Parent Training on Autism

The RISD is providing its second session of training for parents of children with autism on Tuesday, November 17 from 8:30am - 9:30am at the Administration Building in Rm 802. The topic is How Do We Learn Social Skills ? and is presented by Scott Badger and Lea Garrett.

This workshop is designed to make parents of children with autism at Rockwall ISD better informed with regard to the educational materials our teachers use, and how students with autism learn social skills.

Fair Day & Field Trip

No school on Wednesday, 10/7 for the RISD Fair Day.

Our class will be taking our own trip to the State Fair of Texas on Friday, October 16. We can't wait! If you don't plan to use your free ticket, please donate it to our class so that we can use it on this day. Thanks!

Picture Day

Friday, September 25th during 2nd period. Dress nice.

Early Release Day

Wednesday, Sept. 23 is an Early Release Day for all RISD secondary schools. Students will be dismissed at 12:45 PM for teacher and staff professional learning.

More info regarding this and future Early Release Days can be accessed here.

Angel League

The Kiwanis Sponsored Angel League Baseball Program is absolutely FREE for all children with special needs. The program is for all children with special needs ages 4 to 15, regardless of disability, and a new team for adults aged 16 and up with mental disabilities.

Each child is furnished with a complete little league style uniform at no cost to the parent. With no strikes and no outs, children are encouraged, never forced, to conform to the rules of the game.

Each season lasts for 9 weeks in either the fall or spring. The first game this season is on Monday, September 14th at 6:30 at Tuttle Field in Rockwall.

Visit www.AngelLeague.org for more information, or send me an email.

Kris

We Believe

These our the District's belief statements, and I hold them sacred:

1. Students are the center of all decisions.

2. Instruction is meaningful and includes work that is engaging.

3. High expectations lead to high levels of success.

4. Success is dependent on the strength of our relationships.

5. Sustained success comes from shared leadership and continuous improvement.

6. Families and the community participate as partners.

These are on my mind whenever we make decisions. They are posted in a few places in our room and I read them often.

Welcome!!

Welcome to a new year!! I hope this blog is a place where we can share information about school and the community. If you have any questions or comments,please let me know. You can leave a comment here and it will notify me through email. You can also find my email address through the school website. I value your input and need it to make both my class and this space worthwhile.

Kris McDonald

County Fair

Our class will be going on a Field Trip to the County Fair Grounds on Friday, April 3rd. We'll enjoy several exciting events and exhibits related to the field of agriculture. It will be alot of fun.

President's Day

Happy Friday the 13th! Remember that we do not have school on Monday, 2/16, because of President's Day. Enjoy your 3 day weekend! Pitchers and Catchers report Tomorrow!

Darius Goes West

When I was in college in Georgia, I worked as the assistant director for a summer camp for students with special needs. My first summer was the summer after this student's brother, Mario, died.

You may have heard of the movie "Darius Goes West". The cast/crew were in Dallas this week promoting the movie and were featured on the news and on the radio. My wife heard Darius on Kidd Kraddik and asked me if I heard it. Anyways, he was one of my kids at the camp. He grew up and made a movie to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is the #1 genetic killer of children in the world and is 100% fatal. Mario died 3 months shy of his high school graduation. Darius graduated from high school in 2007. You can preview it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2yoOlicmww&eurl

The reason I wanted to share this with you is because it shows the difference (once again) that 1 person can make. Also, my wife and I just finished watching it, and I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished I couldn't help but share it with everyone.

Darius and the crew are again traveling the country raising awareness of muscular dystrophy. They have a goal to sell 1 million DVD's by this summer. They cost $20. $17 goes directly to research, and $3 goes toward making more DVD's. http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/

I am in no way affiliated with them, I just am trying to help them spread the word.

MLK Day

Just a reminder that we will not have school on Monday, January 19th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We have discussed his life in our classroom, so please remind your students while they are enjoying their day off why they're not at school. We will also be celebrating the significance of his accomplishments during the inauguration activities on Tuesday, 1/20.

Holiday Party

Our class will hold a Holiday Party on Friday, 12/19 during our lunch period at 11:30. Parents are invited. We hope to see you there!

WMS Choir Concert

UPDATE: Due to the weather, tonight's concert has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 17th at 7PM.

The WMS Holiday Choir Concert will be on Tuesday, December 16th @ 7PM in the gym. Come join us for an evening of music and fun to get you into the holiday spirit!

A Christmas Carol

Along with the 7th grade English classes, we will be going to see the Dallas Theater Center's production of "A Christmas Carol" on Wednesday, December 10th. Students must bring a sack lunch from home. We will leave at 9am and return around 1:45pm. We have been reading the novel in class and are excited to see the live production. It should be a great experience for all of our students. They have been really enjoying the story in class.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish all of my students and families a very Happy Thanksgiving. As we spent the past several days talking about the things we are thankful for, I have been impressed to hear the many different things that the students have told us they are grateful to have in their lives. I want to take this opportunity to tell them that I am thankful for them and their hard work. I am thankful that I have an opportunity to work with them and learn from them each and every day. I am also thankful to have such an amazing team to work with, and to be so blessed to have Mrs. Wolf and Mrs. Stone in our classroom. I love to come to work every day and love my job. So I am thankful for all of the many opportunities and blessings I have just by being in the right place at the right time. Happy Thanksgiving!

Parent Training

November 6th at 7pm

Futures Planning and Transition Services for Parents of Students in grades 7-12 at the admin building.

Jump & Jive in Rockwall

Jump and Jive says it is finally okay to jump inside. The huge warehouse located at 356 Ranch Trail in Rockwall offers thousands of feet of climate-controlled fun. The arena features huge air-filled structures that attract kids of all ages, including teenagers. Jump and Jive not only provides a much needed energy outlet for kids of all ages in a safe environment, they also provide for the community.

On the second Saturday of every month, the doors open from 9-10 a.m. for children with special needs and their parents.

In approaching Jump and Jive owner, Elisha Duckworth, they found a friend. Duckworth, herself a teacher, understood their need and invited the group to use the facility before the doors opened, at no charge to the parents. Three years later, they are still meeting there.

The group, hosted by Noel Andring and Sandy Woods has become so popular that their email list is now over 200 names. The Jump and Jive arena offers a great stress reliever for parents, and the kids can be rambunctious and run and play with their friends and siblings. The group that was originally started for Down’s syndrome kids now includes autistic kids as well.

For fall session times visit http://www.jumpandjive.us/

More Movies for Kids with Special Needs

Special screenings for students with special needs at Studio Movie Grill. Check out the website:
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/familyfun.html

Respite @ FUMC in Rockwall

First United Methodist Church in Rockwall (near Utley) provides respite care for children with special needs. It is typically on the first Saturday of the month, however, sometimes that changes. The next one will be held on Saturday, November 8th from 6:30-9:30. It is specifically for children with special needs, aged 6 months-13 years. There is no charge. Parents can drop off their kids or stay with them, although parents do not typically stay, it is a time for them to have a break or do something with another sibling.

There is a packet of information the parent fills our and turns in prior to attending, including medical information and it includes behavior strategies,etc.... The parents then make a reservation by the Wednesday before the respite night. They bring their child with dinner, unless they ate before coming and they are placed into same age level classrooms. Trained volunteers watch the children and there is a bounce house every month, movies,toys/games and snacks provided. Siblings can attend as well up to age 13 years.

The Dec. 6th one is a daytime event from 10 am til 4 pm, giving parents an opportunity to get soem Christmas shopping done.

Lake Pointe also provides respite. I will get some information on this as well.

Autism Day @ the movies

I wanted to share an email I received:

I wanted to let yall know that I took my Special Needs Sunday school class to the movies yesterday to see Beverly Hill Chihuahua. Anyway while my group was getting their snacks the manager came over to me and asked if I was there for the special Autism showing of Beverly Hill Chihuahua. I said no I didn't know anything about that. She said at their theater (AMC Firewheel in Garland) they have started a special showing of a current movie just for children with autism or kids that need it. They offer a time that is not open to the general public so it is less crowded, the lights will be dimmed instead of off, the volume will be not so loud and the kids will not be expected to stay in their seats and be quiet. It sounds like a great idea to me! The price will be the same.

The next one will be on Saturday, November 8th @ 10am. The movie will be a new release "Madagascar 2". Please call Roxanne "Ruth" Morales the General Manager of the theater 972 496-5473 for more information.

I also saw on their web site that they have closed captioning and descriptive video and headsets available at certain showings for people who are visually and hearing impaired.