The Learning Tree, Inc. The Learning Tree, Inc. is proud to announce The Little Tree Preschool • Woody’s Song Mobile, Alabama the opening “Growi n g U p” of a new program! Woody’s Song: For Kids on the Autism Spectrum will be a year-round, tuition-based day program serving children with autism ages 5-10. Woody’s Song will open in August 2009 on the Mobile campus of The Learning Tree, Inc. and will operate there until a permanent site can be obtained. For more information about Woody’s Song, please contact Julia Starr, Program Director, at 251-331-8021 or [email protected]. Spring 2009 Jerre Brimer, M.Ed. Director Community Advisory Board: Brenda Beverly Kathy Bronstein Sarah Beth Brutkiewicz Ken Cumbie Deanna Ferguson Hank Jordan Peter Kingsford Jerrlyn London Jex Luce Sheila Martin Mary Kathryn Metzger Alicia Perry Ellen Shulman Royce Simpson Hanes Swingle Lisa Turner The Learning Tree, Inc., Mobile Jennifer Williams Campus Supervisor P.O. Box 1306 Semmes, AL 36575 251-649-4420 The Little Tree Preschool Holly Rogers Director P.O. Box 9723 Mobile, AL 36691 251-654-2533 Woody’s Song: For Kids on the Autism Spectrum Julia Starr Director P.O. Box 1306 Semmes, AL 36575 251-331-8021 As The Learning Tree, Inc. is expanding its programs to serve more children in the Mobile area, the Growing Up newsletter is also changing! Growing Up will now bring you news and information from all three of The Learning Tree, Inc.’s Mobile programs: The Learning Tree, Inc., The Little Tree Preschool and our new program, Woody’s Song. The staff of The Learning Tree, Inc. hopes you will enjoy our quarterly newsletter and continue to support The Learning Tree, Inc. and its programs! The Learning Tree, Inc. The Learning Tree, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1983 to offer highquality educational services to children who need more intensive, individualized supports than their local school systems can provide. Since then, the organization has responded to a variety of children’s needs by expanding its programs to serve children across the state of Alabama. The Learning Tree, Inc. operates educational and residential programs for children ages 521 in Mobile, Tallassee, and Jacksonville, Alabama. The Learning Tree, Inc. also operates The Little Tree Preschools in Mobile, Auburn and Jacksonville, Alabama and is starting the new program, Woody’s Song, this August in Mobile. The Mobile campus of The Learning Tree, Inc. is located just outside the city of Mobile in the community of Semmes. The educational component of the program is licensed and monitored by the Alabama State Department of Education. The home life component of the program is certified and monitored by the Alabama State Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. P.O. Box 1306 Semmes, AL 36575 Learning To Know, Learning To Grow, Learning To Live. According to Jules Starr, BCBA and teacher of the 5-year old class at The Little Tree Preschool, seeing her student’s smiling faces running to her and other staff every morning makes what they do well worth it. In Ms. Jules’ class, the children are working on academic and living skills that help them in the classroom, at home and out in the community. They are learning to write their names, sound out words, identify the seasons, identify money and much, much more. Jules says, “There is no greater satisfaction than to see children making connections and learning skills because of the time you spend with them.” Jules will move to The Learning Tree, Inc.’s new program, Woody’s Song, this August. She will be the Program Director. Jennifer Williams is the Campus Supervisor for the Mobile, AL campus of The Learning Tree, Inc. Jennifer began working at The Learning Tree, Inc. in August 2005 after obtaining a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University. She began employment at The Learning Tree, Inc. working as an Instructional Support Specialist. Within a year Jennifer became the Coordinator of Instructional Supports where she was responsible for the oversight of all behavioral programming and plan implementation. After working in this capacity for two years, Jennifer was asked to become the Campus Supervisor in June 2008. spotlight: Saturday, February 7, members of the Mobile Area Young Professionals Alliance (MAYPA) attended The Learning Tree, Inc.’s Paint Party where they transformed the children’s furniture into scenes of pirates, farm life, circuses, Mardi Gras, music, wildlife and more! The furniture was given back to the young residents of The Learning Tree, Inc. and brightens up their rooms in the group homes. Playground Makeover at The Little Tree Saturday, November 15 was an exciting day at The Little Tree Preschool! Over 50 volunteers came out to the school and generously gave their time to help rebuild the school’s playground. Many local businesses donated materials, helping to make the dream of a new playground a reality. A big “THANK YOU” goes out to Dan and Shelby of 95 KSJ, Ashley Zavros with Clear Channel Radio, and Keith Ferguson with Volunteers of America, SE. This project would not have happened without their leadership and enthusiasm. Thanks to the volunteers from MAYPA, Heath Morris and The Sherwin-Williams Company located at 3853-A Airport Boulevard for donating the paint and Jimmy John’s on DuRhu Drive for donating lunch. Jennifer is newly married and her family consists of her husband, two dogs and one cat. Jennifer considers the amazing children of The Learning Tree, Inc. her family. She says, “At such a young age of 28, I am able to say that I have 22 children!” Jennifer feels that The Learning Tree, Inc. has been such a rewarding place of employment, and she feels honored to be surrounded by wonderful people who dedicate themselves to the children served. Please contact Jennifer at 251-649-4420 ext. 11 if you are interested in information regarding The Learning Tree, Inc. or either of its programs, The Little Tree Preschool or Woody’s Song. Be sure to dine at Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe the week of April 19-26. We gratefully acknowledge donations received from Nov 2008-Feb 15, 2009 The Learning Tree, Inc’s Sponsor-a-Child for the Holidays: Kenneth Baughman Heather and Marcus Bell Stan and Angie Chandler, Ace Courier and Delivery Service, LLC Jennifer and John Holahan Sharon and David Smith Charles Smith, Charles H. Smith Air Conditioning and Heating Dr. John Tomberlin, South Alabama Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. Dr. Charles Tomberlin John Tomberlin, Tomberlin, Young and Folmar Insurance Group In Honor of BB: Mary Ruth and David Jones Jenna P. and C. Guy Lowe Jones Mr. and Mrs. William F. Jones, III Tiffany Nettles Valerie and Ronald Ramsbacher Rob Walker, IV In Honor of TK: Martha Whigham 1000 Miles for The Little Tree 2009: Dr. Hanes Swingle The Little Tree Preschool Playground: Mr. Daniel Brennan Woody’s Song: Dr. Randy Koffler and The Tuesday AM Men’s Prayer Group Jill and Clark Lyon Misc. Donations: During this week, 1 from every $ Brenda Beverly and William Locker Dr. David Ellis and Ms. Ellen Taylor Mr. Joseph E. Mayo Elizabeth Millette Stacey B. Pearce Jodi and John Prine Ellen Shulman wrap purchased will be donated to The Learning Tree, Inc. Thanks to our friends at A special thanks to Lowe’s Heroes at 7760 Airport Boulevard for donating a play set for our children of Woody’s Song to enjoy. The Little Tree Preschool would also like to thank the project’s sponsors: Jimmy John’s, United Rentals, YellaWood, Greg Murphy Contracting, Inc., John Holbrook Construction, Caroline Contracting, The Home Depot, Camille’s Sidewalk Café, Lowe’s, BLP Mobile Paints, and Fastenal. Thanks to all those who gave through Jerre Brimer’s Firstgiving site: www.firstgiving.org/jerrebrimer Finally, thanks again to all of the volunteers who came out to help! The smiles on the children’s faces while enjoying the new playground speak louder than words. for their support! Camilles Sidewalk Cafe is located at 5817 Old Shell Road across from the USA Mitchell Center. Newsletter created by Brian Melamut • [email protected] • www.RanspaGraphicDesign.com from the m... classroo GET TO KNOW: Je n nife r Willia ms Donation