SPECIAL EDUCATION

Family Getaway

The Family Getaway for families of children who are deaf/hard of hearing in Region 9 who receive special education services is an annual event that parents and children alike appreciate. Twenty-three families participated in the two-day event held on Friday evening, March 9 and Saturday morning, March 10 at the Holiday Inn in Mankato. Seven families were from the Mankato Area Schools. Other Region 9 families came from New Ulm, Madelia, St. Peter, Ellendale, Good Thunder, New Richland, Mapleton, Le Center, and Morristown.

The parents attended sessions on parental self-care and psychological evaluations of children with hearing loss. Breakout session topics included transition, literacy, and pediatric hearing aid fitting. The children’s activities included line-dancing, acting out a story, arts and crafts, and a magic show by Jack McGowan. Of course, they couldn’t wait to be finished with planned activities so they could go swimming.

This annual event is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education-Region 9 Low Incidence Project, Lifetrack Resources-Greater Minnesota Assessment Service (GMAS) a program funded through a state grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, and Region 9 Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

Additional support is provided by MN Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services, Interagency Early Intervention Committees of Blue Earth-Nicollet, Brown, Waseca and Watonwan Counties, Mapleton Sertoma Club, Key City Sertoma Club, Mankato Sertoma Club, Mankato Sunrise Lions Club, and The Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic.

 

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