Mohawk Special Education Program 2012

1. Mohawk Special EducationProgram 2012

2. Program Goals and Outcomes • Life Skills • Social/Communication Skills • Functional Academics • Vocational Skills • Advocacy Skills

3. Life Skills To improve and develop skills for everyday living. Areas of focus: • Independent Home Living • Consumer Budgeting • Personal Finance • Career Readiness Skills • Personal Hygiene

4. Social/Communication Skills To develop appropriate interactions with peers and adults. Areas of focus: • Demonstrating proper manners and etiquette in various settings • Improving oral and written instructions • Using appropriate language skills • Practicing proper body language • Cooperation with others

5. Functional Academics To improve and develop basic numeracy and literacy skills with real life applications. • Academic Courses • Mathematics • Practical Math • Consumer Math • Pre Algebra • Algebra 1 • English • High School English • Language Arts • Science • Biology • Earth and Space • Physical /Environmental • Elective Courses • Transition to Work 9-10 • Community Based Instruction (CBI) • Life Skills • Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTII)

6. Academic Classroom Activities • To demonstrate lesson plans that involve differentiated instruction that meet the needs of all learners and align with PA Academic Standards. Types of activities: STEM Projects(co2 cars, bridge building, volcanoes, water bottle rockets) Cross Curricular Technology(activotes assessments, webquest, interactive smartboard lessons) Real-World Applications(banking simulations, career readiness paperwork/mock interviews,)

7. Vocational Skills • To aquire skills required in a work placement setting. Areas of focus: Employer checklist/evaluations Skills practice (including soft skills) Understanding of workplace rules/behavior

8. Advocacy Skills • To develop assertiveness and independence. Areas of focus: • Self-Esteem • Disability Awareness • Rights and Services • Initiation of Assistance

9. A Note of Thanks Thank you administration and staff for all of your cooperation and assistance with the Mohawk School To Work Transition Program. Your flexibility and encouragement has enabled our students to experience many beneficial career and community projects, activities and events which have provided them with knowledge, self-confidence and the empowerment needed toward establishing their future professional and educational goals.

10. Careerlink Job Fair IN SEPTEMBER, SENIOR STUDENTS ATTENDED THE LARGEST JOB EXPO HOSTED BY CAREERLINK AT THE COVELLI CENTER IN OHIO. AT THE EXPO, STUDENTS OBSERVED CURRENT JOB DEMANDS AND GROWING CAREER FIELDS DETERMINED BY TODAY’S ECONOMIC TRENDS. THEY ALSO WITNESSED THE ESCALATING NUMBER OF PEOPLE JOB SEARCHING, AS WELL AS SEVERAL TECHNICAL/TRADE SCHOOLS AND MILITARY BRANCHES DISCUSSING SKILLED TRAINING AND POSITIONS.

11. Westminster College Fair and Midwest Intermediate Unit Transition and Agency/College Fair Students are able to attend the Westminster College Fair and MIU4 Agency/College Fair each year to view various post-secondary schools and agencies including: • Technical/Trade Schools • Community Colleges • Traditional Colleges • US Military Branches

12. Retail Career and Consumer Awareness • This educational experience was scheduled at our area’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart. The day’s schedule consisted of students shopping for a list of common necessities on a budget, and processing through the checkout. Store workers paired with the students (carrying calculators and worksheets) to assist them with shopping. A register was put into training mode for students to pay for their items. • After shopping, the students went on a store tour with management, and reviewed job training, shipping/inventory information, and store regulations.

13. Automotive and Technical Job Shadows • Students are able to observe and interact with mechanics and management/instructors in their technical field of interests. Some sites include: • Phil Fitts Ford • Preston Motors • Sander’s Yamaha • New Castle School of Trades • Lawrence County Career and Technical Center

14. Jameson Health System Career Training and Job Shadows • Nutrition Department • School of Nursing • Office Administration • Maintenance • Shipping and Receiving

15. Career Experiences At The Greer House Assisted Living • Nutrition Department – Students prepare appetizers, serve lunch and clean-up dining area. • Activities Department – Students assist residence with arts and crafts • Entertainment – Students with musical talent perform for residence during or after lunches.

16. Community Partnerships • Training and Service Learning Students learn job skills while helping the community by participating in activities that assist children, elderly, and the environment through: • PA Cleanways • The Purple Cat • Lawrence County Life • New Castle Recycling • Oh Wow Children’s Center of Science and Technology • Lawrence County Head Start • FD Campbell Library

17. Community YMCA Internships and Job Shadows • Students assisted preschool HeadStart students with sports activities at the Y-Zone. Students were responsible for equipment set-up, social interaction and demonstrating leadership skills. • Students worked as office assistance responsible for photo copies, computer work and filing.

18. Business Style Day At The Lawrence County Career And Technical Center (LCCTC) • Students review and receive services in proper and appropriate grooming for the workforce from the cosmetology department at the LCCTC. Each student is eligible to receive a manicure, hair cut or style and makeup application (if applicable) as part of the educational grooming session. • After the grooming session, students are provided lunch to discuss appropriate manners needed for breaks or lunches at work. Then they attend a trip to Wal-Mart/Sears to review proper workforce attire. Students must answer (mock) interview questions and pick out (mock) interview clothing, shoes, socks, belts, purses, jewelry, and resume portfolios during this experience to support job/grooming readiness.

19. Career Planning and Staffing Days With Community Agencies • Seniors, parents, school staff, the MIU4, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Careerlink, and AHEDD (Social Security Specialist) discuss detailed transition plans with timeframes for a more complete and streamlined transition process. • This staffing confirms follow-up meetings with agencies as well as begins college tour appointments for appropriate students. • This meeting also discusses the importance of FASFA for ALL students, not only those going on to post secondary education, but also for those planning to utilize state agencies.

20. Custom Student Workshops at the Lawrence County Careerlink • One-on-one workshop training and orientation of Careerlink services. • Each student registers on the Careerlink Website, creates an online resume, views job postings and reviews the process of applying for jobs. • In addition, students may schedule to attend “Rapid-Fire” job search workshops to prepare for job interviews.

21. Lawrence County Careers Club Hosted By Mohawk High School • Lawrence County Community Action Partnership and Careerlink sponsor the Youth Careers Club offered to 9th-12th grade learning support students. Enrollees participate in career workshops and games hosted at Mohawk High School, as well as out-of-school trips, community service projects, and monthly YMCA nights to promote social skills. • Students receive gift card incentives for good grades, behavior and attendance. • The major service learning activity our students participate in each year through Careers Club is Global Youth Service Day.

22. Fall Promotional Events With The Walker Farm • This involves the ongoing promotion and planning of yearly fall events along with community awareness and servicing. The Fall events include: • Fallfest – Students created a flyer for distribution to the Mohawk Elementary Students for announcement of the Fallfest events which included: Face painting and a pumpkin decorating contest headed by our high school students • Lawrence County Trunk or Treat – This event was held at Cascade Park in New Castle and was sponsored by Noga Ambulance Service. It promoted safety and fun for children who “trick or treat” in the community.

23. Christmas Marketing Projects For The Walker Farm • The School-To-Work Program began an annual Marketing/Community Activity Campaign for a local business, The Walker Farm, which encompasses the ongoing promotion and planning of yearly seasonal events along with community awareness and servicing. • The Walker Farm Christmas Open House Involved students creating a business card, promotional flyer and DVD for marketing, dressing as Santa and Elves for the local community children, and collecting donations for a local family in need. This connection established a follow-up activity with the local Head Start Preschool, in which our students created a Christmas tree story/activity book and dressed up as Santa and Elves for the Head Start children.This is now an annual event.

24. Annual Service Learning Arbor Day and Earth Day Event At The Walker Farm • The Walker Farm and Mohawk High School Students annually celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with the Mohawk Elementary Kindergarten children during a tree-planting ceremony with the Lawrence County Commissioners. • This event is conducted to further educate students about the national holidays and promote community outreach within the district. The celebration entails a presentation on Earth Day and Arbor Day, a tree-planting ceremony, and the distribution of live seedling trees with tree-planting instructions and educational coloring booklets (made by our high school students) to the children.

25. Worksite Tours • Students are invited to attend worksite tours at local businesses to learn about various types of businesses, human resource guidelines, job availability, job descriptions and job skills needed in today’s workforce. Businesses toured include: Adam’s Manufacturing, Grove City Outlets, IPEC, Classico-Foods, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Daffin’s Candies, Steelite, Ellwood Forge, Golf Cart Supply, Covelli Centre, Butler Institute of American Art, Ellwood Animal Hospital

26. College/Technical Tours • Students visit local college/technical schools to view facilities, compare and contrast schools and learn about majors, financial services, admissions procedures and support services. Schools toured include: ITT Technical Institute Community College of Beaver County New Castle School of Trades Hiram G. Andrews Butler County Community College Erie Business Center

27. Guest Speaker Series • Students are able to collect information about careers and post secondary education from various sources of interest. These include: • Local Professional Business Men/Women • Local Employers/Human Resources • College Speakers • State Agencies

28. Guest Speaker Series Business Week Students are invited to participate in Business Week guest speaker presentations from local community employers including: Pizza Joe’s, UPMC, McConnell’s Nursery, Tender Care, First Commonwealth Bank, Shiderly Construction, Clarks Studio, Haylett Painting, Computer fields and Graphic Arts fields.

29. CBI “In House” Work Experiences • Students are able to work at Mohawk Elementary School and High School in positions that fit their class schedules and allow them to experience “real work” that develops skills, responsibility, timeliness, organization and professional social interaction. • These jobs include: office work, retail-school store, Cricut electronic center, nutrition department assistance, recycling and library assistance.

30. The School Store • School Store Employment Experiences • Job Applications, Time Sheets, I-9 Forms and W-4’s • Professional Conduct, Grooming Education and Student Employee Evaluations • Store Mission Statement, Policies and PA Shoplifting Laws • Marketing and Sales Promotions Projects • Customer Servicing, Inventory and Cash Register Work • School Store Annual Christmas Cart Event at the Elementary

31. Community Service Work • Our “Warriors in Education and Business” (WEB Club) offers students community service experiences that build social, communication, character, and teamwork skills needed to contribute to society. Some activities included: Fish Boxes at Moraine State Park, Toys for Tots with the US Marines, and clearing local land through PA Cleanways.

32. County Offices and Transportation Awareness • Tour of Lawrence County jail, attendance at a county commissioner meeting and tour of various offices/services at the Courthouse. • Transportation education conducted through the New Castle Transit Authority – Students learn to read bus schedules, handle fees and passes, review public safety and ride the public transportation system. • Transportation education also includes support in drivers education studies for permit test and a visit to the driver license center if needed.

33. Entrepreneurship Challenge • Economics PA -Entrepreneurship Challenge (business seminar, project and contest) -Students attend an annual educational seminar at Butler County Community College entitled the “Economics Pennsylvania Entrepreneurship Challenge.” This involves several regional schools and the teaching instruction of facilitator Dr. John Sumansky, a professor at Misericordia University. This conference simulates a professional business seminar that enables students to brainstorm as a team, present an idea for a new business, and learn techniques to utilize and develop an actual business plan in order to open a business. The plans are eligible for entry into a regional and statewide competition each year for the Pennsylvania Partnership for Economic Education.

34. Career Readiness Day AtButler High School • This event was created by Career Opportunities for the Disabled to provide educational activities for students to assist them with transitioning into the workforce. • Activities include: grooming sessions, retail/attire sessions, hand washing and lunch sessions, and mock interviews (students have prepared a resume and completed an employment application in advance).

35. Student Self-Advocacy • Students confidently speak about their personal obstacles, overcoming barriers, achievements, and their future goals to educate, inform and inspire younger students within the Mohawk Area School District.

36. Parent Training With Achieva Transition training for grades 9-12 SUMMARY: This training offers guidance to families and people with disabilities on how to design a successful transition process for students moving from high school to adulthood. It focuses on employment, recreational activities, friendships, communication, continuing education, transportation and rights and responsibilities, among other topics.  It also describes the roles of the Social Security Administration, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office of Developmental Programs, and the Housing Authority in providing resources and support. Throughout the presentation, the importance of developing a vision and using person-centered planning along with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and an Individual Support Plan (ISP) are mentioned.