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!!!

Cookie Decorating with the Ely Rotary

On Monday, December 20th the students of the PrairieWood Transition Center took some time out of their busy schedule to relax and enjoy the holidays.  Karen, Keith, and Jeff of the Ely Rotary brought cookies and all the fixings to decorate.  We enjoyed great conversation, and delicious cookies and punch as we celebrated the holiday season together.  Enjoy several pictures from our great afternoon together.  Thank you to the Ely Rotary for the fun party!

All of our fancy frostings and sprinkles!

Keith helping Sarah and Cassie pick out their cookies.

Kendra decorating with chocolate frosting...YUM!

Brian, making the perfect Candy Cane.

Some of our finished products.

 

 

We will be on Holiday Break until January 3rd.  We hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe holiday season.  See you in the new year!

Wrapping things up...

Only 3 days of school remain in 2010 and we are busy at the Transition Center wrapping things up.  We spent the week baking and preparing our thank you treat boxes.  We also took some time out to celebrate with our friends from the high school, participating in a gift exchange and sharing lunch and treats together.  Everyone got to enjoy a little extra sleep on Thursday morning as we experienced our first "snow delay" of the year.  Lets hope winter continues to be mild and we don't have to worry about too many more of those!  Our feature blogger this week is Andy.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to sweep floors in Luke's shop at work.  I enjoyed shoveling snow at work.  I was challenged by making the oatmeal rasin cookies.  At PrairieWood, I would like to learn more about taking the city bus places."

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Bakers

Coming to you a little late this week...the holiday rush has got us VERY busy at PrairieWood.  This past week we spent most of our days mixing up a variety of cookies to share with our friends, work supervisors, job coaches, bus drivers, and administrators as a THANK YOU for all they do to help us become independent adults.  We whipped up batches of Oatmeal Rasin, Chocolate Chip, Sugar, and Peanut Butter Blossom cookies, along with Peanut-butter Finger bars.  We love learning to bake cookies because it gives us the chance to practice measuring: reading measurements, finding the right measuring cups and spoons, and making sure we level whatever we are measuring so we get just the right amount.  We will spend time next week baking and packaging our cookies.  Our guest blogger is Ahsia.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...


"This week at PrairieWood I learned to use the PODD book to talk about what we are going to do.  I enjoyed making chocolate chip cookies.  I was challenged by knowing when to push the button to get off the bus at Hy-Vee.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about baking cookies."

See you next week!

Giving Back!

PraireWood Students and Staff took some time (some chilly time at that) to give back to their community today.  The crew spent two hours ringing bells and caroling for the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive.  The kettle was awfully full when our shift ended and we returned to the center to warm up with some hot chocolate.  It was a great day!  Sarah is our feature blogger this week.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to make breakfast burritos.  I enjoyed eating ham and scalloped potatoes for lunch.  I was challenged by remembering to ask for help when I need it.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about making chocolate chip cookies."

Sarah will get to learn about making those cookies next week as we begin preparations for our Holiday Thank You cookies.

Below are pictures from our afternoon ringing bells for the Salvation Army!  Thank you to the patrons of the Wilson Avenue Hy-Vee for all their generous donations!!!

Our first familiar face, Mr. Starcevich.

Ahsia, ringing that bell!

The whole crew, trying to stay warm.

Warming up with Hot Chocolate and a movie back at the center.  The perfect ending to a great day!