Adult Connections in Mason recently began a new volunteer site at Mason City Schools, thanks to Kenny Atkins a beloved maintenance employee there.  He initiated and promoted our volunteers for an incredible work experience. Every Wednesday at Mason Early Childhood Center (MECC) school, our Adult Connections volunteers fill, organize, and count nearly 60 food donation bags for the less fortunate families to take home every Friday, so they are able to have sustaining, weekend meals. Our Adult Connections participants use their professional manners and phenomenal work ethics while working near the Mason school staff and students.

We greatly thank Mr. Kenny, who gives our participants kindness and support every Wednesday!

The school psychologists, OTs, PTs, SLPs and transition coordinators met this quarter for their collaborative department meeting. The afternoon began with a mindfulness discussion and skill practice. Mike Bidwell, WCESC director of social-emotional learning, led the group through several breathing techniques and chair yoga moves. Afterward, Jared Kaiser, Director of the WCESC new Deerfield Campus student program, provided an overview of a trauma informed lens and approach to working with students. The day wrapped up with a team activity surrounding expanding the employees knowledge of all the different WCESC student programs.

The students in the WCESC Social Communications program learned about good hand washing practices to help keep themselves germ free.  Alex Tidwell, resource coordinator, connected with Shelly Norton and Bri Higgins from the Warren County Health Department to bring this fun hands-on interactive lesson to the students on how to wash and dry their hands in order to wash away the most germs. 

The Warren County Imagination Library is here! The Warren County ESC is excited to be a partner in this county-wide effort with the goal that Every Child Reads Every Day!

All Warren County children under five can have a FREE book mailed to THEM every month. Sign up now at www.imaginationlibrary.org
Warren County Imagination Library Founding Partners are Franklin-Springboro Public Library, Lebanon Public Library, Mary L. Cook Public Library, Mason Public Library, Salem Township Public Library, United Way of Warren County, and Warren County Foundation. The five libraries have generously funded a three-year pilot in collaboration with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. (tag each org for maximum penetration) 

Please sign up, share this post and join us in The Biggest Civic Engagement in Warren County History – A Generational Change!  Questions? Contact the Warren County Imagination Library at 513-934-1001 or info@warrencountyfoundation.org

Students and staff alike enjoyed Cool Critters Outreach’s visit at the Learning Center.  This very hands-on educational program has been one of our favorites for years. Students learn about the animals and their habitat and get to hold and/or pet them if they like.  A clear favorite this time was Fievel Mousekevitz, the Chinchilla, who can only visit in the winter as his fur is too warm (and super soft) for summer visits. 

As part of their early release staff meeting, the Mason Heights Social Communication teachers and paraprofessionals engaged in professional development breakout sessions in the areas of communication and sensory integration.  Speech & Language Pathologists Elise Hargis, M.A. SLP-CCC and Kelly Reynolds, M.A., SLP-CCC presented an experiential training on the importance of modeling communication using (AAC) Augmentative and Alternative Communication.  Staff engaged in activities using Touch Chat, Core Boards, Proloquo2Go, etc. and discussed the value in modeling language (though it may look different using AAC) with their students on a daily basis.

Occupational therapy staff Faleasha Wink, OTR/L and Carrie Magoto, COTA/L presented a “Make It, Take It Calming and Alerting Activities” to help students with self-regulation.  The staff made sensory bags and fidget key chains!  They also discussed ideas for daily whole body movement and environmental adaptations to promote an increased calm or increased alert state that can be used within the Social Communication school environment!