Important Dates:
The Yearbook is Going Digital!The SKILLs Yearbook Committee is creating a digital yearbook! The yearbook will include many memories from the year including trips to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, academic classes, Morning Meeting, trips to Saint John’s University, internship, virtual learning and so much more. We hope the students enjoy the digital edition! Be Inspired!This week I’ve picked disability activist Mia Ives-Rublee. Mia knows how to push for what she believes in--she was the Coordinator and Founder for the Women’s March on Washington Disability Caucus back in 2017! Mia is also a public speaker and loves to stay active. Learn more about Mia here--thank you for inspiring us Mia! What Have YOU Been Reading?See below to hear what Magaly (Community Inclusion Assistant) has been reading! "Hello SKILLs students! This is Magaly. I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. I’ve been keeping myself busy by reading a colorful and inspiring book called, “The Art Book,” which is an interesting survey of Art History published by Phaidon Press. The first edition was published in 1994, and it was later reprinted from 1995 to 2011. This new edition, (revised, expanded and updated) was published in 2012. It was printed in Singapore. The Art Book is an A to Z guide of the greatest painters, photographers, and sculptors the world has known from Medieval times to the present day." Jacqueline Bediako. Assistant Division Head Our next Fabulous Friday activity will be "Find Your Zen Friday!" There will be a mix of yoga and mindfulness meditation. We hope to see you there. Please note that this event will be held on Friday, June 12. A note to parents: During large group activities students may be muted. Students also have the option to turn off their video, so we cannot see what they are doing. While we are watching, we need your help checking in that your child is ok. ASD NEST Support Team's Family Webinars: 1. Setting Realistic Expectations for You and Your Family 2. Keep Calm and Carry On: Supporting Emotional Regulation 3. Staying Connected: Nurturing Social Ties 4. Register and join us for our next session on Thursday June 4th "The Road Ahead: Preparing for Transitions" Dr Tabone announced earlier this week that Cooke’s Summer Academy will be virtual. SKILLs Summer Academy Director, Dave Oren, has been working hard with our team to ensure programming continues to meet our student's needs and provides enriching activities. Summer Academy will run from July 1st through August 12th. Friday, May 29's event will be Cohort Yearbook Photos and Mini Game Day! Stay tuned for more details next week. A note to parents: During large group activities students may be muted. Students also have the option to turn off their video, so we cannot see what they are doing. While we are watching, we need your help checking in that your child is ok. Be Inspired!Each week we are continuing to pick people in the world who can inspire us and help us get through tough times. This week, I’ve picked Tony Deblois! Tony was born prematurely and was diagnosed with autism--he is also blind. Tony has grown into an adult who has followed his talents and interests. Tony has also pursued a career as a musician. Go Tony and thank you for inspiring us! What Are YOU Doing to Keep Busy?
Click here to sign up for the YAI social skills group. Click here to sign up for Project Grown Up. IMPORTANT UPDATES CLASS OF 2020 CELEBRATIONS - SAVE THE DATE! We are in the process of planning a special virtual SKILLs Banquet for our 2020 graduates! The Banquet will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 11 am. Our Speech Therapists have begun meeting with graduating students to discuss Banquet plans and their speeches. SUMMER We continue to await further notifications from Governor Cuomo regarding the potential opening of Summer School. Cooke Summer Directors are planning for the possibility of virtual summer programming in the event that the school buildings must remain closed. JUNE 4th Cooke was previously scheduled for a professional development day on Thursday June 4th. During the virtual learning program, we will continue to run class sessions/assignments on Thursday June 4th and instead will change our professional development session to FRIDAY JUNE 5th. There will be NO ZOOM Classes or Google Classroom assignments on Friday June 5th. SKILLs at NYU!On February 5, 2020, Cooke SKILLs students had the chance to perform at New York University. Cooke’s Drama Therapist, Adam Stevens along with a group of students and NYU interns from SKILLs presented a performative demonstration for NYU's Drama Therapy As Performance Series. Together, they amplified the need for representation and visibility of diverse experiences in the world. The co-created process was titled, OUR FAMILY, OUR STORY: Being Black & Strong in Drama Therapy. Integrating Robert Landy's iconic framework of Role Theory and Method, and Stevens' Black American Role Taxonomy or BART System, the group shared a glimpse into their drama therapy process at Cooke through the exploration and play of racialized and othered roles. This work allows opportunities for people who are marginalized to reauthor their narratives and feel a sense of empowerment. The students gave a shining performance that illuminated resilience, empowerment and a touch of royalty. Last week the students from SKILLs had the opportunity to view a film edit from our collaboration with New York University. The film, which featured the group, is an edit that brings together footage from three camera angles and integrates the powerful voices of the students’ experiences. It looks really beautiful and we are grateful that students were a part of the project. NYU plans to launch the performance, part of a larger series, to the public through an NYU open-access channel. The SKILLs students met with Adam to reflect on the film and share their thoughts. Unanimously, the students advocated for more opportunities for their voices and talents to be heard and seen. Adam Stevens, Drama Therapist & School Counselor Today's Fabulous Friday Karaoke Party will have breakout rooms and a variety of (school appropriate) songs to sing. We can't wait to hear you rocking out! A note to parents: During large group activities students may be muted. Students also have the option to turn off their video, so we cannot see what they are doing. While we are watching, we need your help checking in that your child is ok. Be Inspired!This week I’ve picked Stephen Wiltshire as our person to draw inspiration from! Wiltshire, who hails from London, is an artist who can draw whole cities from memory--how cool! Wiltshire, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, has made great pictures after seeing cities from above while riding in a helicopter. Learn more about Wiltshire here! What Are YOU Doing to Keep Busy?Kendra, Community Inclusion Assistant, has been doing lots of fun things to keep busy. Click HERE to learn more!
Jacqueline Bediako, Assistant Division Head Hi Students and Parents, A reminder that our Virtual Family Conferences will be held on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19. Meetings will take place using Zoom or the telephone.
Warning Cuteness Overload! Francesca, Transition Coordinator, welcomed a baby boy, Nathan Lee, on May 2. Mama and baby are doing well. For any transition related questions, please contact me or John Malaya at [email protected]. Be Inspired!In our weekly newsletter, we've been learning more about inspirational individuals. This week I've picked Aaron Fotheringham. Aaron was born with Spina Bifida, which is a birth defect of the spinal cord. As a result, Aaron has no use of his legs. Aaron has won the WCMX World Championships (motorcross) multiple times, and he executed the first "wheelchair flair"/backflip 180. Go Aaron! You can learn more about Aaron here. He is an inspiration to us all! What are YOU Doing to Keep Busy?We've been checking in with SKILLs staff to see what's been keeping them busy! See below from Jeremy (Community Inclusion Assistant): "Hi SKILLs Students! I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe during these times. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy which has made the days go by a bit faster. I’ve been doing home workouts, and watching a lot of Disney movies on the Disney Plus App. Frozen 2 is a must watch if you haven’t seen it yet. Well, I hope everyone and their families are staying safe." Jacqueline Bediako, Assistant Division Head For more details for Guggenheim For All click here. Hi Families, We will hold Virtual Family Conferences on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19. Meetings will take place using Zoom or the telephone.
We are excited to announce the start of Fabulous Fridays! On May 8, we hope you will join us for a Virtual Dance Party at 12:30 pm! Each week we will feature a large group activity. Stay tuned for more details to come early next week. A note to parents: During large group activities students may be muted. Students also have the option to turn off their video, so we cannot see what they are doing. While we are watching, we need your help checking in periodically that your child is ok. Music is a great way to relax, take a break and have some fun. Check out the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music's therapist, Noa singing a song here! GROUP FITNESS FUN ALERT!! There is nothing better than movement to brighten up a rainy week! On Wednesday, two fitness instructors, at Barry's Bootcamp and co-founders of Brave Body Project, led two live workouts for SKILLs' students and staff! We push-upped, jumping jacked, danced, laughed, and had a great time! We hope to see you at more group activities soon! Be Inspired!Is fashion your thing? Well, it’s time to be inspired! Isabella Springmuhl Tejada is a Guatemalan fashion designer who faced rejection, and yet continued to follow her dreams! In 2016, Isabella became the first designer with down syndrome to have her work showcased at London Fashion week. Isabella used Guatemalan textiles in her designs, and gained fans from all over the world! Learn more about Isabella here. What have YOU been doing to keep busy?Ena (Paraprofessional) has been keeping busy by making delicious meals at home and keeping active! See Ena’s videos here to learn more about her skills in the kitchen! Aside from cooking, Ena has been keeping busy by taking walks (only one time per day) close to her home. When Ena goes out, she wears a mask and keeps her distance from others. Thank you for sharing Ena! Jacqueline Bediako, Assistant Division Head |
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