The Transition Times

Have you seen the wall of pictures of students holding delicious food in the Mock Apartment?  That is the famous Cooking Tutorial Wall of Fame!  Students who cook at home and take a picture are eligible to be on our wall.

We need more pictures for the Cooking Tutorial wall of fame! If you cook at home; please take a picture your food (or better, you eating your food)! We want to celebrate your accomplishments! We want to get your picture on our Wall of Fame! You can email pictures to barbour@4j.lane.edu or text them to (541) 912-3618.

Please make sure you have a valid Connections LTD bus pass, even if you do not ride the bus every day.  Many Connections seminars take place in the community and often these seminars ride LTD bus.  Always bring your bus pass to school,  you never know when you’ll need it!  If you do not have a Connections Bus pass, please make an appointment with Heather to get one!   Heather’s phone number is (541) 954-3162.

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We had an amazing first week in Connections! Attendance was phenomenal, student participation was amazing, and we can already see progress being made!  Remember, you are responsible for your schedule.  Please make sure you know the location and times of each class.  Most seminars on Monday, Wednesday and Friday take place in Building 2120.  Most seminars on Tuesday and Thursday take place at LCC Downtown Center.

Connections does not have a school lunch program at the moment (we are working on it).  Many students are bringing food to Connections each day.   Remember, all Connections students will have a 30 minute lunch during their school day.  You will have ample time to eat when you are not in class.  Sometimes you might want to eat during class.  If you choose to eat, please review our hidden rules of eating in class page: here.  

Your attendance is very important to us.  However, we do understand that sometimes you might need to be absent from class.  You might become ill, have a doctor’s appointment, have a circumstance where you might be out of town, or be abducted by aliens.  If you are late or absent, please contact the Connections Staff who is teaching your class.   Do not send a message with a friend to tell us, we need to hear from you directly.  Below are the phone numbers you need to know:

Josh: (541) 912-3618        Jasmin (541) 954-7133

Heather (541) 954-3162   Amy: (541) 953-8768

We also understand that your schedule might not be perfect.  You might want to make some changes.  If you want to drop or add a class, please complete the Connections Drop/Add Form.  There are copies of this form on the resource shelf.  You will need to take the following steps:

1. Students completes the class, add/drop, and reasons boxes.
2. Student shows form to classroom teacher.  Teacher will sign and mark agree or disagree
3. Student makes appointment with case manager.  Case Manager will sign form, mark agree or disagree and write action plan
4. Changes become official  after action plan is complete

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Connections Seminars, Advocates, Tutorials and Work Experience begin this week! Please make sure you are prepared for class. Every Connections Student needs to bring a three ring binder, pens and/or pencils, a calculator and a planner to class each day. Your planner does not have to be a traditional planner. It can be a cell phone, sticky notes, or something more creative. Find a system that works for you! If you can not bring these items, please talk to Connections Staff. We can help you!

NEWS FLASH: Lane Community College is close on Thursday, September 22. MARK YOUR PLANNER: All Connections Seminars will take place in Building 2120 on Thursday, September 22! Advocates may take place downtown or may take place in Building 2120.  Please check with your Advocate to see where your session will take place on Thursday.

If you attend the Next Step Worksite… Please meet Heather Williams at the Outside Downtown LCC at 9:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday.

If you attend the Restore Worksite… Please meet Amy at Downtown LCC  outside of Room #106 on 12:30 pm on Tuesday.

The Cognitopia worksite will begin on Thursday, September 29.  There will not be a Cognitiopia worksite on Thursday September 22.

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We are very excited about Connections Orientation!  Connections Orientation will give you the opportunity to set goals, bond with students and staff and have a lot of fun.  Day 1 of Orientation will take place at Building 2120 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Monday, September 12.  Come for the fun, stay for the food! Day 2 of Orientation will take place at Lane Community College Downtown Center  from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Tuesday, September 13. We’ll start downtown, then we’ll go to Westmoreland park to play Disk Golf or Tennis (or just to hang out if you are not interested in playing).

Students will schedule individual meetings with Connections staff to design their Fall Term Schedule.  When scheduling, please think about your long term and short term goals.  Choose activities that will help you reach your goals.  We have a lot of outstanding choices this term… our schedule is now posted on this website!  You can see it Here!

Upcoming Events: Are you interested in finding a job? On Wednesday, September 21 Connections will be taking students to the “Tapping Fresh Talent” event at Lane Community College.  Tapping Fresh Talent is a great opportunity to network with Eugene-area employers to help you with your job search.  If you are interested in going, you will be able to sign up in Building 2120 during Orientation!

Are you interested in attending Lane Community College ABSE classes?  ABSE’s orientation will take place 9:00 am on Monday, September 19 and Tuesday, September 20 at the Downtown LCC Campus, room 203.  New and returning students must attend  orientation.  See Amy for more details!

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The wait is almost over, and the 2016-2017 school year is about to begin!  The Connections staff has been working hard to plan an electrifying school year, an we could not be more excited!

Connections has made some exciting changes for the 2016-2017 school year. We would like to encourage all new and returning students to attend one of our Information Meetings.  Connections Information Meetings will take place on Wednesday, September 7 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Thursday, September 8- from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Both information meetings will take place at Building 2120 located at 2120 Bailey Hill Road, just south of Churchill High School. The Connections Staff will present the same information at both meetings, please attend the meeting that best fits your schedule.

Connections Student Orientation will take place on September 12 through September 15 (times TBA).  Both new and returning students are encouraged to attend orientations.   The student orientation provide students with the opportunity to get to know staff and peers, become familiar with expectations and set personal goals.  Students will also have the opportunity to register for Connections Fall Term seminars, advocates and work experiences.  Students who attend orientation will receive a Fall Term LTD Bus pass.  But don’t worry, we are flexible!  If you can not attend student orientation, we will be holding make up orientation sessions on September 16.

Connections Fall Term will begin on Monday, September 19 when we begin our weekly seminars and advocate sessions.  Seminars and Advocates will take place at the Transition Building and Lane Community College.

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We had a great school year, and we hope everyone has a very happy and safe summer!  You should be very proud of all you have accomplished this school year.  We would like to give a heartfelt congratulations to all the students who moved on this year: Kyol B, Austin C, Jacob C, Emma D, Kristeena H, Sahalie H, Elliot J, Jacob F, Ben K, Kelsie P, William R, and Natasha W.  We know you have great things in store for you future, and we look forward to hearing from you and all your amazing accomplishments next school year!

And now for next school year…The Connections 2016-2017 school year will begin next September!  Connections has scheduled informational meetings on Wednesday, September 7 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Thursday, September 8 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Both meetings will take place at Building 2120. Connections will hold student orientations on September 12 through September 15. New and returning students will be encouraged to attend the orientations. The orientations will provide students with the opportunities to set goals and set steps to achieve those goals. Students will design an individual Connections schedule and will begin to be connected with community resources. Connections Instruction will begin Monday, September 19, when we begin our weekly seminars, advocate sessions and volunteer work experience opportunities.  Please click on the link on the top of this page to see our calendar for the 2016-2017 school year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jasmin or Josh over the summer!  The best way to contact us is through email.  Jasimin: quitta@4j.lane.edu.  Josh: barbour@4j.lane.edu.

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Connections has been planning our second annual trip to the coast.  Unfortunately, mother nature decided not to cooperate with our plans.  The June 16 Florence weather forecast is predicting a wet, cold, nasty day.  Not a day for hanging out at Honeyman State Park and climbing sand dunes…This year’s coast trip has been canceled.  

But I think you are going to like our back up plan!  Connections will be going to Putters!!!  Connections will pay for one game of Mini Golf or One Round of Laser Tag at Putters!  If you are interested in joining us, please meet in front of Downtown LCC at 12:30 pm on Thursday, June 16.  Jasmin will be driving the activity bus to Putters from Downtown LCC.  If you do not want to ride the activity bus, you can meet us at Putters at 12:45 pm.  We will return to downtown LCC at 3:30 pm.   Lunch is on your own, please make sure you bring money to each lunch at Putters (or eat lunch at home before you meet us).   You can not bring your own food to Putters; putters does not allow outside food and drink.  A good time will be had by all!  Come join us!

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Hungry for lunch? The Originals School Store is having an amazing sale!  For $2.00, you can buy 1 lunch item (anything in the freezer, Instant Lunch or a Chef Boyardee Ready Meal), 1 Small Gatorade, and one item priced $0.50 or less.  You are not going to find a better lunch deal anywhere else!

Mark your planner!  You do not want to miss the amazing end of school events planned for next week!

Wednesday, June 15: The Connections Carnival!

Location: Building 2120  12:30 pm

The Connections Carnival will take place from 12;30 pm to 3:00 pm on Wednesday June 15.  The Carnival will feature food, art projects, board games, video games and movies.  Spread the word, Connections Alumni are welcome to come!  Should be an amazing time!

Also on Wednesday, June 15: Connections Moving On Ceremony.

Location: The Campbell Community Center: 6:30 pm

Moving On is a very special ceremony where we celebrate the achievements of our students who are aging out of School Services.   We would like to encourage all students in the Connections community to come to the ceremony to support those students who are moving on from Connections!

Thursday, June 16: Connections Goes To The Coast!.

Location: Meet at Building 2120 at 9:00 am

Last year, Connections took our first trip to the Coast and a great time was had by all who attended. This year, we will be meeting at Building 2120 at 9 am and headed to Honeyman State Park to hang out on the sand dunes and cook hot dogs over a fire.   Bring, sunscreen, lunch (if you do not like hot dogs), and money for ice cream at BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor!  We will return to Building 2120 by 3 pm.  Note: Space is limited!  There is a sign up sheet in the hallway at Building 2120.  Sign up and reserve your spot today.  If you have any questions, please see Jasmin!

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I hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day!  The weather forecast is calling for almost perfect weather every day. Put down that video game controller and/or cell phone and go outside!  Is there anything more perfect than an Oregon Summer?  I don’t think so!

As you already know, the Moving On Ceremony will take place on June 15 at the Campbell Center.   Please remember the Moving On Celebration is special; every year, I wear a tie.  Make sure you wear Appropriate Attire to Moving On! What is “Appropriate Attire” you ask?  It means wearing clothes that you would wear to an interview!  Think, Dress for Success! Guys, please wear khaki or dark pants and a collared shirt (no blue jeans please).  Girls, please wear pants or knee length dresses with sleeves (no tank tops please).  Most importantly, make sure your clothes are clean and smell good.  If you need assistance finding appropriate attire, please ask Connections staff.  We would love to help you!

Last week, I posted a quote from Muhammad Ali that said “Don’t Count The Days, Make The Days Count.”  I challenge all Connections Students to take that quote to heart.  Set a goal for the end of the school year!  And if you already have a goal that you are working on, make a vow to keep on working toward that goal!  Let’s make the end of school count!

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The end of school is almost here.  I know , I know, It all went by so fast!  You should be very proud of the amazing progress you have made this year!

It’s official, the last Seminar and Advocate for the Spring term will be Tuesday June 14!  We will also have 2 special events on June 15 and June 16.  Below is our schedule for the remainder of the school year.

Please remember, school is not over yet!  We still have a few weeks to go.  Keep on working towards your goals, keep on working towards your dream.  Make every day count and you will surprise yourself of how much you can achieve!

May 23 to May 27: Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.

May 30: No school in observance of Memorial Day.

May 31 to June 3: Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.

June 6 to June 10:  Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.  Oregon Track Club Series #4 5K 6 pm Day Island Park in Sprinfield!

June 13 and June 14:  Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.

June 15:  The Connections Carnival!  The carnival will take place in Building 2120.  More details to come, Alumni Invited!  Moving On Ceremony 6:30 pm June 15 at Campbell Center!

June 16: Join us on a trip to the Beautiful Oregon Coast!  Jasmin will be driving the van!  More info on how to sign up for this trip to come!

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