Welcome to this edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!
For all those wondering...yes, I had my baby. Ella was born Jan 12, 7lbs 1oz, 19.5 inches long. Big brother Brandon just adores his new little sister. We are all home and doing well. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and prayers! We have a great conference planned for February, see details below. Hope to see everyone there. Jennifer |
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Saturday, February 19, 2005
This is an all day conference, 9 am-3pm. You
Will Learn: After
lunch there will be an opportunity to talk with local legislators
and let them know our concerns. Free Registration includes lunch. To sign up please download the registration form here, or go to www.familysupportnetwork.org and the link is found on the top left. Please RSVP by Feb 12. Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 2003 111th Street (Corner of 111th and Book Rd). Please feel free to share this information with your friends and organizations to which you belong that support people with disabilities. |
Southwest
Activity Center to open soon!
GiGi's Playhouse Too will be opening April 23! More details to come soon.
Below is our wish list of items we are looking to have donated. Please
email Rebecca at rboms@msn.com
if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or able to donate anything.
| 1
TV cart 1 27-36 inch TV 2 DVD players 1 Stereo receiver 6 Ceiling speakers 1 projection TV (to show movies on family night) 1 96-104 inch screen for TV 1 Camcorder 1 Answering machine 2 Office phones/cordless 1 Kareoke machine 1 Copy Machine 5 Computers with 2 printers ( for education needs of the kids) Indoor play set Dress up clothes (Princess, cowboys, costumes....) New or lightly used toys Carpet (approx 1600 sq ft for resource center, office area, computer room and lounge) Hardwood flooring (Laminate for stage and floor in front of stage, 500 sq ft) Rubber flooring (400 sq ft for a play area) Stage lighting Stage curtains |
Wall
mirrors (enough for one 6x8 area)
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The
following information was provided by Tony Paulauski, Executive Director
of The Arc of Illinois.
Jan
21, Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed Brittany's Law!
Congratulations to Brittany and her Mom Kim. See story below from
the
Chicago Tribune
Law OKs diplomas for the disabled
Published January 22, 2005
LA GRANGE -- Brittany's Law, a bill that allows disabled students to
participate in high-school graduation and still have access to
state-guaranteed services, was signed into law Friday by Gov. Rod
Blagojevich.
The
law was enacted on the heels of a Tribune report in May about Brittany
Booth, 18, a Lyons Township High School student with Down syndrome.
Officials at the La Grange school initially told her that accepting a
diploma would signify the end of her schooling and therefore she would
forfeit the right to work-training services guaranteed to disabled students
through the age of 21.
Illinois
State Board of Education officials previously recommended that
schools give students certificates of completion instead of a diploma
at
graduation. But Lyons Township officials refused, saying they didn't want
to
treat disabled students differently.
That changed after state legislators drafted the law in June.
If you have a story, event, or happening email it to info@dssupport.net and we can include it in the next edition.
Calendar
| NADS
Bowl-A-Thon NDSS
Conference Calendar
updates can be found at www.dssupport.net/ Know of an event or other news? Email info@dssupport.net for inclusion in the next newsletter. |
| Looking for something to do with your kids? Check out the February calendar at GiGi's Playhouse. |