November 2023

From the Supervisor's Desk

With the first sighting of snow this past week, we know that winter is just around the corner here in Northern Michigan. I feel it is important to remind all families of the the weather closure policies as written in the Student/Parent Handbook.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING PROCEDURES

In the event that school is canceled, delayed or closed early because of inclement weather or some other event, school officials will notify local media and post an alert on the Northwest Education Services (North Ed) website at www.NorthwestEd.org. A snow day is a day when Traverse City Area Public Schools are closed. In these instances, North Ed programs are also closed.

For the most current information please check the North Ed website (www.NorthwestEd.org), a local broadcast news or radio station, or call the TCAPS hotline at 231.933.1955. More information about North Ed’s School Closings & Alerts protocol may be found online at

https://www.northwested.org/services/communication-services/school-closings--alerts/

With our first snowfall of the season comes confusion about snow days. Closing of school because of weather conditions or mechanical failure will be broadcasted on most local TV and radio stations beginning at 5:30 a.m.

If North Ed center-based programs are open but the local district in which you reside cancels school, transportation will not be provided. You may choose to transport your child to school; however, you are responsible for transportation at dismissal as well.

For questions regarding busing for North Ed center-based programs please contact your provider at the number below:

Dean Transportation: 231.922.5960

Glen Lake Schools: 231.334.3061 ext. 510

Leland Public School: 231.256.3807

Northport Public School: 231.386.5153

Suttons Bay Public Schools: 231.866.1822 or 231.866.0010

All snow days or other school closures will be communicated through local news media outlets, but the best way is through the Northwest Education Services Alert System. We have provided the directions below, and encourage all families to sign up. New Horizons will run a test of the text alert system on Friday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. to all families that includes an email and text message. Please let the office know if you think you signed up, but didn't get the text alert (or the email).

Parents: Sign Up for Text Alerts

Northwest Education Services uses text messaging to inform our school community of school closures and other emergencies. Click the link School Closings & Alerts to learn more about how we communicate and keep you informed.

If you would like to receive these messages from North Ed New Horizons via SMS text messaging, please sign up with the directions below. All texts from North Ed will come from the number 67587. This service is provided through Intrado SchoolMessenger Solutions. We may also use this platform to make phone calls featuring a recorded message.

How to Sign Up:

• Text any one of these words to the number 67587: subscribe, optin, or yes
• Repeat this process for any wireless phone numbers that you wish to include
• You’ll receive a confirmation text message when you sign up

NOTE: If your cell phone number is not on file with the school, you will not be able to receive text messages. Text messaging service is limited to contact numbers tied to North Ed staff and student databases and is not available to the general public. If you are unsure whether your phone number is on file, contact the New Horizons office at 231.933.3560.

Respectfully,

Riley Denison

Supervisor, New Horizons

Northwest Education Services

COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING

by Kayla Pendergast

kpendergast@northwested.org

Office: 231.933.3560

At Central High School, we believe that Community-Based Instruction (CBI) is essential for our students to succeed. CBI allows our students to learn and practice skills in real-world settings, which helps them to become more independent and prepared for life experiences outside of school.

Students participate in CBI once a week at a variety of locations in our community including the library, hiking trails and shopping centers. They work on various skills such as pedestrian safety, staying with the group, using visual shopping lists, and completing the routines of making a purchase.

Many of our students have IEP goals related to community skills, and CBI is a preferred activity for many of them. We enjoy bringing our classes out into the community to learn and grow!

Important Dates to Remember

Tuesday, Nov. 7: No School for Students, Staff Training

Wednesday, Nov. 22: No School for Students, Staff Training

Thursday, Nov. 23 & 24: No School; Thanksgiving Recess

Friday, Dec. 22 to Tuesday, Jan. 2: No School; Holiday Break

Wednesday, Jan. 3: School Resumes; Welcome Back

**Friday, Jan. 19**: Half Day for Students; Staff Training

Monday, March 25 to Monday, April 1: No School; Spring Recess

Monday, May 27: No School; Holiday

Friday, June 7: Last Day!!



NURSE'S NOTES

We have started to see an uptick in the number of student illnesses across our classrooms. I wanted to pass long again the illness guidelines and would appreciate your help in keeping your children home if they experience any of these symptoms. If these symptoms occur at school, we will notify you, and your child will need to be picked up from school as soon as possible. They must stay home 24 hours after the symptoms has resolved.

In an effort to keep all of our students healthy, we appreciate your cooperation in following the guidelines for attendance at school. Please keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms: 

• Vomiting or diarrhea (should be symptom-free for 24 hours)

• High fever (usually 100 degrees or more; should be free for 24 hours)

• Sore throat that has lasted longer than 3 days

• Persistent cough

• Red eyes with drainage, itching or burning

• Any undiagnosed rash

• Head lice (may return after treatment)

• Extreme fatigue and/or irritability even in the absence of the above symptoms

Jamie Tornga, BSN, RN

School Nurse

New Horizons

Northwest Education Services

Check out this story from Cherryland Electric Cooperative featuring a student in the New Horizons Program at Traverse Heights!

MIDDLE SCHOOL ROUTINES

by Nicole Johnson

nmjohnson@northwested.org

Office: 231.933.3560

It has been an amazing start to the school year in the Johnson room. Students have been learning the ropes of the school. They head to the cafeteria in full force each day where they earn money to shop at the classroom store. They have also made new friends in the classroom and outside the classroom during gym and lunch time. Students are working hard on social interaction with each other and use their communication devices to practice conversations. Science time has been the most fun with lots of hands-on activities, and they all look forward to gymnastics day and spending time jumping on the trampoline. Everyone has done great with the school routine!

WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?

North Ed partners with Traverse City Area Public School to provide breakfast and lunch for our students. You can find all the school menus on their website.

It was a very Spook-tacular Halloween at Traverse Heights!

New Horizons

933 Rose St., Traverse City, MI 49686

Tel. 231.933.3560 |  NorthwestEd.org

Northwest Education Services

1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684

Tel. 231.922.6200 | NorthwestEd.org