Happy Holidays!

You may be picking out candy for your expected Trick Or Treat-ers tomorrow night, busy putting the last minute touches on that scary jack 'o lanturn, or even raking the last of the leaves in your yard.  Fall is very much at the front of your mind.  Well at the PrairieWood Transition Center, we have been thinking about the Holidays since August, preparing for our 5th Annual PrairieWood Holiday Card Sale!  

We just love this years cozy design...

Outside: Mittens on the line...

Inside: "Warm wishes for the holidays."

6 Homemade Cards & 6 envelopes for $5

If you love the design too, please contact us at prairiewoodtc@prairiepride.org and we will get you all the information you need on how to order your very own package or two!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Business as usual

Last week was a pretty run of the mill, business as usual kind of week.  We were busy learning to be independent nothing got in our way!  These are the best kind of weeks at PrairieWood!  Our feature blogger this week is Nick.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned bowling.  I enjoyed city bus.  I was challenged by work at Yellow Book.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about astronauts.  I do a lot of drying dishes at PrairieWood."

Looks like we have some learning about astronauts to take care of!  Until next week!

Pumpkin Perfection!

On this beautiful fall day, PrairieWood students spent their morning in Dreaming Bear art studio painting perfect fall pumpkins!  What fun!  We continue to enjoy our time in the art studio with the fabulous Dori!

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

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to find a bag of onions at HyVee.  I enjoyed going outside and getting some exercise and picking up different colored leaves.  I was challenged by going on the city bus and getting back to the bus stop on time.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about being sociable to other people at work.  I read News2You this week and leaned about fire days."

Please enjoy the pictures of our pumpkin painting and have a great weekend!

Out come the pumpkins...getting ready to paint!

Chelsey, Aric, and Mason work on their creations.

Nick hard at work.

2 big smiles!

Sarah and her pastel stripes!

We love fall!

Special Olympics SUCCESS!

It is is a good day to be a PrairieWood student!  We traveled as a team today to our first Special Olympics event; the Bowling Regional competition.  Not only did our students bowl their best, but they cheered on their teammates and competition, and had fun too!  We were so proud of them!!!  Below are some pictures from our exciting day of competition...

Sarah ready to bowl!

Brandon picked the perfect bowling ball for a win!

Go Nick!

Ahsia, waiting for her turn.

Chase, just finishing his turn.

Hey Mason!

Go Kaitlyn!

Looks like a strike, Aric!

Way to go Chelsey!

At the end of the day of competition, we had two state qualifiers...Chelsey and Aric!  Way to go!!!  We are so proud of all our atheletes...they bowled well and were great sports!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Spirit for TWO schools!

This past week we celebrated College Community School district's homecoming by participating in the Homecoming Parade.  We showed our school spirit for BOTH schools by representing our Prairie connection as well as celebrating our connection with Kirkwood.  Thanks to the help of a Kirkwood truck and trailor we enjoyed the parade in style!

Our feature blogger this week is Mason, here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...
"This week at PrairieWood I learned how to use a digital camera.  I enjoyed painting a poster for homecoming.  I was challenged by getting the meat to stay on the bun when cooking lunch for my class.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more abou where everything is at Walmart.  I had a great week at PrairieWood!"

Ready and Waiting for the parade to start!

Showing off our Kirkwood Blue!

Here we go!!!!!!!

Fall Fun!

We love fall at the PrairieWood Transition Center.  So many of our favorite activities take place in the fall.  We enjoy picnics and grilling out at a variety of parks in the area.  We have also been practicing bowling for our upcoming Regional Special Olympics competition.  This week we bundled up and enjoyed our favorite orchard, Wilson's Apple Orchard.  Despite not being able to pick our own apples, we enjoyed a beautiful hike through the orchard and apple sampling.

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

"This week at PrairieWood I learned how to make Koolaid.  I was challenged by flattening route books at Yellowbook.  I enjoyed that new job.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about different jobs at Yellowbook.  I enjoyed bowling this week!

Heading out on our hike around the orchard.

Aric and Mason checking out all the apple products

Kaitlyn and Brandon waiting for our apple sampling.

The crew at Wilson's Apple Orchard.

Busy following our routine...

Routine is a great thing!  It helps us know what to expect...what comes next.  At PrairieWood routine helps us to be more independent.  If we follow our typical routine, we independently know what to do next.  Sometimes, to make sure we are on our toes and thinking, we like to change the routine just a little bit.  We always take time to talk about and prepare for this change, so we better know what to expect.  After many weeks of settling in, unpacking, and learning our routine, we are finally following routine at PrairieWood and are excited to see the independence oozing out of PrairieWood students!  We are well on our way to another very successful and independent year!

Each week, we will try to feature a PrairieWood students writing.  Time is taken on Friday mornings to journal about the events for the week, and we like to feature different students writing on our blog so that you, as a reader, can see, through their eyes, a typical week at PrairieWood.  Our feature blogger this week is Brandon.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to do a worksheet.  I was challenged by cooking.  I enjoyed Dreaming Bear.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about the Print Shop contract work."

See you again on Friday!

Kirkwood Scavenger Hunt

On our first day of school, in an effort to acquaint ourselves with all of the important places on Kirkwood's Campus, PrairieWood Students completed a Kirkwood Scavenger hunt.  Here is one groups journey around campus...

Starting the journey...Aric, Nick, and Chelsey at the NEW PrairieWood Front door.

Student Services in Cedar Hall..."Hello" to Chuck and Dawn!

Outside the Kirkwood Bookstore.

PrairieWood Vans...make sure you look for cars as you get in and out!

Eagle Card Office...getting our Kirkwood Eagle cards!!!

The Kirkwood Cafe...food looks and smells good!  Maybe we will have to do lunch here sometime!

Linn Hall City Bus stop.

The Linn Hall entrance PrairieWood Students use.

...and back at our front door!

Up and running...FINALLY

Greetings from the NEW PrairieWood Transition Center.  We are so sorry for the delay in getting back into our blogging routine!  Our move has been a bigger adjustment than we had anticipated, and we have been very busy working to get settled and fall into our usual routines.

PrairieWood students are very happy and proud of their new home in Linn Hall.  One of their favorite parts is being able to walk in the hallways and run into familiar faces from high school.  They also enjoy the new space that has been specially designed with their needs in mind.

We are excited for all the wonderful things this year has awaiting and our many new adventures.  One of these new adventures is our very own PrairieWood Special Olympics team.  We will be participating in bowling this fall.  We will begin our practices during school next week and participate in the Regional competition at Westdale Bowl on Friday, October 5th.

Please continue to check back weekly for updates on what PrairieWood students are up to this year.  Next week we will share pictures of our new space and begin our guest blogger.

Have a great weekend!

PrairieWood Class of 2012-2013

Excited about our new home in Linn Hall!

Wrapping up a successful year at PrairieWood!

We are coming to you for the last time for the 2011-2012 School Year.  We were VERY busy this week, out in our community trying out trails at parks, playing kick ball, visiting new places.  We also had a picnic party today to celebrate our school year, all our hard work and accomplishments!  We just couldn't decide who to have our feature blogger this week...so we are featuring all seven students.  Enjoy our blog entry and pictures!

Chelsey - "This week at PrairieWood I learned to pick out my own freezer meal at the grocery store.  I was challenged by walking the Cherokee Trail.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about the plants that we saw at the Noelridge Greenhouse."

Kaitlyn - "This week at PrairieWood I learned to play the Next Dollar Shopping game.  I enjoyed playing kickball at Jones Park.  I was challenged by remembering where the bases were when running for kickball.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about doing some running."  I really liked looking at the flowers in the greenhouse at Noelridge Park."

Brandon - "This week at Prairiewood I learned about all the flowers at the greenhouse.  I enjoyed washing dishes in the kitchen.  I was challenged by sorting.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about being the calendar helper."

Ahsia - "This week at PrairieWood I learned how to play kickball at Jones Park.  I enjoyed walking on the trail outside.  I was challenged by kicking the kick ball in my sparkly shoes.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about packing and organizing cabinets.  I really like cleaning the table outside for lunch."

Kendra - "This week at PrairieWood I learned to go to Hy-Vee and by Apples, Watermelon, and my own freezer meal.  I enjoyed making Thank You cards for working at Pet's Playhouse.  I was challenged by going to get the kick ball at Jones Park.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about cooking for a party."

Cassie - "This week at PrairieWood I learned about trees in my News2You for morning group.  I enjoyed walking the Cherokee Trail.  I was challenged by leaving Pet's Playhouse.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about fancy drawings and designs.  We had our end of the year picnic at the center and ate hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch.

 Sarah - "This week at PrairieWood I learned to find onions at Hy-Vee.  I was challenged by running for kickball.  I enjoyed looking at flowers.  I would like to learn about going for walks at the Park.  I am excited about my Discovery Living house."

We are also sending three young ladies into the working adult world.  Kendra, Sarah, and Cassie have all successfully completed their PrairieWood programming.  All three will be starting work at OPTIONS in June.  We will miss their laughter, smiles, and bubbly personalities, but are so proud of the work they have done and can't wait to hear about the great things they will do as adults!  Congratulations Kendra, Sarah, and Cassie!!!

Trying Something New...

Each week at the grocery Store one PrairieWood student has a "special fruit or vegetable" on their grocery list.  Throughout the year we have tried asparagus, brussel sprouts, kiwi, pamello, blood orange, Asian pear, cranberries, avocado, fennel, turnips.  The goal of trying these different foods is to encourage PrairieWood students to be outgoing, and try different, healthy food options.  For the most part, they really enjoy these new food adventures!  Our feature blogger this week, Kendra,  also had the job of picking out our special fruit or vegetable for the week.  We were running out of unique options, lets see what she picked...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to go to Hy-Vee to get special fruit coconut.  I enjoyed a nice walk outside on Wednesday.  I was challenged by sweeping all floors.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about cleaning the bathroom."

Have a great weekend...get out and enjoy this BEAUTIFUL weather!

A Beautiful Week...

What amazing weather we have had this week!  It has us all ready for summer time!  We took advantage of the weather this week, with long walks outside for our Recreation and Exercise time as well as our Friday community activity.  We spent the sunny day at Palisades park grilling hot dogs, making s'mores, and sketching the nature down by the river.  What a great way to wrap up a beautiful week!  Our feature blogger this week is Brandon, who happened to celebrate his 20th Birthday this week!  Happy Friday!

The Spongebob Birthday Treats Brandon shared with his friends.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Enjoying the sunshine at Palisades...drawing by the river.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to count the clothes.  I enjoyed shredding paper.  I was challenged by drying dishes in the kitchen.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about money."

New Transitions...

Each year, at the Transition Center, we send a group of students into the adult world.  After time with us, many transition into new jobs and daily programming.  This year, we are sending three young ladies to work for OPTIONS of Linn County.  To prepare them for this next step, each student spends time before leaving school, learning the ropes at OPTIONS.  Cassie, our feature blogger this week did just that.  Here is what she had to say about her week at OPTIONS!

"This week at PrairieWood I learned about the PlanetSolar in my News2You.  I enjoyed being at OPTIONS.  I was challenged by not leaving the break room area when staff hasn't called "Times Up!"  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about folding the trays at OPTIONS.  We are going to Subway today!"

Have a great weekend!

Work Hard, Play Hard!

We spend so much of our time at the center, working and learning good work skills, that every once and a while we need to take the time to play!  Due to the chilly weather, we decided the best way to play today was to go see the movie, "Mirror, Mirror."  What fun!  We purchased our own tickets, and enjoyed a snack and the movie.  The movie was just great and we sure enjoyed our afternoon of play!  Our feature blogger this week is Kendra.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to go to Hy-Vee to buy the sandwich bread in Aisle 8.  I enjoyed going to take the city bus to find Jones Park.  I was challenged by cleaning and washing the fish jars.  At PraireWood I would like to learn more about taking the city bus to Coffee Talk Cafe.  I enjoyed going to the movie "Mirror, Mirror."

Have a great weekend!