Kelly Newton

Transition Program Article

This past November, I was able to learn about the Lincoln-Way District 210 LIFE Transition Program. At the time of the article I, like most Lincoln-Way students had minimal information on the program that is run right inside Lincoln-Way Central. My interview was set up to be one-on-one with Mrs. Harrison, the program’s director. However, as I entered her office and we began talking about the program, she asked if I had ever seen it in action, and she decided that the best way to get a full account of the program and what it is all about was to go down and see it in action. The quarters of the program are located in Lincoln-Way Central’s D-Wing. Students aged 18 to the day before their 22nd birthday, who have finished all of their requirements for graduation, but need extra instruction are welcomed into the program. Currently, there are 54 students in the LW Transition program and these individuals come from all three schools across the district and all meet at LWC. Although I had originally planned on just meeting with Mrs. Harrison, she opened up my questions to all faculty members of the program and some of their answers surprised me. The faculty informed me that the program runs a business called Greetings Galore, which helps the students develop soft job skills such as staying on task, communication, time management, as well as teamwork. These are assets the student need when entering the work force of the real world. Although there is not an average age that students graduate the program, they are welcome to stay until they meet individual goals and progress up to the day before their 22nd birthday. When I asked what the staff was most proud of the program for, their answers were consistent, they love to see the development in social skills and friendships of their students, and they love to hear about job placements of their students that have graduated. It is amazing that we have such a special program happening right within our building, and most of the student body is not even aware of its existence. Ultimately, the Transition Program helps students with disabilities to function in the adult world with the help of an incredible staff that works extremely hard for its students’ success.