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My name is Jacqui Hawkins, and I'm introducing myself as the new Exceptional Children (EC) Chairperson for the Guilford County Council of PTAs. I'm a mom of five children, one of which has significant "different" abilities. I know how difficult it is to work a full time job, care for a home, care for my children and volunteer in my children's classrooms. As EC Chairperson, I'd like to bring plenty of support to our local PTA units, our schools and our parents on how best to include, advocate for and accommodate students that are served by the Exceptional Children Department of Guilford County Schools and their families. I also plan to collaborate with Guilford County Schools and our local community to ensure that families and educators have access to related resources that are important to them.
If you have stories to share about all the positive things happening in your schools and in your homes, please send them in, I'd love to post them. Our school leaders, community members and families all need to see the differences you all are making.
I'd appreciate input ~ any suggestions, concerns, etc.
If you are interested in becoming an EC Advocate or are willing to participate at the county level, please let me know. hawkinsj68@gmail.com.
It is my honor to be working with you all. |
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) that is held each year during the first week in
December. Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural heritage, language preference and other factors.
The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate
all children.
For more information and to see the Celebration Guide on their website:
"Inclusion, as a value, supports the right of all children, regardless of their diverse abilities, to participate actively in natural settings within their communities."
--Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Early Childhood's position statement
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Troy and Kim Daniels
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Troy Daniels' Senior Speech, Monday, May 13, 2002
Inclusion is Not a Place, It is a Feeling
My name is Troy Daniels, but my friends call my TD. I have Down's syndrome. Because my heart is bad I use a wheel chair, I do not speak very good and sometimes I use Libby.
I am a person with disabilities and when I say "my friends" I mean friends, real friends just like everyone else, I have friends. Most of you think all people have friends but for people with disabilities friends are not always real. I want you to know why I have friends.
Not to long ago people with disabilities could not go to school with other kids, they had to go to "special schools". They could not have real friends; they call people like me "retard". That breaks my heart.
When I came to school there is law that says all kids go to school in the place they live. I started school right here in Northfield with all of senior class, we were little kids together. The law says that I can come to school but no law can make me have friends.
But than some kids started to think that I was ok, first it was just one or two kids who were nice to me. They found out that I cared about them and I loved my school. I told them I want to have real friends. Others started to hang out with me and they found out we could be friends. We started to learn together that in some ways we were different but in some ways we were the same. They called me friend and made sure that I was in everything at school. I cared about them and they cared about me.
I want all people to know and to see that these students I call my friends, are the real teachers of life. They are showing you how it should be. They are the teachers for all of you to follow their lead.
Yes, I am person with disability. The law says that I am included but it is my friends who say..."TD come sit by me".
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I recently took a tour of McIver Education Center with our PTA Council President, Kelly Langston. I've passed this school so many times and I knew that this was a program that served children with Autism, but I never went inside before, to learn more about their program. I'm not sure what I expected, but when I walked through the front door, I was pleasantly surprised. The front entryway is so bright and inviting and the staff were equally welcoming. Kelly and I met with the Principal, Sara Nachtrab and a parent, Krystal Ketner, they told us about the school's population, some of the struggles they face and how they accomplish their goals. While we were sitting there, a group of students came to the front office so that they could help with the morning announcements. Kelly and I also had the opportunity to speak with the students and they told us briefly about their upcoming day, (lunch out in the community and a field trip, too - secretly, I wanted to join them). After our meeting with the students, we visited with some of the other students, in their classrooms. The classrooms were uniquely designed to meet the needs of the students in that classroom. There were communication boards throughout the building, a classroom designed to teach daily living skills, a quite spacious library, a large cafeteria and the most beautiful auditorium. The building is an older, very ornate building, but the staff and children make it like "home". I learned alot that day, including what the autism wings will look like and how they will be better able to support children with autism. I'm actually pretty excited to see them completed.
If you haven't yet had the opportunity to visit McIver Education Center, please try and schedule some time with the Principal and take a tour. You won't be sorry.
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"If you think you can or you think you can't, either way, you'll be right." - Henry Ford
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HOLIDAY JAMBOREE 2011!!!
Saturday, December 10th, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon Haynes-Inman Education Center, 200 Haynes Road, Jamestown
This FREE event will feature breakfast, arts and crafts, games, visits with Santa, winter family photos, and a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We'll also be accepting donations of newborn or size 1 diapers, baby bath supplies and winter sleepers for preemies to support Elizabeth's Closet. Note: if you have a NICU graduate who is under 1 year of age, please check with your pediatrician to make sure (s)he is healthy enough to attend. Hope to see you there!
WINTER WEEKENDS AT CAMP ROYALL
Camp Royall, a special facility in Moncure, NC serving people with autism and their families, will be hosting a Winter Day Camp during the holiday vacation:
Week 1: December 21-23
Week 2: December 26-30
Recreation and leisure activities in a structured setting over the winter holiday break. The days run from 8.30am until 4.30pm. 1:1 or 1:2 staff to camper ratios depending on camper's level of need. $240 for Week 1 and $400 for Week 2. Please inquire if you are interested in partial weeks. First come first served.
* Scholarship assistance is available for all programs. To learn more or register, call
919-542-1033, Ext. 102 or visit
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COMING SOON! An EC PTA Training will take place after the first of the year for all EC PTA Advocates and PTA Presidents interested in participating. I'm including some new information in the training, so you'll get some different ideas on how best to support the families of children receiving EC services in your schools.
Once a date/time/place is established, I'll let you know.
I'm looking forward to meeting you all.....Have a wonderful Holiday season.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, you can contact me at:
hawkinsj68@gmail.com or 336-617-0128
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May you enjoy days of plenty, and know the happiness
that comes from sharing all that you have with the people you love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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If you would like to submit information or an article to the E.C. Voice, please contact: Jacqui Hawkins, hawkinsj68@gmail.com or 336-617-0128.
PS~I would really LOVE to hear about all the wonderful things happening in your schools, please don't hesitate to submit them.
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