Next Steps

As we begin to see signs of spring in our surroundings we have also noticed some changes in our students at the Transition Center.  They are preparing for the end of the school year.  For some of them, this means anxiously awaiting summer plans that include vacation, volunteer work or Day Hab.  For others, this means the biggest transition they have encountered; leaving school and beginning life in the adult world.  To make this transition smooth and painless, we try to help out with this transition by giving them opportunities to explore their next steps while they are still coming to school.  Some begin working longer days in community jobs, or take the bus to and from school.  Others spend time meeting people and learning routines in their supported employment environments.  For everyone it is a big time for change and like the beautiful weather, sunshine, and flowers of spring, we do our best to embrace it!

Our feature blogger this week is a student who has begun her transition out of school: Kaitlyn.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to say hi to new people.  I enjoyed my new job.  I was challenged by putting the silver things in the bag.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about making new friends."

Look at them go!

We love Spring time at the PrairieWood Transition Center.  This is when things "click" for our students and we see them take off and start to show us just how independent they are, and how much they have learned over the school year.  And this year is no different!  Our group has really taken off in the last few weeks!

Spring also means things are starting to wrap up.  We are making plans for senior staff outs, and preparing students to transition into their adult community whether it be for good, or just a little taste for the summer before returning for another school year at PrairieWood.  As we prepare for these changes, it provides a great opportunity to reflect on how far each PrairieWood student has come throughout the year.  Way to go to our students!

Our feature blogger this week is Kyle.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood, I learned to find hamburger buns at HyVee.  I enjoyed making pizza rolls.  I was challenged by the staples at work.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn about making English Muffin pizzas."

Our Community full of Opportunities

There are so many great programs that offer opportunities for our students as they enter the adult world.  Today we visited the DayHab program through The Arc.  This program just celebrated its 1st birthday and are growing as more young adults need services.  We enjoyed looking at pictures of all the activities they do in the community.  It looks like they have so much fun and learn all at the same time!  Thank you to those
who showed us around today.

Our feature blogger today is Nolan.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...

This week at PrairieWood I learned where the strawberries are at HyVee.  I enjoyed walking on the treadmill and playing basketball at the Rec. Center.  I was challenged by shutting the van door and then moving onto my job.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about how I can stay focused at work.  I enjoyed my lunch at Tommy's Family Restaurant."

Have a great weekend!  We hope spring makes a return next week!!!

Spread your wings!

Today is a very special day at PrairieWood.  Today, one of our students is spreading her wings and flying out on her own.  Sarah will be leaving us to begin work at Goodwill.  We could not be more excited and proud of her.  Sarah has learned so much and grown in her time at PrairieWood.  She is such a hard worker and so driven.  Good luck Sarah!  We hope all good things for your new, independent life!


We also celebrated a 21st birthday today!  Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!  Thank you for sharing a sweet treat with us!

With all this celebrating we managed to find time to learn too.  We spent our morning at the Iowa City Fire House 4 and had a great tour led by Mr. Brian Marak.  Brian showed us through the fire house and showed us all the equipment on the fire trucks that help the fire fighters help all of us.

Enjoy your weekend!

Snow Days oh Snow Days!

My goodness!  What a winter we are having!  We "enjoyed" yet another Snow day this week.  What did you do with your extra day?  It was too cold to get out there and make a snow man.  Despite our change in routine, we managed to have a good week and got a lot done.

Our feature blogger this week is Nolan.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...
"This week at PrairieWood I learned to do a good job at work.  I enjoyed making a grilled cheese sandwich.  I was challenged by getting the grilled cheese sandwich from the plate to the frying pan.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about focusing on work, not watching TV.  I had a really good week at school."

Have a great weekend!

Weather Wise!

We have learned a lot about weather this year at PrairieWood.  We look at forecasts and prepare for what is coming.  We plan what to wear the next day based on the temperature and predicted forecast, and we do this all with the help of the weather team at KCRG.  Thanks to their application, website, and forecast in the newspaper, we are very "weather wise" at PrairieWood.  Today, we traveled downtown and got to tour KCRG Channel 9 Newsroom and Studio.  We learned a lot about what kind of work goes into putting our news together, especially that very important weather forecast.  Thank you to the folks at Channel 9 for taking the time to show us around!

Our feature blogger today is Andrea.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...

" This week I learned how to make more filing labels at hibu.  I liked getting my new name badge at work.  I was challenged by reading some of the file names at work.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about how to make grilled cheese.  I liked going to KCRG today!"

Based on our visit today, we got the inside scoop on the snow that is coming over the weekend...STAY WARM!

A big community today!

Today was a very busy day for us!  We spent time in the morning doing our center chores and were all very independent!  To celebrate our independence we went to lunch at Zio Johno's and displayed even more independence!  Each student ordered on their own, and payed for their own lunch!  SO GREAT!  We enjoyed great conversation and great food before heading out into the cold.  Off to Marion we went to drop off some of our holiday cards at Dreaming Bear in anticipation for tonight's Peppermint Walk (hope to see some of you out there).  From there we headed to Dollar Tree to make some more purchases, this time for our friends.  Each student selected and purchased a gift for one of their peers, to be exchanged at our holiday party later this month.  Back to the center we went to wrap our presents and wrap up our day.  It is so fun to spend the day in the community and watch each of our students show just how independent they are!

Our feature blogger this week is Parker.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood:

"This week at PrairieWood, I learned to find hamburger.  I enjoyed getting my independence award.  I was challenged by pulling the cord at HyVee for the city bus.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn how to make Spaghetti."

Pictures from our lunch out...Enjoy your weekend!