Space Travelers

Melissa Matthews, mother of Aiden, a child with Down syndrome at Frankie Lemmon, is already putting her $100,000 winnings to work from last December's IKEA Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest. In addition to the newly-arrived TAP∙it®, she has donated three new iPads, one for each classroom.


















The iPad is not just a cartoon you watch, it's a way of connecting with the world beyond. By interacting with apps on the screen, you can find yourself playing the piano, painting a Rembrandt, or even rocketing into space.

Today, Ms White further fueled our dreams of space by reading to us stories of planets, telescopes and, finally, the inspiring story of Hedgie Blasts Off. More than anything Hedgie wanted to be an astronaut and travel into space.

And now maybe—just maybe—we'd get the chance too! So let's jump on a spaceship and take a ride! Who knows what'll happen!

First, we carefully check the spelling on our ID badges. (It's good to verify things.)



Then we test our rocket packs (see red flames shooting out), to ensure our safety in case of emergency.




It's time to board our rocket to the moon. "Yes, I'm on the passenger list," says Simon. "Yes, my ID checks out."


So buckle up and get ready to go...



Space Travelers


And what does a good astronaut do after a successful return?
Paint moon rocks of course.
And what do we do with the moon rocks?
"Take them home to Mommy and Daddy!"

Breakthroughs

"The woods are full of leprechauns and treasures to uncover," began Ms Forbis as the story of the Ten Lucky Leprechauns unfolded before us.

Leprechauns? Yes, leprechauns. You know—the mischievous elves of Irish folklore. I once visited Northern Ireland's Tieveragh Hill, legendary capital of the "wee folk" who live inside it. They told me it is important never to call them fairies. They dislike the name and become very angry. Above all, said one, never cut down a fairy-thorn tree, as they will take devastating revenge on anyone rash enough to do such a deed!

They love to play tricks on people. Years ago some of them hitched a ride on a ship that sailed for America. One of them, whose name was Shamus, found his way into the Catskill Mountains of New York, where he met a good, kind man named Rip Van Winkle. Rip drank a flagon of old Irish Stout that Shamus gave him, which was enchanted and made him fall into a deep sleep for twenty years. When Rip Van Winkle awoke, he returned home to a world where everything had changed.



It was an awakening—a breakthrough.

I can only imagine it was an awakening similar to that of a child coming out of autism. Does it happen? Yes, it happens. I have seen it with my own eyes—and more than once. Does it happen to others? Yes—for one example, go to recovery*. Does it make me cry? Yes—it does. But that's the Irish in me.

So, on this St. Patrick's Day, let's celebrate those who have gotten well, as well as those who are getting well—with the help of parents, God, and the teachers and staff of Frankie Lemmon School.

Get your thunder tube and rain sticks, your boom-whackers and bells—and anything else that makes noise—and celebrate...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3SqiFdHq9E
* Not intended as medical advice. Inspirational and informative only.