Faces 4 Autism's “Bubbles for Autism”/ Letter to Parents for Autism Awareness Pilot

March 31, 2014

Dear 1st & 2nd Grade Hartshorn Parents & Guardians,

Some of you may know that April is Autism Awareness Month, and tomorrow your child will participate in an activity to acknowledge this via the Faces 4 Autism activity “Bubbles for Autism”.  During recess the first and second grade students will blow bubbles up into the sky. Why bubbles?  Because bubbles represent joy, happiness, & laughter and bring people together.  The point of this event is to celebrate differences and raise autism awareness; and awareness is the first step toward acceptance.  

Autism is a socialization and communication disorder.  A new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows 1 in 68 children nationwide have autism; 1 in 45 children in New Jersey, which is reportedly the highest in the nation with the report indicating statistics showing 1 in 28 boys in New Jersey have autism.  This month you may see some items coming home from Classroom Resource Kits which Autism New Jersey has created to support teachers in understanding the disorder, and helping to spread Autism Awareness. 

If you or your child is interested in learning more about autism you can go to www.autismnj.org. To learn more about fundraising efforts to bring these activities and kits to our school you can go to http://www.realshorthills.com/real-house-tours-benefiting-autism-nj/.  Any questions, please contact Melanie@RealShortHills.com or feel free to call (973)768-1818.

Happy World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd)!

Best,

Melanie Rosenbaum

(MSPEC) Millburn Special Education Committee building rep

(SEPAC) Special Education Parent Advisory Committee building rep

Autism NJ Rocks/ New House Tour Date

The other day in the mail came this splendid white box that looked like a delightful present.  And it was!

The box contained Autism NJ's classroom kit which we helped raise money for from the House Tour Benefiting Autism and Keller Williams Realty's Red Day.

The kit designed for teachers contains booklets in kid speak of autism facts, brief lesson plans which teach "students will understand that everyone has different abilities", posters, pencils, autism ribbon tattoos, book marks, decorations, and more, all for a classroom with 25 students in grades K thru 5.                        

This kit will help spread autism awareness throughout the community, just in time for Autism Awareness Month in April.

Autism affects 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.  It is a socialization & communication disorder.  There is a range and a spectrum within the disorder.  Behaving independently and appropriately are some of the biggest goals of people on the spectrum.

I spoke with Brynn Alberici, Special Event Coordinator at Autism New Jersey, and was thrilled that the next House Tour coming in May will now help create kits especially for Millburn Township.  Appropriately so, since the tour was planned by "Real Short Hills" and the homes on the tour were in Short Hills, which is a part of Millburn Township.

Thank you to Autism New Jersey for creating such an amazing resource to help spread Autism Awareness within Millburn Public Schools.   Last year Autism NJ's theme was to "Build Acceptance" and this year their theme is to "Make a Statement".  Mine is "Thank You"!!!

Please look for more information for the next house tour, and attend this great event for this awesome cause.  The next Tour is on Saturday, May 3rd from 12noon - 3pm.

Best,
Melanie

Autism Awareness Club Holds Successful Fundraiser At Soul Cycle

The Millburn High School Autism Awareness Club held a different kind of fundraiser, cleverly titled "The Awareness Cycle".  Members of the Millburn-Short Hills community hopped on a Soul Cycle bike for an intense spin class to raise awareness.  Soul Cycle generously sponsored the event at the newly opened Short Hills boutique studio on Feb. 7.  The participants raised over $1,400 while possibly burning the same amount of calories in a celebrity favorite Soul Cycle signature ride. The class, which is centered around community, brought town students, parents, the High School principal, along with members of the school board to sweat together for a good cause.

Photo from The Independent Press.
Principal Miron and students pictured together after the fundraising ride.

While Soul Cycle may not be a work out for everyone it was wonderful at creating a space for community to come together by encouraging each other to push through resistance and come out stronger. Julia Truitt, the high school senior and President of the club has created an organization that is dedicated to spreading a message of compassion, understanding and most importantly inclusion.  She has been honored in the past for her efforts at promoting awareness and fostering community. She did an amazing job with planning this successful event!  Her mother, Regina Truitt is a member of the School Board and is also focused on building a strong sense of community in town. We are lucky to have them both so actively contributing to our school district.  I was delighted to have participated and to have been a part of such a strong knit community that supports one another.


The Autism Awareness club will be hosting more events for Autism Awareness Month in April.

Keller Williams Premier Properties and Real Short Hills will also be hosting the second annual House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness.  

For more information about the house tour, visit Real Short Hills.

Autism NJ's Classroom Kits for our Schools

Any question, just reach out to me!

This is it!  These are the kits that we helped raise money for from the Keller Williams Realty House Tour Benefitting Autism.  It takes 1 minute to register and it is completely free.  Go thru the link below to find Autism NJ's direct sign up which is copied below.  The kits will provide an abundance of resources to help spread autism awareness for April for teachers.   Inside the kits will be booklets that educate the kids on autism, posters from Autism NJ to celebrate Autism Awareness month in April, decorations, tattoos, give aways, etc.  Spread autism awareness and have your teachers register for these wonderful free kit!          

https://autismnj.org/school_resource_pack

School Resource Pack:
Free Awareness Tools for Teachers

The School Resource Pack contains all the tools needed for an elementary school teacher (Grades K to 5) to raise awareness in his/her classroom and includes supplies for a 24 student classroom.  Expected ship date of Packs is March 1, 2014.  

Pack Contents

• Kids Booklet on Autism (Qty: 24)
• Bookmarks (Qty: 24)
• Temporary Autism Awareness Tattoos (Qty:24)
• Pencils with Autism Awareness Message (Qty: 24)
• Lesson Plans for Teacher
• Autism Awareness Poster
• Puzzle Piece Bulletin Board Decoration (Thank you to Becker School Supplies!)

Ordering Information

To request your free Autism Awareness Resource pack, complete the form below.  Limit one (1) pack per classroom.  Grades K-5 only.  Only New Jersey schools are eligible to participate.  Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Thank you to our sponsors (left) for underwriting the cost of the production and distribution of these materials!

Questions?  Email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call 609.588.8200 x31.  Click here to view other items autism awareness items available for order. 

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School Resource Pack Form

Teacher Contact Info

Prefix  <Select>  Mr.  Ms.  Mrs.  Dr. 

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone

Grade  <Select>  Kindergarten  1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  *

Shipping Address -- Where we will mail pack

School Name*

Street Line 1*

Street Line 2

City*

State  <Select>  New Jersey  *

Click to view help for this field.

Zip Code*

If you live near Trenton/Robbinsville and would like to pick up your Reource Pack at Autism New Jersey's office, check the box below.

Yes, I can pick up the pack!

Below, these"Ambassador" kits are actually appropriate for ANYONE (parents, administrators, teachers) and go along well with the above classroom kits which are geared toward K-5 teachers.  The classroom kits were sponsored by a House Tour with Keller Williams Premier Properties of Morris, Essex, and Union Counties, and these particular ambassador kits below are from Autism NJ for ANYONE to help spread autism awareness. 

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.

  

******************************

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.

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.

  

******************************

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.

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.