The Transition Times

Your homework is important!  Part of being a Connection student is tracking assignments outside of class.  We will ask you to do homework/away work at times to enhance what we are doing in the classroom and give you opportunity to practice. Connections homework is meant to be practice for the real world.  For example, you live in your own apartment you have homework when you need to pay bills on time, balance your budget or complete your chores. If you get in the habit of completing your homework outside of class in Connections you will develop strong habits for when you need to do it in the real world.

Thank you to the students who attended goal Guide testing at Cognitopia last week. You were a huge help and the folks at Cognitopia very much appreciate your feedback.  Cognitopia will be asking more students to complete testing. Please see Josh if you are interested!

Friday, October 16 is the last day for Connections schedule changes for the fall term. If you would like to change your schedule please complete the drop add form found in the student lounge in Building 2120.  You will still be able to make changes in your schedule until Friday.  Please see your case manager or advocate if you have any questions.

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We have a short week in Connections this week.  All 4J schools including Connections will be closed on Friday, October 9 for Oregon school’s statewide inservice day.  Remember, Lane Community College is not part of 4J School District.  LCC will be open on Friday!  If you attend LCC, please go to class on Friday!

Cognitopia Software is looking for beta testers!  I am sure you have heard Josh talk about Goal Guide…and many of you have tried the old version of Goal Guide in the past!  Well, Cognitopia Software (the makers of Goal Guide) are looking for testers to test the latest version!  Cognitopia would like to have 4 students come to their office in the Atrium Building 3 pm on Wednesday, October 7 and 4 students 3 pm on Thursday, October 8 to test.  Please contact Josh at (541) 912-3618 if you are interested.  It would be a great experience to put on your resume!

And remember, the show goes on…Please make sure you attend all seminars, advocates and work experiences (even if you know there will be a substitute).  If you are not able to make it, please make sure you contact staff to let them know you will not be attending.

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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.

We interrupt this post to give you a friendly reminder: If you are in Mind Your Business please make sure you complete your market research before 1:30 pm Tuesday, September 29.  If you have any questions, please see Josh.

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        Lori (541) 915-8493

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 24. MARK YOUR PLANNER: All Connections Seminars and Advocates will take place in Building 2120 on Thursday, September 24! Make sure you attend class that day!

Workers Wanted! Do you have an employment goal of paid employment in the near future? Employers want to see work experience on your resume before you are hired. We are looking for volunteers for our work site. Volunteering is an outstanding way to build work experience for your resume. Don’t wait, the more you volunteer, the more experience you will build, and the faster you will be hired! You have the option of volunteering 4 days each week!

Here are our amazing worksites:

Employment How/School Store: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm in Building 2120

Next Step Recycling: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am to 12 pm

Habitat For Humanity ReStore: Tuesdays 1 pm to 3 pm

Salvation Army Retail Store: Wednesdays 1 pm to 3 pm

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Connections gearing up for the 2015-2016 school year and we could not be more excited! We have great things planed for this school year, and we are looking forward to getting things started!

Connections has made some exciting changes for the 2015-2016 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 9 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Thursday, September 1- from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Both information meetings will take place at our 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 14 through September 17 (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 18.

Connections Fall Term will begin on Monday, September 21 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: Josh A, Jeff C, Nate E, Andrew F, Zev G, David H, Will J, Connor K, Dorothy M, Josh P, and Sterling R.  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 2015-2016 school year will begin next September!  Connections has scheduled informational meetings on Wednesday, September 9 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Thursday, September 10 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Both meetings will take place at Building 2120. Connections will hold student orientations on September 14 through September 17. 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 21, 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 2015-2016 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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Congratulations to Connor King! Connor received a Turnaround Award last Friday. The Turnaround Award Program is sponsored by Colleen Belotti and recognizes students from all over Lane County who have overcome great obstacles and achieved their goal. Congratulations Connor! We are all very proud of you in Connections! Connor made a fantastic speech in front of a very crowded room; Rick Dancer told him he should become a comedian!

Don’t miss out on the end of the year events! Here is our list of happening for the end of school!

Wednesday June 3: Moving On Celebration 6:30 pm at the Campbell Community Center. The Campbell Center is located 155 High Street. Please take Bus 1 from Bay J at Eugene Station!

Please keep in mind that Moving On is not the last day of school. We will have a regular schedule on June 4 and June 5! Please attend on June 4 and June 5 (even if you are one of the students who have moved on)!

Monday, June 8: Connections Goes To The Coast:

9:00 am: Jasmin will pick up students at Downtown LCC in Activity Van

9:30 am: Jasmin will pick up students at Building 2120.

11:00 am: Arrive at Honeyman State Park and Old Town Florence

2:30 pm: Begin Driving Back To Eugene

4:00 pm: Students will be dropped of at Eugene Station.

Note: Connections will provide water and snacks.  Students are expected to bring lunch, sunscreen, warm clothes, a hat and spending money (if you choose to eat lunch out)!

Tuesday, June 9: Alumni Afternoon: The ever popular burger tour of Eugene continues! We will be visiting Northwest Burgers in the 5^th Street Market!

12:30 pm: Meet at new Downtown Lane Community College, Room 331

1:00 pm: Begin Walking to 5^th Street Market

1:30 pm: Arrive at 5^th Street Market. Enjoy a tasty burger from Northwest Burger in the 5^th Street Market Food Court

2:30 pm: Walk to Smith Family Books. Enjoy Nostalgia Collectibles!

3:15 pm: Return to Eugene Station to catch a 3:30 bus home

Note: Connections is unable to pay for your burger/drink/fries etc. You do not need to buy food to participate in Alumni Afternoon. Hanging out is free and always fun!

Wednesday, June 10: End of the Year BBQ at Building 2120! Enjoy a meal on us! Alumni Welcome!

12:30 pm: Meet at Building 2120

Enjoy food, games, and laughs! Should be a great time!

3:30 pm: Dismissed!

Couch To 5K: We are on the last week of our workout! Please complete Week 9, work outs 1 and 2 this week. Brisk 5-minute warm up walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 Minutes).

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Don’t get stuck without transportation this summer!  Your current Bus Pass is valid until June 30; You will need to buy your own bus pass in July and August.  Start saving your money now, so you can buy your bus pass in July.  You might be eligible for a LTD EZ Access Card, which will allow you to purchase discounted bus fare.  Please check in with Lori or Nick to see if you qualify for an LTD EZ Access Card.

Yes it is true; we only have 2 more weeks of seminars and advocates for the Spring Term. We have had an amazing spring term. Attendance has been fantastic!  Classes have been lots of fun.  Remember, it is not over yet. Please continue to attend until the last day!  If you are going to be late or absent to seminar, advocate or tutorial, please make sure you call, text or email the staff member teaching that class!  Let’s finish the term strong!

June 5 is not the end of Connections for the 2014-2015 school year. As announced last week, we have 3 amazing end of the year activities!

June 8: Connections is headed to the coast! Jasmin will be driving the Activity Van to Honeyman State Park and Old Town Florence. She will be leaving from Downtown LCC at 9 am and returning to Downtown LCC by 4 pm. Space is limited, please see Jasmin if you are interested in attending!

June 9: Alumni Afternoon! Please see Josh if you have ideas for Alumni Afternoon! I have heard suggestions of Putters, Camp Putt, Sonic, Northwest Burgers and a Hike. If you have any other suggestions, please see Josh. Josh will be announcing the Alumni Afternoon destination on June 1.

June 10: End of the Year BBQ and Games. Time and Location to be announced on June 1.

Couch to 5k: We are now on Week 8 of our training!  Please complete the following work outs:

Week 8 work out 1 and 2 are the same:  Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 28 minutes).

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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 Friday June 5!  We will also have 3 special events on June 8, 9 and 10.  Below is our schedule for the remainder of the school year:

May 18 to May 22: Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.

May 25: No school in observance of Memorial Day.

May 26 to May 29: Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.

June 1 to June 5:  Normal Schedule: All seminars, advocates, work experience will take place as scheduled.  Moving On Ceremony 6:30 pm June 3 at Campbell Center!

June 8: Join us on a trip to the Beautiful Oregon Coast!  Jasmin will be driving the van!  Join us at Downtown LCC at 9 am.  More info on how to sign up for this trip to come!

June 9: Alumni Afternoon!  Time and Location to be announced

June 10:  End of the year BBQ and Games.  Time and Location to be announced.

Couch to 5k: We are now on Week 7 of our training!  Please complete the following work outs:

Week 7 work out 1 and 2 are the same:  Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

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Great news!  Connections Moving On Ceremony will take place 6:30 pm June 3 at the Campbell Community Center.  Moving On is a very special ceremony where we celebrate the triumphs of those students who are aging out of Connections.  Please mark your planner and plan on attending.  The Campbell Community Center is located at 155 High Street (take Bus1 from Bay J at Eugene Station).

Please wear Appropriate Attire to the Moving On Ceremony!  What is “Appropriate Attire” you ask?  Appropriate Attire means wearing clothes that you would wear to an interview!  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.  Moving On is a special celebration.  Lets dress up for it!

Couch to 5k: We are now on Week 6 of our training!  Please complete the following work outs:

Week 6 work out 1:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Week 6 work out 2:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

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