Thursday, December 12, 2013

Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits vs. Ambassador Kits

These "Ambassador" kits are actually appropriate for ANYONE (parents, administrators, teachers) and go along well with the classroom kits which are geared toward K-5 teachers.  The classroom kits are the kits that the House Tour helped raise money to support. 
Registration Now Open:  2014 Ambassador Program
Dear Melanie:
Thank you for your past participation as an Autism New Jersey Awareness Ambassador. Believe it or not, April, National Autism Awareness Month, will be here before we know it!   Registration is now open for our 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador Program.

Make A Statement

This year, our Awareness Ambassador Program theme is "Make a Statement."   Put your unique stamp on your message and help us raise awareness and build communities that embrace and accept people with autism and their families.


Sign Up Today
:  You can join us again in our 2014 campaign by signing up as an Autism Awareness Ambassador. Please note: You must register again this year to participate and receive your information kit.  Expect the new kit to arrive by late January.
Program Features:
  • Every Ambassador receives our free kit, including poster, bookmark and Kids Booklet.
  • Ideas and activities for all ages, from school-aged children to adults. 
  • Special sections for Educators and Junior Ambassadors (K to 12).
  • Check out our updated Autism Awareness Ambassador "Hub" where you can post photos, videos, event announcements, download publications, link to other resources and connect with other ambassadors and friends.  
We encourage all of our ambassadors to keep us informed of their activities and events so we can share them with others. Email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call 609.588.8200 ext. 21.

Thank you for your continued participation in spreading awareness about autism and making a statement about the importance of autism awareness and acceptance in your community.

2014 Awareness "Keep Calm and Raise Autism Awareness" T-shirts now Available: Order Today!

We are pleased to be partnering with Spectrum Works, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides job training and employment to individuals with autism, for the production of this year's shirt.
Check out our T-shirt and other awareness items, they make a great holiday gift!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Autism New Jersey
P.S.  Pre-order our new 2014 Autism Awareness Shirts today!  Just $15.

Visit our hub:  www.autismnjambassador.org
 
Toys R Us Children's FundThank you to the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund for their grant funding in sponsorship of this program.
Autism New Jersey 500 Horizon Drive, Suite 530 Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Phone: 609.588.8200  |  Fax: 609.588.8858  |  Email: information@autismnj.org

Privacy Policy  |  Email Preferences© 2013 Autism New Jersey

Dear Melanie:
Thank you for signing up to become a 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador. We look forward to your participation in helping to spread awareness during National Autism Awareness Month in April 2014 and "Make a Statement" in your community.
Kits will be mailed in mid-January.  
For any questions or to request additional materials, please email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call us at 609.588.8200 x31 between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
  
******************************
The following information was recorded for your registration: 

 Ambassador/Junior Ambassador
NAME: Melanie Rosenbaum
On behalf of Autism New Jersey, thank you again for registering to be an 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador and working to make a positive statement in your community! 
Your Friends at Autism New Jersey
www.autismnj.org
www.facebook.com/autismnj

Check out our 2014 Ambassador Hub at www.autismnjambassador.org where you can post your photos, videos and events and connect with other ambassadors interested in raising awareness.
Don't forget to order your 2014 Autism Awareness Shirt and other items online today.  Proceeds benefit Autism New Jersey.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

SEPAC Cyber Bullying Event at Millburn Middle School

SEPAC, Special Education Parent Advisory Committee of Millburn Township sponsored this amazing event the other day.  SEPAC is a state mandated parent advisory group that the district has appointed 11 or so people to represent the different schools and programs within the district.  I serve as the representative for the Hartshorn Elementary School, and am happy to do so. 


The event that was planned was just another fine example of how great this community truly is!  


The speaker was Srgt. Tom Rich, a New Jersey police officer and Internet safety expert.  He focused on the social media activities our children are engaging in and the problems they can cause.  He also covered how parents can protect themselves and their children, as well as how these forms of communication can be used positively, moderation, and safely.

Here’s a testimonial from one of our own Millburn teachers:
"In case anyone is interested in this workshop but unsure if they should attend, I recently attended a workshop in Livingston that Tom Rich participated in and I thought he was very informative and helpful.  The speed at which technology is changing and the young age at which children are using social media is unbelievable.  He talked about social media sites that I had never heard of (but my 6th grader had!) If you have a chance to see him speak, it is well worth it!"

The best take aways for this event for me, were that our district actually has a program in place that educate our children on cyber bullying already.  Minecraft has chat rooms.  There is an app for texting on an iPod.  Some sites let you post information anonymously.  Posting pictures of naked body parts and sharing that photograph could be considered a criminal offense, and the person could actually be placed on the national registry of sex offenders for life.  Instagram has a location finding part of it's application that can place your exact address.  Once you put it out into the internet world, it is out there FOREVER!  Set Facebook settings to prevent stalking.

Summary, its important be educated and have an open line of communication with our children.  It was requested that this speaker come again, but directly speak with the children.  I will certainly blast if that happens!    




Find more info about Tom Rich at his website www.AlwaysConnected.com
Find more info about me at my website www.RealShortHills.com