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August 2013 |
Volume 2, Issue 8 |
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Tips to Reduce Back to School Anxieties!!! | |
The beginning of the school year is like a new pack of crayons. It is fresh and bursting with opportunities. New classes, new teachers, and new students. For some, it may even be a new school. However, with the newness there may also be new anxieties, especially if you are a child with special educational needs. What follows is BSF's 6 steps to preparing for the new school year!
1. Organize the Paperwork- In the world of special education there are many meetings and a lot of paperwork to keep track of. Try organizing a binder or a folder so documents can be in sequential order. Also, keep a family calendar with school events, special education meetings, conferences, etc. marked on it.
2.Keep a Communication Log- Keep a log of phone calls, emails, notes, meetings and conferences pertaining to your child's special educational needs.
3.Review Your Child's Current IEP- The IEP is the key component to your child's educational program. Make sure that you are clear on all aspects of it. Note when the IEP expires and begin preparing for re-evaluation if it takes place this school year. Most importantly, make sure that the current IEP still "fits" the needs of your child.
4.Talk About Back To School Jitters- Talking about the upcoming school year with your child can help reduce anxiety. If it will be a new school, perhaps scheduling a tour before classes begin would be helpful.
5. Be Visible in Your Child's School- Make it a point to attend Open House, Back to School Night, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is an excellent opportunity to meet all of the staff and to discuss expectations, considerations, or IEP concerns.
6. Stay Current on Special Education News- By staying informed, you are in a better position to advocate for your child. Try to stay up-to-date on new legislation, resources, events, and news. Make sure you are on the Brighter, Stronger Foundation mailing list and Like us on FaceBook so you can stay current.
Happy School Year!!!
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First Day of School Schedules | |
Anne Arundel County
August 26th- Grades 1-6, 9 ONLY
August 27th- K-12
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County & Howard County
August 26th- Grades K-12
Prince George County
August 19th- Grades K-12
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Welcome Mrs. Christine Branch to BSF!!! |  Brighter, Stronger Foundation is excited to welcome Mrs. Christine Branch, LCPC as our new Clinical Manager of Mental Health Services! Christine comes to BSF with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of Community Based Services!
Mrs. Christine Branch graduated in 2006 from the University of Mary Washington with a BS in Psychology and Business Administration. In 2008, Christine graduated from Towson University with an MA in Clinical Psychology. She completed an internship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department researching Autism, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette's syndrome in children. From 2008 through present, Christine has managed community based programs for children with emotional disorders and Autism spectrum Disorder in Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Christine has also managed Day Habilitation Programs for adults with severe and persistent mental illness and developmental disabilities. Christine is excited to join BSF as the Clinical Manager of Mental Health Services. She looks forward to joining the BSF team to promote and expand current and new BSF services! |
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BSF's Therapeutic Integration Program Is Up & Running! | |
On July 1, 2013, Brighter, Stronger Foundation launched its Therapeutic Integration Program (T.I.) and it has been non-stop fun every since!! Individuals are brought to our office after their school day where they are greeted by our T.I staff. Activities have included, making ice cream, planting flowers, and creating healthy food plates just to name a few. Before each individual leaves for the day at 6pm, they receive a FREE nutritional supper.
Please note that starting in August the T.I Schedule will change to the following:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
There are still openings. Please contact Robin Brooks at 410-485-7555 or at
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Brighter, Stronger Foundation's Program Events!!! |
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Brighter, Stronger Foundation's Adult Day Program Update!! | |
July found our Adult Day Group exploring topics such as, Forgiveness and Substance Abuse (Smoking). After a review of healthy food options, individuals were provided an opportunity to do some grocery shopping on Brighter, Stronger Foundation.
Our program activities are goal oriented and taken from each individual's Rehabilitation Plan.
Here at Brighter, Stronger Foundation, we make goal achievement fun!!
All adults in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program are invited to our
Day Program!
The dates for the month of August are:
Tuesday, August 6th from 10am-12:30pm
Tuesday, August 13th from 10am-12:30pm
Tuesday, August 20th from 10am-12:30pm
Tuesday, August 27th from 10am-12:30pm
To register for these days and to make transportation arrangements, please call us at 410-485-7555
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Therapeutic Youth Group's Updates! | |
Therapeutic groups allow for an opportunity for our youth to get together to discuss issues and concerns that they are challenged by.
With that being said, we highly encourage parents/guardians to have their youth attend these monthly groups.
Please make note of the following dates and times:
* 4-11 Year Olds-
Tuesday, August 6th & Thursday, August 8th from 6pm-7pm
Transportation and Meal Provided
* 12-17 Year Olds-
Tuesday, August 20th & Thursday, August 22nd from 6pm-7pm
Transportation and Meal Provided
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BSF is Taking a Trip to Adventure Park USA!!! | |
The rain may have spoiled our plans last month but we are not to be defeated!!
Our program wide trip has been rescheduled to
Adventure Park USA
Date: Friday, August 9th
Departure Time from BSF: 9am
Return Time to BSF: 5:30pm
Cost: FREE
(Meal Included)
Please note the following:
*This trip is for participants ONLY
*You will need to secure transportation to and from
Brighter, Stronger Foundation's office
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BSF's Calendar of Events! | |
*August 2nd- Christine Branch's first official day at BSF!! Welcome!!!
*August 9th- BSF Center Wide trip to Adventure Park USA- 9am-5:30pm
*August 14th- FREE Entitlement Workshop @ BSF @ 10am-  Please call to RSVP
*August 28th- FREE Entitlement Workshop @ BSF @ 1pm- Please call to RSVP |
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Family Fun Activities!! | |
With the beginning of the school year fast approaching here is a guide to help you get those last family fun days in!!
*August 1- Fun Family Activities - Join us for fun, educational
activities that the entire family can enjoy! See website for complete schedule. Port Discovery Children's Museum, Baltimore, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Tickets Reqd. 410-727-8120, www.portdiscovery.org
*August 3rd- KupCake Spa for Gurlz Zumbatomic Class - We are excited to announce a Zumba class for Mommy and Princess (1st Saturday of each month). Our Zumbatomic class is a high energy dance workout for kids, and it will teach dance moves and improve flexibility. KupCake Spa for Gurlz, Pikesville, 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Ages: 5- 13, 410 484-1980, www.kupcakespaforgurlz.com.
* August 3rd- First Saturdays & Sundays Program - This program allows visitors with special needs and their guests to enter 30 minutes before the Aquarium opens to the general public. National Aquarium, Baltimore, 8:30 a.m., Tickets Reqd. 410-576-3800, www.aqua.org. |
*August 5th- Kids Cruise Free - A fun 45-minute narrated cruise of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. See Federal Hill, the city skyline, Fells Point, the USS Constellation and catch a glimpse of Ft. McHenry. One free child for every full price adult ticket on Mondays. Light Street Finger Piers, Baltimore, 1 and 3 p.m., Tickets Reqd. 410-268-7601, www.cruisesonthebay.com.
*August 12th- Columbia Lakefront Festival Family Movie Nights- Films shown on Mondays are appropriate for young audience members, with G- and PG-rated selections such as "Paranorman", "Roald Dahl's Matilda", and "Oz, The Great and Powerful". See website for complete schedule. Columbia Town Center Lakefront, Columbia, 8:30 p.m., 410-715-3161.
*August 16th- DIY Sneaker Clinic - Get ready to step back into school in style! Bring in a pair of shoes or sneakers and give them a makeover with help from our artists! *Limit one restoration session per guest. Port Discovery Children's Museum, Baltimore, 5- 7 p.m., Tickets Reqd. 410-727-8120, www.portdiscovery.org.
*August 18th- Enchanted Forest 58th Birthday Party- Special family activities all day. Fairy tale characters, story times and crafts, facepainting. This weekend will also be a gem mining weekend. We will join the seven dwarfs from the Enchanted Forest and have a hands-on experience of gem mining. Clark's Elioak Farm, Ellicott City, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., 410-730-4049, www.clarklandfarm.com.
*Youth Bmore Summer Block Party Series: WPB will once again partner with the Mayor of Baltimore City for this year's Youth Bmore Summer Block Party. They will go into various communities giving away free food an beverages and offering free entertainment. This is one of those give back programs that celebrates communities.
Dates:
*August 1- 12pm-3pm- Druid Hill Park Pool
*August 1- 7pm-10pm- Cherry Hill Community, 1000 Bethune Rd.
*August 8th- 7pm-10pm- Eastwood Park, 2300 block of Baker St.
*August 13th- 7pm-10pm- 4200 block of Parkside Dr.
*August 15th- 7pm-10pm- Jack Paulson Park, 4700 block of Reisterstown Rd.
*August 20th- 7pm-10pm- Gilmore Elementary School. 1311 N. Gilmore
For more family fun events, click the link below
Activities Calendar |
We thank you for your time and please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Have a positive and productive day!
The Staff of Brighter, Stronger Foundation
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @ BSF_Foundation
Like us on Facebook @ Brighter Stronger Foundation
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