DSAW kept busy during the month! Our Southeastern WI chapter hosted a socially-distant family night at Winter Wonders. Families gathered on Zoom to watch a Kohl’s Wild Theater Production. DSAW Connects classes and free programs continued as usual and a new sponsor generously offered to support the winter/spring 2021 semester of DSAW Connects!
Country Lanes Bowling 9-Pin Fundraiser
DSAW wants to give a huge thank you to the Meier family and Country Lanes Bowling Alley!
New owners of Country Lanes Bowling Alley, Kevin and Lee Ann Meier, held a 9-pin fundraising tournament on October 3rd in honor of their daughter Leilani (6) who has Down syndrome. They had an outpouring of love and support from their community and customers and raised $2,170 to donate to DSAW! Kevin and Lee Ann love being a part of the DSAW community and were very excited for Leilani to be able to contribute to helping others! They will be hosting this tournament every year! We can't wait for the next one.
DSAW Family Meet Up: Winter Wonders
DSAW- Southeastern WI hosted a socially-distant family night on November 20th! We were so excited to be able to provide Winter Wonders holiday light show tickets for 58 local families! Thank you to everyone who signed up for this event, and we are looking forward to the DSAW Holiday Drive-Thru on December 12!
Monthly Statewide Virtual Family Nights
“Welcome to the Zoo” Kohl’s Wild Theater Remote Showing
DSAW is hosting monthly virtual family events throughout fall and winter! November’s Virtual Family Event was a remote showing of the Kohl’s Wild Theater Production, “Welcome to the Zoo!”
Families and self-advocates enjoyed the lively and interactive show and followed it up with some discussion questions from the Milwaukee Conservation Society.
Our next month’s Virtual Family Event is December Disney Trivia Night on December 17th. This is a FREE trivia night for DSAW and MADSS families. Sign up today!
Madison Area Down Syndrome Society Bingo Night
MADSS hosted a virtual Bingo Night for families and self-advocates on November 18th. MADSS utilized a virtual platform to generate Bingo cards for all players. Players went above and beyond standard Bingo rules and tried getting “bingos” in unique patterns like outside boarder, four corners, and fun holiday shapes!
DSAW- Fox Cities Trivia Night
The Fox Cities and Green Bay chapters had their own trivia night early this month! DSAW- Fx Cities staff hosted a family trivia night. Questions were general knowledge and the group had lots of fun bonding with friends in their area.
DSAW Connects: Fall Programming Wrap Up
DSAW Connects Fall Classes run until December 18th! Read below for updates on what a few classes have gotten up to in November!
Navigating Our World
On Veteran’s Day, the Navigating Our World class had the privilege of talking to a guest speaker who was in the military! Joshua Vogt was a Marine in the United States Marine Corps. He explained the different branches of the United States Military and gave the class insight into his specific roles and duties during his service. The class asked some awesome questions like: "How did you get your food while in the military?" "How hot was it in Saudi Arabia?" "Did you ever swim while you were in the desert?" and "Did you play pranks on other Marines you served with?" Thank you, Joshua for spending time with our class!
Sweatin’ In the Afternoon
Sweatin’ in the Afternoon combines fun and fitness! This hard-working group has been focusing on different types of breathing to support their workouts, including square breathing. They’ve also covered topics like crossing the midline and the meaning of “namaste.” One participant has stepped up and started teaching a dance routine to the class for some cardio. Every class she teaches a little more of the routine and the participants follow along and jam out to “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga!
Free Fall Programs
DSAW is thrilled to be able to offer FREE, virtual programming during the fall/winter. The current programming runs through December 18th. Read below for some class updates!
Crafts & Conversation
Crafts & Conversation is a "free" craft time that allows for conversation while you work! The group completed several projects in the fall including scrapbooking pages, occasion cards, and painting projects. For the holidays, the group started two craft projects! The first is decorating a turkey cardboard cutout with felt stickers and fall colored tissue paper. The second is a Thanksgiving weave placemat with felt stickers. Earlier this month the group started creating holiday greeting cards and they will finish those up during their last session in December!
Stream Team
DSAW Stream Team and Tween Stream Team merged to create one big Stream Team! One of our favorite fall activities was utilizing Kahoot technology to learn more about the class and ourselves by answering poll questions!
DSAW Winter Programming
DSAW has a new semester of DSAW Connects coming up along with new pop up classes and small group options!
Thank you, Allcox & Associates!
DSAW is so grateful to our friends at Allcox & Associates for supporting this semester of DSAW Connects Statewide Programming! Thank you for believing in our friends with Down syndrome and related disabilities and helping us enhance lives through virtual educational programs.
Re-enroll in your favorite DSAW Connects classes and check out the new offerings for the winter season!
DSAW Connects: Statewide Winter/ Spring 2021 Programs provide multiple types of curriculum and activities for individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities across Wisconsin. The winter/spring 2021 programming runs for 6 months, January 4th through June 4th. Courses are geared for ages 12 and up, although individuals of all ages are welcome to try the classes.
Although we are not able to be hand-in-hand this year, our classes will still be hands-on! Create your own day by picking and choosing which classes work for your family. This year’s goal is the same as always! Our committed and caring staff want to provide YOU with a positive learning experience by facilitating interactive and structured days full of fun activities and educational exercises. All you need is an internet connection to get in on the fun!
