And the independence grows!

It is hard to believe that January is almost done and we are over gradually making our way to the end of the school year.  Our time together this year has moved along so quickly, it sometimes takes stepping back and looking at the progress that each of our students is making, to realize how long we've been here, working hard.  The most rewarding part starts at about this time of year when we begin to see the independence take off, and students begin taking an interest in what they're doing.  Our feature blogger this week is Ahsia.  Here is what she has to say about her busy week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to fill words into sentences.  I enjoyed the Goulash I ate for lunch.  I was challenged by counting money, both coins and dollars.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about dusting the stairs at work."

It looks like we're getting a warm up...we hope it lasts.  We are taking advantage of the warmer weather to shovel off our deck at the center, what are you doing?  Have a great weekend!

New Semester: New Jobs and New Schedule!

It has been a little while since our last post.  PrairieWood Students had a shortened week last week, due to the culmination of the first semester.  While it was a short week, we were very busy with cooking and cooking.  PrairieWood students provided a delicious breakfast for all the high school faculty.  We made muffins, coffee cakes, homemade granola and yogurt, fresh fruit and a sweet Chex Mix.  What a success it was.  All the high school faculty were so appreciative of the delicious breakfast.  Below are several pictures of the preparations.

Our return to school on Monday brought a lot of changes.  We started a new schedule and some of us even started new jobs!  We will now be all participating in our life skill activities in the morning, divided into three groups and then all working in the afternoon.  Only a week into this schedule and we are all very happy with it.  It gives us more time to work in smaller groups on daily activities such as cooking, chores, city bus, grocery shopping, etc.  The change has been a challenge as well, remembering what day each student does a particular activity, knowing when to change into my work clothes...it has definitely worn us out!!!  We are ready for the weekend!  We did take some time this morning to relax and enjoy a wonderful concert at Westdale Mall provided by the Iowa Accordian club.  What great music!!!  Our feature blogger this week is Cassie B.  Here is what she has to say about this busy week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned where materials were at work like: dusting mitt, Windex, papertowels, vacuum, broom and dust pan.  I enjoyed making breakfast burritos for my cooking project.  I was challenged by the inventory I took at Io-Dis-E-Ca, just in case of a fire for insurance.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about tasks at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca."

Have a great weekend everyone...and STAY WARM!

Fans of KCRG TV-9 News!

Welcome to 2011!  We have successfully completed our first week of the new year and what a week it has been.  PrairieWood students came back from their holiday break eager to get back to work.  Today they enjoyed a community outing touring the KCRG TV-9 Studio.  A HUGE thank you to producer Adam for showing us around and giving us a behind the scenes look at our favorite news station and to Ashley, Nicole, and Kaj for letting us follow you around.  We count on the TV-9 Weather team to give us our forecast for each day and it was awesome to see all the screens and work that go into a weather forecast.  We even got to sit in the studio and watch the the Midday show live in front of our eyes.  What a special day!!!  Our feature blogger this week is Kendra.  Here is what she has to say about her week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned about American Idol on a worksheet.  I enjoyed my chore of watering plants.  I was challenged by washing dishes.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about walking and exercising at the Rec. Center."

PrairieWood Transition Center students take a moment on set to pose for a picture.

Have a great weekend!!!