Thank you to all who supported Southwest Cooperative by through the Carson's Community Day Fundraiser.  The Cooperative raised a grand total of $2,525 which will be shared with the programs who participated.  Congratulations to the Transition Programs for raising the most money this year.  A whopping $700.00 was raised and will go right back into their program!  Congratulations to the staff and students.

There is still time to adopt or make a contribution to the Neediest Children's Christmas Fund.  100% of your donation goes to help needy Cooperative students/families.  For more information email mfahey@swcccase.org.

Braun Educational Center sponsored the annual Career Fair on Monday, November 12, 2007.  There were ten representatives from various technical schools and junior colleges.  Many of the representatives offered to come back and speak individually to groups of students and students were also invited to have private tours of their facility.  The event was a great success!  A special thanks to Ms. Rosenberg's culinary arts program who catered the luncheon.  Thank you to all who helped make the event possible.

Southwest Cook County Cooperative was well represented a the area 7 M.A.T.P. (Motor Activity Training Program) Special Olympics on November 7, 2007 at Moraine Valley Community College.  Eleven participated in the events and cheerleaders from Paulette Novakovich's class cheered for our students to bring home the gold!  Lamar Windbush from the Transition Program was chosen to say the Special Olympics Oath during the opening ceremonies.  Five students from Kerkstra; one student from DESTINY High School; two students from Transition, two students from Old Quarry and one student from the DHH program who attends Central School made up our Southwest Cooperative team this year.  Other cheerleaders included the many parents and family members of our st udents, Kathy Miller, DESTINY Program Supervisor, Debbie Bumber, Team Leader and Vocational Coordinator for DESTINY, and Shirley Racz, Program Secretary.  Diana Knaack, Interpreter and Paraprofessional from the DHH program signed the opening ceremonies, including our National Anthem.  The day was an event to remember.
         ~ Carol Kyle, A.P.E. Consultant and Special Olympics Coordinator

The IRS has announced that beginning on January 1, 2008, the standard mileage rate has increased to 50.5 cents per mile.  Also, please submit for travel reimbursement in a timely manner.  Claims from the beginning of the school year through November should have been submitted by December 1st.

The Spring Semester of Learning Links offerings will be posted soon!  This semester includes topics such as bullying, resiliency, and visual strategies.  Be sure to read the descriptor for each class!  Descriptors contain valuable information such as class requirements and state standards.

Congratulations to Carm Block, a paraprofessional in the Transition Program, for being named Coach of the Year by the Orland Park Special Recreation Department.  Way to go Carm!

Our deepest sympathy to Chris Adamo, on the loss of her sister, Paula Boyd.  Chris is an interpreter with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and a long-time Cooperative employee.

We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to Theresa Zecca and her family on the loss of her mother, Mary Calandra.  Theresa worked as a Social Worker at Braun Educational Center.

Our deepest sympathy to Laurie Catanzaro and  family on the loss of her mother-in-law, Winifred Catanzaro.  Laurie is the Learning Links and Technology Assistant for Southwest Cooperative.