Every Voice Counts
It's AAC Awareness Month. Every child here is communicating, all the time. Read it during your work day and confirm at the bottom.
Team Reflection
This month we're celebrating AAC, and it's a good reminder of something we believe all year: every child here is communicating, all the time. With words, signs, pictures, a device, a look, a reach for your hand.
Our job isn't to wait for the “right” way. It's to notice, respond, and let every child know they've been heard.
This week's reflection: Think of a child who communicates in a way that's not spoken words. What's one way they told you something this week, and how did you let them know you understood?
Updates & Announcements
Each item is labeled so you can see what applies to you: Everyone or Educators.
What a day at Joan's Farm! Thank you to every educator, family, and team member who made Friday's trip so special for our kiddos.
October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. Christina P. wrote a short piece that any classroom can drop into its newsletter. Thank you, Christina!
Happy Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month!
Here at School of Imagination, we value all the ways our students and teachers communicate. This month we're especially celebrating our AAC users and all the unique and powerful ways they express their thoughts.
Augmentative means to add to someone's speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. There are a lot of different types of AAC. Low-tech options include sign language and physical pictures, or spelling boards. High-tech options include things like specialized apps, push buttons, and designated devices that use programs such as eye gaze software. A person may use multiple forms of AAC, and an AAC system comprises all of the ways in which they communicate.
Using AAC is important in ensuring that every child has access to effective communication with their families and caregivers. You can learn more about AAC from the American Academy of Pediatrics: What is AAC?
Thanks for joining us in raising awareness for all types of communication!
Kelly and I spent a Saturday at the SELPA conference. We reconnected with our friends at Therapy at Play, met the team at Fit Learning, and got started on a 211 listing so more families can find us. Thank you, Kelly, for giving up your Saturday!
Christina is back this week, and our goal is to complete and certify at least one Trainual module by October 31. Book your conversation using this booking link, one 15-minute block per module. For a Lead module, email Christina so she can coordinate with Megan.
A friendly reminder that all employee vehicles should be parked in the side lot. The front lot is reserved for our families so they have easy, safe access at drop-off and pick-up. For the full guidelines, review this Trainual page. Thank you for keeping the front lot open and safe for our families!
Halloween Parade, 9:15 AM in the main SOI parking lot. The theme is Disney! Staff park at the Donlon Staging Area that morning and can move cars back to the employee lot after 10:30 AM. T/Th students are welcome to join.
City Hall Trick-or-Treating, 3:15–4:30 PM. Families are welcome to join.
| Day | Step 1 · CR 6 | Step 2/3 · CR 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Jennifer | Melissa |
| Tuesday | Miranda | Rebecca |
| Wednesday | Rinkoo | Rae |
| Thursday | Miranda | Rebecca |
| Friday | Rae | Rebecca |
View the Early Bird / Late Bird list of kiddos.
Important Dates
Clinical Team
Little Stars
Avatars · Step 3
Fri, 10/30: Costume day, Halloween Parade (9:15 AM), and City Hall trick-or-treating (3:15–4:30 PM).
Sat, 10/31: Goal: one Trainual module certified.
Planned Outs
Recognition Spotlight
Want to celebrate someone? Share a recognition
Read it? Let us know.
Select your name from the list and tap Submit by Monday at 5:00 PM. Please read the update during your paid work time, not on your own time. If something is getting in the way, Shari is happy to help.