, PSEO and undergraduate applications, financial aid, etc.
- Social / emotional support: Classroom lessons, small groups, and individual check-ins for students.
- Educational support: Course planning, writing aids, schedules, etc.
- Career Exploration
I look forward to supporting our new and returning Transition Plus students, and look forward to sharing more with you throughout the school year. Please contact us at any time with any questions or concerns!
612.208.2897
Jennifer Yates - Educational Support Professional (ESP)
Stephanie Oehler - Physical Therapist
Elliot Kleinman - Student Teacher
Kendrick Samuel - Student Teacher
Greetings Students and Families,
It is a pleasure to be part of the Tplus staff as a Resident Teacher from the Special Education Teacher Residency Program. Prior to enrolling in the program, I was a Lyndale Elementary Special Education Assistant and worked with students with Autism Spectrum. I have had the privilege of living and working in the UK as an Autism Practitioner and Youth Worker for many years. I find it an exciting time in my life to live and work in Minnesota now.
I have not yet met any of the T. Plus staff and students in person but I have already received a warm welcome, apparently, from all the people (staff and students) so far I have interacted with. Some of my teammates who worked at T. Plus told me what an amazing institution it is and yet I know for myself that it is truly a unique place to learn for students and staff.
My goal is to use my previous experience in youth work and special education along with the best practices I will learn in the professional development sessions, educational and training resources of my collaborative teacher and colleagues to serve our students to the best of my ability. I am aware that students need to be identified and assessed for who they are and not defined by their disability. I aim to show a healthy interest in providing our students with the support they need and by taking every opportunity to compete with them to learn in a healthy and culturally relevant environment.
I look forward to being an integral part of the success stories of students and staff and to effectively contribute to realizing the goals and objectives of Tplus as a whole. In addition, I look forward to strengthening my relationships with staff, students, and families. I am excited to be part of the T. Plus family!
Kendrick Samuel
A calm teacher
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FAMILY RESOURCES
Bell Time Schedule Project - INPUT NEEDED
More information about MPS website
Contact Katee.Brown@mpls.k12.mn.us with your questions, comments, or suggestions.
Fridays @ Tplus
On Friday, students at Tplus are engaged in community-based learning (CBI). Although we are technologists, we focus on the integration of some friends because we understand that students are not enough essential component of life. Students can connect with each other while engaging in conversations or support groups from origami to publishing their voices, as you may have read in the entry of the Cow Tipping Press above.
These social engagements are followed by an exciting cycle Bingo, then a place for each student to shine a spotlight on our site Virtual Dance Party!We encourage all students to participate and interact with their peers in any way that makes sense to them on Fridays.
Finally, Fridays are posted in office hours from 2:00 - 3:30, when teachers devote their time to collaborating, answering any questions students or families may have, by phone. home, or any business that needs to be needed during the week. If students do not have any questions or needs during this time, we encourage them to use our virtual calming room to dust the stress of the week off from all the screen time, shine up their resume, practice skills they enjoy, or get outside for a much needed mental health break.
Any questions about our CBI on Fridays can be directed to colleen.knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
UMN Student Best Buddies
Connect with Best Buddies by contacting Corey Hughes at hughe889@umn.edu or262-442-4941
Get-togethers can be socially-distanced in-person or virtually. Best Buddies also hosts events for students involved in the program.
A Message from MPS
Different students have different needs, and each member of MPS should be available to help meet your student's needs. At the same time, there are still many out-of-school challenges affecting families.
Hennepin County has a great list of resources to support members of our community, from emergency rental and utility assistance to mental health resources and helping victims of domestic violence. We encourage you to check out the list.
Also, check out these resources:
- Completing the Census before Sept. 30
- Understanding where students are academically
- Where to find teacher schedules
- Recent changes to fall athletics
- Free tutoring through Hennepin County Libraries
You can also find information guides in 4 different languages by visiting https://b2s.mpls.k12.mn.us/News?itemId=1053 (also located on our Tplus website)
Expect to receive information about:
- The student is supportive
- MPS 5 facets of safe education
- School Questions Asked
- How you can help your child stay healthy and safe
- Registration information and important dates / phone numbers
Childcare Options
Virtual Calming Room
The site is designed to help support pro-active self-control by providing opportunities for relaxation and calming. Participants may experience visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation, as well as both mindfulness and activities.
Enjoy!
Nature Boosts Positive Mental Health
There are many studies around the world that link time to nature and improved mental health. It can be increasingly important to intentionally get out amongst the trees and nature to offset the negative effects of too much screen time. Remember to prepare for the weather and bring some water.
Check out these articles and resources:
Get out of the negative-thoughts cycle
Accessible Nature in Minneapolis
Enjoy the mood-enhancing effects of nature, here in the city, and accessible to all!
Minnesota State Parks will keep you up to date with the peak fall colors of Minnesota! Find and share pictures, see maps, and learn where to find the best color leaves.
Lundstrom Performing Arts Center
Lundstrum Performing Arts offers 10-week theater music classes from September 12 to November 22. These classes are great for students who need creative output and want to be part of the fun! At Lundstrum, I believe that no student can be returned because of his or her inability to give and his or her commitment to giving the arts to everyone.
Lundstrum.org/class-registration/
Dancemania! CLASS
Ages 13-22
Dance activities for students with special needs. Join us for a supportive and exciting atmosphere!
BROADWAY MASTER CLASS SERIES
Ages 12+
Master classes with Broadway practitioners will help you develop skills and encourage you to persevere.
Broadway Arts Conservatory
Ages 13-19
The highest level of our three-threat training consists of advanced training in acting, sound technology, ballet, music theater, jazz and tube repertoire.
Update Your School Messenger Preferences
- The school must be notified of updates of contact information - the school does not send school updates.
- Be sure to receive text messages by sending a "Y" to 67587.
- Families can manage their communication preferences by creating a SchoolMessenger account
- To learn more visit: mpls.k12.mn.us/school_messenger
All MPS schools use the SchoolMessenger to share important information about weather closures, building safety, school events, transportation and more.
Hennepin County Covid-19 Kheyraadka
- https://www.hennepin.us/residents/emergencies/covid-19-community-resources
Families can get a caseworker assigned to meet the needs of ONE call.
New Hennepin County Covid -19 Helpline 612-348-3000
Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm
Hennepin County multicultural services office 612-348-2193
- They provide appropriate cultural access and linguistic translation in different languages.
- https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/multi-cultural-services
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Mission Statement
The mission of Transition Plus is to provide services to students with differing educational abilities & assets. We focus on meeting transition needs in post-secondary education and training, employment, and independent living to promote a successful transition from high school to adult life.
Our Vision
To provide experience and learning that will assist students to have meaningful, satisfying work and home lives as family members, leaders, employees, and citizens.
We offer students:
- Access to learning environments that help students develop their skills and confidence.
- A positive school environment characterized by peace, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
- A structure of support and collaboration with our community, students, and families
- A team of highly qualified professionals with a passion for learning and sharing.
We offer:
- Continuing high school support after 18-21 years of age
- Lots of hands-on options
- Extensive learning & training in the community
- Additional resources available for individual needs
- Support the growth and maturity of each student
Transition Plus Services
Email: transitionplus@mpls.k12.mn.us
Website: transplus.mpls.k12.mn.us
Location: 2015 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: (612)668-4100
Facebook: facebook.com/transitionplus.mps
Twitter: @MPS_Tplus