Welcome Back - Open House Night

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Students, Parent s, and Guardians Invit ed t o At t end!!

* Receive schedules

* Meet case managers

* Have picture t aken

* Socialize & meet new students and staf f

* Complete required paperwork

Please br ing a copy of legal guardianship papers, i f you have not already submit t ed t hem to Next Step Staf f .

The Next Step Transit ion ProgramNorth St . Paul | Maplewood | Oakdale Schools

Annual Back-t o-School Newslet t er - August 1, 2015

The Next Step Transition Program 2586 E. 7th Avenue | North St. Paul, MN 55109 | 651-621-1900

Independent School District 622 | North St. Paul | Maplewood | Oakdalewww.isd622.org/nextstep

First Day of School

Tuesday, September 8th

Next Step Daily School Hours 8:30 am-2:20 pm

(breakfast served daily 8:15 am - 8:30 am)

At The Next Step in 2015-2016...The Next Step Transition Program in 2015-2016 expects great things!! In it 's 12th year of operation, The Next Step Transition Program is welcoming a little over 40 new students and 50 returning students. We are excited for all of our students to continue working toward personal goals and dreams of planning for the future while pursuing a high school diploma.

During this school year, Next Step Staff, along with community agencies, such as Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), Mental Health Service Providers, and County Human Service Organizations will focus on person-centered planning in an effort to prepare each student for the attainment of their individualized goals.

Throughout the year, we look forward to partnering with all of the critical people in our students' lives to make their goals and dreams a reality.

Please remember to connect with us through your assigned case manager or directly with me to collaborate on planning for the future. We are here to support each student in making a successful transition into the workforce or post-secondary training programs.

All the Best,

Heather Kosec, Next Step Program Supervisor

Parent Communit y GroupFor the third straight year, Linda Guidera, teacher at Next Step, is offering Parent Community Group Monthly Meetings. The group provides information and support for parents, guardians, and other support people during the transition years through scheduled guest speakers on transition topics and meetings focused on providing time for interaction and collaboration with others who are experiencing some of the same challenges, barriers, and triumphs.

The Parent Community Group has received positive feedback from participants, stating that having this group available has been critical in providing information and tools to support each student 's transition into adulthood. Topics in the past have included Guardianship, Legal Issues, and Employment Opportunities.

Attend as best fits your schedule - either on a monthly basis or during those topics that are of most interest to you. The first meeting is September 29th f rom 5:30-6:30 pm , at Next Step. A monthly update on topics and guest speakers will be sent via email or phone throughout the year.

Contact Linda Guidera for more information. lguidera@isd622.org or 651-621-1921

Next Step General Informat ion

Nut r it ion ServicesThe cost of a student lunch is $2.80. Breakfast can be purchased for $1.60. Checks should be made payable to ISD 622 Nutrition Services (be sure to include student 's name) , or visit www.isd622.org/nutritionservices to pay on-line using PayPAMS, obtain lunch menus with pictures, download the free lunch app, or to complete the applicat ion for f ree or reduced meals which must be completed each year. The application will be available starting August 15th.

Transportat ionThe Next Step Shut t le Bus is provided for students who ride the typical school bus. To transfer to this bus, each student will choose their preferred neighborhood bus route to either North or Tartan High School. From the high school, students will board the NEXT STEP SHUTTLE. In late August, locate your bus route by going to the district 's homepage. Scroll down until you see a red tab in the middle of the page labeled "Useful Information". Click on it. Then look for "Bus Routes". Then click on the appropriate high school.

Curb-to-Curb Busing is provided to students based on their needs. You will be contacted in late August by the District Transportation Department and given your bus number, pick-up and drop-off times from your home to Next Step. If you do not receive a call, please contact Transportat ion at 651.621.1980 or Next Step at 651.621.1900.

Important Dist r ict Policies1) Student cell phones: See school policy EM-020.15 section 5. Code of Conduct number 44.b.) which is entitled "Personal Learning Devices". The policy states that cell phones are disruptive to the learning environment and are not allowed during instructional time. Violation of this policy can result in confiscation, suspension, or other disciplinary consequences.

2) The student or legal guardian must notify the school if they do not want photographs or video to be taken or used of the student. For more information, please contact Next Step.

After School Act ivit ies ClubEach month several activities are planned for students (ex: bowling, movies, crafts, etc.). Students are welcome to attend any activity that interests them by completing the permission form and paying any fee associated with that activity. (Some are free!) Linda and Colleen Grufman will again be coordinating the After School Activities Club for the 2015-2016 school year. Look for the table at Open House for more information!

Donat ions Gladly AcceptedWe do not require student to purchase individual school supplies. Instead we use shared resources. The following is a "wish list" for community supplies at Next Step: colored dry erase markers, pens, AA batteries, Kleenex, and reams of white copy paper. A donation box will be available at Open House and the first week of school!

* Students should purchase t heir own personal f lash dr ive in order t o save important documents.*

Annual Back-t o-School Open House Thursday, September 3rd, 5:00-7:00pm

Trimester 1

First Day of School Tuesday, September 8th

No School/Staff Development Friday, October 9th

Education Minnesota Break October 15th-16th

IEP Progress Night Thursday, October 22nd, 5:30-7:00pm

Thanksgiving Break November 26th-27th

Last Day Trimester 1 Thursday, December 3rd

No School/Staff Development Friday, December 4th

Trimester 2

First Day Trimester 2 Monday, December 7th

Winter Break December 23rd - January 1st

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 18th

IEP Progress Night Thursday, January 28th, 5:30-7:00pm

President 's Day Monday, February 15th

No School/Staff Development Friday, March 4th

Last Day Trimester 2 Thursday, March 10th

No School/Staff Development Friday, March 11th

Trimester 3

First Day Trimester 3 Monday, March 14th

Spring Break March 21st - 25th

No School/Staff Development Friday, April 8th

New Student Open House & Orientation Thursday, April 14th, 5:30-6:30pm

IEP Progress Night Thursday, April 14th, 6:30-7:30pm

Memorial Day Monday, May 30th

Graduation (tentative date) Thursday, May 26th, 5:00pm

Last Day of School Thursday, June 9th

Next Step Calendar of Events 2015-2016