September 2011

Dear Parents:

Last year the Catskill Central School District started a new program at CMS/CHS called the Ambassador’s Club.  This group was organized to assist students that were having difficulties handling the many social aspects of the school environment.  We offered a short program for students at CES last year which was quite successful.  Dr. Farrell and the Board of Education have voted to support a full program this year at the elementary school.

The Jr. Ambassador’s club will be advised by Lisa Borgen and Pat Schmidt.  Both of us have worked with children with disabilities. Ms. Borgen is a certified Special Education teacher presently teaching at CES.  Mrs. Schmidt is a retired teacher who worked extensively in the program to include children with special needs in the regular education classrooms.

The club will be set up to run in two separate sessions.   Children may participate in one or both sessions.  Each meeting will be set up to help the children address issues that may be stumbling blocks for them.

Some topics that we plan to cover are:

·        Speaking with other children and adults

·        Cooperating in a group

·        Listening and following multi-step tasks

·        Being flexible

·        Accepting new and difficult situations- lunch room, playground, gym …

·        Trying new things

There will be many other areas addressed.  If you have specific issues that we might be able to help with, please let us know.

We hope to address these issues with fun and practical activities that the children will enjoy- book making, craft activities, cooking, gym activities…

We are inviting your son/daughter ______________________ to join our group.  Attached you will find the planned dates for these meetings.  Due to unplanned circumstances a date may need to be changed.  We will try our best to let you know in advance if that becomes necessary.  Of course if afterschool programs are cancelled for a day, our club would not meet.  We ask that you share your

e-mail and contact information with us so that we can relay any news to you.

All meetings will take place in Room 171 (Ms. Borgen’s classroom) at CES from

3:10-4:00pm. Snacks will be served and transportation on the late bus from CES will be provided.  You also have the option to pick your child up after the meetings.

Thank you for considering this club for your child.  If you are interested in having your child participate, please fill out the attached form and return it to your child’s teacher at CES by September 30, 2011.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

We hope your son/daughter will be joining us.

Sincerely,

Lisa Borgen    lborgen@catskillcsd.org

Pat Schmidt   pschmidt@catskillcsd.org