Val Wall - From a Family of Teachers


I came from parents that are both teachers.  I also had several teachers that were very significant to me as I grew up.  My older brother, Rocky, is now a professor at The University of Cincinnati.  My youngest son, Bryce, wants to teach. Fourteen other relatives are in the education field. I guess I was meant to teach.  However, I no longer teach in the traditional way.  After 21 years in the classroom, as an educational coordinator, I teach in a different way.  So I have to consciously think about what I am teaching now.  It isn't a subject matter anymore, I am not given a book or a curriculum.  But I think the subject is respect.  I think the name of the book would be Changing the World:  One School at a Time.  I think the name of the class would be Building the Circle.  So what is it that I want to teach?  I want to teach my staff to be professionals and how to enjoy a job.  I want them to learn to do a quality job at all times, even when you don't feel like it.  I want our buddies to learn to see that all people have worth and how to build relationships and how to advocate for others.  I want the students with special needs to learn about relationships too.  I want school staff to learn about real inclusion.  I will always be a teacher.  The picture above is of my family.  I am blessed that I was encouraged to follow my dreams and told that I can do what I dream.  Circle of Friends is my dream.  And I am thankful for the teachers I have had and continue to have in my life... everyday. 

  Spotlight School
Colvin Elementary - Wichita, KS

Jessica Lyon has taken the bull by the horns in this program and has started her school heading in the right direction at Colvin Elementary. She has been doing an event each month and that is very hard to do for a new program, not to mention an elementary school. She says she and her students enjoy the program very much.
            "Circle of Friends has been a joyful experience for everyone involved at Colvin Elementary.  The students enjoy spending time with each other and look forward to our monthly activities.  I hear "Is today the day we get to meet?" at least once a week!  It is heartwarming to see the special education students and their regular education buddies interact in such a positive way.  I hope that the lessons they are learning from Circle of Friends will benefit all of these children for a lifetime," says Jessica Lyon


 

Desi and Anissa
A Dynamic Duo

It's All Good! Sierra Scott, television anchor on KPTS, has been very kind to COF.  She is our matinee MC each year, did a piece on COF for her show, and now has highlighted one of our buddy matches, Anissa Alonzo and Desi Oakley, both from Maize High School.  Anissa and Desi were matched in high school and now that Desi attends Michigan University, they stay in touch.  Desi visits when home on school breaks, they talk on the phone every other week, and they sing together.  Music blends their friendship.  Desi says she has literally sang with hundreds of individuals but Anissa is her favorite singing partner.  "When we sing, we are the same."  If you missed it, check it out on Sierra Scott's website. 

Save the Date

•  December 6th at Valley Center Middle School- Sedgwick County Cookie Dough Days
• January 17th- Butler County Outburst at Eldorado Middle School
• February 21-22- COF Variety Show 

A Big Thanks to  Kim and Fran Peek.

On the 15 of November, we were very, very pleased to have been able to share our evening with an astonishing, extraordinary man, the "Real Rain Man", Kim Peek and his father, Fran at Century II, which was made possible by the ILRC.  Furthermore, they agreed to put on two more events at Maize High School and at North High School for Circle of Friends' events.  His depth of knowledge is out of this world, and they did nothing but amaze, encourage, entertain and educate us far beyond what anybody could expect.  What more do we have to say to them than THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Cookie Dough Day One!

Cookie dough was the way to go this past weekend!  We had tons of volunteers at Valley Center Middle School and we would like to thank you for all of your help! We made over 25,000 cookie balls for the fundraiser. Despite the long (sometimes very stressful) hours of making and preparing the dough, it was still a glorious activity! Now, however, we get to do it over again on December 6th for there is much fund-raising left to be done.  If you have any questions please call the ARC 943-1911.
 

Secondary Circles
Well, Northrock Lanes Bowling, Friends University Orientations, horseback riding, movie watching, and the Kim Peek events kept Circle of Friends rather busy for the month of November.  Pictured below is one of our COF students enjoying her evening on horseback! 
p.s. I decided to add in one picture from last month from when I dressed up as Elvis and went to the corn maze with Chisholm Newton Middle School!  I hope you enjoy...



 

Elementary 

Circles 

Elementary students have been super busy with many activities such as movie days, climbing the rock wall, bowling, riding horses at Singletree Stables, arts and crafts as well as a plethera of other activities. Many of them are preparing for the up-coming Christmas month, by doing ornament making, gift exchanges, and Christmas wreath making. 

Where's Emilee?

Each month, we will post a picture of Emilee Stevenson, one of the Circle of Friend's staff, standing in or near to one of the schools with a Circle of Friends program.  The first person to reply to Val's e-mail (vwall@usd259.net) to tell us where Emilee is will receive a free COF t-shirt! 

 Jacob Bruster: Former COF Assistant, NFL Hopeful 

Although his Friends University Falcons' senior season ended earlier than what was expected or desired, Jake has been able to get back on the horse to train for the two months he has left before chatter with the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings starts up again.  Jake commented, "I really want to stay humble about everything, in fact I don't really like to talk about it all that much, but I trust that my hard work ethic and desire to be succesful at my passion will get me where I want to be in life."  Titans' scouts have come twice to watch Jake play and to speak with him and his coaches, and the Vikings have mainly been e-mailing and calling to set up a possible time to meet in the future.  Bruster and his fiance, Brittany Ballinger are hopeful for what is to come.

The Circle of Friends have been tremendously blessed to have been able to cultivate a lasting relationship with Jake, and we wish him nothing but the best!  

 TAKE A SIP OF THIS
 Crayola is a French word that means "Oily chalk."
 
The best time for a person to buy shoes is in the afternoon. This is because the foot tends to swell a bit around this time.
 
Peanut butter is an effective way to remove chewing gum from hair or clothes.

  Volunteer of the Month -
LaDonna Tucker

"I volunteer at Chisolm Life Skills Center and the reason I volunteer is because I really do believe I can make a difference. I want the students at Chisolm to understand that regardless of their special needs I believe they can achieve anything they put their minds to. I want them to understand that the only person that can hold them back from anything is themselves."  Upon us asking some interesting facts about her, she replied, "I love butter pecan ice cream, my passion is writing, and my major is in Psychology!"

Circumference Question (Get to Know the Staff):

If anyone could portray you in a movie, who would it be, and why?

Val:  Meryl Streep because she is about my age, beautiful, a great actress, and always has great supporting men; Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. Enough said!

Molly S: Reese Witherspoon because she kind of looks like me, and she is a great actress.
 
Sarah: Jessica Biel from 7th Heaven. She seems down to earth. No pun intended!
 
Emilee: I would cast Bethany Joy Galeotti from "One Tree Hill" to play me because I like her personality and I think she's pretty.
 
Laynna: I think that Keri Russel would play me in a movie. She started her career as a dancer and has the best replica of my curly hair! I only hope that I am as beautiful as her!
 
Emma: I would choose Baby Spice.  Why?:Girl power!
 
Krysten: Sophia Bush because she seems like a lot of fun and a little bit sassy,
like me :). 
   
Katie: Katherine Zeta Jones, I would be honored to have her play me!
 

Bryce: Denzel Washington because he is an amazing actor and a good cop!

Sean: Jim Carrey because he is crazy and sporadic, just like me! Oh yeah, and extremely handsome!

Merch Perch

Will Barbett, grandson of COF Founder, Val Wall, is modeling the new Circle of Friends T-Shirt. They cost 5 dollars, unless you want your name on the back, in which case they cost 6 dollars.  They come in adult and children sizes.  Also featured is the new Circle of Friends logo
necklace slides. They cost 8 dollars and look great with almost any color.

Ripples

"The positive influence that buddies can make in other people's lives is overwhelming. Circle of Friends is not just another "school club". Its values are carried far beyond the school corridors, and out into the real world. My only hope is for all students to have the opportunity to experience the wonderful benefits of this program, and become a part of the Circle."
 
Pat Leon, Parent of a Student
 
 
"I do not even know where to begin with how Circle of Friends has helped me. The meaning of friendship has grown entirely. Circle of Friends shows everyone that friends come in all shapes, size, and whether one has disabilities or not."
 
Jody Swehla, Circle of Friends Buddy
 
"I think the impact Circle of Friends has on our non-special needs kids is as great as the impact on our special needs population. At MHS, our student body is much more comfortable being around kids with disabilities. They call them by name; say hello to them when they see them in the hall; and interact with them much more often. The club has made it "okay" and even "cool" to interact with these particular kids."
 
Mike Bonner, Principal, Maize High School
 
"Circle of Friends has taught me to see the unsaid needs of those around me. I have learned how to give a louder voice to those who are often quieted. I'm able to look at a room of chaos and pinpoint the individual that needs a genuine friendship."
 
Katherine Lewis, Former Circle of Friends Buddy
 
"The Circle of Friends program allows for a school wide initiative to integrate, include and accept all persons no matter what their ability or disability. It encourages regular education students to make it part of their normal routine to accept those with special needs and become buddies and develop a friendship. The regular education students begin to bond with their "buddies" in ways they never expected."
 
Tiffany Nickel, Interrelated Special Education Teacher

The Rundown

Val Wall

Colvin Elementary

Desi and Anissa

Kim and Fran Peek

Jake Bruster

Merch Perch

Help!

This is reminder that we really need your help volunteering at our cookie-dough day at Valley Center Middle School and Camp Hiawatha on December 6! 

Quick Links 

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Students From Kim Keene's group at Wilbur Middle from Wichita, KS give a big thank you to everyone in support of COF!