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Circle of Friends CHMS & Lesha’s Twist

Circle of Friends CHMS & Lesha’s Twist. 12/4/06. Introductions. Lesha Gates – Special Educator/ Autism Consultant at Camels Hump Middle School & Chittenden East Supervisory Union Mark Carbone – Principal at Camels Hump Middle School. Activities. 1- 20 ( debrief) 123 Look (debrief).

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Circle of Friends CHMS & Lesha’s Twist

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  1. Circle of FriendsCHMS & Lesha’s Twist 12/4/06

  2. Introductions • Lesha Gates – Special Educator/ Autism Consultant at Camels Hump Middle School & Chittenden East Supervisory Union • Mark Carbone – Principal at Camels Hump Middle School

  3. Activities • 1- 20 ( debrief) • 123 Look (debrief)

  4. Where did COF comes from? • Netwon, Colin & Derek Wilson. Creating Circle of Friends • Tonight you will hear CHMS & Lesha’s Twist

  5. Why COF @ CHMS • It is a need that should be met in the school community. • CHMS COF: To provide access to natural friendships across peers that are self-sustaining.

  6. History of COF at CHMS We have been running and supporting Circle of Friends group at Camels Hump successfully for 5 years. We have built and supported 4 different groups in that time. Currently we have one group in their second year and are in the process of forming 2 new groups. Lesha continues to support two groups that have transitioned to the high school

  7. MEET COF Groups: • Madeline’s Group • Picture #1 5th grade year • Pictures #2 & #3 • Video Clip # 1 ( 15 minutes)

  8. Group Formation: • Facilitators Commitment • Parent Commitment • Teacher Commitment • Administrative Commitment • Student Commitment

  9. Student Commitment Consider: • Age group • Group # • Boys vs girls • Time commitment varies • Each group is different a varies on need

  10. How are students chosen? • Teacher and administrators select • Volunteer

  11. Pre - activities • New classes/New Peers: Introduction to classmates in groups of two around a reinforcing activity • If class has been together for a while (popcorn & skittle activity) to whole class and then ask for volunteers

  12. Popcorn and skittle activity • Outside row ( family) • Next: Community ( church, gas station • People paid to be in your life( teacher, Dr.) • Friends/Acquaintances ( hi, how are you) • Close Friends( you call on the phone, do things outside of school) • Attached sheets

  13. Key Concept: • You are building natural supports not teacher helpers

  14. Cycle of Meetings • Joint Connections: On-going learning about each other and what they have in common • Community Services • Celebration

  15. Joint Connection Examples: • Reading Ian’s Walk • Risk Zone and Safety Zone • Planning to Include • Laughing at yourself and Laughing at others • Sensory Activities ( clip # 2 – 30 sec.)

  16. Community Involvement • ( after group is established ) we found that the best way to solidify natural friendships is to have students participate in volunteer activity outside of school • i.e. Ronald McDonald House, baking Dog Biscuits, school assemblies

  17. Celebrations • Recognition for what they have done so far is a regular occurrence whether it involves displaying posters, notes home, quarterly specials

  18. Other Activities Supported by COF • Unified Sports ( power point ) • after school sports programs supported initially through Special Olympics and then supported by the school and private donations. Involves recruiting students with disabilities and their peers without disabilities to partner as they participate in sports activities such as soccer, floor hockey, snowshoeing, bowling, and skiing

  19. Other Activities Cont. Summer program - the summer program is designed to focus on retention of IEP goals including self-care, academics and the primary focus, social relationship development and maintenance. CHMS – CAMP NO NAME Group involvement in the curriculum (theme projects with one of the CoF who is in his class, support when IA is absent and no sub) Teachers and Advocates

  20. Successes - Testimonials • M- – 1st year the girls ran to her dad’s car grabbed her stuff and said bye to her dad – his reaction • 2nd year - Mad went on the camping trip without her 1:1 a request of her CoF and supported them ( required them to rephrase directions, use visuals, help with fine and gross motor tasks, take care of her hearing aids and FM system), skiing at Sugar Bush and then Bolton – Skiing birthday party • J – learning to communicate with hand signals treky, high five, knuckles, E.T., wicked • A – boys taught him when to swear, what to wear, and why not to tell girls that you love them • A – help picking out a dress for 8th grade graduation, help with being laughed out and laughing with • R- support at school dances, independence in the community • Clip # 3 Ms. Zagursky - Teacher • Clip # 4 Carol Bennett – Madeline’s Mom

  21. Struggles • It is very adult heavy in the beginning. It is a big commitment and time needs to be allotted for planning and communicating. • Inclusion vs. Exclusion • Not building teacher helpers

  22. Josh’s Story • Clip # 4 • Clip # 5 • Att: notes from first year meetings (quick jots excuse GUM and typos) and parent testimonial • Thank You Josh (and Hilary) for letting us share your story

  23. Questions • Thank You

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