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Visually Impaired Preschool Newsletter & Announcements

HAPPY SPRING 2008 !!
Announcements:
I am pleased to announce that we have hired another speech therapist to work at the preschool and in the community. Stephanie Hereth, Licensed SLP has 14 years of experience and is very excited to work with our children. She has experience working with different aspects of speech and language including apraxia, general articulation and language delays, sign language and the Verbal Behavior approach.
Stephanie starts on March 25th.  Welcome Stephanie!
 
Calendar: Reminder that we are closed Friday, March 21st and Monday, March 24th.
Spring Break – April 14th – April 18th.
There will be food restrictions at the Temple April 21st – 25th. A notice will be sent home shortly.
Happy New Year 2008 !!
 
Announcements:
I am pleased to announce that the Sarah Arth, Speech Therapist from the Visually Impaired Preschool applied for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York Grant and was awarded $2,582.00 to purchase the Ablenet Low-Tech Communication Devices and the Touch Screen Computer with educational games for the children at VIP! 
 
Our best wishes to Lisa Sturniolo who got a Special Education teaching job in a local school district. We will miss her!
 
Welcome new staff:
Mary Jo Hallett – Special Education Teacher in our 3 year old class
Kellie Rizzo – Physical Therapist
Jim Marshall – Occupational Therapist
Ethan Hagen – 1:1 aide

FROM THE NURSE:

Is it a cold or is it the flu ?

Cold Symptoms:

  • Fever is rare
  • Aches are slight
  • Chills are uncommon
  • Tiredness is mild
  • Sudden Symptoms appear gradually
  • Hacking, productive cough
  • Sneezing is common
  • Stuffy nose is common
  • Sore throat is common
  • Chest discomfort is mild to moderate
  • Headache is uncommon
 
Flu Symptoms:
  • Fever is usually present
  • Aches are common and often severe
  • Chills are fairly common
  • Tiredness is moderate to severe
  • Sudden symptoms can appear within 3-6 hours
  • Dry, unproductive cough
  • Sneezing is uncommon
  • Stuffy nose is uncommon
  • Sore throat is uncommon
  • Chest discomfort is often severe
  • Headache is common
 
Please continue to keep sick children at home. They are not comfortable at school when they are not feeling well and although we do our best to share our toys we do not encourage sharing our germs! 
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any other issues.   Shannon Ayotte; Nurse, 836-7556. 

 FROM THE DIRECTOR:

 VIP WEBPAGE: I am happy to tell you that we have our own webpage for the Visually Impaired Preschool. It is in the early stages, but you will find helpful information such as our school calendar, classroom activities and VIP forms. 
 
OPEN HOUSE: Thank you for attending our open house. It was nice for our staff and your child to spend time with you at school.
 
STAFF CHANGES: For our second year families, I know you have seen several staff changes here at VIP. I am happy to say that our the new staff is excellent and have been providing the best education and services to your children. Your children are fortunate to have so many wonderful people working with them.  
 
I also want to wish all of you a very happy and healthy holiday season.   Remember that we return to school on the 2nd of January.  
 
SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION:
As a general rule, listen to the weather and school closing information in the morning. If the Amherst or Sweet Home School District is closed due to WEATHER, our program will also be closed. If your district is closed, the bus will not pick up your child.
The Visually Impaired Preschool should be posted on Channels 2, 4 and 7 as well as the radio station WBEN 930 AM
 
Miss Wende’s Class
Room 108
Miss Wende is the teacher of our 4 year old integrated class. Miss Wende’s Class integrates with the Temple’s Play and Learn School’s 4 year old children. Miss Cindy is the teacher assistant and Mr. Bob is the 1:1 aide in the classroom.
 
Miss Barb’s Class
Room 204
Miss Barb is the teacher of our center-based classroom. Miss Emily is the teacher assistant and Miss Margaret, Miss Kellie, Miss Sue and Miss Laurie are 1:1 aides in the classroom.
 
VIP Support Staff
Teresa Doermer, Director
Luann Chambers, Admin Assistant
Shannon Ayotte, Nurse/Office Assistant
Corey Tornquist, I.T Office Assistant
Melissa Schwab, TVI/Special Education
Sarah Arth, Speech
Stephanie Hereth, Speech
Kellie Rizzo, PT
Mary Noonan, OT
Jim Marshall, OT
Kim Bandura, O&M
Stacey Morrissey, Psychologist