TO: Secondary Students and Staff

1

TO: Secondary Students and Staff

DATE: April 28th

FROM: Alexa Kontes and Pat McCall

Meetings for the week include:

Mon, April 2810am IEP for CH, led by M Engelbrecht, 11W 10am Planning Mt for HB, led by S. Redmond, Stephanie’s classroom 10amCR for ZH led by S. Fox, IMC 1:20pm – 4pm Soundscape Project, see list below AEC Chris Underwood

Tues, April 298:10am – 4pm Soundscape Project, see list below 9:15am Classroom Expectations Group 1, GCST, mandatory and by invite, check lists that were emailed. 9:45am CR for RY led by J. Potter, 11W 1:20pm Chorus rehearsal, chapel 1:30pm Oliver Cottage Mtg 4pm – 6pm Practical Application of the Common Core Standards, GCST AEC Joe D’Ottavio

Wed, April 308:10am – 12:30pm Soundscape Project, see list below 10:10am Planning Mtg for SB led by M. Engelbrecht, 11W 10:10am Planning Mtg for BM led by D. Fitzgerald 11:35am ILC, 11W 1:20pm CM meeting, 11W 2:15pm – 4pm Chorus rehearsal, tent 2:15pm Fisher Cottage Mtg AEC Pat McCall

Thurs, May 19:45am Planning Mtg for MC led by M. Engelbrecht, 11W 10:10am Planning Mt for AR led by D. Fitzgerald, IMC 10am Medicaid Training, required for all RSPs, GCTS 12:30pm – 4pm Chorus rehearsal, tent 1:20pm Brooks Cottage Mtg 2:15pm May Cottage Behavior Mtg 6pm Perkins Gala AEC Ken Durand

Fri, May 29am – noon Interview Events, GCST 10:10am Planning Mtg for OJ led by J. Potter 11am IEP/PPT for BL led by S. Fox, 11W 10am Planning Mtg for NC led by M. Engelbrecht, IMC AEC Dorinda Rife

Please submit nominations for the May student of the month to Pat McCall by Friday, May 2.

If you have something for the newsletter, please send it to Alexa Kontes by Wednesday at 4:00.

This will be a very busy week on campus. We will be having the first part of the Soundscape Project. The following students will be participating Monday, periods 5,6 and 7. Tuesday all day. Wednesday, periods 1,2,3 and 4. Those students are:Jacob Allen, Nicole Caffrey, Monique Cardinal, Alex Figueroa, Jade Fortes, Campbell Grousbeck, Kym Leighton, Garret Knight, Tommy Pelletier, Renzo Rios Nino, Aiden Stott, Leah Wright, and Javier Michel. We are looking for staff to assist, if you have many of these students, please check with Jeff Migliozzi. We will also be able to pay residential staff during the times they are not scheduled to work. If residential staff are interested, please let Pat McCall know.

The Gala is also happening on Thursday, May 1. The B&TB library lot will be closed. See emails from Brenda Ruping about parking. The chorus will again be the stars of the show, and they will have several additional rehearsals. Listed below are the chorus students and times they will be rehearsing:

Alex Berthiaume, Patrick Bucci, Michael Daggett, Kevin Eckler, Alex Figueroa, Mikolai Friend, Cullen Gallagher, Campbell Grousbeck, Shae Kelley, Logan Kelly, Jaime Leduc, Jonah Leduc, Brian McCauley, Jacob Pine, Bella Scott, Anicia Topian. Tuesday 5th and 6th period (chapel), Wednesday 6th and 7th period (tent), Thursday lunch – 7th period (tent)

Also, the following students will be co-hosting: Cullen Gallagher, Jade Fortes, Brendan Flynn, and Renzo Rios Nino. Melissa LeClerc and Zach Gousie from LS will also be co-hosting. These students will be rehearsing Tuesday from 1pm – 2pm (Dwight Hall) and Wed, 4pm – 5pm (tent), and Thursday lunch – 7th period (tent).

Alex Lavoie has worked closely with CRL Jess LeBel and all of Brooks staff in her role as Independent Living Coordinator. They have done some really amazing things with the students. One of their goals is to complete the ILSA for all of the students by the end of this year. As many of you know, it is big undertaking as there are so many skills assessed. They have given parts of the ILSA to teachers and RSPs to help complete, and many of you have gotten the information back to them. Thank you, it is a huge help. If you were given parts to complete, could you get that done and back to Jess in Brooks asap? If you have not been given a section, or sections to complete, and think you could offer good information, please get in touch with Alex or Jess.

The Word of the Week ishyperbole: exaggeration for humorous or thematic effect. ex.: When I was your age, I had to walk 1,000 miles to school and back.

The Secondary April Student of the Month is Michael Daggett! Michael’s nominators stated that he is very friendly, always polite and very inclusive. Congratulations to Michael.

The senior class will hold a mini silent auction from April 28th until noon on May 2nd. The seniors will be asking staff, other students, or family to donate services such as: taking someone out to lunch, baking or cooking delicious food, hemming or sewing an article of clothing, gift cards, reading to a student, preparing a meal to go, downloading a book, burning a CD to name just a few. If you can donate a service or item, please contact a senior or Margie Carney x7340

Secondary’s annual celebration of poetry has begun. The poetry contest deadline is April 30th. Stay tuned for more info and activities.

Do you have a favorite published poem that you'd like to share with others? If so, please contact Alexa Kontes or Jeanne Fleming by Friday, May 23rd. Please give us thename of the poet and the title of the poem that you will be presenting. The Favorite Poem assembly will take place in the Howe Building chapel from 10:10-11:30 on May 30th.

Thanks to those of you who have submitted poems to the poetry contest so far. The Poetry Contest Winners’ Assembly is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 9th. However, it will be canceled if I do not receive more student poems by April 30th. Please encourage your students to submit to the contest. Thank you.

Former Secondary residential staff person Shane Gibson passed away on April 15th. Shane worked as a teaching assistant in May Cottage from 2000 to 2002. He is remembered as an excellent teaching assistant and overall great guy. He was a very talented musician who played lead guitar in the band KORN and with several other groups for many years. Anyone who would like to contribute to a fund in memory of Shane should contact Sherri Myers. Perkins will be installing a brick on the greenhouse pathway in his honor.

IT’s SHOW TIME! Mock Interviews in the GCST on May 2, 2014.

This spring we’ve arranged for students to have mock interviews with an HR professional. Students will sit with an interviewer for approximately 15 minutes in a 1:1 situation or be given the opportunity to request the support of a coaching assistant. It will be an opportunity for students to exercise the full range of interviewing skills from preparing a resume to dressing appropriately and interacting effectively with the interviewer. Space will be set up in the GCST and students will be filmed as it will give them an opportunity to self-evaluate their performance and identify areas to improve. The following students have been selected to participate at scheduled times between 10:00 and noon. Michael S., Logan, Monique, Justin, Sara, Jade, Chris, Robert, Renzo, Kenny, Garrett, Michael D., Carolyn, Adam, Cullen, Nicole, Javier, and Kym. Please see Michele if you have questions.

Perkins “Ask the Expert” Event

Please join us for an “Ask the Expert” Career Exploration Event when students from the Lower School, Deafblind, and Secondary Programs will have the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with professionals from a variety of career fields and industries. Date TBD – 2nd week of May.

Experts are coming to our campus to share information with students about their profession, work experiences, training, and education.This is a forum for students to practice interview skills and broaden their knowledge of the world of work in preparation for life after Perkins.

Have no fear, the student help desk is here! Do you have an iPhone and need help with its accessibility features? Do you want to learn about apps that are useful and fun? Tommy Pelletier, with some help from Kamal Rowe, is at your service. Please call 617-972-8555 or email and leave your name, number and describe your technology problem or area of interest. Within a week you will receive an appointment during Student Help Desk hours of operation: Thursdays, 9:45 – 10:45 in the Grousbeck Center for Students and Technology: Flex Room - N108.

Childcare Providers Needed!

This is a paid work opportunity! Provide childcare for young children with visual and/or multiple disabilities and their sighted brothers and sisters under the supervision of an experienced head counselor while parents attend a family conference.Saturday, May 3rd; 7:30am-3:15pm; Perkins School for the Blind; FOR QUESTIONS and APPLICATIONS CONTACT:Sharon Stelzer 617-972-7604

Students should be aware that all staff will be monitoring student use oftechnology, including smart phones, braille notetakers, headphones and tablets. If students are using technology during unapproved time, including while walking in the hallways, staff will remind them not to use it and inform their case manager.

Secondary now has a Newsline account. Contact Alexa for more information. If you would like the Newsline app on your Perkins iPad, please email Betsey Sennott.

Oh Dear! Is something broken? Is this a problem that’s too small for Facilities? Do you want it fixed as soon as possible? Then you need to call Mr. Fix It! Please note that Mr. Fix It is a student, so big tasks are simply out of the question. But if that loose table has been driving you nuts, or that cabinet is looking kinda sad, Mr. Fix It is your guy. If you are interested in this free service, call 617-972-7403 or email . Thank you.

Come one, come all!!! Renzo’s store is open on Wednesdays from 1:15 to 2:10. Please stop by and check out what is available. There are seasonal items, in addition to his regular store items.

In Foodservice class, Mercedes Austin, Kenny Cheung, and Jade Fortes make lunches on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, Michael Cote, Leah Wright, and Alex Berthiaume make lunches. These students are usually scheduled to be in the kitchen from 9:20am till 2:10pm. WE PLAN OUR MENUS IN ADVANCE, so please do not schedule these students to participate in other activities during their foodservice class time without discussing it with Karen Keeler at EXT. 7554 two weeks ahead of time. This also includes participation in assemblies, rehearsals, meetings, sports activities, field trips, concerts, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.

Come to The Perk Cafe at the Grousbeck Center to purchase hot and iced coffee. Schedule for Perk Cafe at the Grousbeck Center: Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:00 and 2:00 – 3:30. Chris, Omar in the morning and Jacob in the afternoon

Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 and 2:00 – 3:30 -Brendan, Logan and Kym in the morning and Javier in the afternoon.

We will be selling freshly ground Starbucks dark roast coffee. It is just $1.00 per cup. All are welcome

Margie Carney is collecting redeemable cans & bottles. Please drop them off at room West 114.

To listen to the Perkins radio station, go to

Please contact Deborah Krause if your students are interested in harvesting fresh produce and herbs or preparing and packaging dried herbs for the Watertown Food Pantry. Times can be flexible. You can also deliver to the Food Pantry on Tues. mornings or Thurs. afternoons.

Creative Writing group will meet at 4:00 in the library on Monday, April 28th. Please contact Alexa if you plan to attend.

Our next cello club meeting will be held on May 6th. Location TBA.Please contact Alexa if you plan to attend. Michael C. should stop by the library.

If you received any in-kind gifts this month, please notify Amber MacDonald.

Detention Coverage:

SECONDARY PROGRAM - MUSIC DEPARTMENT

All events in Dwight Hall unless otherwise noted. The remainder of the schedule will be posted in future notices.

Notes for Staff:

Could the groups/committees who select the graduation awards begin to look at potential students? We’d like to be able to make decision by the middle of May. Listed below are the awards.Thanks,Pat

The Shirley Drucker Award for Essay

Awarded to the student who produces the best essay.

The Betty Gayzagian Award for Singing

Awarded to the student who has demonstrated good vocal skills, significant interest in singing and the desire to continue voice training.

The Robert J. Giggey Award for Reading

Awarded to a student who enjoys reading and has demonstrated this by reading many books.

The Karen Ringvall Home Economics Award

Awarded to a student who has shown persistent effort and continual growth in independent living skills.

The Carl H. Waddell Memorial Prize for Girls’ Athletics

Awarded to the student for effort, improvement, achievement and enthusiasm in physical education.

The Samuel P. Hayes Memorial Prize for Music

Awarded to the student involved in various musical activities who has contributed significantly to the Perkins musical program.

The Marcy Scott Award for Mobility Skills

Awarded to the student who has developed good mobility skills and used these skills to travel independently in the community.

The Marcy Scott Award for Social Skills & Leadership

Awarded to the student who has developed the characteristics of a good leader and has demonstrated growth in leadership skills.

The Dr. Edward J. Waterhouse Award

Awarded to the student who best embodies Dr. Waterhouse’s personal qualities such as zest for life, spirit of commitment to doing any job well and an ability to go through life with dignity and grace.The Reginald Fitz Memorial Award:

Awarded to the student who has the highest average.

The Terri Werner Award

The Terri Werner Award: given in memory of Art Teacher Terri Werner to a student who has been a creative, enthusiastic participant in art classes, Theater Arts or the Museum of Fine Arts Program and has been a caring, supportive friend who motivates others to achieve their goals.

Reasonable Assurance memos are due by May 2nd.

If you have been asked to make recommendations for the fall scheduling, please submit them to Joan by April 28th.Please contact Joan by email if you have any questions.

Temporary Parking Changes

Perkins is hosting our 9th Annual Perkins Possibilities Gala on campus on Thursday, May 1st. During that evening there will beclose to600 guests on campus for a special dinner and program. As a result, there will be some temporary changes in parking availability on campus. Beginning Friday, April 25th at 5:00 p.m., and running through Saturday, May3rd at 5:00 p.m., the Braille & Talking Book Library/Facilities parking lot--including the spaces in the sidelot by the loading dock, as well as the cottage end of the Lower School Parking lot--will be closed. Student vehicles normally located in these parking lots will be relocated to the Small Hilton parking lot. To help alleviate the loss of parking spaces, the Watertown Police Department has agreed to permit parking for Perkins staff in several additional areas surrounding campus. Please make sure you have your parking pass in your vehicle indicating you are an employee of Perkins. The areas included will be:

North Beacon Street

Beechwood Avenue

Irving Street

Irving Park (off Royal Street)

Pequosette Street

Fifield Street

Royal Street

Riverside Street

Paul Street

You must park in legal fashion, please do not blocking driveways or fire hydrants. In the event that you do get a ticket, please let me know as soon possible. In appreciation of your help, and support through this busy week, we will be rafflingFIVE - $50.00 Visa Cards to staff members who walk or bike a mile or more, or carpool to work 3 or more week days between April 26th and May 3rd, and send an email notifying Brenda Ruping of this. Just send an email noting who you carpooled with and the days on which you carpooled or noting what days you walked or biked to work on - to be entered in the drawing. Winners will be drawn at 10 AM Monday, May 5th. This can be a fantastic way to continue your participation in the Perkins Walking Challenge! Walkers can also count their days walking in the Perkins Walking Challenge. Brenda Ruping

Please click on the following link for information on Lesley University’s new Transition Specialist Endorsement program:

SAVE THE DATE: We will be having a celebration for the six long-time Secondary staff members who are retiring on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 6pm – 11pm at the Hibernian Hall. The invitation was sent to your Perkins email. Please RSVP by May 1st.

To staff in the Howe building & Greenhouse: It is time to check and restock your first aid kits please email/ call Margie X7340 to make an appointment.

Message from Pat McCall: We are very excited to announce that there will be a professional development opportunity entitled: “Practical Application of the Common Core Standards” on April 29th. Please check your email for more information. We would like to get as many people as possible to participate. Please let Diane know if you are interested.

Party with Perkins at Fenway Park

The R&R Committee has purchased 85 tickets to see the Red Sox vs. the Oakland Athletics on Friday, May 2 at 7:10 PM. All of the tickets are together in the Right Field Roof Box Terrace. 35 tickets are for seats and sell for $50 each. 50 tickets are Standing Room and sell for $30.We will sell the tickets to Perkins staff at a discounted price of $40 per seat and $20 per Standing Room ticket.To enter a free lottery to purchase a pair of tickets, contact Kevin at or x7628 Kevin will choose the winners at 3 PM on Monday, April 28.