The Transition Times

Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather and getting out of the house!

The staff at Connections are working hard getting ready for the next school year and we hope this will be the best one yet!  We are holding our information meetings for new students this week on Wednesday at 3:30pm and Thursday at 6:30pm at 2120 Bailey Hill Rd. Returning students are welcome to join us! 

We are holding orientation on Monday September 9th and Tuesday September 10th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.  We get to know each other, envision the future, have fun and eat.  On Wednesday September 11th each student will have an individual appointment to meet with their transition team to create a schedule that serves their needs.

The fall schedule is complete and posted in the link above.  We are so looking forward to working with all of you to help your hopes and dreams come true 🙂

The dates included in the letter for information night and orientation are correct, the year should read 2019, not 2018. Sorry for any confusion.

Anders and I are back to work today and are planning the best Connections year yet!  The Connections staff will be reaching out to returning students and students who are entering the program.  Everyone eligible will be getting a letter in the mail either late this week or early next week.  Don’t hesitate to call, email or text if you have any questions.

We look forward to working with you this year 🙂

As the summer dwindles down and I start thinking of the next school year I get excited about all the wonderful things we will be working on together!  The welcome letter has been drafted and will be send out to eligible students and their families by August 28th.  Please see the new calendar in the link above for detail on important dates.

Here is a copy of the letter that is being sent out:

Jasmin Quitta Phone: (541) 954-7133 quitta@4j.lane.edu

Anders Pettersson Phone: (541) 912-3618 pettersson_a@4j.lane.edu

Lori Arnold Phone: (541) 915-8493 arnold_l@4j.lane.edu

Dear Students and Families,

My name is Jasmin Quitta-Vetro and I will be one of the Connections teachers for the 2019-2020 school year. Connections is one of the transition services offered through the 4J Transition Program. Our goal is to help students with the transition from High School to independent living. High school graduates with an alternative certificate or a GED, and who have received Special Education Services are eligible for this program. In addition to myself, Anders Pettersson will be a teacher, Lori Arnold will be our Connections Transition Specialist and Heather Williams and Amy Caprile will be our Educational Assistants.

Connections is a full or part time individualized program designed to support students between the ages of 18-21 in developing and reaching their goals as they move into adulthood. The Connections curriculum focuses on promoting the skills needed to be successful in vocational, educational, independent living and social settings. As part of our program, we can provide assistance in accessing community services which students may be eligible for. Instruction takes place in several locations within the community, depending on student need. Students may take part in small group seminars, vocational work crews and/or individual advocate sessions designed to support each student’s goals.

We plan to hold two (2) informational meetings in early September. One on Wednesday September 4^th between 3:30pm and 4:30pm and the presentation will be repeated on Thursday September 5^th between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. This will take place at 2120 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene OR 97403. On the back on this letter are bussing and driving directions. We will be holding orientation/registration during the next week (September 9-12, 2018). Seminars/advocates will begin on September 16, 2018. Latest calendar updates are posted on the Connections’ Website http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/connections/.

If you intend to enroll in Connections, please contact us ASAP. Please attend the informational sessions if you have any questions, or you can speak to Jasmin, Anders or Lori using the contact information above.

Thank you, and we are looking forward to working with you this year,

Jasmin Quitta-Vetro and Anders Pettersson, Special Programs Teachers

Wow!  We are so close to the finish line. Monday we are meeting at building 2120 and taking activity vans to Shotgun Creek for a picnic and outdoor games.  We will be having hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, veggie tray, ranch dip, fruit tray and s’mores. Our activities will be badminton, bocci ball, volley ball, bingo, hiking, corn hole, ladder toss and good old socializing.  Feel free to bring games or food, anything you want to share.  We will return to 2120 before 4pm.

Last day of school will be Monday, so on Tuesday you are on Summer break.  We hope you have a fun and safe summer vacation.  For those students moving on the Connections staff wish you all the best for your future!  

On Thursday June 13th we will be watching a movie and eating pizza at the Falling Sky pizzeria at the University of Oregon student union (EMU).  Please bring $5.00 for food and/or arcade games.  Students will be meeting in LCC room 308 at 11:30am, taking LTD to campus and arriving at 12:15pm.  We will be there till 2pm and then going to Level Up! arcade by 2:45pm.  Students may join us for all or part of the activities.  Abilities! class and Grass Roots Garden will take place on Thursday morning as scheduled.  All other seminars are cancelled.

One more week of classes and then on Monday June 17th (our last day of classes) we are having a picnic at Shotgun creek.  More detail to come next week!

Dear Graduating HS Students and Families,

Congratulations on almost completing high school! Now…what will come next?

We plan to hold an informational meeting on Wednesday June 5th between 6:00pm and 7:00pm and this presentation will be repeated in early September. This will take place at 2120 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene OR 97403. 

If you have any questions, or have contact information changes, you can contact one of the Connections teachers below or ask your current case manager and/or transition specialists at your school.

Thank you, and we are looking forward to working with you next school year!

Tomorrow is the Moving on Luncheon to celebrate our graduates! We are meeting in the Lane Community College Cafeteria in the Center building at 11:45am and will be seated for lunch at noon. The Renaissance Room management has given us a discount of $10 per person including gratuity! All students are paid for by Connections. This is only for students who are aging out and their prearranged guests.

If you need support getting to LCC be sure to contact your case manager as soon as possible to make arrangements. See you tomorrow!

The SPROUT film festival shows Unique and Contemporary Films Portraying People with Intellectual Disabilities in Realistic Imagery

The FREE film festival to inspire the community, promote inclusion, and support film-making as a part of self advocacy and social change. This event focuses exclusively on films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), strives to challenge assumptions and breakdown stereotypes. By introducing powerful, thought-provoking films from around the world to new audiences, we hope to promote greater acceptance, celebrate difference, and light the spark to help make the invisible, visible.

“Follow Your Path to a New Career” Field trip to Lane’s 29th annual Job Fair. May 16, 2019 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Center for Meeting and Learning, Main Campus in Building 19​ 

Connections Classes on Thursday morning will not take place due to a We will be meeting in the Lobby of LCC Downtown at 10:00am and taking LTD to main campus.  We should return by noon.  All students are invited to attend even if they do not have classes Thursday morning. Bring your bus pass, resume and wear your interview clothes!

This is a great way for students to network with employers, learn about careers in their chosen field of study, as well as finding full-time, part-time, or summer jobs. This is a FREE event and open to the public, all job seekers, students, graduates, and community members.