Sibshop Overnight Retreat

 

We listened to your feedback and are excited to announce the Overnight Sibling Retreat:  A two-day Sibshop packed with great fun and great opportunities to bond with other siblings of kids with special needs. (*Families are welcome).

Where:  The Lodge at Simpsonwood

              4511 Jones Bridge Circle NW
              Norcross, GA 30092

             770.441.1111; Fax:  770.441.3207www.simpsonwood.org

When: Friday, October 14, 6 pm – Saturday, October 15, 4:30 pm

Cost: FREE

Quick Points you need to know:

·        The Sibshop is for only non-disabled siblings of kids with special needs, ages 7 - 18.

·        Lodging and food are provided for Sibshop participants and any immediate family member interested in staying at Simpsonwood. *Parents and all other siblings are welcome to stay for free but are not required to stay. (One room per family ~ up to 4 people per room  ~ not including Sibshop participant).

·        There are no structured family activities**, but families are welcome to use the facilities available at Simpsonwood or enjoy local shopping and activities.

·        **There will be a workshop for parents on Saturday addressing parenting needs of siblings of individuals with special needs. There will also be time for parents to socialize and informally discuss sibling needs and commonalities of raising a child with a disability.

How it Works: Sibshop participants will be divided into chaperoned rooms – boys and girls will be separated. Families who choose to stay will be provided separate rooms. Sibshop participants will gather Friday evening for dinner (dinner is provided only for Sibs and families staying at Simpsonwood), and evening activities, including an ice cream social. Saturday will include breakfast, lunch, Sibshop activities, and a team-building Ropes Course for Sibshop participants only. Saturday afternoon, parents are invited to an informational session on Understanding the Needs of Siblings of Children with Special Needs, presented by Jennifer Tumlin Garrett (more details to follow). Following the presentation, there will be informal social time for parents to chat. Sibshop pick up will be late Saturday afternoon. More details and Registration information will follow. Space is limited to the first 20 families, so please register early! Check out the latest updates on our website (http://education.gsu.edu/georgiadeafblindproj), and Facebook page (Sibshops – Georgia Sensory Assistance Project).

Summer Institute: Day 1

Day 1 of the GSAP Deafblind Summer Institute is underway. Speaker Jessie Moreau will introduce strategies and adaptations for literacy, and the group will adapt curriculum materials for students with sensory impairments. Adapted literacy materials will include adapting the books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, How to Eat Fried Worms, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and  Treasure Island as well as making a "Let's Write About..." adapted graphic organizer board.

iPads & Apps Webinar

The webinar recording of "Using iPads and Apps with Children Who Are Deaf-Blind is now available
http://www.nationaldb.org/NCDBProducts.php?prodCatID=90

Website Upgrades Are Here!!!

GSAP has worked hard over the past few months to update our website with the help of Harmon Media Group (www.harmonmediagroup.com). The new website is now live! Check it out! http://education.gsu.edu/georgiadeafblindproj

GA Deafblind Summer Institute

GSAP's Deafblind Summer Institute will be held June 28, 29, & 30 in Savannah, GA at the Coastal Georgia Center. Registration is available online at https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHE2UElZM29Sa2daYnFIYXpGd19MZkE6MA

Also, a customized webpage for two local hotels is available at http://cwp.marriott.com/savdt/gsapdeafblind/