Sunday, August 28, 2011

New to NYC Public Schools?


Are you new to NYC or back after a time away? If you are not already registered in your local school you will need to go to a Student Registration Center from August 31 to Sept. 16, Mon. to Fri., 8am to 3pm.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Tips for Changing Schools



How to ease anxiety-provoking transitions for a child with special needs 

Beth Arky

Writer
CHILD MIND INSTITUTE
With the new school year on the horizon, most parents are busy stocking up on fall clothes and folders. But those of you with special-needs children have a lot more than shopping to think about. Kids and teens with diagnoses such as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning disabilities, or anxiety issues are already going to need more of your support than typically developing kids as they say goodbye to summer and prepare for the return to school. But if your child is transitioning to a less (or more) restrictive setting, that need will be even greater.


When you create your child's annual individualized educational program (IEP) with your team of educators, the goal should always be to provide whatever support she needs to learn and grow in the least-restrictive setting. For instance, you and your team may have determined that she is ready to move from a small, self-contained class of special-needs children with a very low student-to-teacher ratio to a less restrictive setting. This could mean a bigger class where the majority of the students are typically developing, with fewer adults in the room. This new setting will require your child to be more independent, organized and self-regulating. Conversely, you may have agreed that she would benefit from a smaller, more restrictive setting, possibly with additional therapies.
See more of this article HERE

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUTH INSIGHTS AT THE WHITNEY MUSEUM


Youth Insights currently offers two semester-long after- school programs each spring and fall for 10th-12th grade New York City high school students:

YI ARTISTS

The YI Artists program brings teens together with contemporary artists, providing opportunities to work collaboratively, discuss art critically, think creatively, and make art inspired by this exchange. Youth Insights Artists meet on Wednesday afternoons from 4-6:30 pm.

YI WRITERS

In the YI Writers program, teens work closely with contemporary artists to explore art and the connections between art and text through critical and creative writing. Youth Insights Writers meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4-6:30 pm.

YI LEADERS

Graduates of the Youth Insights Artists and Writers programs are eligible to participate in YI Leaders, a yearlong, paid after-school internship. YI Leaders is an opportunity to gain experience working in a museum education department and to serve as an ambassador to your community. Applicants should be prepared to work 3-10 hours per week.
YI Leaders: 
  • Organize public programs and events for other teens from around the city, from artist’s talks to hands-on workshops; 
  • Learn to develop and lead interactive tours of the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions;
  • Assist educators in the Whitney’s Family and Community education programs; 
  • Develop online interpretive materials and maintain the Whitney’s teen blog.