April 2020
COMMUNITY TRIPS FROM EARLY MARCH
(Before Remote Learning)
Jelly Belly Factory
WHAT WE LEARNED ON THE JELLY BELLY TOUR
Joseph - On the tour, I learned about the family that runs the business beginning with Gustav Goelitz.
Sam - When they first made the jelly beans, the company had a different name.
Charles - I saw that they still have a huge Christmas tree in their warehouse. And the misshapen jelly beans are sold as “Belly Flops.” I also really like the artwork made from jelly beans.
Quinn - The Jelly Belly factory has been around since 1898. That means that the Jelly Belly factory is older than the oldest person alive today. Another thing I learned from the tour is that the people who work in the factory kitchen are very warm because they work with very hot liquids called a slurry. Another thing I learned on the tour is that the big thing that lifts the trays in the factory is called a Mogul.
Jake - I learned that they make 18 million jelly beans a year.
Dunn Museum
History of our Local Agriculture
Learning about Dinosaurs that once roamed Lake County
Artifacts from our Local History
Group Photo Opportunities!
Home Depot
Liam was a great consumer and tested out some new products at Home Depot.
Grand Oaks Recreation Center
Bean Bag Baseball Club
We had so much fun meeting new people and learning how to play this unique style of baseball!
Bean Bag Baseball Rules:
Two teams take turns tossing bean bags at holes in a game board 20 or so feet away.
The holes are designated for singles, doubles, triples and home runs.
Any bag that fails to find a hole is considered a strike, and three strikes make an out.
Three outs, and the inning is over. A fun game that combines real baseball and cornhole.
Volunteering at Openlands
Diana's class has enjoyed volunteering at Openlands since last fall. While volunteering we have performed a variety of tasks, including "deadheading" flowers and seed harvesting. In the pictures above, students are creating trail and plant markers out of sticks. Pruning snips were used to cut the sticks down and then we painted them in bright colors. More about Openlands below.
Openlands and Getting Outside
During Coronavirus
Openlands is one of the oldest metropolitan conservation organizations in the nation and located right here in the North Shore! Its mission is to protect the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.
We should all be taking care of our immune systems at this time. Sunlight and exercise have been shown to help with that. While spending time outdoors it is vital to follow the current social distancing guidelines. State, city, and local governments in areas particularly impacted by the pandemic have issued temporary restrictions that may prevent some or all outdoor activity. The Openlands website includes an interactive map featuring 350 parks, preserves and natural areas. While some could potentially be closed due to COVID-19, many are open to the public.
Transition Tips for Remote Learning
Social Groups and Meetings
Expected Behavior
1. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
If we all do this, there will be less disruptions and everyone will be able to clearly hear the person who is speaking.
Also, using the mute button keeps unexpected background noises (like a barking dog or a sneezing parent) from disrupting the conversation.
2. Speak clearly and wait your turn.
You can always use the chat feature to type a comment to the group without interrupting the person speaking.
3. Pay attention to the speaker.
This not only shows respect, but it will also prevent you from asking questions that may have already been answered.
Tips for Mental Health and Wellness
1. Stick to a routine. Go to sleep and wake up at a consistent and reasonable time. Make a schedule for yourself that includes time for school or work as well as self care.
2. Try to get outside once a day (following social distancing guidelines) or open some windows (weather permitting). It is amazing how much a little fresh air can help raise our spirits.
Alissa and Chewie are taking a break to enjoy the beautiful weather.
3. Find some time to move each day. Try out a free movement class on You Tube. Go for a walk or stretch or exercise. Or maybe just turn on your favorite music and have a dance party!
4. Stay hydrated and eat well. Drink plenty of water and eat tasty, nutritious food. Practice your cooking skills!
Diana is demonstrating how she stays hydrated and healthy in the kitchen.
Transition Program Memories
Saying Goodbye
We had to say goodbye to Nick and Megan in March. The students made cards and we gathered together on their last day to give them gifts and wish them well. Nick and Megan have made tremendous contributions to the Transition Program at Lake Forest High School throughout their years with us. We are so proud of them and there is no doubt they will both have amazing careers as Special Education teachers.
Post-Secondary Program Highlight
This month we are highlighting Misericordia. Misericordia is a day program that offers opportunities after transition. They have job placements they offer to the people enrolled into their programs as well as events to participate in. Unfortunately with the COVID-19 pandemic they do not have any events scheduled until May. You can find more information about Misericordia at their website. https://www.misericordia.com/
