Author: Engle

Washington School District Transition Newsletter

Fall 2011
Issue

Transition

Secondary transition is the process of preparing students for life after they leave high school, including participation in post—secondary education or training, employment, & community living. These three areas are often referred to as post school outcomes & are the driving force behind the student’s IEP. In PA, transition planning begins at age 14 & continues until the student graduates from high school (up to the age of 21). Students will begin to explore what their post school outcomes goal is through career awareness & career exploration activities. Each year, students will have an opportunity to sit with the Transition Coordinator to explore interest inventories & career assessments to help guide them to reach their goals. Each student is unique, having his/ her own strengths & needs; therefore ; each transition plan will be specific to that student. Transition should be a bridge between high school & the opportunities that lie ahead which include post secondary education / training, employment & independent living. Transition planning involves a variety of people working together to support the student’s goals. The partnership between the student, family, school age personnel &, post school services & program providers, & local community members are a must. Effective transition involves purposeful planning among all these entities. It entails recognizing the student’s current strengths, interests, preferences, needs, & then identifying what services & supports he or she will need to achieve his / her goal.

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Self Determination & Self Advocacy

These are two of the most important skills for transition planning. Self Determination is knowing & accepting who you are, where you want to go in life & develop a plan to get there. Self Advocacy means the ability to understand & explain your disability, strengths, challenges & to ask for help when you need it. Below are some tips for families to help promote Self Determination in youth with disabilities.
Promote Choice Making:
Identify strengths, interests, & learning styles; provide choices about clothing, social activities, family events, & methods of learning new information; hold high expectations for your youth; Teach your son/ daughter about his / her disability; allow for mistakes & consequences; listen to your youth.
Encourage Problem Solving:
Teach problem solving skills; allow ownership of challenges & problems; accept problems as part of healthy development; hold family meetings to identify problems at home, at school or in the community; allow youth to develop a list of self identified consequences.

Topics Inside:
*Transition to Employment, Post Secondary Ed., Independent Living
*Transition Tips for Parents
*Activities to help plan for the future
*Why do assessments/ surveys?
*Explore your options
*Career Trends
*Average Salaries in PA
*Career Tips
*Now & Later Expectations
*Resources
*Horoscopes for future
* Contact information

Transition to Employment...

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The transition your son/daughter will make from being a child to a young adult in the community is a long journey. Determining where to go, the best way to arrive there, & then finishing the journey can be challenging. It is essential that you begin to talk to your child about this transition as early as possible.
Finding a job, interviewing, & heading out to work daily may seem like a lifetime from now; however preparing for a future career starts early & can happen in different ways. Exploring a variety of jobs as a student will help your child be better prepared to decide on a career path. Here are some tips to help your child explore what is out there:
Encourage your child to think about jobs he/she would like to have.
Help your child develop a sense of responsibility by giving him/ her household chores
Talk about different careers when you see people working & have them think on how he/she got to that position
Research what it takes to have that career
By showing your child how many people are involved in different jobs, you keep your child’s mind open to all of the career opportunities & possibilities.

Transition to Post Secondary Education...

Transitioning from high school to post secondary education can be scary for students but your encouragement & careful planning can help make the transition smoother. Post secondary education is referred to as a vocational program (trade / technical school) & a two or four year college/ university. There are a few things to consider when looking at post secondary options: location of school, size of school, programs that are offered, transportation, housing, requirements for admission & cost. Once your child has narrowed down where he/she potentially would like to attend it is important that you make a visit to the post secondary choice and talk to your OVR counselor to see how he/she can help you & your child at the next level. There are some major differences between high school & post secondary education. Let’s take a look at some of them:

High school is an entitlement, mandatory, & usually free. Others structure your child’s time & permission is required to participate in extracurricular activities. Parents/Teachers remind your child of responsibilities & assist in setting priorities & goals. Days are planned for your child 1 class after the other M-F & teachers help your child with his/her IEP / 504 plan. In high school your child is guided through the process & students are told what to do & how to behave.

P.S.E. is a choice, a right to access, voluntary & costly. Students manage their own time, decision are theirs to make, balancing their time & setting priorities are their responsibility not yours or their professors. Once your child turns 18, parents no longer have legal right to student information, unless you maintain guardianship. Classes are varied throughout the day & evening & offered different days of the week. Documentation of your disability is your child’s responsibility. An IEP / 504 plan are not accepted. It is up to your child to seek assistance with OSD (office for students with disabilities) at their post secondary choice.

Transition to Independent Living...

Imagining your child living on his/ her own can be a scary thought considering he/she has been under your roof for so long! Will he/she be able to handle it? Are they prepared enough? No fear—teaching your child skills now to be independent will help your child be confident & capable to live on their own. Preparing for independent living means more than fining a place to live, you must take into account transportation, self advocacy, financial skills, medical support and typical house responsibilities.
As your child gets older it is important to think about how he/she can be actively involved in the community. Being involved can build a sense of confidence, inclusion, & satisfaction. It is also a great way to make friends.
It is important to give careful consideration to what your child will do after the work day is complete. Recreation / leisure activities for your child with a disability does not mean a specialized service or program. Almost any community program can accommodate a person with a disability, as long as the program’s leaders are aware of the disability. When trying a new program contact the coach to discuss your child & accommodations ahead of time. Recreational activities can be a source of fulfillment, a way to meet others & make friends. Not to mention is a great way to stay active, healthy, & have fun!

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Transition Tips for Parents...

Some tips for supporting your son or daughter in the transition process:
Know your rights and responsibilities and keep abreast of laws and policies regarding transition and adult services.
Talk with your son or daughter about the future and what he or she wants it to be.
Give your child opportunities to plan for himself or herself even if it means that he or she sometimes choose incorrectly. They will be involved in making many choices after graduation and need practice in weighing options available to them socially and educationally.
Encourage your child’s dreams by using their strengths and abilities to create realistic steps to their goals.
Let your child take responsibilities for their own actions.
Provide opportunities outside of school for interaction with others of different ages and backgrounds to help your child develop social confidence.
Help your child learn about his or her disability and how to ‘speak up’ for the supports he/she needs.
Maintain copies of all school records and medical information

Activities to Help Plan for the Future...

Do you know the requirements by the state of Pennsylvania to obtain your permit or driver’s license? There are several steps to take prior to getting in the car…here is what you need to know.
At 16 years of age, go to the PA driver’s license center with your social security card, a completed physical form, and a parent/guardian. At that time you will take the permit test. With a permit you MUST log 50 hours of driving experience with 10 of those hours being night time driving. The permit is valid for 1 year.
At 16 and 6 months of age, you can schedule a road test where you will drive to obtain a junior driver’s licenses. This means you are restricted to driving alone between the hours of 6 am and 12 am.
At 17 and 6 months of age, you may apply for an unrestricted driver’s license IF you held a junior license for 12 months, had no crashes, no criminal offenses AND you have taken a drivers education course. If you do not take a drivers education course, you may apply for an unrestricted driver’s license at the age of 18.
Any questions visit the PA Department of Transportation at www.dot.state.pa.us

Why do Assessments / Surveys?

When you are not sure what type of job you wan tor what you want to do next with your career assessments / surveys could be your next step. These assessments / surveys can help narrow down your job choices & help you choose a career path that is compatible with your interests. Evaluating your goals, life styles, & dreams can provide insight into what types of jobs you are best suited for. You may find a career that interest you that you had not thought of before. During your child’s middle school & high school years he/ she will be given a variety of assessments & surveys to help plan for his/her future. Some assessments can be completed online at no cost. PA career zone has some great surveys to include budgeting, interest profiling, and exploring different careers.
These areas can be explored at www.pacareerzone.org

Explore Your Options to Employment...

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The first step in thinking about future jobs is to consider the different employment possibilities in your community as well as surrounding communities . It is imperative that you keep in mind your child’s interest, abilities, strengths & needs. You can begin by writing down the responsibilities & interests that your child has at home, in school, & in the community. Those skills can help lead to a bright career. You can talk to your child about the following & how they relate to their future employment:
Interpersonal skills: attitude, cooperation, teamwork & communication skills. Look at how your child interacts at home with family & friends, with people in the community that he/she might or might not know, with peers & adults at school. What are his/her strengths & what can he/she continue to work on?
Perceptual skills: ability to judge where, how & if things fit together. Take a look at how your child can perform in these areas.
Work aptitudes: ability to remember & follow instructions & procedures, ability to plan, organize, & improve with practice. Look at how your child performs in school, on a sports team, & volunteering in the community. Is your child a leader or a follower? Does your child wait until the last minute to get things done or does he/she plan ahead of time. What can you work on with your child to improve his/her weaknesses and continue to build upon his/her strengths.

Explore Your Options to Post Secondary Education...

Students who want to continue their education have many different options & it can be overwhelming. You can help your child by talking to him/her about their strengths & weaknesses. From that discussion together you can come up with a game plan / strategies to be successful in your child’s post secondary choice. Remember that there are big changes ahead & by preparing now you can make that transition a bit easier. Some topics to discuss could include:
time management (how does your child handle his/her time?)
supports needed (what family/friends supports are needed now on a daily basis to help your child throughout the day?)
what kind of classes does your child take an interest in now (explore what careers are related to those classes)
what is your child good at (what careers relate to these strengths?)
what is your child’s disability (how does it effect daily life & what strategies are in place to help him/her with this disability?)
Discussing these topics and planning for the future will not happen over night . Continue to talk to your child, his/her teachers to get their input along with the guidance counselor and transition coordinator. If you work with an agency ask for their assistance to help make a complete support circle for your child.

Explore Your Options to Independent Living...

Since housing is such a big part of independent living it is important to discuss all possibilities: living at home (still being somewhat independent with household responsibilities—cell phone bill, dishes, laundry, cooking, personal hygiene), living in an apartment (managing money to pay rent, grocery shopping), living in a house (maintenance & repairs & more freedom), group homes (ability to get along with others & accepting help from others). Another discussion topic should be self advocacy (knowledge of your disability & available resources to assist you).
Participating in community activities can start at any age with volunteering at some of the following places: food pantries, park / recreation centers, nonprofit organizations, humane society, retirement homes, & hospitals. Community resources that are available include: youth organizations (sports, & girl/boy scouts), community theater / arts centers, churches, libraries, & public parks.
There are all kinds of activities in school that your child can get involved in: yearbook, clubs, chorus, band, & sports. Finding activities around the house include: gardening, home repairs, computer activities, reading, biking, & arts / crafts. Recreational activities in the community include: summer camps, religious youth groups, special Olympics & other sporting activities.

Now & Later Expectations...

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Whether it is something you’re aware of now or something that you will realize later; your teachers are preparing you for your future. Rules, guidelines, and appropriate behaviors are skill builders for expectations that you will need in life, no matter your desired path or outcome.
Your teachers have helped to list several expectations that are incorporated in the classroom helping you to establish skills to go with you beyond the doors of Washington School District.

Top 5 Classroom Expectations:
Be on time
Be prepared
Act appropriately
Be respectful
Be ready to work
As you see, these expectations are simple, yet have a great impact to you and others in the classroom. These same simple expectations will work well for you in your future.

Career Trends...

Average Salary for PA

STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) remain in high demand. These jobs have grown 3xs as fast as non STEM jobs over the last decade.
Six sectors demonstrate the potential for job growth this decade: heath care, business services, leisure & hospitality, construction, manufacturing & retail.
Potential shortages are expected in the following: nutritionists, welders, nurse’s aides, computer specialist & engineers.
Health care is one of the largest & fastest growing industries in PA. There are many areas in which you can specialize within the healthcare field. The lists of possible employment opportunities in the health care field are abundant. Some of the less common / unknown health care positions are: health care interpreter, ultra sound tech, low vision therapist, & medical coder.
(Information came from CTE website)

Art Therapist = 39,000—80,000
Dental Hygienist = 44,900—92,860
Physical Therapist = 52,170—105,900
Chiropractor = 65,000—100,000
Occupational Therapist Assistant = 34,135—65,160
Respiratory Therapist = 39,000—71,920
Child Care Worker = 22,200—30,790
Mason Worker = 41,183—65,139

Career Tips...

High school students preparing for the future need to finish high school and get that diploma. Almost every single career & job requires a high school diploma or a GED. Your education is an investment in you so you should consider continuing your education in some form or another. It is up to you as a high school student to research the careers that are available and find the “right” one for you. Take the time to evaluate your personal interests and abilities. Develop computer skills considering the world revolves around computers and take advantage of every opportunity to learn new computer programs that could advance your career. Gain experience early—don’t turn your nose up to volunteer work. Learning by doing is a great way to approach a prospective career. Internships, part time jobs and volunteer work are the best ways to get hands on experience and build your resume. Most importantly keep learning! There is no such thing as a person who knows it all so take every opportunity to learn new skills.

Washington School District—Transition Coordinator

Resources:

Mrs. Michelle Engle
201 Allison Ave.
Washington, Pa 15301
Website: www.washingtonsdtransition.weebly.com

Phone: 724.223.5080
Phone: 724.249.4482
E-mail: kasula@washington.k12.pa.us

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) - 724.223.4430 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/vocational_rehabilitation/10356
Southwest Training Services—724.229.1350 www.swtraining.org
PA Career Link Southwestern PA– 724.223.4500 https://www.cwds.state.pa.us
TEC - 724.225.3535 http://www.tecwg.org/home.html
Washington Communities MH / MR—724.225.6940 www.washcomm.net
Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network - www.pyln.org
Federal Student Aid - www.federalstudentaid.gov
PA Association for Gifted Education—PAGE http://www.tecwg.org/home.html
Washington Rides—724.223.8747 www.washingtonrides.org

Horoscope for Your Future:

Aquarius (1/20-2/18) You bring enthusiasm to the work that you do, especially when it involves expression. You have an exceptionally high ability to put your imaginative qualities to the task & to think outside the box. Being visionary types, you love to engage in careers that aim to benefit humankind in the long-run.

Pisces (2/19-3/20) Intuitive & often dreamy, the Piscean is most comfortable in positions that bring their creative natures into humanitarian causes. Some good careers are lawyer, architect, vet, musician, social worker, & game designer. The key phrase for this sign is “I believe.”

Aires (3/21-4/19) This is the area of life where you apt to shine the brightest. Ambitious, creative, & often driven by the need to be the best you can be, the workplace can be the perfect platform. Born leaders, this sign is far more comfortable taking charge than taking orders. All the Aries has to do is follow his / her own lead.

Taurus (4/20-5/20) Stability is the keyword for this sign. The key phrase is “I have.” You love money, & they’re not afraid to work hard to get it. On the job, you are dependable, patient, & through. You are on time, up for almost anything, & diligent.

Gemini5/211-6/21) The best suited careers for you are those that stimulate the intellect. “I think” is the key phrase for this sign. You are inventive & often literary. It’s important that the work they commit themselves to doing is dynamic & challenging so boredom doesn’t set in.

Cancer(6/22-7/22) You especially shine when performing care-giving or related tasks, & they make excellent nurses. Other career ambitions include housekeeper, gardener, & journalist. The need to feel as though they are making a difference, however small is essential for this sign to feel fulfilled.

Leo(7/23-8/22) You are a doer. You are ambitious, creative, & optimistic. It’s not enough for a Leo to just do the job. In order to suffice, it must be done to the absolute best of their ability. Once committed to an employer, they will go all out, but the best situation for the Leo is to be his/ her own boss.

Virgo(8/23-9/22) “I analyze” is the key phrase for your personality. Industrious, discriminating, & scientific by nature, you really know how to get to the heart of the matter. You are exceptionally methodical & do well in jobs that require organization.

Libra(9/23-10/22) You can be excellent leaders, & will work hard to earn the privilege. Truth & justice always prevail for you as you go about your day. Working with others or in a partnership is ideal for this social sign. Artistic & persuasive, these folks are gifted talkers who do well in any position that provides opportunity to chat.

Scorpio(10/23-11/21) “I desire” is the key phrase for you. You are fantastic at managing, solving, or creating. Once you set your sights on a goal, there is no deterring you. Your ability to focus coupled with determination makes for strong management skills.

Sagittarius(11/22-12/21) When you see something as possible in your mind, you will go to great lengths to rally enough people to make it happen. Straightforward, you don’t usually mince words about what you want, & you seem to know exactly what needs to be said in a given situation.

Capricorn(12/22-1/19) “Ambition” is the key word for you. You possess a real knack for finding the right tool for the job & getting down to it. Starting at the bottom of the ladder & working your way to the top doesn’t scare you off. You will go the distance once a goal is set.