What's Up Now, What Was Up, & How It Went
What's Up Now:
Tomorrow we're having our Transition Dinner, May 16th, at Il Fornaio in Corte Madera. That is right off 101 in the Town Center. Board member Lucie Alexander is hosting with the Hislops, former Oak Hill parents and proprietors of Il Fornaio. We will start at 6:00 with wine and supper, celebrating our transition committee successes this year and introducing three specialists who can help us all navigate the road to the satisfying and productive lives our kids will enter after Oak Hill.
Matt Tarver-Wahlquist will tell us all about Cedars of Marin, an organization that provides supportive day programs involving clients in community service projects, textile arts, organic gardening, functional academics and animal farming, as well as offering residential programs for some of their clients. Their amazing Art Gallery, The Artist Within, spotlights client textiles and artwork in San Anselmo.
Donna Lemmon of Integrated Community Services can discuss community-based services for individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, housing, recreation, information, and referral.
Mark Jackson of Sweetwater Spectrum is creatively involved in providing adults with autism innovative, supportive residential communities. One of the founders of Sweetwater is Oak Hill parent Carolyn Klebanoff.
We hope you can join us in a celebratory evening designed for parents of all Oak Hill students. And thank you Lucie Alexander and Kindrah Kilgore for planning this lovely dinner for us.
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What Was Up and How Did It Go?  Last Saturday we participated in our first Marin Human Race, and we raised over $5000 with a small but very enthusiastic contingent of walkers and runners. Next year, we'll be experts and we'll get you ALL there: with dogs, siblings, friends, strollers, all of our students, who knows! We had a great time and the whole thing was over, pancake party and all, by 11:00 AM.But How Did Stand Up! for Kids with Autism Go? It was a big success, in many ways. We made about $100,000 after expenses, a big bump from last year. The Fund-a-Need live "auction" appeal raised $18,350 for professional development in school year 2013-14. Our former director, Karen Kaplan did a great job bringing in the bids for our teachers. The sponsors and ticket sales were robust at $73, 350 and the party was packed with Oak Hill supporters. The fine wine bar was the hit of the evening, an opportunity to taste rare and luxury vintages with by-the-glass donations totaling $2000. The raffle made $6000 and the Silent Auction brought in $11,500. Contributions totaled $13,110 (including cookie jar cash). The most important thing was that it was a lot of fun! We know what to do better next year (e.g. more food and a longer time to sell raffle tickets before the event), but everyone seemed happy with the venue, the comedians and the salute to our founders, Jennifer and Scott Fearon. Some of us stayed to rock out to the phenomenal Olive and the Dirty Martinis! Oak Hill came out ahead in EVERY way. Thanks to all who participated. We should all be proud.
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Oak Hill Teacher Appreciation Week
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We are in the midst of our own Teacher Appreciation Week, a week later than others, but we like to be different around here.
On Monday teachers were treated to a catered Sol Food lunch.
On Tuesday Strider Barker's mom, Karen, brought in an immense breakfast array of pastries, juice and coffee.
Today is Super Hero Day.l
Thursday will bring an after-school BBQ
On Friday parents will provide a pot-luck lunch for staff.
To quote Matt Poynter, "Our people define our program and make us the school we are. Their talent, dedication, knowledge, and effort create a space for our students to thrive. Those of us who spend our days on campus bear witness to heroic acts of patience, kindness, and creativity so frequently that it becomes almost commonplace. But it isn't! The people that make up the Oak Hill staff are extraordinary."
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Also this week: several of our families are signing up their high school age boys to a session at Camp Krem in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains in late June. Camp Krem is holding an Open House this Saturday, May 18th, at the Camp -serving kids with special needs 5 and up. If you are interested in more information about their various programs, the website is www.campingunlimited.org. You are invited to contact parent Jim Murphy who will be carpooling to the event on Saturday: cell 415.717.1452.************************************************************************
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An Invitation for Oak Hill Families from Autistry Studios.
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You are invited to attend a family event in celebration of the convergence of Art and Vocational Education for teens with autism. Even if your child is not yet old enough to participate, this is a chance to see the wonders of Autistry Studios.
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Scenes From Oak Hill
Marin Human Race
 | | A portion of "Team Oak Hill" before the race |
 | | Susan (note the number) and Margie |
 | | The Hall-Murphy family supporting Oak Hill School |
Super Hero Day
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Oak Hill Staff having fun with Super Hero Day
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Jenny and Luke as Supa Speech heroes
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Matt poses with super hero Strider Barker
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More Scenes from Oak Hillx
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John Iwaszewicz places the mural he painted in the Oak Hill garden
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Buckeyes enjoy a Luau
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Harrison is taken by the enormity of a giant redwood at a recent outing to Muir Woods
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Oak Hill School...
Where relationships are the gateway to social, emotional, and intellectual growth in children with autism and other developmental differences.
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Oak Hill School
300 Sunny Hills Drive
Building #6
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Front office: 415-457-7601
Fax: 415-457-7620
Any photographs of Oak Hill students included in this newsletter are used with the permission of parents or guardians. |
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