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

Thank 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.

  

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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

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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.

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

31st Annual NJ Autism Conference in Atlantic City

This past weekend I attended the 31st annual NJ Autism Conference in Atlantic City.  Governor Christie was scheduled as a keynote speaker and was a no show!  A good highlight was Julianna Kusz was in attendance.  She is the Director of Special Services for Millburn Township, and I saw her buying books from Brooks Publishing for our township!  Brooks Publishing is definitely a friend to Millburn, for the third year in a row they have given us books. Each year I have brought some books home to our town that are housed in the Hartshorn Elementary School. We (MSPEC) considered the public library to house these books, but we wanted those teachers (many of whom are not town residents) to also have access to these books. 

I have added 5 new titles to our library this year.  They include "Social Skills and Adaptive Behavior in Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders", "Autism Services Across America", and "The Special Educator's Toolkit".  I also purchased 2 books that may be found in the library titled "Autism in the family, caring and coping together", and "The Principal's Handbook for Leading Inclusive Schools" (that one I gave to Mr. Frattini, the school's principal).  All that you need to do is go to Hartshorn's library or contact the librarian to check these books out under your child's name. The teachers may check these books out as well.  

As for the conference, my very best take away (besides the books) was to learn that there is a new rise in higher education programing for people on the spectrum.  It was stated in more than one of the seminars I attended how people affected by autism spectrum disorder have many strengths; along with more and more employers are looking for individuals that can provide attention to detail, engage in savant thinking and commit stern dedication to tasks.  Most individuals on the spectrum possess these types of attributes, and with the right help and support go on to lead healthy normal lives. The school programs will aim to foster a bridge regarding chosen career paths by individuals on the spectrum and employers seeking those strong characteristics.     

The future looks bright.  Enjoy the books. 

Strategic Planning in Millburn Township Public Schools/ Professional Development

The first day I dropped my son off at kindergarten the red flags went up.  I realized his regular education teacher received little to no training from the school prior to my son's entrance to her class concerning his disorder. While it is not mandated that the regular education teacher received this type of training, it seemed like a missed opportunity (especially for my son). Since the teacher said she knew not much about his disorder, I have made it a mission to figure out a positive way to help support the teacher's who help my son.  Along with donating a small library of special education books housed in the school, I have gotten involved with the school districts strategic planning process.  I helped with gathering the data and research, the planning, and now we are up to the action.  The following article from the patch is a snap shot of where this process is in it's implementation.  I think one of the most valuable parts is that the district has created a "hub" ("Millburn University") where teachers can access and share professional development opportunities.  I am happy and proud to be a part of this process.  See the following article from the local Alternative Press:

Millburn School Officials, Residents Begin Implementing Strategic Plan Process

Keller Williams Realty Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism New Jersey

Yesterday was the 1st Annual Keller Williams Realty Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism New Jersey.  The event was a huge success and raised a lot of money to be used to develop Classroom Packs to support teachers in spreading autism awareness and building acceptance of others.  

I felt proud to have been able to contribute to my community in such a unique way, by providing an opportunity for people to see the housing market inventory and have a delightful day out with friends all while helping to provide a means to give teachers tools for extra character education in our schools.  

Everyone involved seemed to enjoy themselves, and some people were even out house hunting.  It seemed to be a "Win - Win", said Cara Moxley, one of the Brokers of Record at Keller Williams Realty.  The tour consisted of six fabulous homes in Short Hills, NJ ranging from approximately $1.5M to $5M.  The concept was well received, and I will definitely do this type of House Tour again in the Fall or in April in honor of  Autism Awareness month.  I am also considering planning this type event in other neighboring towns.  

Let me know if you have any interest in participating in the next tour!!!!!  

171 Tennyson Drive, Short Hills, NJ

Melanie Rosenbaum, Tour Organizer

My new BFF, Polly Tedesco.  She's a House Tour Blogger!
www.foyerist.com
(notice the special detail of the stair case behind me at 171 Tennyson)

Happy participants visiting 173 Tennyson Drive

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Sherri Fischer poses with more happy participants!

Kitchen and Breakfast Area with Built-in Seating at 173 Tennyson Drive

The view you will see everyday when you wake up in your new home - the master bedroom ceiling!

Master Bathroom 

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Emily Hans
points out one of her favorite features in the basement of 173 Tennyson Drive

Caring Kids Millburn Township has arrived!  Sharon Cohen and Kim Moore, Co-Presidents of the strongest character education program ANYWHERE participate in the House Tour!
www.caringkidsmillburn.com

Cara Moxley, Operating Partner of Keller Williams Realty in Summit & Short Hills
Listing Agent of 15 East Lane
I think this is a very special home in a beautiful quiet part of town!

Howard Bunn, Operating Partner of Summit & Short Hills Keller Williams Realty
inside the home at 15 East Lane
to see more check out BunnMoxleyHomes.com

44 Lake Road
Listing Agent, Elizabeth Winterbottom

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Armin Lusinyants
answers questions about the home

A lovely home, on a lovely street in Short Hills.  In fact, I used to live on this street!
425 Long Hill Drive

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Saritte Harel welcomes tour goers into her listing at 30 Robert Drive

Couldn't be prouder!  Pictured left to right:
Dr. Stacey Tavel local Pediatrician and Co-Chair of Cookies for Cancer, Melanie Rosenbaum, Allyson Garbowitz,
Dr. Karen Borofsky, Radiation Oncologist, and Dr. Lisa Pivawer, local Pediatrician
All Short Hills residents!

Thank you so much for your support and donation for Autism NJ's Classroom Packs.

So now that everyone has seen these amazing homes, please help me spread the word to find the special people who will get to live in them!

Best, 

Melanie

KW Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism New Jersey, June 3rd

The first annual KW House Tour in Short Hills, New Jersey Benefiting Autism NJ is this Monday, June 3, 2013.  The House Tour Packs are still available and may be acquired at Keller William Realty in Summit at 488 Springfield Avenue on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday from 9-5.  They will also be available at the Keller Williams Realty Short Hills Office on Monday, June 3rd from 9am - 12noon located at 518 Millburn Avenue.   With a $20 donation, that goes directly to Autism NJ, individuals may still receive a tour packet and participate in this great fundraising event.

The following is the link to print the registration form:

http://www.realshorthills.com/real-asd-blog/keller-williams-realty-house-tours/