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Above and Beyond Awards!
Teacher Appreciation week is May 7-May 11, 2012!
Thank you to all the outstanding teacher in Colorado! Below is the list of teacher in Colorado who were nominated by students and families! Thanks for all you!
Rebecca Lopez
Joe Haynes
Jeanne Shipman
Kim Ash
Susan Schreiber
Donna Rodriguez
Maureen Mullen
Katherine Settle
Margery Smith
Robin Garner
Jeanie Schultz
Jan Whonsetler
Jason Hill
Curt Waibel
Gail Howard
Ashley Dougherty
Allison Kane
Sarah Holwick
Stacey Langer
Stephanie Stephens
Dawn Mekus
Roseanne Landis
Carole Redmond
Ms. Jill I. Rush
Alison Gonzales
Laura Maestaes
Alison Schoenfeld
Susan Secord
Cheryl Winter
MaryEllen Bayko
Mallory Topoleski
Amanda Joy
Mrs. Peel
Susan Davenport
Kalee Nappo
Catherine Oligmueller
Mrs. Van Meter
Mrs. Martin
Mrs. Rehm
Mrs. Bennifield
Mrs. Ward
Mrs. Bluhm
Mrs. Carey
Mrs. Altenhoffen
Mrs. Ahl
Mrs. Beach
Mrs. Ward
Mrs. Bluhm
Mrs. Agens-Hansen
Mrs. Sandra Stone
Gary Malsam
Lee James
Nancy Hopper
Stephanie Russell
Julie Cundiff
Tina Sanchez
Teresa Salerno
Sarah McCann
Nicole Akerson
Carolyn Ayotte
Jennifer White
Kacey Clark
Tamar Rowlette
Andrea Ketterlin
Ms. Maggie McConville
Ms. Lynnette Scoggins
Mr. Jason Seedorf
Mr. Anthony Charterina
Aidan Brownell
Mr. Matt Carlton
Mrs. Stacy Ross
Mrs. Sarah Iversen
Dion Mercier
Ms. Amber Garcia
Ashley Stratton
Mary Tucker
Mary Rose Keyes
Maureen Lockette
Rhoda Heeney
Adam Hopkins
Becky Nelsen
Becky Schiff
Amy Morgan
Kay Ashida, OTR
Mrs. Kelly Joyce
Mrs. Kathryn Sims
Mrs. Jackie Maldonado
Jennifer Hoelscher
Janet Welch
Bart Mann
Dave Hurley
Mrs. Becky Gordon
Shannon Garvin
Scott Hasbrouck
Angela Becker
Barbara Selzer
Evan Garcia
Alexis Rodriguez
Mrs Amy Morgan
Becky Schiff
Barbara Vaudreuil
Aaron Copeland
Lianne Thiessen
Deborah Kirkpatrick
Dawn Kernahan
Jacey Martin
Donna Dolce
Sue Bigler
Pat Sandos
Kelsey Haught
Maggie Beilman
Melanie Sheehan
Bill Brooks
Gregory Koers
Susie Paulson
Delhia Mahaney
Robin McQuitty
Leland Romero
Kathy Alejo
JoAnn Bagwell
Christopher Dahle
Nancy Duran
Lesa Harris
Christina Perkins, MA
Abigail Hinga
James Rothert
Jennifer Degutis
Kira Sabota
Carlene Ostedaard
Craig Barnett
Jerene Strum
Tonya Thompson
Crystal Perez
Mrs Roxanne
Mrs Duran
Jennifer Marsh
Lanette Martindale
Betsy Lewis
Brent Applebaum
Ruthie Beugg
Debbie Montgomery
Karolina DeLange
Ben Wilkins
Norma Canchola
Kritin Tippet
Samantha Jacobs
Susan Snowdon, Principal
Mrs. Donna McGrath
Kim Thornton
Bruce Grose
Irma Valeta
Brea Wilkens
Beth Cady
Lupe Morales
Rebeca Snowden
Elizabeth Folmsbee
Irene Williams
Theresa Richter
Kenny Anthony
Gary Getman
Carrie Karlik
Allison Chancellor
Katherine Barns
Katie Jensen
Dawn Collamer
Scott DeVries
Tom Kisla
Carolyn Gery
Dawud Salaam
Alexis Knox-Miller
Kimberly Escobido
Sarah Tinan
Barb Backdash
Ms. Janet McGowan
Mrs. Hamasaki and the Team
Stacy Keene
Ms. Darcee Stang, SSN Teacher
Amy Jennings
Carre Bonilla
Lisa Scarcello
Becky Harris
Linda Smith
Shawn Collins
Jennifer Monk (SE teacher)
Teresa Faliskie (PP)
Jamie Olona (PP)
Barb O�Neil (PP)
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Parent Surveys
ATTENTION TO FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH IEPs IN THESE COLORADO SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR BOCES!
Adams 50, Westminster; Arapahoe 5, Cherry Creek; Arapahoe 6, Littleton; Boulder RE-1J, St. Vrain; Denver 1; Douglas RE-1; El Paso 2, Harrison; El Paso 12, Cheyenne Mountain; Jefferson R-1; Larimer R-2J, Loveland; Larimer R-3, Estes Park; Weld 5J, Johnstown-Milliken; Centennial BOCES; Northeast BOCES; Rio Blanco BOCES; Uncompahgre BOCS.
Under Part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Colorado is required to develop a State Performance Plan (SPP) that evaluates the State's efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of IDEA Part B and indicates how the State will improve its implementation. The SPP contains measurable and rigorous targets in 20 indicators that were established by the U.S. Department of Education. Colorado uses a parent survey to measure Indicator 8: Parent Involvement.
You will be asked to complete the indicator 8 Parent Survey. This is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to provide feedback about how well your school and district are involving families in the special education process - so please complete the survey when you receive it!
Thank you to all families who take the time to complete this survey. Your input helps CDE improve education and services for students with disabilities.
For More Information: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/Parent.asp
Contact Information: Cindy Dascher, 303-866-6876, dascher_c@cde.state.co.us, Exceptional Student Services Unit (ESSU).
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Tree books or ebooks, reading is important.
It doesn't really matter to me if the book has a battery or not; what matters is reading. Reading changes the brain. I don't mean figuratively. Reading really does change the brain as new connections and pathways are formed. While reading, we meet people we could not have otherwise ever met and visit places far away or long ago.  I can't imagine not knowing Harry Potter and Katniss (Hunger Games). Although I've never met them, I talk about them like I have, and their lives influence mine, and millions of other readers. Reading provides us a mirror in which we see ourselves and are provided an opportunity to reflect. Reading also provides us a window to peek into other cultures and perspectives. All the while, we're changing our brains. If you doubt this, invite an early reader to read Don't Let the Pigeons Drive the Bus and you'll see what I mean. It's engaging, thought provoking, and begs to be discussed. If you can only do one thing today, hand a book to a reader. You can't imagine how that simple act can pay it forward.
Happy International Children's Book Day!
Doug Fisher, Professor at San Diego State University, Teacher Leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College, Former PEAK Board Member and Guest Blogger
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World Down Syndrome Day
Today, March 21, 2012, is the day that the world celebrates Down syndrome! The date (3.21) was selected to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication of the 21st chromosome. All over the world people are celebrating, hosting events that honor people with Down syndrome, and today, March 21, 2012, will be a true celebration that will include the United Nations!
20 years ago when my oldest son was born with Down syndrome, I didn’t think Down syndrome was something that people celebrated. When my son was born, initially I thought my world had been
turned upside down. Now I realize that it was in fact the day my world was turned right side up! While I am excited that we have a day to bring awareness to the amazing people in our world with Down syndrome, I celebrate Down syndrome everyday. I look forward to a time when we don’t have to mark a date on the calendar to honor all of the incredible self-advocates who have Down syndrome. We need to look around us everyday and see the young girl working at the childcare center, and the young man attending college classes, and the nervous kindergartener on her first day of school. Each of these people has Down syndrome, all of them are celebrating themselves (just how they are), and each one has so much to teach and offer the world.
So today let’s all celebrate. And tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that my family will continue to celebrate. We hope you will join us!-Julie Harmon
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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
“Understanding makes tolerance unnecessary.” ~ Dan Wilkins
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made an official proclamation that deemed March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. People with developmental disabilities are all around us. They are our friends, neighbors, co-workers, brothers, sisters, colleagues, and community members. More and more people with developmental disabilities are being included in school and in communities and  living successful lives. Because of the presence and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities, society is becoming educated about their tremendous skills and capacities. But, there are still people being left out, living their lives in more limited, segregated settings which is why this month is so important. We all have a role to play in continuing to shift old paradigms to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are not left out. We need to engage with people with developmental disabilities: ask them what their dreams, desires, and needs are and what an ideal world would look like to them. We all must listen, reflect, and then take action to help ensure these dreams, desires, and needs are realized.
It is exciting to think that one-day, due to our collective advocacy efforts, our society could move past simple awareness, past tolerance, to true understanding and belonging for all people with developmental disabilities. In the words of self-advocate Dan Wilkins, “It is true understanding which dispels fears and encourages a sense of true community.” This vision for inclusive, rich, vibrant communities is possible. So, let’s all carry forward our awareness and advocacy efforts not just in March, but throughout the entire year.
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Say “Thank You” to a Veteran
"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. That ripple builds others. Those ripples - crossing each other from a million different centers of energy - build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice."
- Senator Robert F. Kennedy
PEAK Parent Center thanks each and every Veteran who has served our country honorably in wartime and in peacetime. It is because of your service that citizens of the United States are able to live with liberty and justice and we want every Veteran, of all eras and branches of service, to know how thankful we are.
PEAK is proud to call Colorado home, and Colorado is home to many military bases. Because of this, we strive to provide specialized outreach to military families of children with disabilities. In demonstrating her support of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces campaign, Oprah Winfrey said, “Behind every service member there is a family that serves as well. Now it’s our turn to show our thanks.”
With service comes sacrifice, something that Veterans and their families understand all too well. This week, in honor of Veterans Day, and every week for that matter, we at PEAK salute all Veterans and the families who have served loyally along side them. Your service truly does send ripples of hope for our country’s future.
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The Ups and Downs of Halloween
October is Halloween month. This time of play and fancy can be a great chance for kids to participate with others in their neighborhood as they dress up and imagine themselves as new beings.
When my kids were little, Halloween was a holiday I looked forward to and dreaded. My friends’ kids had playful, imaginative, amazing costumes which they planned for weeks, if not months, in advance. This mother, who doesn’t sew, struggled to find fun costumes especially for my son who uses a wheelchair. So for years my son, by default, was a ghost…a good ghost with face paint and white robes that eerily flowed while his wheelchair glided through autumn leaves on windy Halloween nights.
While I was filled with guilt because my son had the same costume year after year, my son had a different feeling. He reports that though his mother didn’t meet her standard of excellence for creative costumes, he still loved the time spent trick-or-treating with his friends in the neighborhood. The costume wasn’t the point.
So this week, enjoy making magic with your kids and don’t be hard on yourself for things that aren’t really that important a few years later.
Happy Halloween!
Barb
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October is National Bullying Awareness & Prevention Month
October is the month for Halloween and scary things, but did you know that October is National Bullying Awareness & Prevention Month? It is! So, along with the witches and goblins, there are also superheroes. How can you be a superhero to your child and make your child feel like a superhero? Bully proofing your child is a great Halloween treat that can last a lifetime. Here are some tips and links to check out:
- No one has the right to hurt you, and words can hurt like hitting.
- Bullying is wrong, even for adults. If an adult is bullying you, tell another adult that you trust.
- Telling someone about bullying is not tattling. If in doubt, TELL!
- Research tips and strategies that help to combat bullying, and share them with your child!
- Be a good example of being accepting and friendly to others.
Here are some websites you may want to explore with your child that are family-friendly:
And remember, you and your family are not alone in this fight! The Parent Advisors at PEAK Parent Center are very willing to walk this journey with you. Email parentadvisor@peakparent.org or call 719.531.9400 / 800.284.0251 to speak with a Parent Advisor today!
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"Be the change we want to see in the world.”-Gandhi
October 2nd is Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, and has been declared by the United Nations as International Day of Nonviolence. Gandhi’s teachings of non-violence are as relevant today as they were back in the 1900’s. His teachings relate specifically to those of us who have kids with disabilities because of our day-to-day advocacy efforts, our frequent interactions with teachers and professionals, and the need to effectively articulate our life experiences with friends and family.
Even though most of us are not violent in the physical sense of the word, all of us participate in what Gandhi termed “passive violence.” In the forward to Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Non-Violent Communication Gandhi’s nephew Arun Gandhi writes, “My uncle explained that passive violence, the type of violence where the hurt was more emotional…ultimately fuels the fire of physical violence.”
So let us pause and take a self-inventory of the communication and tone we use and become curious. Are we being kind and compassionate? Or, as all of us do under stress and emotional pain, are we sliding into communication that is hurtful? Let’s try and hear the pain in the cruel words of others and strive to communicate in a way that fosters peace, kindness and understanding. Even if it’s only for a day, it’s a start. For more information on non-violent communication and how you might apply it in your child’s IEP meeting, please watch PEAK’s webinar entitled, Effective Communication That Really Works.
In honor of International Day of Nonviolence, let us all bring awareness to the violence that exists inside of us so that in Gandhi’s words we can, “Be the change we want to see in the world.”
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