May, 2016
Dear DSANV Members with children ages 2-10 years old:
We are pleased to invite you and your child to participate in the 2016-2017 DSANV Learning Program, an educational program that teaches parents to be effective "first-teachers" for their children and prepares children for success in school.
This program was created and implemented by the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County in California in 2004, and its creator, Dana Halle, has worked with DSANV on its implementation here.
The program is based on the research of Sue Buckley and Gillian Bird of Down Syndrome Education International in the United Kingdom. More information is available at www.dsfoc.org and www.dseinternational.org. The program supplements formal literacy and math education through direct monthly instruction to parents and children, customized materials, and speech and occupational therapy support. The following classes will be offered:
- TLP Pre-K (ages 2 - 4 years old; eligible date of birth 10/1/2012-9/30/2014)TLP Pre-K is for DSANV families with a child with Ds between 2 and 4 years old according to the Fairfax County Public School calendar. Parents will have a short didactic lesson and then join their children to spend an hour together, working on literacy, fine motor, language, and numeracy skills in a play-based environment led by three professionals.
- TLP Level 1 (ages 4 - 6 years old; eligible date of birth 10/1/2010-9/30/2012)
TLP Level 1 is for DSANV families with a child with Ds between 4 and 6 years old according to the Fairfax County Public School calendar. Parents receive monthly 90-minute instruction on a wide range of topics such as Teaching Your Child To Read, Number Concepts, and Creating An Effective Learning Session, while children spend time with professional teachers working on the development of literacy, language, fine motor, and numeracy skills.
- TLP Level 2 (prerequisite: TLP Level 1)
TLP Level 2 is for DSANV families who have completed Level 1. Parents receive monthly 90-minute instruction on a wide range of topics such as Accessing The General Education Curriculum, Comprehension, Collaborative Support, and Time while children spend time with professional teachers working on the development of literacy, language, fine motor, and numeracy skills.
- TLP Level 3 (prerequisite: TLP Level 2)
TLP Level 3 is for DSANV families who have completed Level 2. Parents receive monthly 90-minute instruction on a wide range of topics, while children spend time with professional teachers working on the development of literacy, language, fine motor, and numeracy skills.
If your child with Ds has a date of birth that falls between 9/30/06-9/30/10 and you have not participated in TLP before but are interested in the program, please contact us at tlp@dsanv.org to discuss your individual situation.
There will be 9 sessions on Saturday morning on September 24, October 22, November 19, January 7, February 11, March 18, April 22, May 20, and June 10 at the Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St, Alexandria, VA. Upon acceptance into the program, you will be notified of your class time. Please note that we do not have space to accommodate siblings and do not offer babysitting services.
Tuition for The Learning Program for Levels 1, 2, and 3 is $400 ($44 per family per session) and for Pre-K is $250 ($28 per family per session). This fee includes parent and student instruction and materials. As tuition does not completely cover expenses, DSANV funds make it possible for us to offer this program to you. Half of the tuition is due by August 5, 2016 and the rest is due by February 11, 2017. If the fee is cost- prohibitive but you want to be involved, please contact tlp@dsanv.org about scholarships. Enrollment is limited, and spaces will be filled by lottery.
As this program builds on previous months' materials, it is important to attend all meetings. We are asking parents to make a firm commitment to attend all of the sessions and to complete follow up activities. The success of this program is dependent upon your level of commitment. We are not seeking perfection, just dedication. If you miss 2 monthly meetings, we may withdraw you from the program.
To apply, click on the 'Apply/Register Now' link below and complete the information by June 1, 2016. Or click here for the application, then mail to DSANV 10467 White Granite Drive, Suite 320, Oakton, VA 22124. Please contact us at tlp@dsanv.org with any questions.
We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting and innovative program!
Sincerely,
The Learning Program Task Force
Dorene Ryder, Tina Slottow
DSANV
10467 White Granite Drive, Suite 320
Oakton, VA 22124
"We want our children to be embraced by the community. We want our parents to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. We want our parents to be able to work with the system, not be shut down by the system. We are here to support you."
- Dana Halle, Creator of the Learning Program
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