Christian Finn's Blog Post

Hi Im Christian Finn. I go to Stillwater Transition program and this is a typical day for me at Transition. A bus picks me up in the morning and takes to Oak Park building where the program takes place. I go to PAES where I pick a job card from a job box according to the job cluster its in some jobs are in construction, processing and production, consumer service and business and marketing. Then I go to TJ Maxx for a job training experience where I sort products in to the correct bin or tote. Then I go to lunch and chat with friends after lunch.  I go to SkillsUSA room where we plan fundraiser ideas and events and demonstrator job at competitions. After SkillsUSA we usually work on our individual portfolio’s or go on a community outing like the library. The Transition program has been fun and I have been learning a lot of new stuff about life and independence. It also helps me with transportation to work by signing up for Transit Link. I am also working at Kowalski's Market in Stillwater after school as a courtesy person in which I bag groceries and help customers to their cars.

A day with Justine Link

Hi! My name is Justine and I attend the 916 Cosmetology program and Stillwater Transition program. Everyday at Cosmetology when we get in the class we clock it on the computer, grab our name tags and find our station and proceed on the activity were doing. Every four weeks we changed teachers, since we have two teachers teaching the program, and they both teach different activities. Mrs Bengtson is who I have now and she's teaching hair coloring. Lately, we've been learning how to do foils and balayage practice with conditioner and then after Mrs Bengtson picks a day and we’ll use actual hair lightener. After the four weeks are up, we switch and go to Mrs. Katie's class where she's teaching skin and nail care. We will be learning how to do waxing, as well as learning new makeup skills and how to do gel nails, pedicures and manicures. Every Friday is “Friday fun day” where both of the classes come together and practice what we learned on each other. We can shampoo each other, curl hair, paint nails, and whatever else we have learned. I am a second year student so I am relearning some things, which is always nice.
Then after Cosmetology we go to the Transitions program where we do PAES, which is vocational job skills you work on with job activities. My job experience is to go to Special Products where we are working on sewing tote bags out of recycled materials. People are buying these recycled bags and using them to carry groceries and other items home from the stores. It is a great project and we feel we are helping people cut down on plastic bags that pollute the environment.

Transition 18-21 Program New Building at Oak Park

Congratulations Lizzi O'Malley

Lizzi O'Malley has earned her HAZMAT training certification as part of her 916 Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice class.  Lizzi has been in the Transitions program for the past two years and works part time after school at Leeann Chin's in Stillwater.  She also is an active member in the SKILLS USA organization. The entire staff is proud of Lizzi's hard work at school and in the community.  
Congratulations Lizzi!

The Americans with Disabilities Act Students Rights & Responsibilities

Cindy Heid Tarshish from Minnesota Center for Independent Living was our guest speaker today at Transitions.  She spoke to students and answered questions about the American Disabilities Act. Information included rights and responsibilities in the workplace, employment disclosure of disabilities, employee accommodations in the workplace.

If student's or parents have more questions you can contact Cindy Heid Tarshish at 651-603-2015

Special Products 3rd Annual Pop-Up Holiday Sale

Special Products LLC

Our Mission: To provide practical job skills and real life work experience for post-secondary young adults with developmental disabilities. Is having their 3rd annual Holiday sale.

When:  Sat. Dec. 2nd & Sunday Dec. 10th 

10am to 3pm each day

Where:  5600 Memorial Ave North, Suite 1
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
651/342-8242
www.wemakespecialproducts.com

Our Services: Custom Screen Printing and Decoration  |  Warehouse and Fulfillment  |  Overstock and Refurbished Products   

 

Meet Hailey Glasrud

My name is Hailey Glasrud and I am a new student at Stillwater Transition. I currently work at the courtesy counter at Kowalski's in Oak Park Heights. I have been working there for about 2 years. I go to 916 Career & Technical Center, in which I am taking an Entrepreneurship, Digital, and Social Media Marketing class.  

I am also a new member of SkillsUSA. I recently went on a trip to Alexandria, MN for a SkillsUSA conference for leadership. There I competed in OCC competition and I also earned my leadership pin award. This was very stressful to work toward because, you had to memorize a lot of information to earn the pin.  During my free time I like to bake, go on walks, read and do stuff around the house to help out my mom and dad.

Creating Environmental Shopping Bags

Transition Students at Oak Park Creating Environmental Friendly Shopping Bags

Our Transition students in conjunction with Special Products in Stillwater are making environmentally friendly shopping bags made from recycled rice bags.  

All cutting and sewing is done by our transition students!  Both the large and small shopping bags are $10.00 each and can be purchased through Special Products LLC, 5600 Memorial Avenue North, #1, Stillwater, MN or through our Transition Program at the Oak Park building.

Magnet inside to keep bag closed

Welcome Kaitlyn Mathaus

My name is Kaitlyn Mathaus, and I am a new student in the Stillwater Transition program this year. I came from Stillwater Area High School.  My day starts out by going to my 916 class which is Design and Digital Media, which happens to be held at Northeast Metro Career & Technical Center in White Bear Lake.

As soon as I get to Transition, I come to advisory with my case manager Karla and we work on portfolio work, and making our personal blog posts. Then afterwards, we have lunch which then takes me to SkillsUSA who is led by our advisor Mike Albers. We work on things related to career options. We also work on resumes, cover letters, and our competitions that we are preparing for state.  I recently attended the 2017-18 SkillsUSA Fall Leadership conference. I competed in Opening and Closing Ceremony, and my team took 1st place in the competition. We also took 1st place for Outstanding chapter as well.

After school and on weekends I work at Culver’s is Stillwater.  I have been working there for the past year as a crew member.  In my free time, my hobbies include: dancing, watching movies, and tv. My favorite tv show is Dancing with The Stars. Whenever I get the chance, I enjoy baking and spending time with my family. I am so excited to be in Transitions this year, and can’t wait for all the exciting memories and all of the new things I will learn about my disability and myself in the future.

Country Farms Donation

 We would like to thank Country Sun Farms for the donation of 20 pumpkins to our program to create a craft activity for Community Involvement class.

Fun was had by all and we appreciate your support of the Transitions Program!

~Thank you!

Painting

Craving

Community Involvement Class

916 Student of the Month David Edwards

David Edwards

The Transitions staff would like to congratulate David Edwards on his recent award of Student of the Month at Northeast Metro 916 Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing class.

David is also working at Lowe's Home Improvement as a cashier and recently was recognized for his charitable sales accomplishments for the company.  He also participates in SKILLS USA in his spare time.

Congratulations David!!!!

Meet New Student Chazz Massey

Hi, I am a new student in the Stillwater Transitions program and I came from the Twin Cities Academy in St Paul.  I love to draw, play video games and perform with my rock band.

I just got back from a 3 day Leadership Conference in Alexandria, MN for the Stillwater SKILLSUSA chapter.  It was exhausting but fun.  We participated in team building activities and problem solving groups with other students from around the state of Minnesota.  It was a real opportunity to meet new people and learn about them as well as learning about my strengths. I am volunteering at River Market in downtown Stillwater as my first actual job experience.

Art work by Chazz Massey

SKILLSUSA ~Adopt A Highway~

On Thursday, October 5th, the Stillwater Transition’s chapter of SkillsUSA participated in Adopt-A-Highway. We cleaned along Highway 36, we were split up into two groups, one group was led by our advisor Mike Albers and cleaned the side of the highway that went with the traffic, and there was another group that went with one of the Transition paras Michelle and we cleaned the opposite side of the highway that went against the traffic.

We picked up a lot of interesting things along the way. We saw two dead skunks, which was really gross, and we also saw some bones of some animal. Both of the groups had a total of 10 trash bags that we used to collect the trash that we found. We also were provided with a reflective vest and a pair of work gloves. We left Oak Park around 10:30 a.m and we returned back by 1:00 p.m.

Overall, this was a fun adventure for our SkillsUSA Chapter, we got to work as a team by doing something that most of us really don’t enjoy doing. We are planning on doing another time this month, but we are not exactly sure. This was a great experience for us and we are looking forward to doing it again.

Hwy 36 

The Clean Up Crew

Transitions SkillsUSA Stillwater

We, the SkillsUSA Chapter at the Stillwater Transition Program, put together a retreat that enabled us to plan out the events for the rest of the school year.

We originally planned to take a bus to Lake Elmo Park Reserve, have a barbecue, and plan out events for the rest of the school year. At the start of the retreat, we split up into 5 different groups/ committees that we got to choose based on our interests within the chapter.

The five different groups that we split into were Public Relations, Social Events, Ways+Means, Community Service, and Professional Development. Each group had the task of planning two different activities that relate to each committee. The whole experience was very fun! It was a good way to work as a team and get to know each other a little bit better as a Chapter.

Historical Research Scavenger Hunt

Team Stillwater

Friday, September 15th one of the Transitions program student team building activities was to work in groups to compete in a downtown Stillwater historical scavenger hunt.  Teams were assembled based upon a mix of new students with seasoned veterans of the Transition Program. The task was to find, ask or google as many answers as we could in the time we were allotted. We had 30 historical questions listed and the winning team found 21 of the correct answers!!  Working in groups everyone participated and played a roll in their groups success. A fun community team building activity for all.

Team Ponies

Congratulations Cali Capistrant

Recognition of her service to District #834

 The past two years Cali Capistrant has been working as a Office Assistant to Kelly Seivert at Central Services at District #834.  Cali truly enjoyed her time learning many facets of an Office Assistant job. Her requirements included improving her typing skills, data entry, filing, operating a printer, sorting & delivering mail, as well as many other tasks required in an office setting.

Cali is taking her skills as an Office Assistant to the next level and has been chosen to participate in the Forest Lake Project Search program at the State Capitol next year.  Cali had to take steps to apply to the program including the completion of application forms, a resume of skills, acquiring letters of recommendation, an participating in interviews before she was accepted in to the small program.

We at Transitions & Central Services are all very proud of the growth and maturity Cali has exhibited in the past two years at the Transitions program.  We will all miss her smiling face and positive attitude but we know she is moving on to bigger and better opportunities.  Best of luck Cali!!!

Barb, Cali & Scott Capistrant

Eagle Point Elementary Pen Pals

Pen Pal Exchange 2016-17

The Transition program participated in a year long pen pal exchange with 3rd grade students at Eagle Point Elementary school in Oakdale.

This year the culminating activity was to meet your pen pal in person. Students from both programs truly enjoyed the year of exchanging letters and learning about each other.  Activities and fun were shared by all.

Northeast Metro 916 Awards 2016-17

Construction Occupations Stephen Thomson

May 25th 2017 Northeast Metro 916 Career & Technical Center held the yearly awards ceremony at the White Bear Lake campus.  Guest speaker Pa Nhia Her was a recent graduate of 916 Dental program and is currently working in the Dental field as her career.  She spoke of the challenges she has faced and how she has worked to overcome each obstacle to achieve her dreams.  She stated "Life never works out the way you plan it. But don't let the set backs stop you from achieving your goals." The following Transition students received awards in the photos below. Please congratulate them on their hard work and outstanding achievement.

Auto Dismantling Max Coleman & Nikolay Getchell

Education & Human Services Brittany Sobanski

Animal Science Allison Kazmierczak

Former Transition Student Graduates From Saint Paul College

Andy Schmidt 3.7 GPA

Former Stillwater Transition student Andy Schmidt just graduated from the Saint Paul College Cabinet Making Program.  Andy was at the top of his class with a 3.7 GPA.

The Cabinetmaking program is 35 college credits and prepares students for obtaining work in the cabinet industry. Saint Paul College boasts a 92% rate of obtaining employment after the completion of their program.  Andy has secured employment at Forest Productions in Maplewood.





To learn more about the program and it's requirements click on the following link http://saintpaul.edu/programs/cabinetmaking

Congratulations Andy we at Transitions in Stillwater are VERY PROUD of your accomplishment!

A Step Towards Independence For Charlie

Charlie Bristow Oak Marsh Golf Course Employee

Charlie Bristow works part time as a cart attendant and grounds keeper at Oak Marsh Golf course in Oakdale. Charlie has earned his drivers license so he can move carts on the course for his job.  However, Charlie does not have enough driving experience yet to actually drive to and from his worksite. Therefore, through practical experience and guidance this year in the Transition Program Charlie has learned how contact Transit Link transportation to schedule his rides to work weekly.

Charlie pays the small fee of $2.25 to ride Transit Link. Now his father does not have to take off time from his job to transport Charlie to work.  The Transit Link service is a very valuable tool for young adults in an area like Stillwater, in which transportation services are minimal.  It is a wonderful community resource that is available all Washington County residents.  To learn more about Transit Link click the following link: https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Services/Transit-Link/Washington-County-Transit-Link-Service.aspx 

Charlie is very happy he has learned how to access this mode of transportation to his job and will continue to take Transit Link this summer as the golfing season heats up at Oak Marsh. 

SKILLSUSA Minnesota State Championships

On March 31^st through April 2^nd, 2017 students from the Stillwater Area Transition Program (STP) and Stillwater Area High School attended the Minnesota State SkillsUSA Championships and Leadership Conference. While there, they competed in a variety of competitions ranging from Opening and Closing Ceremony to Employment Application Process and Welding Sculpture.  Laurie McKenzie and I have the privilege to announce that Stillwater Area School’s students had a very successful showing.  Stillwater students walked away with a combined 16 medals with 10 students qualifying for the National Championships scheduled for June in Louisville, KY. 

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. The organization provides educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms.  Stillwater Area Transition Program has been actively involved with SkillsUSA for five years and has been an official chartered member for the last two.  Students from the Transition Program have been elected to statewide office for each of the last four years, and enthusiasm for this student organization continues to thrive.

Specific results from the competition are as follows:

Victoria Vogel (SAHS) – Gold Medal in Employment Application Process

Lizzy Backlund (STP) – Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Nikolay Getchell (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Casey Engebretson (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Rachel Tangen (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Paris Raleigh (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Alec Harris (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Allison Kazmierczak (STP) - Gold Medal in Opening and Closing Ceremony

Charlie Bristow (STP) – Silver Medal in Employment Application Process

David Edwards (STP) – Bronze Medal in Employment Application Process

Jonathan McCloud (STP) – Gold Medal in Action Skills (replacing RAM in Laptop)

Lizzi O’Malley (STP) – Silver Medal in Action Skills (preparing vegetables for stir-fry)

Allison Kazmierczak (STP) – Bronze Medal in Action Skills (Dog Grooming)

Paris Raleigh (STP) – Gold Medal in Promotional Bulletin Board

Alec Harris (STP) – Gold Medal in Promotional Bulletin Board

David Edwards (STP) – Gold Medal in Promotional Bulletin Board

Students in bold have qualified for the National Championships June 19^th – 23^rd which take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY.

By Michael Albers Supervisor For Stillwater SKILLSUSA Chapter

Social Skills In The Community

"Top o' the morning" students in the Transition Program gave out Irish wishes to customers on St. Patricks Day at Kowalski's Market in Stillwater.

Students have been working on monthly community service projects to practice social skills and greetings. Over 150 shamrock greetings were given out within an hour.  Students were acknowledged by the public with smiles, words of thanks and gratitude for the acts of kindness. 

~By Carolyn Sorenson  Teacher/Work Coordinator

Kelly Lang retiring from Kowalski's Market

My Day In Transition By Jon McCloud

I am in Transitions West Campus Program daily and I also work at Pizza Ranch as well as, go to 916 Computer Hardware and Game Design. At 916 we are working on making games. Right now we are making a game about a robot monkey that has a coconut gun that shoots coconuts at knights. The goal is to get to the finish line and collect bananas for points.  It is fun to create and I am learning a lot in the class about gaming programming.

At Pizza Ranch my job is to make and cut pizzas. We also have to prep the make table by getting stuff from the freezer or walk in cooler, and also slice and dice stuff too. At the end of the night when we close we have to oil and pan skillet pans, fill and flip the make table and the taco cooler, put away the make table, wipe down the tables and taco cooler, bring all pans to dish. Bring cutting board and knives to dish, turn off ovens, sweep behind and front of tables, mop deck scrub and dry mop the area.  This is my first job and I love this job. I like the people I work with and everything I do at Pizza Ranch.

I am also in SkillsUSA this spring at the state conference I will be competing EAP Employment Application Process and Action Skills.  In the Skills presentation I will be demonstrating how to install a RAM onto a computer.  I hope to qualify to go to Nationals in at least one of my SkillsUSA competitions. I plan on continuing with Transition next year as well since I am really learning and experiencing a lot of new things. By Jon McCloud

Nikolay Getchell

Minnesota State Officer

I am currently going to school at the Stillwater Transition Program & Northeast Metro 916 as well as working at Discount Tire.  I am a Student Ambassador at my 916 Auto Dismantling course. I help other students since it is my second year in the program.

I have been in the Stillwater Transition Program for two years, and it has been amazing. I made some friends for life, and met some amazing staff. I recently left my long term job at Cub Foods as a Bakery Assistant to better utilize my training in Auto Dismantling, by taking a new job at Discount Tire.  I like my new job a lot helping people with their cars and trucks.  I mainly work as a tire attendant taking off tires, replacing them, checking them for leaks and mounting tires.

I have been in SkillsUSA for the past two years and I have had some great experiences through this organization.  Last year I was the Minnesota State Officer and Chapter officer of our organization.  I have learned a lot from the different competitions I have competed in.

I was part of the Stillwater team that won a state championship event in SkillsUSA last spring and we competed at the national level in Louisville, Kentucky.  

I have also volunteered in the community through the Transition program and SkillsUSA Stillwater chapter.  Events I have helped with include:  Adopt a Highway, Rake A Difference and working at Meals for the Heartland and Feed My Starving Children.

Transit Link: Ticket to Independence

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Chinese Proverb.

Charlie Bristow &
Tyson Kerr 

Tyson Kerr, first year student in the Transition Program has a goal of identifying transportation options within his community. Tyson learned how to access Transit Link last month and he made a practice run to Hy-Vee in Oakdale assisted with staff. Tyson works part-time at Candyland in downtown Stillwater. Tyson was scheduled to work at Candyland on Monday, 2/20 which was President's day and a non school day. Therefore, Tyson independently called Transit Link last week to set up a ride to and from work. Tyson's initiative and follow through to complete this task not only demonstrated responsible decision making but also his commitment to his job. WAY TO GO TYSON! ~The Stillwater Transitions Staff

Transit Link (formerly Dial-A-Ride) is a curb-to-curb minibus or van service for the general public that operates on weekdays throughout the seven-county metropolitan area. It is a shared-ride service, which must be reserved in advance. You may reserve a ride up to five days in advance, or call at least two hours in advance for same-day trips. Rides are subject to availability, and fares are based on the distance traveled. The base fare is $2.25, one way, for a trip up to 10 miles.

If you want to know more about Transit Link please click on the link below:

https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Services/Transit-Link/Washington-County-Transit-Link-Service.aspx

Century College Open House Night Feb. 21st

Century College will be holding its annual Open House in the West Campus Gymnasium from 5 - 7:30 pm on Tuesday Feb. 21st.

During this special event, Century College will be waiving the $20 college application fee (for first-time applicants), and will be giving away (2) $500 tuition giveaways, as well as a variety of other prizes. 

At the open house you will be able to:

• meet with faculty from Century College programs
• get information on admission, cost and financial aid, and scholarships
• learn about campus life activities and options
• tour state-of-the-art facilities 
• and much more. 

Whether you are a new or returning student, you won't want to miss this opportunity to see our campus and all that we have to offer.

NOTE: Registration is encouraged, but not required to attend the event. To learn more click on the following link:   https://www.century.edu/events/2017-2-21%E2%80%93century-college-open-house

Rachel Tangen Transition West Campus Program

Hi! I am Rachel! I currently am a student at the NE Metro 916 Animal Science program, I get to take care and play with animals for a class period. It’s so much fun! There is a hamster in the classroom that I just ADORE!!

I am also part of the Stillwater Transition program. It is an 18-21 program where they help people with disabilities be able to find work, help them make a resume and prepare for the life that is ahead of them. I am in my third year and am fairly sad about it, I have an amazing case manager Gina Runck.  I will be really sad to leave since I won’t see her anymore.

I am also part of the Transitions SkillsUSA Stillwater chapter. SkillsUSA is a student run organization where we prepare people for the world of work. I am a 2 time state champion and have gone to Nationals twice because of it.  Nationals was so much fun in Nashville, Tennessee last year.

I currently am working at the Stillwater McDonalds that is off of highway 36 next to Taco Bell. I love my job and night shift coworkers there. I actually got Employee of the Month last year in September for the first time, I couldn’t believe it!

Lastly, in my spare time, I LOVE to indulge in my huge hobby of anime and cosplay. I would consider myself an otaku yes. My current favorite anime is Yuri!!! On Ice, I love it so much! It really got me wanting to try ice skating, I never realized how fun it was. I also am a costume maker. I have made quite a few costumes for competition. When I go to conventions, I spend a few months making a costume that is on my skill, or I challenge myself, and enter a cosplay contest and either walk on the stage and show off my costume or perform a dance or skit with friends or just myself.   By Rachel Tangen

Learning to use the light rail blue line