The Transition Times

The Connections Spring Term is about to begin…and it will be electtrifying!  We can’t wait to get things started for our Spring Term!

Please remember, Spring Term registration will take place on Monday, April 3.  Most students have registration times set…but do not worry if you do not, there is still time to contact Connections Staff and set an appointment!  We will be happy to register you after Monday as well.

The Connections Spring Term will begin on Tuesday, April 4.  Please remember to be prepared for the term with your bus pass, 3 ringed binder, a pencil/pen a calculator and a planner.  Your planner can be a cell phone.  Remember, many of our seminars take place in the community, so please be prepared for the weather.  And as always, please let us know if you will be absent or late to class.

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The Connections Spring Term Seminars have been announced, and yes, they look amazing!  We are bringing back some old favorites: Employment How/School Store, Student Council, Job Club and Street Law.  And we are adding some new seminars: Grill and Chill, King/Queen of the Castle and Live Long and Prosper.  I’m Excited!  Look for seminar descriptions to be published to the Transition Times later this week!

I know what you are asking…how do I sign up for the spring term?  Spring Term Registration will take place on Monday, April 3 at the Connections Building.  You will be able to sign up for a registration time this week.  

Remember, we have a normal schedule this week from Monday through Thursday.  Connections will be closed on Friday, March 24 for a grading day.  

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Your Connections Challenge this week is to use Clear Thinking!  Remember clear thinking occurs when you can think about the cost and the benefits before making your choice.  If you are able to do this, you know you will make the choice with the best upshot!

Everyone thinks risky thoughts from time to time.  You might engage in right mirrored thinking, crystal ball thinking, black and white thinking or the blame game.  If you find yourself thinking risky thoughts try the following strategy:

1. Acknowledge that you are thinking risky thoughts. Make the choice to ignore those thoughts!
2. Take a break from your trigger and do a calming activity.  For example: you can take a break, listen to music, watch a youtube video.  
3. Think of something positive that makes you happy.
4. Think positive thoughts about yourself!

Remember, your thoughts create your experience.  If you are thinking positive thoughts, you will have a positive experience!  For more information, please attend the Right Choice Seminar Tuesdays from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and Thursdays from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Downtown LCC!

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Exciting news!  The Originals School Store is open and stocked with new items!  There are great items in the store for prices that can not be beat!  Get them before they sell out!  Remember, the Originals is open each Monday and Wednesday at lunch.  Shop Local, Shop from your friends at the Originals!

The Winter Term is not over yet!  We still have a few weeks left before Spring Break!  Here is the Schedule for the rest of Winter Term:

Monday, March 6 to Friday March 10: Regular Schedule, all Advocates, Seminars and Work Experience will take place as scheduled.

Monday, March 13 to Friday March 17: Regular Schedule, all Advocates, Seminars and Work Experience will take place as scheduled.

Monday March 20 to Thursday March 23: Regular Schedule, all Advocates, Seminars and Work Experience will take place as scheduled.

Friday, March 24: No Connections.  Connections staff will have a grading day.

Monday March 27 to Friday March 31: Spring Break: No Connections

Monday, April 3: Spring Term Registration

Tuesday, April 4: Spring Term Begins!

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The following information is from Incight and Vocational Rehabilitation.  This seems like a fantastic opportunity, contact your transition specialist and take advantage!  

Become more than just piece of paper to employers at LIVE RESUME March 23rd, 2016​ ​ in Eugene, OR

What:​ Live Resume is an excellent and unique opportunity for job seekers with disabilities to meet and network with local employers in an intimate and supportive environment. During the main event, every participant will have up to three minutes to verbally present their “Live Resume” to a room full of recruiters and hiring managers who are looking to fill positions within their organization. After the presentations, there is an hour of networking with the employers. Leading up to the main event, participants must be available for a practice session​, where they work on their presentation and learn how to best communicate their skills and abilities. Participants will also receive a handout with insider tips on how to best network with employers.

When:​ Practice Session​:​ Friday, March 17th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ​Live Resume​:​ Thursday, March 23rd, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Who:​ Job-ready individuals with disabilities will meet with representatives from a number of organizations. Early sign-ups include: Garten Services, DePaul Industries, Galt Foundation, and possibly more to come!

How:​ There are only 20 spots available to job seekers, and we encourage all skill levels to apply:

Step 1:​ Interested individuals must first submit a resume to Kimberly: ​kimberlyb@incight.org​.

Step 2:​ Once a resume is received, Kimberly will call the individual to discuss participation.

Step 3:​ Approved participants must attend the pre-event practice session, and provide copies of their resume to Kimberly at the practice session.

Where​:​ The practice session and the main event will be held at the Eugene VR office. Specific location details will be provided to approved participants​.

Why:​ To increase your network, build skills and confidence, and learn about area job opportunities!

Questions:​ Kimberly Berberich at kimberlyb@incight.org or (971) 244-0305.

The event is presented by Incight and Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation

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Attention all Mod Your Recipe Cooks!  This week is a make up week.  Several Students did not get to cook last week due to Alumni Afternoon on Friday and No School On Monday.  We will not have a traditional Mod Your Recipe Seminar on Wednesday.  Instead each student will meet with Josh for 10 minutes to go over progress.  If you missed your cooking time on Friday or Monday, you may sign up for a cooking time 1:30 pm on Wednesday this week. 

Did you know that individual income tax returns are due to the state and federal government on April 15?  What are tax returns you ask?  Tax returns are forms from the IRS that are used to calculate how much income tax an individual needs to pay.

Does this seem complicated?  Does this seem overwhelming?  Well, help is available!  There is Tax Assistance every Monday and Tuesday offered at the Eugene Library!  For more information, please visit their website: Tax Assistance at The Library  Make sure you come prepared to the meeting with all your documents.

Make sure you know what you are responsible for… Remember, you are reporting money that you earned in 2016, not money that you have earned so far in 2017.  If you do not know if you should file taxes, please check with your parents, your advocate, or the folks at the Library.  Do not wait until April to find if you need to file!  Do yourself a favor and find out now!

If you do go to the library, please bring with you the following documents:

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Don’t forget!  Alumni Afternoon will take place on Friday, February 17!  Meet at Downtown LCC first floor lobby at 1 pm.  Alumni Afternoon will be electrifying!  I hope you can join us!

Please mark your planner!  Due to the canceled school days in January, the Connections staff has made some changes to the Winter Term calendar.  Please note the following changes.  

• Connections (and all 4J schools) will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of President’s Day.  Note Lane Community College will also be closed on February 20.
• We will have a regular Connections Schedule on Wednesday March 22 and Thursday, March 23.  The last day for Winter Term Seminars and Advocates will be Thursday, March 23.  
• Friday, March 24 is a grading day for Connections. Connections will not hold classes or activities on Friday, March 24.
• Spring Term Registration Will take place on Monday, April 3.  
• The Spring term will begin on Tuesday, April 4. 

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Last December, we had an Alumni Afternoon scheduled… however it had to be postponed due to weather.  Great news, Alumni afternoon has been scheduled! Alumni Afternoon will take place on Friday February 17!  And it will be legendary!  This Alumni Afternoon is a time when we invite the Connections Alumni back for a fun activity. All Connections Alumni and Current Connections Students are welcome to attend.  This time, we are headed to Emerald City Comics, Killer Burger and Level Up arcade.  The agenda is below:

1:00 pm: Meet on the 1st floor lobby of Lane Community College Downtown Campus (the new Downtown LCC Building)

1:20 pm: Take Emx Bus to Emerald City Comics/Smith Family Books

1:30 pm: Hang out at Emerald City Comics/Smith Family Books

2:00 pm: Catch Emx Bus back to Downtown Eugene

2:05 pm: Enjoy Hamburgers at Killer Burger or Pizza at Sizzle Pie.  Note we will be at Killer Burger during their “Crazy Hour” when the Classic and the Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon burger are only $6.75.  

3:00 pm: Walk to Level Up arcade and enjoy classic video games.  

3:30 pm: Walk back to Eugene Station and catch the bus back home!

Remember, each student is responsible for paying for his or her own hamburger or pizza and/or video games.  If you do not feel like spending your money, that is OK, join us anyway!  Hanging out is free and always fun. 

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Fact: Using positive thinking is powerful.  If your mind anticipates happiness, joy and success before a task or activity, you are going to find happiness, joy and success when it is time to do that activity.  Your challenge is to try this!  Think positive thoughts as you enter class this week, I bet that you will be happier, learn more and feel better about yourself in class.  The best part is that thinking and feeling positive is contagious.  If you are positive, other people around you will be positive as well!

Remember, your thoughts, feelings and actions are all connected.  If you are thinking negative thoughts, you will not feel good, and you are likely to act negatively with those around you.  If you start to feel negative thoughts, try to change your thoughts feelings or actions to feel better.  Try to ignore those negative thoughts!

We have a full week this week, and it is going to be electrifying!  I am ready to be positive this week!  Are you?

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The Originals is the Connections school store, and it is open for business!  The Originals will be open each Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.  The Originals is stocked with great snacks, drinks and school supplies.  If you do not have a pencil or a notebook and need one, the Originals has these items for free!  Please support your local store and shop at the Originals.  Please tell your Student Council Representative if you would like to see other items in the Originals.  

Friendly Reminder: Friday, January 27 is the last day for Winter Term Schedule Changes.  Your Schedule may not be perfect.  If you feel you would like to drop or add a Connections seminar, please make the change before Friday.  To make changes to your schedule, please follow the steps on the Drop/Add form in the student lounge!

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