Reminder and Update..

Hi all,
I'm so sorry I haven't updated lately. With starting school myself, I have to learn how to schedule everything and then I recently got this laptop and didn't have this site on there. I hope to be able to keep better track of them now..
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Remember that CAC is this coming Monday November 2nd at 9 am with registration starting at 8:30 am. Here is the post from the CAC list..
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Monday, November 2, 2009 -
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Strategies for Appropriate Community Interactions
Presenter: Traci Suyeyasu, Young Adult Transition Teacher
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 11/16/09 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Justice Room
*
REMEMBER the business meeting is following it and is very informative and everyone is welcome to come!!!
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Now I'm going to try to give a short review of the past two CAC's so you can kinda get a idea about what they were about.
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Sept's CAC was with Bev Long and was called "Lost in the Social Maze: Navigating Without a Compass"
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She talked about

• how to identify Social Opportunities. At home: Family meals, Visits with relatives, sibling interactions, play dates. In the Community: Neighborhood peer gatherings, Errands, Park Playgrounds, Sports teams, Martial Arts or Swimming teams, Music Lessons, Church/Synagogue activities, scouts.
• How challenging is a particular social situation? Predictability, Clear expectations, Communication demands, Hidden Curriculum Demands, Number of people, Types of people, Sensory Factors, Length of Time, Physical Space, Physiological factors.
  
  
• 10 questions to ask when assessing a social situations difficulty: 1. How many times has my child been in the situation before? Does he know what to expect? 2. Are you clearly letting im know what is expected of him? 3. What communication skills will he have to use? 4. Are there a lot of unwritten rules that need to be followed? 5. How many other people will be there? 6. Is it easy to interact with the people who will be there? 7. How noisy, visually stimulating and generally chaotic will it be? 8. How long will the activity last? 9. Does the setting fit the activity? 10. Is he tired, hungry or sick?
  
  
• Also consider * Enjoyment, *Performance, *Behavior, *Stress
• Maybe you can: *Make the situation shorter. * Choose a peer that's easy to work with. * Change the location. * Do it when the child is rested. * Choose a less crowded place. *Choose a time that will be best for child and less stimulating.
  
  
• You can possibly make Rule Cards also that state "rules" or things you want to work on that are out for the child to see and "remind the child" like 3x5 cards. If they are younger you can decorate them or put their favorite hero or idol on them and have the hero or idol "talking"
  
  
• One form of power cards can be like in story form with "hero or idol" being the subject of story.. Like: Sammy the cat goes to school, just like you! He also goes to art class, just like you! Sammy wants you to have as much fun as he does in art class so he wants you to remember to do the following:
  1. Find your seat an sit down.
  2. Keep your stress ball in your hand.
  3. Do not hit/touch other children.
  
  Sammy the cat is very proud of you when you remember to do these 3 things.
• Or if you want a more simple basic Power Card, then you can just put in bold basic words: Remember:
  1. Do not pick nose.
  2. Do not hands/fingers in mouth.
  3. Do not touch/hit other children.
  
  
  
• Converstation Starters:
  Things to talk about:
  1. Yesterday's snowstorm.
  2. The joke about the horse that Mom told you.
  3. The football game on the radio last night.
  
  
• You can have some Social Scripts practiced so the child knows what to say in social situations to make it less stressful like:
  * Can I play with you guys?
  * That was a good turn.
  * Wow! You can really jump!
  * Next time I will do better.
  
  
• OR a script like this longer one:
  -Hi (peer's name) How are you?
  -Did you see (TV show) last night?
  -What did you think was funny?
  -I liked it when everyone fell in the pool.
  
  *A more complete script like this one would require that you have someone who expects to be engaged and is willing to participate.
  
  
• Cartooning can be used to:
  1. Explain idioms
  2. Help students understand that thoughts and feelings are different.
  3. Help to interpret social situations.
  
  
• Incentives and Rewards:
  1. First, find activities that are rewarding!
  2. For the child who would really rather not be with others... you may want to find an incentive of reward:
  *Extra video, T.V. time
  * Fries on the way home
  * Few minutes extra play time before bed.
  * Points toward a reward system.
  
  
• THREE GOALS for the adult who is monitoring a child in a challenging social situation
  1. When things are going well, stand back and let it be!!
  2. Prevent significant problems. Preferable to err on the side of preventing rather than having to pick up the pieces later.
  3. Minimize the extent of adult interventions. Always look for ways to reduce the adult role.
  
  
• Resources she had:
  Power Cards by Elisa Gagnon
  The Hidden Curriculum by Brenda Smith Myles
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  October's Meeting was by Ann and Sandi from Family Resource Network (FRN)

• It was on Paren't Support.
  
  
• They talked about FRN and what it has to offer and thier website at www.frcn.org
  
  
  
• Project PEP which stands for Positive, Empowering Parents. Series of workshops for parents of Special Needs kids from ages 3-10 & who receive services at Valley Mountain Regional Center.
  
  
  
• Sibling Support and Sib Shops. Sib shops are from ages 7-13.
  
  
  
• Sibling support on the internet at www.siblingsupport.org
  
  
• Grandparent's Issues: Grandparent's raising Grandchildrents. For support go to www.grandfamilies.org www.aarp.org/grandparents, www.autismdigest.com
  
  
• Look into Respite: Call Valley Mountain Resource Center or Family and youth Services of SJC. www.fayssjc.org
  
  
  
• Financial Issues:
  FRN's Financial and Estate Planning have a workshop on Nov 10th, 2009.
  at SJCOE. You can also contact SSI and DRAIL. You can also go to www.db101.org
  
  
• Additional Resources:
  FRN - 209 472 3874
  
• 
  AARP Grandparent HOTLINE 209 434 2296
• Family Resource and Network 209 948 7553
  
  
  
• Family Crisis Line 877 643 4750 (24 hour line)
  
• Crisis Community Response 209 468 8686
• Child Protective Services 209 468 1333
  
  • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope these helped you and I hope to see you at the next CAC meeting. It WILL be a GREAT meeting! Bring a friend!!

Thanks,
Gina Marie
CAC Chairman/Parent Rep for New J and Banta

SAVE THE DATES!

San Joaquin SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
2009-2010 Presentations & Business Meetings
Location: San Joaquin County Office of Education ESC building
2707 Transworld Dr., Stockton, CA

Monday, September 14, 2009 - Autism: Lost in the Social Maze - Navigating Without a Compass
Presenter: Bev Long, Diagnostic Center
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 9/28/09 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Justice Room

Monday, October 5, 2009 - Parental Support (respite services, parent’s well being, sibling interactions, family relations)
Presenters: Ann Cirimele & Sandi Sanborn, FRN
Room/Time: Chartville 1 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 10/19/09 - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Justice Room

Monday, November 2, 2009 - Strategies for Appropriate Community Interactions
Presenter: Traci Suyeyasu, Young Adult Transition Teacher
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 11/16/09 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Justice Room

Monday, December 7, 2009 - How to Work Towards Lasting Behavior Change Presenter: Allyson Moore, Therapeutic Pathways
Room/Time: Chartville 1 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 12/21/09 - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Justice Room

Monday, January 11, 2010 - How to Model Social Skills Presenter: Susan Ireland, Behavior Analyst
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 1/25/10 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Justice Room

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - Participation in Social Activities
Presenters: Roger Slingerman, RSC & Liz Zastrow, Program Specialist
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 2/23/10 - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Justice Room

Monday, March 8, 2010 - Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: Why Does it Happen and What Can We Do About It?
Presenter: Bev Long, Diagnostic Center
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 3/22/10 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Justice Room

Monday, April 5, 2010 - How to Make Opportunities for Your Child to Interact With Peers
Presenter: TBA
Room/Time: Burwood 1 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *
Video Encore Presentation - Monday, 4/19/10 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Justice Room

Tuesday, May 10, 2010 - CAC Appreciation Dinner
Room/Time: Burwood Auditorium - 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

* Monthly Business Meetings will be held following the morning presentations from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and preceding the evening presentations from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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GUARDE LAS FECHAS!
Comité Asesor de la Comunidad (CAC) de SELPA de San Joaquín
Presentaciones y Juntas de Negocios del 2009-2010
Lugar: Oficina de Educación del Condado de San Joaquín, edificio ESC
2707 Transworld Dr., Stockton, CA

Lunes 14 de septiembre del 2009 - Autismo: Perdido en un Laberinto Social - Navegando sin una brújula
Presentador: Bev Long - Centro de Diagnόstico
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 9/28/09 - 6:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. - Cuarto Justice

Lunes 5 de octubre del 2009 - Apoyo para los Padres (servicios de suspensión temporal, bien estar de los padres, convivencia con los hermanos, relaciones familiares)
Presentadoras: Ann Cirimele y Sandi Sanborn, FRN
Cuarto/Hora: Chartville 1 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 10/19/09 - 9:30 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. Cuarto Justice

Lunes 2 de noviembre del 2009 - Estrategias Apropiadas para Interacciones en la Comunidad
Presentador: Traci Suyeyasu
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 11/16/09 - 6:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. - Cuarto Justice

Lunes 7 de diciembre del 2009 - Como Trabajar para Conseguir un Cambio de Comportamiento Durable
Presentadora: Allyson Moore, Caminos Terapéuticos
Cuarto/Hora: Chartville 1 - 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 12/21/09 - 9:30 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. - Cuarto Justice

Lunes 11 de enero del 2010 - Como Modelar Habilidades Sociales
Presentadora: Susan Ireland, Analista de Conducta
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 1/25/10 - 6:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. - Cuarto Justice

Martes 9 de febrero del 2010 - Participación en Actividades Sociales
Presentadores: Roger Slingerman, RSC y Liz Zastrow, Especialistas de Programa
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 2/23/10 - 9:30 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. - Cuarto Justice

Lunes 8 de marzo del 2010 - Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: ¿Por qué Pasa? y ¿Qué Podemos
hacer?
Presentador: Bev Long, Centro de Diagnóstico
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 3/22/10 - 6:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. – Cuarto Justice

Lunes 5 de abril del 2010 - Cómo Crear Oportunidades para que Su Niño se Relacione con Compañeros
Presentador: TBA
Cuarto/Hora: Burwood 1 - 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m. *
Presentaciόn de Repeticiόn de Video - Lunes, 4/19/10 - 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. - Cuarto Justice

Martes 10 de mayo del 2010 - Cena de Agradecimiento del CAC
Cuarto/Hora: Auditorio Burwood - 6:00 p.m. a 8:30 p.m.

* Las Juntas Mensuales de Negocios se llevarán a cabo enseguida de las presentaciones de la mañana de 12:30 p.m. a 1:30 p.m. y precediendo a las presentaciones de la tarde de 6:00 p.m. a 6:30 p.m.

Back to School Program

Get Ready for the 10% Goes Back to Schools program!
	Starting August 12, your school can earn 10% of your purchase amounts on thousands of participating products. Get ready to shop, the top 200 schools will receive an additional $1,000 bonus!

"We are so glad to have found out about the 10% Back to Schools promotion. It was a GREAT and fun way for us to earn much needed money. With those funds we will be able to reach one of our top goals of improving the availability of educational technology resources that will provide an environment that can reach many types of learners."
- Julie S., Fundraising Coordinator

Additional information and program updates on this exciting program can be found in your local store and at BackToSchools.eScrip.com.

Disability Rights Action Alert for May 13 National Call Day

Disability rights groups have called a National Call-In Day for tomorrow, May 13. It's in support of the Senate Finance Committee's report on health care reform, released only yesterday.

This report offers major support for our children with disabilities. It expands the medicaid waiver programs, designed to provide the supports needed to keep our kids home with their families, eliminates the waiver program waiting lists that plague many states, eases the medical requirements for entry into the medicaid waiver programs, and increases the FMAP (Federal matching funds) by 1%.

There are other benefits for our kids, but these are the ones that, as a parent, give me the most hope for my daughter's future.

The May 13 National Call-In to the Senate has been announced by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. Disability rights groups around the country are spreading the news. The CCD has even provided an example script for call-ins, but if we are going to call as the parents of children with disabilities (and I think we need our voices heard), the script needs to be altered a bit.

Here is the entire report that was released yesterday.

The section on long-term care and the Medicaid HCBS (Home and Community Based Supports) waiver programs begins on page 49.

Please participate in tomorrow's call-in. It could have a tremendous impact on our children's future.

The procedure for tomorrow is:

When: Wednesday, May 13 (Between 8AM and 6PM EDT)
Call-In Number: 1-866-459-9232 (Toll Free)

You will be asked which state you are calling from and will be connected to your Senators’ offices.



Here is the sample script being distributed via the CCD:

Hello (state your name and where you are calling from).

I’m calling to ask the Senator to help make sure long-term services and supports are part of health care reform. Long-term services and supports are essential to the health, well-being, and community participation of individuals with disabilities and seniors. Please ensure long-term services and supports are included in legislation to reform health care. Thank you.




You might want to think about this as an alternative, to reflect our role in the discussions:

Hello my names is {...} and I'm calling from {city} in {state}.

I’m calling to ask the Senator to help make sure long-term services and supports are part of health care reform. I'm the {mother,father,grandmother,etc} of a child with disabilities, and these long-term services and supports are essential to {his/her} civil right to remain with {his/her} family. Please ensure long-term services and supports are included in legislation to reform health care. Thank you.



Here is the list of US senators, and you can sort it by state. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Remember, it's best if you call rather than emailing or using their form online. Priority in the senate offices is always given to telephone calls, and you can use the toll free number I listed above to then get transfered to your senator's office.

(both men & women, sons & daughters -
Need to read this)

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She
said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves
you and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit
was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,
but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much.'
* * *
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our date. She waited in by door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angels. 'I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,
as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my
arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only
read large print. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at
me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I
who used to have to read the menu when you were
small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and
let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable
conversation-nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other's life. We talked so
much that we missed the movie.
* * *
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll
go out with you again, but only if you let me invite
you.' I agreed.
* * *
'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I
got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* * *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't
have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I
paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two
plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me. I
love you, son.'
* * *
At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved
ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till 'some other time.'
* * *
Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back
to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody
doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring....
somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a' good' mother,
your child will 'turn out good'....
somebody thinks a child comes with
directions and a guarantee.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a
mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader
with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother
is labor and delivery....
somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus
for the first day of kindergarten .
or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
* * *
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her
child gets married.....somebody doesn't know that
marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a
mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last
child leaves home....somebody never had
grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so
you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a
mother.
* * *
Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life
And to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't
just about being a mother; it's about appreciating
The people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person

Welcome and CAC Appreciation Fiesta Dinner

Welcome to the FIRST post of our San Joaquin County CAC blog. I hope you enjoy this site and learn a lot. I also hope that you will feel comfortable to post comments, suggestions and participate in this blog as it helps all of us. This isn't JUST for San Joaquin county or the Small schools I represent but for all and all are welcome to come to our sessions.
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We had our CAC Appreciation Fiesta last night. Being it was Cinco de Mayo, we had the theme Mexican based. Mexican food, decorations, drinks. It was a success! The kids seemed to have fun at the game booths we had set up and of course LOVED the Balloon Man!! WOW were there some GREAT creations tonight! I saw a BUG hat, a RAINBOW hat, I saw Fishing pole balloons with fish on the ends and lots more.

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The game booths we had were a fishing game, wiffle ball toss, ring toss over water bottles and pin the tail on donkey game. Each child got 5 tickets when they first arrived to play the games and each game they won a prize. The sticky wall climbers were the MOST LOVED!! Noah's wall climber got stuck up on the ceiling!! We tried the rest of the time to get it down but it wouldn't come down. Matter of fact, I think two more got stuck up there by the time the night was up. lol


*
Then it was time to start the main part. Margaret St.George and Jody (Former Chairperson) spoke of those who won awards for nominations and the ones who spoke thru the year.

*
We had a DELICIOUS dinner of beef and chicken fajitas, rice, beans, salad, nachos. They had drinks and Horchata. We had a delicious desert of churros and ice cream
*
We then announced the winner of the Logo contest. The logo is in upper corner of this blog. ALLLL the drawings were GREAT!! It was HARD for us to decide to pick JUST ONE!!
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner!!

*
I (Gina Marie) then announced next years topics and dates for the 09/10 year for CAC.

Next years topics will be:

Autism:
* Social Structures
* Strategies for appropriate community interactions
* Parental support (respite services, parent's well being, sibling interactions, family relations)

Behavior/Discipline:
* How to work towards lasting behavior change

Socialization
* How to make opportunities for your child to interact with peers
* Participation in community social activities
* How to model social skills
* Bullying/Teasing

*

2009-2010 CAC Meeting Dates

Mondays (EXCEPT for Feb)

9-14-09 Mon AM - Burwood 1 (Encore 9-28-09 PM Justice Rm)
*
10-5-09 Mon PM - Chartville 1 (Encore 10-19-09 AM Justice Rm)
*
11-2-09 Mon AM - Greenwood 3 (Encore 11-16-09 PM Justice Rm)
*
12-7-09 Mon PM - Chartville 1 (Encore 12-21-09 AM Justice Rm)
*
1-11-10 Mon AM - Burwood 1 (Encore 1-25-10 PM Justice Rm)
*
2-9-10 TUES PM - Burwood 1 (Encore 2-23-10 AM Justice Rm)
*
3-8-10 Mon AM - Burwood 1 (Encore 3-8-10 PM Justice Rm)
*
4-5-10 Mon PM - Burwood 1 (Encore 4-19-10 AM Justice Rm)
*
5-10-10 - PM - Burwood 1 Appreciation Dinner

*
We then ended the dinner and that was it for the 2008-2009 CAC year. It has been a GREAT, LEARNING year and I HOPE to see MORE teachers, educators, therapists, administrators AND PARENTS this coming year!! There is always MORE to learn!! So plan on coming and bring a friend.
*
I have ideas already for NEXT years dinner and suggestions for making it easier.

Like:

1. Name tags for the Parent Reps so everyone and visitors especially know who we are.
   
   
2. Having high school students and possibly Tracy High cater the dinner and games so staff and parent reps can visit and mingle more with guests and spend time with our families.
   
   
3. Please leave your suggestions and comments on any ideas for next yrs sessions AND Appreciation Dinner!! We would LOVE to hear them!!!
   
   God Bless,
   Gina Marie
   (Chairperson and Parent Rep for New Jerusalem, Banta and small schools)