Sammy's House Pet Clinic

Does your pet need shots, heart worm medicine, or more???

Please support Sammy's House at the Pet Clinic held at Georgetown Farm Supply on Saturday, September 14^th from 9am-11am. We will also have some yummy treats for you and your pets at our bake sale. 

Location: 1300 West University Ave., Georgetown, TX (located on W HWY 29)

Date: September 14th

Time:  9am-11am

 

Thanks for your support!

Sammy's House Updates!

Sammy’s House Parents:

We want to thank you for the opportunity to have you as a member of the Sammy’s House family. Every day we have the pleasure to support and experience your child’s growth and development. Our passion is our work, and our work is our  pleasure. 

The fall season brings changes to our community as children transition into school, from one age group and development  level to the next. Many of our families also find change in their lives that lead to new beginnings.

At Sammy’s House we extend our recognition to the educators and families that are devoted to our mission and purpose, and welcome the new members.

 

New Respite Coordinator

 

We have a new Respite Coordinator! Eli Sreniawski will be heading up our respite operation. She is excited about doing fun activities with the kiddos while you      parents are out! Please email her at

eli.sreniawski@sammyshouse.org if you would like your children to participate.

 

September Respite Dates:

Friday 9/13

6-10pm

 

Saturday 9/21

10am-2pm

 

Friday 9/27

6pm-10pm

 

 

 

New Bookkeeper

 

 

We have a new bookkeeper! Suzanne  Andrews will be handling receipts a little differently. She will be emailing all receipts, so it is imperative that we have a current email address for everyone. Please continue to let Isabel know if you have any   questions.

 

 

Attention Families:

 Please be sure to update your child’s medical records. We have updated our medical forms so we must have a current form for your child’s medication.

 

Our Staff:

Infant Room: Birth to 12 months

Ms. Stacey and Ms. Sally

Toddler 1 Room: 12 months to 24 months

Ms. Liz and Ms. Meredith

Toddler 2 Room: 24 months to 36 months

Ms. Tammy and Ms. Brittney

Pre-K Room: 36 months to 5

Ms. Lindsay and Ms. Monica

After-School Room

Mr. Gus and Ms. Eli

Respite Coordinator

Ms. Eli

Administration

Ms. Autumn and Ms. Kirsten

Bookkeeper

Suzanne Andrews

Program Director

Nancy Johnson

Development Director

Courtney Shelton

Executive Director

Isabel Huerta

 

 

Sammy’s House 2013-2014     Holiday Calendar

2013:

•November 27-29 Thanksgiving

•December 23—January 3, 2014

Winter Break

 

2014:

•Reopen January 6

•February 17—Staff Development

•March 10-14—Spring Break

•April 18—Staff Development

•May 26—Memorial Day

•July 4—Independence Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's Happening at Sammy's House...

What's Happening at Sammy's House...

G-tEE Program has been launched!

Our new G-tEE program has launched and it is    going swimmingly! In the world of special education, educators find that adaptation is often challenging. The fields of math and science are already difficult to teach, so children with special needs often don't get access to these fields because teachers find it too hard to adapt.

The Texas Star Foundation gave us the opportunity to pilot a project that brings these complex topics to       children with special needs using adaptive strategies. We have already developed and implemented the    discovery of “color” - the addition and subtraction   process, soil and its components, bubbles -surface tension, and rocks and minerals.

Building upon its preliminary success, we have received a 2nd grant from Texas Star to start an adaptive G-tEE literacy program very similar to the science program.  We are very excited to get it up and running!

 

 

Shade Structure Installed!

Our beautiful new shade structure was donated by The Cogburn Foundation, who are dedicated to improving the lives of children. The structure provides a five to ten degree difference under the shade and it has UV protection to keep our kiddos from getting sunburned. Standing under the shade structure when the rain begins to come down is a beautiful experience for the children and teachers alike!

 

The Eat Drink & Be Scary Ball...

 

 

Last year’s Eat, Drink and Be Scary Ball purchased our brand new playground! Let’s see what miracle happens this year!

We need volunteers to help make centerpieces and  prepare invitations! Please contact Courtney if you are interested in volunteering!

There are a limited amount of free family tickets. Please let Courtney know if you are interested in attending.

Parents, please help us in finding table sponsors. Please ask family, friends, co-workers and employers to support Sammy’s House.

 

HCEA Visits Sammy’s House!

 

 

Over the summer, the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association donated over $10,000, two beautiful Adirondack chairs, the painting station located in the foyer, the    beautiful crayon art hanging in the hallway, a new advertising banner, plants, fruit, eighty volunteers, and much, much more!

 

The goal of the HCEA is to have an impact on children who are medically fragile through volunteerism, donations, and financial support. We greatly appreciate all the beautiful items that were donated, and the selfless volunteerism we received.

 

Pet Clinic

Sammy’s House will be hosting a pet clinic and bake sale benefiting the children of Sammy’s House. The pet clinic offers affordable pet vaccinations. Now is the time for friends and family to save on veterinarian services while  supporting Sammy’s House!

The clinic will be held on Saturday, September 14th, 2013 from 9:00-11:00am at GT Farm Supply in Georgetown. The address is 1300 W. University Ave, Georgetown, TX (located on W Highway 29). Feel free to call GT Farm Supply if you get lost! Their number is 512-930-4054. We can’t wait to see you and your pets!

 

We Have a New Program Director at Sammy’s House!

Our new program  director, Nancy Johnson, started on August 9th, 2013. She was previously on the Board of Directors, and is familiar with Sammy’s House from a board perspective. She has also spent a lot of time volunteering in our classrooms.

Nancy comes to Sammy’s House with a Masters of Arts in Early Childhood and over 15 years experience in the field.

We are so excited to have her as a part of our Sammy’s House family!

Serena is now implementing children’s ministry programs. We were sad to see her go after two and a half years. Her last day was August 9th, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laptop Donation and June Respite Dates

Sammy's House would like to thank Padgett Stratemann CPA firm for generously donating two laptops to us through their Computer Donation Program! You can read the press release here. Our admin staff are thrilled!

Our respite care dates for June have been set: Saturday, June 9 and Saturday, June 30 (10am to 2pm both days). You can see the calendar here. Contact our Respite Coordinator at b.hill@sammyshouse.org to sign up. All children ages 8 and below are welcome.

Carnival Re-Cap and the Next Big Thing!

For those of you who couldn't make it to our carnival, the kids had a blast! The petting zoo was a definite favorite, with lots of soft rabbits, colorful lizards, and even a baby hedgehog. Another big hit was crawling through the giant inflatable caterpillar. Four lucky families won our raffle baskets -- we'd like to thank everyone who purchased raffle tickets and helped make this year's raffle so successful. In addition to providing a totally inclusive carnival for children of all abilities, this carnival also raised critically needed funds to support our programs -- a win all around! Here are some pictures from the event.

A petting zoo staff member shows off a bright yellow lizard.

A handmade princess crown!

Some of the bunnies at the petting zoo.

Not just face-painting, but arm-painting too!

A Sammy's House student checks out the inside of a real Austin fire truck.

Playing in the duck pond on a wonderful spring day!

The kiddos loved those duck ponds...

Drawing the winner of our Family Fun raffle prize.

The lucky winner and some Sammy's House family members!

Believe it or not, we're already planning our next event – the 2012 Eat, Drink and Be Scary Ball. We hope you can join us this year. Here are the details:

Eat, Drink & Be Scary Ball 2012
Presented by Pediatric Cardiology of Austin and benefiting Sammy's House
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012 / 6pm-11pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

We're excited to announce the details for our third-annual Eat, Drink & Be Scary Ball! This event is a ton of fun, and includes dinner, live music, a costume contest, and live and silent auctions. Most importantly, the donations raised in this one evening will help support the inclusive programs at Sammy's House for the upcoming year.

We have table sponsorships available at the $6000, $3000, and $1500 level. Individual tickets are also available at $75 each. For more information, contact us at edbsball@yahoo.com or visit our website at www.edbsball.blogspot.com. You can also see pictures from last year's ball on our website and see a list of this year's generous auction donors.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page for other updates and photos, and while you're there, we would love for you to "like" us. While you're at it, follow us on Twitter too!

Step Right Up!

Just a reminder that our annual fundraising carnival is this Saturday from 9am-12pm! Suggested donation for admission is $5 per child. All proceeds will go directly towards sustaining the programs at Sammy's House. We have a ton of fun and accessible activities planned, including...

• Bounce house/moonwalk
• Sand art
• Crafts
• Treasure hunt
• Duck pond
• Bean bag toss
• Face painting
• Therapeutic horse-petting
• Bake sale

We'll also be selling raffle tickets for one of four prize baskets, each valued at $300 or more! Tickets are only $5 each, or $20 for a pack of 5 tickets. Here are the different prize options:

• Movie Night: Blu-ray player with movies, popcorn, candy. Value: $350
• Best of Austin: Everything you need for a gourmet picnic, including a catered dinner for 4, 2 bottles of wine, 6 VIP passes to the Zilker Hillside Theatre production of "The Sound of Music" (includes VIP parking, VIP tent access, VIP toilet access, and signed program from the cast), plus gift cards to local eateries. Value: $750
• Family Fun: Passes to the Blanton Museum, The Bob Bullock Museum, Dave & Busters, Maudie's Tex-Mex, Amy's Ice Cream, plus a $100 gift certificate to Cynthia Bloom Jewelry. Value: $300
• Kids Fun: Motorized kid's jeep, gift certificates to Inflatable Wonderland, plus fun summer toys! Value: $300

We hope to see you there!

More Parent Resources and a Reminder About our Super Fun Carnival

Being a parent can be joyful, frustrating, confusing, and enriching all at the same time! One thing everyone can agree on is that it's not always easy. To start your week off right, take a look at these parenting resources. Most of them are tailored to parents raising children with special needs, but parents of typically developing children can certainly find some good information here too.

National Parent Helpline

Call this helpline to get support from a team of advocates who can help you become a stronger parent, build greater resilience, and learn more about child development. Help is available in both English and Spanish.

How To Teach Chores to Your Special Needs Child

This article comes from the Friendship Circle blog, which has a great collection of blog entries and other resources for caregivers raising children with special needs. 

Ten Tips for Dressing a Sensory Sensitive Child

This is another helpful article from the Friendship Circle blog.

Safety for Children with Special Needs

Watch this video series from the Friendship Circle blog to learn about some safety hazards that may be relevant for your children.

Last but not least, put a big star on April 14 on your calendar, because that's when the Sammy's House spring carnival is! There's going to be a ton of fun and accessible activities for children of all abilities, as well as some truly exciting raffle prizes. The fun begins at 9am. Thanks to those of you who have already made a donation to sponsor the carnival's activities. If you're interested in sponsoring a booth or activity, contact sammyshousedev@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Free Resource for Parents at APL

The Austin Public Library has a new book on its shelves that may be of interest to parents raising children with special needs: The Special Needs Parent Handbook: Critical Strategies and Practical Advice to Help You Survive and Thrive by Jonathan Singer.

Go here to look up the book in the library's collection or ask a librarian at your local branch for help finding it. 

Remember to also save the date for our carnival -- Saturday, April 14, 9am - 12pm. This carnival is sure to be a blast, with a wide variety of accessible activities and games for children of all abilities. Come out and enjoy this nice (and brief) pre-summer weather, have fun with the whole family, and support Sammy's House, all at the same time! Contact sammyshousedev@gmail.com if you're interested in donating raffle items or making a donation to sponsor carnival activities.

April Respite Dates

You can view the respite calendar for April here. Our dates for April are Sunday, April 1 from 10am-2pm and Saturday, April 28th from 10am-2pm.

Kids at the April 1st session will go on a fun egg hunt, dye eggs, and color rabbits. Kids at the second session will do several fun activities involving water, such as rain painting and ice painting. It's going to be a fun month and we hope to see you there!

Contact b.hill@sammyshouse.org or call (512) 453-5258 to sign up for a session. Children of all abilities from age 0-8 are welcome!

2012 Carnival Details

Our annual spring carnival is going to be Saturday, April 14th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm! This fun, accessible event is designed for children of all abilities, and will be held at Sammy's House at 2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757. Some of the fun activities we have planned include: face painting, sand art, a train, a bounce house, therapeutic horse-petting, tasty snacks, and more!

Admission is by donation (suggested donation is $10 per family). All proceeds will go towards the programs of Sammy's House, including curriculum materials and adaptive equipment.

Here's what one Sammy’s House parent had to say about our first carnival and how it benefited her family:

Carter has disabilities which require him to be in a wheelchair. The carnival gave him “abilities” -- he was able to enjoy nearly all of the activities. I think his favorite was the duck pond which was raised to wheelchair-height to accommodate him. By the end of the day he was soaking wet from splashing in the pond! Nathan was on the train almost the entire time. Preston enjoyed roaming all over the carnival and collecting prizes. His self-esteem was soaring since everything was a win! I know there are many donations of time, money, equipment, and so many other things that volunteers and staff do, and not just for the carnival.  Please know that you are greatly appreciated. 

We hope to see you at the carnival! Please feel free to call us at (512) 453-5258 or email sammyshousedev@gmail.com should you have any questions. With your help, we can make sure that EVERY child has the chance to enjoy the fun atmosphere of a carnival during this lovely spring weather! 

Also: If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a booth, please see the information below to find out the different sponsorship levels and what your dollars will provide. Please let us know about your sponsorship commitment by Friday, March 30. Payment is due in full by Friday, April 6.

Sammy's House Carnival - Sponsorship Details

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Sponsorship of the carnival

Cost:  $1,000

Company name or logo prominently displayed throughout the carnival

10 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

10 Hot Dog Plates

2 sponsorships available at this level

Step Right Up!

Sponsorship of an activity (face painting, sand art, train, bounce house, therapy horse petting)

Cost:  $500

Company name or logo on 3 booth signs

5 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

5 Hot Dog Plates

5 sponsorships available at this level

Everyone's A Winner!

Sponsorship of a food or game booth

Cost:  $200

Company name or logo on 1 booth sign

3 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

3 Hot Dog Plates

6 sponsorships available at this level

Updated Toy Wish List

We have an updated toy wish list! Thanks to the generosity of multiple donors, several items on our wish list have been purchased. Below is an updated list of adaptive toys and games we still need for our classrooms. 

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Sammy's House Toy Wish List

As of March 2012

All items are from www.constructiveplaythings.com

The Five Senses Series (5 books) - $39.95

Magnetic Fishing Fun (40 piece set) - $39.90

Sweet Treats (20 piece set) - $39.99

Exploring the Five Senses Library (100 piece set) - $44.99

Counting Cans (66 piece set) - $44.99

2-in-1 Scent Match (36 piece set with plastic carrying case) - $46.99

Wooden Ice Cream Game (game with wooden storage box) - $59.99

Frameworks Water Play Accessory Kit (23 piece set) - $59.99

Colors Book Series (10 books) - $79.50

Nature Exploration Set (star fish, seashells, pine cones, minerals, fossils, and precious stones in a wooden sorting box) - $94.99

Rolling Pathways (wooden structure with 6 accessories) - $129.99

Crayola Washable Tempera Paint (complete set of 8 gallons) - $158.99

Magic Magnetic Play Table (see-through table allowing movement of items using magnets) - $399.99

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There are two ways you can sponsor an item on our wish list, depending on what is most convenient for you: you can either mail us a check made out to Sammy's House in the amount of the item's cost, or you can order the item yourself (from Constructive Playthings) and have it shipped directly to Sammy's House (attn: Isabel Huerta) at 2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757.

We plan to add additional items in the coming months as we assess the needs in our classrooms. We aim to include items in a wide range of prices. If you would like to sponsor a toy in the $10-30 range, you can simply send us a check or PayPal payment in your chosen amount and designate the funds for classroom toys and games.

If you would like any additional information or if you have a specific question about our wish list, please don't hesitate to contact us at sammyshousedev@gmail.com or (512) 453-5258. Thank you!

News and Updates

This is shaping up to be a busy spring here at Sammy's House. Our kids continue to grow and learn every day and are enjoying the lovely weather out on our playground. Here are a couple of reminders and updates about Sammy's House happenings:

Sammy's House Carnival

This annual spring fundraising event features food, games, face-painting, and other family-friendly and adaptive activities accessible to children of all abilities. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a booth or making a donation, email sammyshousedev@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

March Respite Program

Click here to see our calendar for respite sessions in March. Care is offered in four hour blocks at Sammy's House for children of all abilities. Everyone is welcome -- no need to be enrolled in Sammy's House!

Strikes for Tikes

Visit the Strikes for Tikes website to learn more about this awesome bowling event benefiting Sammy's House. It's going to be a lot of fun, and all proceeds will go straight into our programming! Be sure to RSVP by March 15.

Upcoming Closures

Just a reminder that Sammy's House will be closed March 12-16 for Spring Break. Also remember to "spring forward" and set your clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 11.

Job Opportunity
We're currently hiring for a substitute teacher position. For more information, contact our Program Director at sammyshousecenterpd@yahoo.com.

Email Newsletter
If you're interested in receiving our occasional email newsletters, click here to sign up through Constant Contact.

Questions? Comments? Email sammyshousedev@gmail.com.

Respite Care in March

If you're a parent/caregiver looking for a super affordable, super convenient option for respite care, Sammy's House is here to help! 

Our March respite sessions will be on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00am-2:00pm, and Saturday, March 24th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Each session will feature fun springtime activities: we'll make popcorn bluebonnets, have some fun with the color green, do some rain painting, and make hand print flowers. 

As a reminder, here are the respite guidelines:

• Children ages 0-8 with and without special needs are welcome. Children do not have to attend Sammy's House to participate -- it's open to anyone!
• $25 per session, per child
• $8 per additional sibling, limit 3
• Care is provided at Sammy's House (2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757)
• Please contact our Respite Coordinator, Brittany Hill, no later than the Wednesday before the session you are wanting to sign up for. You can call her at 512-453-5258 or email her at b.hill@sammyshouse.org.

We hope to see you at one or both of the March sessions!

Bowling for a Cause - Strikes for Tikes

Do you love bowling, and want a fun way to support your favorite nonprofit?

Then you should sign up for the 2012 Strikes for Tikes event, happening Friday, March 30!

This annual event benefiting Sammy's House is hosted by the Texas Hill Country Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Last year they raised $11,000 for us -- let's break that record this year!

Here's the schedule for the evening:
5:00-5:30pm - Networking
5:30-8:30pm - Bowling!

Here's the bowling alley's address:
300 AMF Showplace Lanes
9504 North IH-35
Austin

Check out the Strikes for Tikes website for more information and make sure to RSVP by March 15.

We're Hiring!

Do you love kids and want to make a difference in your community? We currently have a teacher position open in our toddler room and are looking for a high-energy, dedicated individual to join our team! Visit our Employment page for more information about the position. All questions and correspondence should be directed to our Program Director at sammyshousecenterpd@yahoo.com.