Packing for College

Here are some of the suggestions/ideas for college packing

 

- big zip lock bags for packing. Use for clothes, bedding, towels, etc. (so much better than a trunk and when you are at school they can get folded up and put in the bottom of a drawer)

-duffle bag instead of suite case for the trips to/fr school.

- bed risers - put under the legs of the bed to raise it up for more storage underneath

- mattress bag - put around the mattress for bed bugs, etc..  

- small fan. Helps even if you have ac but also good for white noise to block out dorm noise

- small lamp or desk lamp - the dorm light is usually pretty bad.

- power strip and extension cords - lots of them!

- tacky stuff to hang pictures/posters etc.

- bulletin board – only if there is enough wall room

- hangers - bring lots!  (don't transport clothes on hangers).

- flip flops for the shower/bathroom

- shower caddy/bucket. The smaller the better but hard to find.     (Try the container store)

- laundry bag (not a basket - unless lots of room in the dorm room- it takes up a lot of room).

 

Label everything!  Get fabric markers and label every towel, pillowcase,article of clothing.

Use colored duct tape to mark power cords, electronics, other items.

 

Bedding -

2 sets of sheets

2 pillows

Throw pillow

1 Comforter

1 Blanket

Towels - 2-3 big ones

Small hand towels 2

Wash clothes - only if you use them

Beach towel

 

Toiletries - take 2 of everything just in case something gets lost or you run out.

(2 deodorants, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc..) can keep this stuff in a Rubbermaid container under the bed.

Also, write name on all this stuff with a sharpie. Amazing what you leave in the bathroom or that someone just helps themselves too.

 

Take varying sizes of rubbermaid containers to keep food/snacks in. (keep bugs/mice away), store stuff, etc..

 

Plastic cups - so you can always have something to drink, put stuff in etc..

 

You don't have to take all the clothes now. Take only what you will need at first. Then stuff can be shipped or swapped out over breaks.

 

Make sure you have pictures of the family and friends.  Print out some picsand put in frames. Create small photo albums to keep around. (everyonekeeps pics in their phones but it's nice to actually have pics in frames around the room)

 

Care packages -----

-Make sure one will arrive right after school starts,  Day 2 or 3.

- send snacks etc..  Don't send stuff

-if you send laundry detergent, etc. put fun stuff in too - nail polish, food, magazine, etc..

Send packages of stuff that are needed fr amazon

Always send enough to share.

Get an Amazon Prime Account – so worth the free shipping!

 

Find out about laundry - does it use a prepaid card? If so, great to get a few cards already full of $.

Take detergent that is pre measured - tide pods, purex sheets, etc..  

 

Bank account - figure out what/how it works at School.

Does she need a checking acct. debit card etc

 

Computer/cell phone etc..

Most schools have help in setting this stuff up once you get there.

Just make sure the wifi stuff is set up and not running off data plan all the time.

Make sure laptop has name on it. Keep track of serial #.

Make sure cords, chargers, etc have identifying stuff. (see duct tape above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packing List ---

 

 

Advil

air freshener - any type of freshener - probably not plug in since

     outlets are scarce

backpack

bed risers

binders

blanket

book light

boots - hiking and/or rain

calculator

calendar/planner

cell phone and charger

clock/clock radio/home for the cell phone (docking station)

Clorox wipes

coat - sport coat

comforter

computer

computer case

crates - storage

cups - plastic

deodorant

desk lamp

detergent

dryer sheets

duct tape

extension cords/surge protectors - at least 2-3

fan - even if there is ac, good for white noise

flash light

flip flops (shower shoes!)

hangers/slacks hangers

headphones

highlighters

hooks - over the door bathroom, room, etc..

kleneex

laundry bag

markers

mattress pad

mattress bag - allergy/bed bug

notebooks/folders

pencils/pens

photos

pillows

posters

poster mounting/sticky stuff

post its

razor(s)

rubbermaid storage containers - under bed, food, etc.

rug

shampoo

sheets

shower caddy

sponges

soap

sweatshirts

toothbrush/toothpaste

towels - hand and bath

trash can

umbrella

 

 

 

 

 

for suite living ---

cleaning supplies:

 sponges

toilet paper 

 toilet brush

 cleanser

 lysol wipes  

 trash can(s)

trash bags 

 broom and/or dustpan w/ brush

 

 

bathroom stuff:

 plastic drawers for keeping stuff in the bathroom

 over the shower head shower caddy

 bath mat

 over the door hangers

 toothbrush holder

 hand soap

 

Screening of the film "The United States of Autism"

On Thursday, June 06 7:30pm - 9:25pm in Arlington, VA at AMC Courthouse Plaza 8,  there will be a screening of the film â€œThe United States of Autism.†Very inspirational!

I trust this email finds you well.  I am the mother of a teenager on the Autism Spectrum as well as the President of The Tommy Foundation, a non-profit for Autism, and one of the Executive Producers of a film about the subject called "The United States of Autism." It is for this last project that I wanted to touch base with you today.  On Thursday, June 06 7:30pm - 9:25pm in Arlington, VA at AMC Courthouse Plaza 8,  there will be a screening of the film which follows one man's 11,000 mile, 40 day journey across the American landscape to visit twenty families and individuals affected by autism while searching for answers for his own son. With interviews from around the nation that include the widest spectrum of backgrounds - each conducted in the participants' original language - the film weaves a broad and compelling tapestry across the spectrum of American life in all its faiths, disparities, colors, and cultures. What he learns along the way will change not only his life, but the lives of those he meets, forever. It's a story about the best days that still lie ahead for our nation, the families, and the people who give America its heart.

 

The film opened to a sold out NYC venue on April 5th and has been highly praised.  It is our hope that you will consider sharing information about the film with families and staff or other interested parties.   Tickets can be purchased within the next 20 days at: http://www.tugg.com/events/4070

 

 

In the news:

 

From a station in Iowa: http://www.siouxlandnews.com/story/22071763/the-united-states-of-autism-documentary-premieres#.UXnZfi-gy9Q.facebook

 

From Lancaster Newspapers: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841783_-The-United-States-of-Autism-.html

 

Utah: http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/story/The-United-States-of-Autism/mTcTL-GX7UOYbKBwuQaQTQ.cspx

 

Albany, NY: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Colonie-family-featured-in-documentary-United-4424130.php

 

Grand Rapids, MI: http://fox17online.com/2013/04/24/local-organization-celebrates-national-autism-awareness-month-with-screening-of-advocacy-movie/#axzz2RPjQ8LAH

 

Rock Rapids, IA: http://www.ksfy.com/story/21861345/rock-rapids-family-spreads-autism-awareness-in-film-the-united-states-of-autism

 

Savoy, IL: http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_idH4712

 

 

The film has already been screened in over 20 cities with requests in more than 30 more. 

 

Grad student looking for parents of special education students

My name is David Blaiklock and I am working on my dissertation at George Mason University. My study is focused on how parent centers such as the Parent Education Advocacy Center (PEATC) help parents participate in IEP meetings. I am recruiting parents to participate in interviews.
If you know anyone who either has or you think has used the services at PEATC, then please forward this to them.
Interested participants can contact me at 703-568-2055 or dblaiklo@masonlive.gmu.edu.

Change in diploma options for students with disabilities

I received this today from PEATC:


Attention Virginia Parents of Students with Disabilities!
Changes are coming to those students who are entering 9th grade in the Fall (2013-14 school year). There will be no more modified diplomas and the only diplomas offered in Virginia will be the Standard diploma and the Advanced diploma. The Virginia Board of Education has adopted revised high school graduation standards for students with disabilities.

The Virginia Board of Education's approved "credit accommodations" for students with disabilities (see http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2013/03_mar/agenda_items/item_a.pdf) would allow students' IEPs to specify alternate options to meet the Standard Diploma requirements.
This is a huge change in Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education is working on creating Guidance Documents so that all school systems know how to implement these changes.

Note from a client

I love getting notes from clients. I love helping them and their children.

"I wanted to thank you so much for letting me know about Oakwood. My son has been accepted for the fall and we are going to start him in the summer camps in a few months. We are very excited about it and grateful to you for the guidance." - L.L., Alexandria, Va