Bridges4Kids NewsDigest: September 21, 2004

A StumbleUpon.com reviewer from Houston, Texas says "Great information and insight for parents. I have no children, but even so, it is a great site to let your friends know about if they are in need of assistance."

A to Z Teacher's Stuff says "This site has a WONDERFUL newsletter with up to date topics in special ed. They send links to articles online from other magazines and journals and such."

In This Issue:

• National News
• Parenting/Parental Involvement
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Early On/Early Intervention
• Michigan News
• Disability News
• Special Education
• Ask the Attorney/Advocate
• Upcoming Michigan Events
• Upcoming National Events

Find Help For any Child at http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998sbboDaTbafpLKt/

Read the bridges4kids News Digest online at http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998tbboDaTbafpLKt/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
National News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Children In Crisis: Nutritional Therapy Gives Youngster a Weapon in the Battle Against Rage
Laura Potts, Detroit Free Press, September 14, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998ubboDaTbafpLKt/
Like a child reciting his favorite video game titles, Dylan DeGlopper meticulously lists the foods he can't have: anything with wheat or white flour; flavored popcorn and potato chips; anything enhanced with smoky seasoning. The no-nos go on and on. "I was ornery and cranky," he said recently, four months after starting a gluten-free diet. "I feel a lot better than I did when I was eating normal stuff. Now with this, I feel a lot more mellow."

What's a Child Worth?
Dan Coulter, Coulter Video, September 14, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998vbboDaTbafpLKt/
What’s a child worth in the United States? I don’t mean in dollars, but sometimes it comes down to that. Many of us spend a lot of our personal income on our kids. Politicians often say kids are our future. But when it comes to elected representatives putting money and resources into schools and programs for kids, we see how much our kids are really worth to this country.

Sex and the TV-watching Teen
Brent Bonzall, TownHall.com, September 10, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998wbboDaTbafpLKt/
One thing you won't find on your TV is a commercial for cigarettes, and it's one of the few 'broadcasting' issues on which the federal government and Hollywood have common ground.

A Push for Phys Ed
Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times, September 13, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998xbboDaTbafpLKt/
A new study makes a strong case that physical education may be the single best strategy for curbing the nation's growing child obesity problem--at least among girls. In the first study to evaluate the effect of P.E. programs on kindergartners and first-graders, researchers found that increasing P.E. time by one hour per week could lead to a significant decline in body mass index, a measure of body fat, among girls.

Teachers Find Making House Calls Pays Off
Erika Chavez, Sacramento Bee, September 9, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998ybboDaTbafpLKt/
Katrina Ramos had difficulty keeping her class under control when she first started teaching at Hiram Johnson High School three years ago. Her students were defiant and talked back to her, making it difficult to teach, the special education teacher said. So she opted to take advantage of a local program, receiving the training necessary to make individual home visits. The result: Her classroom's behavior turned around in no time.

Audit of D.C. District Shows Parents Kept in the Dark
Jim McElhatton, Washington Times, September 9, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998zbboDaTbafpLKt/
The D.C. public school system routinely fails to notify parents and guardians when students get caught with drugs or become violent in school. The Inspector General's Office reviewed more than 100 "serious security incidents" involving students last year, finding that in more than half of the cases there was no evidence that officials notified parents.

Challenge Day: Challenging You to BE the Change
"What an incredible program Challenge Day is! I have seen a tremendous change in behavior of the students who attended Challenge Day when presented for Buchholz High School. Students are reaching out to each other, making sure no one eats alone or is bullied or teased. I know of three students who felt confident enough after realizing that they were not alone in some of their feelings (as shown through the "step over the line" activity), to seek help for some repressed suicidal tendencies. These students were counseled and referred for additional professional help. Challenge Day not only touches lives, it saves lives!!!" Betty Merrill, English Teacher, Buchholz HS, Alachua County, FL. Read the latest Challenge Day Newsletter at http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998AbboDaTbafpLKt/ or visit the website at http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998BbboDaTbafpLKt/

Virginia's Governor Plans Drive to Reform U.S. High Schools
Rosalind S. Helderman and Michael D. Shear, Washington Post, September 10, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998CbboDaTbafpLKt/
Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner said yesterday that his major initiative as chairman of the National Governors Association will be a campaign to reform American high schools and make the senior year more meaningful. Warner called 12th grade "one of the most important transition years in education" but said too many seniors slack off and waste the time. As one cure for "senior slump," Warner said, seniors should be allowed to receive college credit, thus saving some of their college tuition and trimming states' higher education budgets.

Researcher: Children Who Memorize Times Tables Multiply Faster and More Accurately
BBC News, September 8, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998DbboDaTbafpLKt/
Speaking at a conference for British math teachers, Dr. Sylvia Steel said studies indicate that auditory rote learning of multiplication tables is the most successful way for children to master multiplication facts. Math teachers say rote learning was less popular ten years ago, but note that times tables are still being taught today, along with other numeracy strategies.

National PTA Has Partnered With Nickelodeon For Both Their Let's Just Play and Worldwide Day of Play Events
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998EbboDaTbafpLKt/
Let's Just Play is a long-term, nationwide campaign designed to encourage kids ages 6 to 14 to get up, get out, and go play. The highlight of the campaign occurs on Saturday, October 2, with Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play.

Struggling Decoders: Reading Fluently and Making Meaning of Text
Bill Henderson, Principal, O’Hearn Elementary School, Boston, MA, September 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998FbboDaTbafpLKt/
As an elementary school teacher and principal for the past 31 years, I have had ample opportunities to listen to students read. By the time that they are in the third grade, most students are able to read with fluency and make sense of at least simple texts. Some students with learning disabilities plod through the same texts that their peers read with ease. When I think about these students, I am struck with how their reading in many ways mirrors my reading when I use my eyes and, to a lesser extent, my fingers.

Two New Children of the Code Interviews: Dr. Louisa Cook Moats and Dr. Terrence Deacon
Dr. Louisa Cook Moats
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998GbboDaTbafpLKt/
Dr. Louisa Cook Moats, Ed.D., specializes in the implementation of school-wide interventions for improving literacy. She directed the NICHD Early Reading Interventions Project in Washington, D.C. and as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar, worked on the California Reading Initiative. She is the author of many books and articles including: Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers, and LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). Her work in neuro-psychology and on large scale reading projects has provided her a unique perspective on the social-educational inertia that constrains how teachers and parents think about the challenges involved in learning to read.
Dr. Terrence Deacon
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998HbboDaTbafpLKt/
Dr. Terrence Deacon is professor of Biological Anthropology and Linguistics at U.C. Berkeley. He is the author of The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of Language and the Brain. Dr. Deacon is a renowned neuroscientist whose work provides an important backdrop for understanding the neurological challenges involved in learning to read. Our conversation with Dr. Deacon stretches from the origins of language and consciousness to the problems of automatizing the symbolic processing necessary for reading.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why No Child Left Behind Must Work
Angela Pascopella, District Administration
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998IbboDaTbafpLKt/
Q&A with Sandy Kress, one of the main architects of NCLB.

Tips for Parents on No Child Left Behind from The Achiever
As states across the nation release their education report cards revealing which schools met their progress goals, parents no doubt will have a few questions about what these changes under No Child Left Behind mean to their child, school and community. Below are a few questions parents may want to consider: How many special education, minority, limited English proficient or economically disadvantaged students are achieving at grade level (are proficient) in either reading or mathematics? What percentage of students graduate from your child's high school? How many attend college? Does the school offer afternoon, weekend or summer school instruction for students who need extra help in reading and language arts or math? Does the district inform parents of the choices and options available to them under the No Child Left Behind Act? How many of your school's teachers meet the highly qualified teacher standards under No Child Left Behind? How many teachers hold only emergency credentials? Is there an explicit student disciplinary policy? How does the school inform parents when their child has misbehaved and been placed in detention, suspended or expelled? Has the school been identified as a "persistently dangerous school"? A full checklist of these and more questions is available at www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/nclbchecklist.html.

New Learning Resources From Ed.gov's FREE Web Site
The federal government's most dynamic Web site for learning resources www.ed.gov/free recently added to its collection nearly 20 new online resources in science, health and social studies. The Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) Web site is designed to make it easy to find teaching and learning resources on subjects ranging from arts to vocational education, from more than 35 federal organizations. Updated weekly, the site includes, among recent additions: Hubble: A View to the Edge of Space, from the National Science Foundation; Hands on the Land, from the Bureau of Land Management; I Hear America Singing, from the Library of Congress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parenting/Parental Involvement
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How Do We Keep Him Safe?
Theodore G. Coutilish and Mary Beth Langan, September 10, 2004 (distributed by www.leanonus.org)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998JbboDaTbafpLKt/
Many things may run through a parent’s mind after he or she reads about certain tragedies. In the past month, you may have heard of three people with autism who died after wandering from their homes. One died as the result of being hit by an automobile; two drowned within a short distance of home. How do we keep Andrew, our 3 1/2-year-old son, safe? How does anyone keep his or her child safe?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Early On/Early Intervention
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

State Education Board Allocates $5.4 Million for Preschool
Rose Ann Pearce, The Northwest Arkansas Morning News, September 13, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998KbboDaTbafpLKt/
The Arkansas State Board of Education allocated $5.4 million Sunday to pay for preschool programs for 1,374 youngsters around the state this year.

San Diego Launches Preschool and Family Literacy Initiative
Helen Gao, San Diego Union-Tribune, September 9, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998LbboDaTbafpLKt/
San Diego schools chief Alan Bersin yesterday launched a two-year plan to expand preschool and improve family literacy. The plan would give some families a free newspaper subscription and lessons on how to use those newspapers as an educational tool.

Preschool Lessens Gap of Poor, Rich
Michelle Locke, Contra Costa Times, September 8, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998MbboDaTbafpLKt/
Attending preschool can shrink achievement gaps between poor and rich children and help students from all backgrounds enter kindergarten better prepared, according to a new report. [Free login/registration required.]

Early On Subcommittee Meeting Minutes: Minutes Added
System Operations Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Eligibility Determination Process
Eligibility Determination Ad Hoc Minutes (PDF; August 26, 2004)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998NbboDaTbafpLKt/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michigan News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Report Spreads Blame for Child's Beating Death
Jack Kresnak, Detroit Free Press, September 16, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998ObboDaTbafpLKt/
The beating death of an emotionally disturbed 4-year-old foster child in Detroit last year led to imprisonment for his foster mother, criminal charges against two foster-care workers and the departure of two employees of the Michigan Family Independence Agency.

Ann Arbor Voters Approve Tax to Fund Special Education
Ann Schimke, Ann Arbor News, September 15, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998PbboDaTbafpLKt/
Voters in 10 school districts around Ann Arbor, Mich., approved a measure to hike property taxes to fund special education. The Washtenaw Intermediate School District will use the estimated $12.5 million in new revenues to pay a bigger slice of each member district's special-education costs.

Budget Bills Move Through The Sausage Maker
MIRS, September 9, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998QbboDaTbafpLKt/
The House and Senate churned out the bulk of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget today and dealt with several other meat-and-potato bills necessary to cement the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts in just over two weeks. Beginning in the Senate, the following is a brief run down on the [school/child related] budgets and related legislation.

bridges4kids Featured Website: Detroit Kids
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998RbboDaTbafpLKt/
A directory of the over 3,000 programs that provide activities and help to Detroit kids. There are many special needs programs listed, from evaluation to special education. The Web site is provided as a service to the community.

Job Opportunity: Deaf-Blind Coordinator of Family Services
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998SbboDaTbafpLKt/
The Coordinator of Family Services will be responsible for coordinating and providing support/assistance for families of persons ages 0-26 who are deaf-blind in the state of Michigan.

Job Opportunities: Migrant Health Promotion Seeks to Fill Two Positions: Regional Capacity Building Director and National Capacity Building Director
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998TbboDaTbafpLKt/
Migrant Health Promotion, a national nonprofit agency dedicated to health education and advocacy for farmworkers, seeks experienced and committed individuals to serve as Capacity-Building Directors. The Directors assist Migrant/Community Health Centers, Voucher Programs, community-based organizations and others with developing, implementing, and evaluating Camp Health Aide or Promotor(a) de Salud  Programs. Responsibilities include presenting and promoting the Camp Health Aide Program model regionally and nationally, training Health Center staff in grant writing, program planning, implementation and evaluation, developing health education programs and materials, and other related activities.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disability News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's to Blame For The Rise in ADHD?
Victoria Clayton, MSNBC, September 8, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998UbboDaTbafpLKt/
A study published in the journal Pediatrics in April suggests TV viewing in very young children contributes to attention problems later in life. “The study revealed that each hour of television watched per day at ages 1 through 3 increases the risk of attention problems by almost 10 percent at age 7,” said Dr. Cristakis, lead author. Jane Healy, an education psychologist in Vail, Colorado, and author of "Your Child’s Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from Birth to Adolescence," believes common programming tactics designed to capture attention can have a deleterious affect on brain chemistry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Education
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)/Analysis Sheets (PDF)
Behavior observation forms (PDF; size=40k)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998VbboDaTbafpLKt/
Use these forms to quickly document observations of behaviors. Such observations can be a good first step in a functional behavior assessment or analysis. This document consists of reproducible data sheets -- two versions of an observation form, and a behavioral intensity rating scale -- as well as instructions for using those sheets.
Functional Behavior Assessment (PDF; size=14k)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998WbboDaTbafpLKt/
This document is used to take the observation of challenging, inappropriate, or ineffective behaviors a step further and begin to assess the function that the behavior serves for the child. This set of worksheets is designed to examine a single behavior (or type of behavior), form a hypothesis about the function of that behavior for the child, and design a behavioral intervention plan to address it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ask the Attorney/Advocate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

bridges4kids Exclusive: Ask the Attorney with John Brower
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998XbboDaTbafpLKt/
It's back to school season again!  Preparing for your first IEP of the season?  Refresh your legal know-how by visiting John's Q & A on Special ed law.  Visit our site to find the answers to dozens of special ed-related questions!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming National Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To view our calendar of National events, visit http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998YbboDaTbafpLKt/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Michigan Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week.  To view a complete calendar of Michigan events, visit http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998YbboDaTbafpLKt/

Free Transition Seminar "You Can't Put a Square Peg in a Round Hole - a Journey"
SPONSOR: Cooke School
WHEN: September 25, 2004 8:00 - 4:00 P.M.  and October 9, 2004 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cooke School, 21200 Taft Rd., Northville, MI 48167
DESCRIPTION: Joe and Marilyn Henn are the parents of Nancy Henn, a young woman with severe autism. Mr. and Mrs. Henn travel the country sharing with other parents how they used federal benefits available in all 50 states to fund Nancy's successful transition from school to adult life. They will be presenting four modules during a 2-day seminar. Morning Session: You Can't Put a Square Peg in a Round Hole: Finding and Funding a Pragmatic Path to Supported Employment; Afternoon Session: Is a Family Consortium Home Right for Me? Sessions are free! Free lunch will be provided during a one hour break for all attending.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Michelle Driscoll at the Arc of Northwest Wayne County (313) 532-7915 if you would like more information or to register for the seminar. you may attend both days or only one day. RSVP by 9/21/04.
  
The Social Security Administration “Ticket to Work Summit"
WHEN: Monday, September 27, 2004 (Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. with the program scheduled from 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Lansing Center, 333 East Michigan Ave., Lansing MI 48933
DESCRIPTION: This free conference is designed specifically for entities interested in helping people with disabilities find employment. Our theme is “Reaching New Heights in Employment.” We hope to accomplish just that. Our conference sessions will underscore the power of the Ticket to Work, explain how the system works, help you maximize your efforts and find local services and support. Here is a preview of what you can expect to learn during this exciting Summit: Sue Suter, Social Security’s Associate Commissioner for the Office of Employment Support Programs, will provide a national update on the Ticket to Work program. Libby Child, National Ticket to Work Advisory Panel Member, will explain the role of the advisory panel and what their future plans are. Sandra Smith, Maximus Representative and manager of the EN Capitalization Project, will explain what an Employment Network is and what the role of Maximus is. Barb Otto, Health and Disability Advocates Director, will discuss the Midwest Employment and Training Partnership – who they are, why they exist and how they can help. If that’s not enough – there’s more! For the afternoon, we have crafted workshops addressing the specific issues raised by our community partners. To be sure that you get the information you want and need, we are offering four workshops. You can choose to attend the two that best meet your needs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click here to download the workshop descriptions sheet (PDF). To RSVP, contact Vonda VanTil at (616) 233-2209 or email her at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov no later than September 17, 2004. When you RSVP, please indicate which two workshops you plan on attending and advise us of any accommodation needs you may have.

Adolescents and Young Adults with Asperger Syndrome: The Real World
WHEN: September 28-29, 2004
WHERE: Grand Rapids, Michigan
DESCRIPTION: Featuring Dr. Liane Holliday Willey, EdD author of Pretending to be Normal, Asperger Syndrome in the Family and editor of Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence; Dr. Richard Howlin, PhD psychologist specializing in the fields of Asperger syndrome and ADHD and internationally respected speaker and author; and Dennis Debbaudt author of Avoiding Unfortunate Situations: A Collection of Experiences, Tips and Information from and about People with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities and Their Encounters with Law Enforcement Agencies. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn how AS effects adolescents and young adults!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.unitingparadigms.com for more information.

5th Annual Michael Golds Memorial ADHD Conference “It’s A Family Affair”
WHEN: October 1, 2004, Registration 8:00 am - 8:25 am, Opening & Awards and Featured Speaker: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
WHERE: Oakland Community College, 1-696 @ Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI
DESCRIPTION: Sessions Include: Joel Young, MD and Birgit Amann, MD present “Hyperactive Boys, Inattentive Girls...Restless Men, Tired Women - A Gender Perspective of AD/HD”. See www.chaddmi.com for more complete information on the speakers and their presentations. Speaker links at top of that page. Oakland Community College is an authorized Continuing Education Credit granting institution. Attendees of the Conference may submit an attendance credential and program outline to their respective professional organization for determination up to 6 CEU credits.
COST: Cost is $50 per person ($25 student) includes lunch.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.chaddmi.com for more complete information or to register.

LDA of Michigan's Pre-Conference Symposium “Transitions to Adulthood…Making the Difference For Teens & Young Adults with LD”
WHEN: October 3, 2004
WHERE: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI
DESCRIPTION: Includes an Overview of MI’s Bridges-to-Practice Initiative and introduction of the MI trainers, presented by Linda Colagross, Education Consultant, MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth. Keynote: “Stupid is Christopher’s Story” Christopher Lee, Nationally Renowned Advocate, Speaker, and Leader in the field of learning disabilities and adaptive technology. Download the brochure here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the LDA of Michigan at info@ldaofmichigan.org or call 517-485-8160.

LDA of Michigan's Annual Conference "Challenges of Change"
WHEN: October 3-5, 2004
WHERE: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI
DESCRIPTION: Download the conference brochure, including speaker and session information, registration form, etc (Large PDF File; size=2MB; download times may vary depending upon connection speed).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the LDA of Michigan at info@ldaofmichigan.org or call 517-485-8160.

MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
WHEN: October 12, 2004, November 9, 2004, and December 14, 2004
WHERE: 4th floor of the Hannah Building in Lansing
HOSTED BY: The Michigan State Board of Education
DESCRIPTION: These meetings are open to the public. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact Mrs. Eileen Hamilton, one week in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call Mrs. Eileen Hamilton (Administrative Secretary, State Board of Education) at: (517) 373-3900 (voice), (517) 373-4035 (TDD), or email: hamiltone@michigan.gov

Real Inclusion in Real Classrooms
SPONSOR: Everyone Together Oakland County
WHEN: October 20, 2004 from 6:30- 8:30pm
WHERE: Farmington Training Center, 33000 Thomas Street, Farmington MI 48331
DESCRIPTION: ETOC presents Mr. Vitas Underys and Ms. Denise Gundle-White, two educators who work together every day to include children of ALL abilities in general education classrooms. It can really work for ALL children! Come see how.
COST: Free; seating is limited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please RSVP by October 18: etoakland@yahoo.com or 248-888-4111 (voice mail).

8th Annual disAbility Awareness Dinner
WHEN: October 21, 2004
WHERE: Jackson Community College, Jackson, Michigan
DESCRIPTION: We are proud to announce that our guest speaker will be Montel Williams who will share with us his thoughts about being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999. The evening will include a served meal, a silent auction and awards for individuals who have a disability, but have given back to our community. All proceeds benefit the disAbility Connections Foundation of Jackson County in service to children and adults living with disAbilities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For a reservation form (PDF) that can be printed and faxed/mailed to us, visit www.disabilityconnect.org. We hope that you will be able to join us for this wonderful event.

Research – Education – Advocacy: Protecting children and future generations from exposures to neurotoxicants
SPONSORS: Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan (LDA Healthy Children Project Partner) and Institute for Children’s Environmental Health. Co-sponsored by the
Association of Children’s Mental Health (ACMH), Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health (MCMCH), American Academy of Pediatrics, Michigan Chapter, Ecology Center, Bridges4Kids, and the Michigan Lead Safe Partnership.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 (Doors open for registration at 1:00 p.m., conference runs from 1:30 – 4:30 PM)
WHERE: Kellogg Center on MSU’s Campus in East Lansing, Michigan
COST: FREE
DESCRIPTION: Foster effective collaboration between researchers, health care professionals, health-affected groups, environmental health and justice advocates and other concerned citizens in order protect all children in the region from environmental pollutants that can undermine their healthy development. Goals: Enhance understanding of existing and emerging science linking certain chemical exposures to learning, behavioral and developmental disabilities. Highlight current initiatives and encourage broader education of key stakeholder groups (learn about mini-grants available to support educational programs for your constituents). Develop specific educational and policy opportunities regarding environmental factors which may adversely affect children’s healthy development. Engage a ‘critical mass’ of interested persons and organizations to take action towards creating a healthier environment for all children.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To register or for more information call Tiffiany Leischner at 517 381-5125, ext. 355 or visit www.ldaofmichigan.org to register online.

Yoga 4 Us with Lori Hughes, PT
SPONSOR: The Macomb/St. Clair County Chapter of the Autism Society of America
WHEN: October 25, 2004 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Memphis Public Library, 34830 Potter Street, Memphis, MI 48041
DESCRIPTION: Lori Hughes has been a physical therapist with the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (formerly the St. Clair County ISD) for 13 years and works with children in the Port Huron Area School District. Lori uses the “Yoga 4 Us” techniques in her work with children of varying ability levels. “Yoga 4 Us” is a comprehensive program of yoga techniques designed to enhance the natural development of children with special needs. This style of yoga is gentle and therapeutic – safe for babies and children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Come join us and learn how yoga can strengthen the immune and central nervous systems, increase body awareness, enhance cognitive and motor skills and much more.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this presentation, please contact Paula Bellhorn at pbellhorn1979@hotmail.com or (810) 357-1679. Please RSVP by October 20, 2004.

How Special Education Law Supports Inclusion
SPONSOR: Everyone Together Oakland County
WHEN: November 10, 2004 from 6:30- 8:30pm
WHERE: Bloomfield Township Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills MI
DESCRIPTION: ETOC presents attorney Laura Athens who will speak to how the federal law IDEA supports inclusion through the mandate of "least restrictive environment." Learn how to use the language of the law and its court interpretations in your advocacy.
COST: Free
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please RSVP by November 8: etoakland@yahoo.com or 248-888-4111 (voice mail).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bridges4Kids NewsDigest Staff
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bridges4Kids Chief Executive Officer
Deborah Canja
deb@bridges4kids.org

Bridges4Kids Director of Information Technology & Information Systems
Jackie Igafo-Te'o
jackie@bridges4kids.org

Bridges4Kids Resource Assistant
Bella Djordjevski
news@bridges4kids.org

© 2004 Bridges4Kids
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacFIpaa998ZbboDaTbafpLKt/

====================================================================
Update Your Profile:
   http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.f.topica.com/f/?a84FCv.bboDaT.ZGFjNHZh
Unsubscribe:
   http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.f.topica.com/f/?a84FCv.bboDaT.ZGFjNHZh.u
Confirm Your Subscription:
   http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.f.topica.com/f/?a84FCv.bboDaT.ZGFjNHZh.c
Forward to Friend:
   http://www.topica.com/f2f/?f=N7EpIQIBAQAJH7cACQAAAAABNaWiWQ&r=dac4va%40aol.com
Delivered by Topica:
   http://www.topica.com/?p=T3FOOTER