Winter 2014 NEEC Spotlight Administration: Jill Bartlett – Executive Director Brea Connett – Program Director Andrea McKown– Development Director 2014 Board of Directors: Michelle Woods – President Michelle Marriott – Vice President Stephanie Wiley - Treasurer Jill Ashby - Secretary Lisa Hurley Tammy Butler Chris Gardner Sandy Walker Steve Shead � Maxwell Ralph Harshman was born in August 2008. After birth he was diagnosed with Craniostynosis, a condition in which the sutures in an infant skull fuse too soon which can affect the growth pattern of the skull and may result in other impairments if not corrected early. At seven months old Max would have major corrective surgery to his skull that required an incision from ear to ear. At the time we were nervous and scared about the surgery but thankful that it was a condition that was only physical and should not affect his development. However, at 9 months old, Max was still not hitting milestones and his Pediatrician became concerned. He had seemed delayed in comparison to his older sister but everyone kept saying you can’t compare siblings, especially girls and boys. It was determined that Max had low muscle tone and began physical therapy. At a little over one year old Max had an MRI of his brain which revealed some abnormal results. Unfortunately none of the Neurologists and other Doctors could tell us what the MRI results would mean for Max’s development. All we knew was that he had Global Developmental Delays and we were okay with not having a diagnosis for Max. He began Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Aquatic Therapy with the Missouri First Steps program and we had a wonderful experience with all of Max’s Therapists. Max had an infusion of his cord blood cells at Duke University. Six months later he finally walked at age two and a half at Christmas time. At the age of about three, Max had a second reinfusion of his remaining cord blood at Duke University. Prior to coming to NEEC, Max and his older sister, Keira, had been at another Preschool. We were disappointed with the way the Preschool had dealt with some of the challenges Max presented and the school attempted to push him out the door without so much as a meeting to discuss how we could improve the situation. NEEC made great efforts to enroll Max and eventually his younger sister, Kaila, just before the school year began at the NKC Early Childhood Program in Pleasant Valley. Max loves riding the school bus and thrives on a routine schedule. His transition to NEEC went very well despite my fears of changing Preschools. Max was finally diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at the age of five and began taking ADHD medication. The teachers and support at NEEC have provided a caring, patient, educational, and tolerant environment for Max. He loved his Orange Room teachers and visits often. We faced another challenge of what Max would do after school when Kindergarten began this year. Initially NEEC did not have any openings for Max as he had only been at the school for one year. We were working on enrolling him in the Adventure Club program, which he should have been automatically been enrolled in because of his older sister’s enrollment. Again, we faced some hesitancy on the part of the program. However, the NEEC therapists and staff went out of their way, giving up their current office space and relocating to smaller office space just to make room for Max and another child in the Before and After School Program. NEEC in an amazing place full of wonderful, dedicated people and my family is grateful to have found such a wonderful fit for Max. He is an outgoing, lovable, challenging, cute little guy who knows most all of the kids’ names in his class and recognizes the vehicles they come and go in. Max continues to make good progress as a result of the wonderful support he has in his life including NEEC. Contact Information: Phone: 816-420-9005 | Fax: 816-420-9010 www.neeckids.org Max Ralph Harshman 2015 Calendar of Events: January 1 New Year’s Day Observation NEEC Closed February 16 – President’s Day NEEC Closed (teacher in-service) April 18 – Free NEEC Carnival May Family/Teacher Conferences May 25 – Memorial Day NEEC Closed May 30 – Pioneer Run June – Day of Caring July 3 Independence Day Observance NEEC Closed July – Graduation August – Enrollment September Community Helper’s Month September 7 – Labor Day NEEC Closed September 14th Annual Diamond K Ranch Party and Auction October 12 – Columbus Day NEEC Closed (teacher in-service) November Family/Teacher Conferences November 26 Thanksgiving Day NEEC Closed November 27 Day after Thanksgiving NEEC Closed December 24 – Christmas Eve NEEC Closed December 25 – Christmas Day NEEC Closed 2014 Calendar of Events: November 27 - Thanksgiving NEEC Closed November 28 Day after Thanksgiving NEEC Closed December 24 - Christmas Eve NEEC Closed December 25 - Christmas Day NEEC Closed
Transcript
Winter 2014
NEEC Spotlight
Administration:Jill Bartlett – Executive DirectorBrea Connett – Program DirectorAndrea McKown– Development Director
� Maxwell Ralph Harshman was born in August 2008. After birth he was diagnosed with Craniostynosis, a condition in which the sutures in an infant skull fuse too soon which can affect the growth pattern of the skull and may result in other impairments if not corrected early. At seven months old Max would have major corrective surgery to his skull that required an incision from ear to ear.
At the time we were nervous and scared about the surgery but thankful that it was a condition that was only physical and should not affect his development. However, at 9 months old, Max was still not hitting milestones and his Pediatrician became concerned. He had seemed delayed in comparison to his older sister but everyone kept saying you can’t compare siblings, especially girls and boys. It was determined that Max had low muscle tone and began physical therapy.
At a little over one year old Max had an MRI of his brain which revealed some abnormal results. Unfortunately none of the Neurologists and other Doctors could tell us what the MRI results would mean for Max’s development. All we knew was that he had Global Developmental Delays and we were okay with not having a diagnosis for Max.
He began Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Aquatic Therapy with the Missouri First Steps program and we had a wonderful experience with all of Max’s Therapists. Max had an infusion of his cord blood cells at Duke University. Six months later he finally walked at age two and a half at Christmas time. At the age of about three, Max had a second reinfusion of his remaining cord blood at Duke University.
Prior to coming to NEEC, Max and his older sister, Keira, had been at another Preschool. We were disappointed with the way the Preschool had dealt with some of the challenges Max presented and the school attempted to push
him out the door without so much as a meeting to discuss how we could improve the situation. NEEC made great efforts to enroll Max and eventually his younger sister, Kaila, just before the school year began at the NKC Early Childhood Program in Pleasant Valley. Max loves riding the school bus and thrives on a routine schedule. His transition to NEEC went very well despite my fears of changing Preschools. Max was finally diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at the age of five and began taking ADHD medication. The teachers and support at NEEC have provided a caring, patient, educational, and tolerant environment for Max. He loved his Orange Room teachers and visits often.
We faced another challenge of what Max would do after school when Kindergarten began this year. Initially NEEC did not have any openings for Max as he had only been at the school for one year. We were working on enrolling him in the Adventure Club program, which he should have been automatically been enrolled in because of his older sister’s enrollment. Again, we faced some hesitancy on the part of the program. However, the NEEC therapists and staff went out of their way, giving up their current office space and relocating to smaller office space just to make room for Max and another child in the Before and After School Program. NEEC in an amazing place full of wonderful, dedicated people and my family is grateful to have found such a wonderful fit for Max. He is an outgoing,
lovable, challenging, cute little guy who knows most all of the kids’ names in his class and recognizes the vehicles they come and go in. Max continues to make good progress as a result of the wonderful support he has in his life including NEEC.
2015 Calendar of Events:January 1New Year’s Day ObservationNEEC Closed
February 16 – President’s Day NEEC Closed (teacher in-service)
April 18 – Free NEEC Carnival
MayFamily/Teacher Conferences
May 25 – Memorial DayNEEC Closed
May 30 – Pioneer Run
June – Day of Caring
July 3Independence Day Observance NEEC Closed
July – Graduation
August – Enrollment
SeptemberCommunity Helper’s Month
September 7 – Labor DayNEEC Closed
September14th Annual Diamond K Ranch Party and Auction
October 12 – Columbus Day NEEC Closed (teacher in-service)
NovemberFamily/Teacher Conferences
November 26Thanksgiving DayNEEC Closed
November 27Day after ThanksgivingNEEC Closed
December 24 – Christmas EveNEEC Closed
December 25 – Christmas DayNEEC Closed
2014 Calendar of Events:November 27 - ThanksgivingNEEC Closed
November 28Day after ThanksgivingNEEC Closed
December 24 - Christmas EveNEEC Closed
December 25 - Christmas DayNEEC Closed
Special Event HighlightsNorthland Early Education Center held its annual Pioneer Run at English Landing Park in Parkville, Mo on Saturday, May 31. The fun-filled family event featured a 5k run and a two-mile walk through the scenic park, which is an USTAF-certified course. Over 250 people attended the Pioneer Run, generating over $19,600 to support NEEC’s quality early education and therapeutic intervention services for children who have special needs and children who have typical needs in the Northland.
Please join us in thanking our sponsors and participants, as well as the generous volunteers who gave of their time and resources to help make this year’s event a huge success. The tentative 2015 date of the annual Pioneer Run is Saturday, May 30th.
Pioneer Run
Thank You Sponsors�
On Saturday, September 13, over 250 friends, family, staff and community members gathered to support the Northland Early Education Center at the annual Diamond K Ranch Party & Auction, held at Mark & Lorry Kelly’s beautiful Diamond K Ranch in Kearney, Mo. Guests enjoyed a gorgeous evening while indulging in a delicious meal courtesy of Cosentino’s Price Chopper in Liberty and a ranch cake from Liz Angelo. Children were entertained throughout the evening with hayrides, a moonwalk, and a tattoo and balloon artist. This year’s Ranch Party generated a record breaking $44,596 for NEEC’s early education and therapy services program.
We would like to thank everyone who attended this fun and meaningful event. Please join us in thanking our sponsors, all of the businesses and individuals who donated items for our auctions, as well as the volunteers who gave of their time. Without their overwhelming generosity and support, this event would not be possible.
13th Annual Diamond K Ranch Party & Auction
Thank You Sponsors�
O’BryanNet, Pur-O-Zone, Inc., The Running Well Store, Mac’s Sportswear,Door to Door Organics, Inc., Baker Chiropractic & Acupuncture, and Juliette Rumage
First Missouri Bank, Kearney Trust Company, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Christopher’s Lawn & Landscape, Kelly & Pittman Law Firm, Tony & Suzie Grafton, Denys & Jill Ashby,
Thad & Jill Bartlett, Jeff & Teresa Provost, Patricia Hopkins Foundation, Mark & Carolyn Lacy, Gladstone Flowers, Lou Rockford’s Catering, O’Bryan.net, and Motley Cakes
Buckaroo Sponsors
Wrangler Sponsors
Special Event HighlightsNorthland Early Education Center (NEEC) is a special preschool where young children, birth to five from all backgrounds and at all developmental levels, receive quality early education and therapy services in the Kansas City Northland area. It is NEEC’s primary objective to ensure that all children, whether typically developing or with special needs, reach their full potential and transition to kindergarten in their least restrictive environment.
Themed, “Down on the Farm”, students celebrated their NEEC friendships by performing fun classroom farm skits during graduation. This year 17 children graduated from NEEC. We are very proud of our 2014 graduates and wish them all the very best.
2014 Graduation
Congratulations to all the teachers, staff, children, and families at the Northland Early Education Center. NEEC has achieved a new, three-year term of Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Accreditation.
NEEC continuously strives to maintain the highest quality education and this has been confirmed with our three-year renewal CARF accreditation. The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.
NEEC is also accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Additionally, NEEC is a licensed private agency with the Missouri Department of Health and holds certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These accreditations, licensures, and certifications ensure that NEEC’s program standards are among the highest in the nation.
NEEC Achieves a Three-Year Reaccreditation
As a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, the Northland Early Education Center relies on the generous support received throughout the community. Forty percent of NEEC’s annual operating income is derived from parent paid tuition, as well as an additional 40 percent received from fees for services through contracts NEEC has with the Missouri First Steps program, Clay County Developmental Disabilities Board, Platte County Board of Services and other state and local governmental entities. NEEC relies on the generosity of charitable contributions received from generous corporations, foundations and individuals throughout the community for the remaining 20 percent of its annual budget.
Please join the NEEC Board of Directors and staff in thanking the following foundations and organizations for the generous grants received recently and for their overwhelming support they continue to show NEEC. NEEC extends much appreciation and a special thank you to: ARC of Clay & Platte Counties, Harry C. Arnote Foundation, Kohl’s Cares, Nordstrom, Inc., Soroptimist International of Liberty Missouri, The Harvest Ball Society, the Wal-Mart Foundation, PNC Foundation, and the Irven E. & NeVada P. Linscomb Foundation.
NEEC Grant Report
In August, The Harvest Ball Society VICTORY Honorees stopped by and delivered over 800 school supplies that were collected at their Back to School Bash fundraiser for the 2014 Harvest Ball Society selected charities. We are extremely grateful for all of the wonderful supplies that were donated. Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraiser and a BIG thank you to the Harvest Ball Society VICTORY Honorees for selecting NEEC as the recipient of the school supplies!
Over 800 School Supplies Donated to NEEC
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Looking for Ways to Give?
This is the time of year when we celebrate the season of giving. It is a time when many individuals, families, corporations and organizations give back to others –to family, friends, those in need and to the community at large. The end of the calendar year is also when many consider the benefits of making charitable donations in order to maximize tax savings. Northland Early Education Center is qualified as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; therefore, all gifts to NEEC are tax deductible. Gifts made to NEEC by December 31 are eligible for 2014 tax benefits.
As you prepare for your tax planning, please consider making a special tax-deductible year-end contribution to Northland Early Education Center. Your generous year-end gift will help NEEC to continue to provide early education and therapy services for children who have special needs, as well as early education for children who have typical needs in a fully inclusive classroom environment, in order for them to reach their full potential.
If you or your business would like to support NEEC in any way, please fill out the enclosed contribution envelope. Be sure to visit NEEC’s website at www.neeckids.org to learn more about the wonderful programs and services NEEC provides for children throughout the Kansas City Northland community.
In the Spirit of Giving
Monetary Donations...NEEC is able to achieve our mission thanks to the support of generous individual donors. We welcome all levels of donations, whether it’s a one-time gift, a monthly contribution or the establishment of a matching gifts program through your employer. Making your donation is as easy as filling out the enclosed envelope. All gifts are tax deductible.
Sponsorships...Corporate sponsors are essential in helping NEEC accomplish its mission. Through the generosity of local businesses we are able to ensure all children in the Northland have access to high quality early education and therapy services regardless of their developmental level or socioeconomic status. NEEC offers several sponsorship opportunities throughout out the year, including the Pioneer Run (5K & 2-Mile Walk) in May and the Diamond K Ranch Party & Auction in September.
Classroom Wish List(s)...Each classroom has a wish list of items that would assist them in their daily activities and/or teaching. To learn how to Adopt-a-Classroom and to help make that classroom “wish” list come true, please contact Andrea McKown at NEEC.
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8630 North Oak TrafficwayKansas City, Missouri 64155
In-Kind Donations...Assist NEEC’s program by choosing to donate a item(s) from one of the wish lists. The items donated are tax deductible and help cover the costs associated with any unanticipated expenses that may have occur during the year.
Volunteer...Volunteering is a great way to help and is just as important as a monetary donation. We invite you to join NEEC in making a difference in the lives of the very precious children we serve whether you can give a few hours each month or a few days each year. NEEC offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities including Program and Non-Program opportunities. To become a volunteer or to learn more about the volunteer opportunities please contact us at 816-420-9005.
The Northland Early Education Center is honored to be chosen as this year’s charity beneficiary for the Briarcliff Business Partners Alliance (BBPA) Holiday Masquerade Gala. Make plans to attend the fun event on Wednesday, December 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Briarcliff. The gala will include a delicious four course dinner, open bar, six piece band, DJ, a live art auction and a silent auction. All proceeds from this year’s event will go toward purchasing therapy equipment for Northland Early Education Center Early Intervention Services program for children who have special needs in the Northland community. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Make your reservations today at: www.bbpakc.com
Holiday Masquerade Gala
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