Transition Plus Newsletter
December 2019 Edition
Getting Connected!
This is our first year of the Transition Plus Newsletter! It is delivered via email to all of our families that have submitted their email address. We are excited to share some of the great things that happened this month, things to look forward to next month, and needs that you can help us with.
Want to add someone to the Newsletter email list? Call 612-668-4100 to add them
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CALENDAR
December Calendar
December 19: Site Council 4:30 - 6:00 - Site Council helps advise the administration in fulfilling the mission of Tplus. If you would like to participate, please call Jason Backes 612-668-4101
No School December 23 - January 3
Look Ahead to January:
January 10: 1:30 - 3:30 Hmong Family Celebration - All School and Family Event
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BRAGGING RIGHTS
Employment
- Students are continuing to get hired around the city thanks to the cooperation of the students' skills and abilities, Tplus support and connections, and job openings at many Twin Cities locations. PF Changs, Hyatt, HyVee are among a few of the recent employers.
- Students learning work skills at Ebeneezer Nursing Home are being showered with compliments about how well they are doing by the appreciative staff there.
Congratulations to these students! We look forward to many more in the coming future. We also have many students working at our 10 job sites where they are gaining a variety of work skills that may lead to gainful employment in the future.
Feed My Starving Children
About 60 students and staff volunteered their time on Nov 22 to make sure people locally and around the world have a solid meal to eat daily. Thank you Tplus students and staff for your dedication to helping our global community!!
1 Year Anniversary
November marks our one-year anniversary of learning in our new building! With our new address, we have gained access to more work training opportunities, increased collaboration with Adult Education, more community connections, and more transportation options for anyone accessing our building. We are excited to see what opportunities the 2nd year brings!
MPS Bike Fleet Delivered to Tplus Bike Repair Program
One of the MPS bike fleets was delivered to our bike repair program for servicing and learning. Maintaining the MPS bike fleet is a partnership that gives our students hands on opportunities to learn about repairing and riding bikes as a future career and/or a healthy, sustainable form of transportation. It also keeps bikes in excellent condition for students all over MPS to use to stay healthy and active. Our students can be proud of the service they are providing kids all over MPS!
Check out the Tplus Bike Blog maintained by students and staff https://tplusbikes.blogspot.com/
English Language Learners Workshop -A new Frontier
Janet Hagen and Umi Hassan, two of our many talented Tplus staff, were invited to participate in an English Language Learning (ELL) workshop in Florida to guide planning for new testing and curriculum that will be more meaningful to our specific population of English Language Learners. As the participants continue planning, their decisions will beneficially impact ELL programs throughout the United States.
Southside Services at Transition Plus!
Southside Services works with individuals with disabilities to support them in becoming more active, engaged members of the community. Tuesday Soccer Club and Thursday Yoga are off to a strong enthusiastic start! If your student is interested, you can get more information from the school social workers or by contacting Stephanie or Adam at Southside Services. 612-721-1696 or visit our website https://southsideservices.org/school-based-connections-2/
3 Strings
The 3 Strings Band, one of Southwest’s many guitar ensembles, including Tplus students, has been selected out of hundreds of applicants to perform the keynote address at the National Association of Music Educators Conference in Orlando, Florida this November. The group, under the direction of guitar educator, Ruth LeMay, will demonstrate innovative inclusive music education.
They had a blast! Check out their pictures below:
Setting up for Performance
Waiting to go onstage
Flying High with Anticipation!
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FAMILY RESOURCES
Attendance
Parents and Guardians, if you know your student will be late to school, leaving early or absent for the day, please remember to call the main office number at 612-668-4100. This will help in accurate attendance reporting.
Lunch Forms
Be sure that your student has a lunch form on file to ensure lunch prices are appropriate for your family. Call Transition Plus 612-668-4100 or visit the office to inquire.
Update Your School Messenger Preferences
As we head into the winter weather season, stay on top of school closures by making sure your school has your correct contact information. Once you've verified your school knows how best to reach you, create an account in School Messenger to manage your communications preferences. Families can now opt-in to receive text messages as well.
MPS Calendar Survey
Need to Order School Pictures?
We're hiring!
Minneapolis Public Schools is hiring licensed school bus drivers as well as people new to the industry. Earn $15/hour while you train to become a fully licensed driver! You'll become an MPS bus driver upon completion of training - with an automatic pay increase.
Here Comes The Bus App
Wondering when the school bus will arrive at your house? Download the free "Here Comes the Bus" app on your phone's app store and follow the set up instructions in the following links to get a notification when the bus enters your neighborhood.
Holiday Food and Toy Resources
Coat Giveaway
· 6th annual Winter Warmth event hosted by Hawthorne Neighborhood Council & partners
· Farview Park Recreation Center- 621 N. 29th Avenue Minneapolis 55411
· December 7th at 3pm (no end time listed)- first come, first served
· Children must be present
· Coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens available
· More info here: http://www.hawthorneneighborhoodcouncil.org/2019/10/winter-warmth-3/
Salvation Army Toy Shop
- for children up to age 14
- Registration Nov 6 - Dec 1 - call 651-746-3595 to ask for registration form or online at www.SalvationArmyNorth.org/toyshop
- Distributions held Dec 18 - 23
- Missed registration? Call United Way 2-1-1
Toys for Tots & Gifts for Teens
- https://minneapolis-mn.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
- Call United Way 2-1-1 (651-291-0211) to ask about programs
- Toys available for up to 16 yrs old
Fare For All Express
- Fresh Groceries at discounted prices
- 763-450-3880 or http://fareforall.org/find-a-site
- No registration required
- Payment includes: cash, credit/debit, or EBT
Christmas With Dignity Hospitality House Youth Development
- Discounted toys for qualified families
- Register Nov 30 - Dec 7: Bring proof of address with photo ID or utility bill AND child's original birth certificate (no copies)
- 612-524-5824 www.hhyd.org/christmas-with-dignity/shoppers/
- 1220 Logan Ave N
- Shopping Date: Saturday, December 13
Plymouth Christian Youth Center
- 612-643-2000 www.pyce-mpls.org
- Serves North Mpls children age K-8
- Shop Saturday, December 14 from 9am - 1pm @ Plymouth Christian Youth Center
- Must purchase tickets in advance @ 2210 Oliver Ave N, Mpls: $1/child = 5 gifts
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TRANSITION PLUS NEEDS
Winter Coat Drive
Please donate new or gently used adult size winter coats in great condition to keep our students warm and safe. Donations can be brought to the Transition Plus main office.
Thank you!
Feed the Need
The Social Justice Community Based Instruction student group at Transition Plus is asking for donations for our Feed The Need clothing closet and food shelf. Feed The Need is run by our students (check out their picture!) and serves our student community. Donations can be made throughout the year. Feed The Need will start operating on October 11th. If you need to access Feed The Need, contact your student's school social worker to make arrangements.
Donation Needs:
- Shelf-stable foods
- CLEAN New or gently used clothing
- Soft, stretchy material pants for men and women
- new undergarments for men and women SIZE: small - 4XL
- clean stylish or plain hoodies
- clean jackets in great condition
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EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH
High Five Bakery
This month we are celebrating High Five Bakery as our Employer of the Month. Bill Koch and his amazing teenage son with special needs, Frankie, started High Five Bakery out of their Minneapolis home. Bill uses baking to teach life lessons to Frankie. Frankie helps with the baking and provides every customer with a high five. High Five Bakery donates 10% of their profits to the Courage Center.
Last year, with their continued success, High Five Bakery determined that they needed extra help. Bill contacted the Transition Plus work coordinator team to explore the possibility of employing some students to package orders. Transition Plus now has a great community partner who is excited to employ our students in the busy holiday season.
If you love baked goods and high fives, visit the High Five Bakery website to order some treats!
If you know of any employers who would be interested hiring students or groups of students, Transition Plus is always looking for partnerships to expand vocational opportunities.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - PLEASE RSVP
Hmong Family Event
Friday, Jan 10, 2020, 01:30 PM
Transition Plus High School, East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Student Opinion Editorials
Why Do I Love Google Maps?
I love google maps because I can explore anywhere around the world by checking out places like restaurants, schools, universities, houses, stadiums, and colleges. I can zoom in and out and take a closer look at streets by using the mouse to scroll up and down. Some of my favorite things to look at are the IMAX movie theatre, Minnesota Zoo, Mall of America, and Grand Slam.
By Zachariah Abdullah
How to Make Breakfast
First we make french toast. The ingredients are:
6 thick slices of bread
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional).
Beat together egg, milk, salt, desired spices and vanilla. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Dunk each slice of bread in egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place in pan, and cook on both sides until golden. Serve hot.
Now for something to drink. The ingredients you need are:
- 2 QT Pitcher
- sugar
- water
- 1 Kool-Aid Package
- Big Spoon/Stirrer
- drinking cup
Grab your pitcher and pour in the desired amount of sugar. Open and pour in your desired Kool-Aid flavor package to the pitcher. Pour water into the pitcher and fill to about an inch and a half below the rim of the pitcher. Grab your spoon/stirrer, then stir the mixture until the sugar and Kool-Aid dissolves completely. Grab your cup and pour in your desired amount of Kool-Aid.
There you go, here's your breakfast! Now give me your money. ;)
(If you make this breakfast, take a picture and send it to colleen.knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us and let us know how it tasted!)
By Sol WIlder
Highlights of our American Indian Family Celebration!
Missed out? Consider joining us for our upcoming Hmong Family Celebration on January 10th!
Hope Flanigan included students in her interactive and engaging storytelling
Partners from Franklin Library facilitated button making activity
All Nations drummers from South High opened our celebration
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