Wehope everyone had a joyful Christmas and we wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Weare looking forward to this year’s program and we hope you will join us in ourefforts to provide a wonderful year of opportunities for our kids.

Inthis newsletter we have information regarding several upcoming activities andevents. Please take note of the dates and times listed below and mark yourcalendars now.  We look forward to seeing you at these activities andevents.

Thankyou,

L.E.A.R.N.of TN

www.learntn.org

L.E.A.R.N.STARS BASKETBALL PROGRAM:

Weare thrilled to announce that this year we have 35 athletes participating inour basketball program.  Coaches have been teaching athletes basic skillsand fundamentals and the athletes are having a great time with their teammatespracticing each Saturday morning.  We also have volunteer Unified Partnerswho are also teaching and practicing with our athletes.  Beginning inFebruary we will be adding an additional practice on Thursday evenings in orderto prepare athletes who will be playing in scrimmage games with SpecialOlympics basketball teams from Williamson and Sumner counties.  Teams fromWilliamson County will come to the gym at FBC on Saturday, February 4^thand we will travel to their gym on Saturday, February 18^th. Sumner County teams will be at the FBC gym on Saturday, February 25^thand Saturday, March 3^rd.  All games begin at 10:00am socome out and cheer for all the athletes as they prepare for the upcomingSpecial Olympics Regional and State Basketball Tournaments, which will be heldin March.  More information about these two tournaments to come.

L.E.A.R.N.ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASS:

Wewill have an Arts and Craft class on Thursday, January 26th from6:30pm - 8:00pm in our classroom at First Baptist Church. Maureen Lathropwill be teaching this class.  Participants will be making winter placematsthat can be used all year long.  This class will be offered for childrenand adults with special needs ages 8 and up and will be free of charge. We mustlimit the class to 10 participants and one parent/legal guardian or caregiverfor each participant.  If you wish to sign your child up for this class,please contact Maureen @ 615-542-2959.

L.E.A.R.N. COMMITTEE MEETING:

It's that time again...time to form committees to continue todo what LEARN does...provide opportunities for our children and adults. We really need your help.  It does not take a large amount of time and ifyou are unsure what is involved, please come to the meeting and let us explainhow by everyone doing a little something, no one gets burned out and all ourchildren benefit.

We will have the meeting DURING basketballpractice, next Saturday, January 28th at 10:30am at FirstBaptist Church in the side room off the gym. Again, L.E.A.R.N. needs yourhelp...we hope to see everyone there!

PETALSWITH A PURPOSE:

Joinus for our February meeting, Thursday, February 9th at 6:30pm  andcelebrate Valentine’s Day a few days early by creating a bouquet for someonespecial!  We will be meeting in our classroom at First Baptist Church andparticipants will learn more about flowers, create a bouquet, and enjoy fun andfriendship!

PleaseRSVP to Susan Meier at mkskjc@aol.com so sheknows how many students to expect. 

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST INFORMATIONAL MEETING:

We have scheduled some experts for an informational meetingon Special Needs Trusts, Wills, Guardianships and Conservatorships on Tuesday,February 21st from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in Room 208 at First Baptist Church. Please pass on to anyone who is interested or has questions regarding any ofthese topics as we would like to open this meeting to the Special NeedsCommunity in general.

OTHERNEWS:

PROJECTHEALTH 4 SPECIAL KIDS:

Ournew program, Project HEALTH 4 Special Kids is up and running in Murfreesboro,TN!  We still have spots open for kids to register so please spread theword to families in the Rutherford County area.    

ProjectHEALTH 4 Special Kidsis a FREE program that meets once (and sometimes twice) a month at PattersonCommunity Center in Murfreesboro from 9am-12pm.  During this time, kids ages12-22 of all ability levels are welcome to join us for an active andhealthy day!  We learn about healthy recipes, how to properly work out ina gym, play active games, and have therapeutic water activities in thepool.  Check out this link to see the video of our program: http://s4af.org/resources.html   

Theupcoming dates for this programming are the following:

January7, 2012

January21, 2012

February4, 2012

March3, 2012

March10, 2012

April7, 2012

April14, 2012

May5, 2012

May19, 2012

June9, 2012

July21, 2012

Kidswho register for this program will also receive a 30 visit pass to MurfreesboroParks and Rec for his/herself and a caregiver.  Please forward this to familiesand agencies that may be interested and have caregivers contact me at Megan@s4af.org or call 615-354-6454 toregister for this program. 

ProjectHEALTH Partners and Supporters:

Pleasetake a moment out of your time to complete this quick survey aboutopportunities for recreation.  This survey was crafted by variousorganizations in Middle Tennessee that would like to serve more children withdisabilities; your answers will help us provide more opportunities to thispopulation. 

Survey for people working with children with disabilities

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2LX3Y4ZG5DA

Also,feel free to send out the following survey to parents.  This survey willhelp us gain a caregiver’s prospective on opportunities for their children.

Survey for parents

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2LX3Y6NG6DN

Feel free to forward this email on to others who serve children ofvarying ability levels.  Don’t hesitate to contact Megan Graf, Wellnessand Volunteer Coordinator, Sports 4 All Foundation, at 615-354-6454 or Megan@s4af.org with any questions you mayhave!

RISING ABOVE MINISTRIES:

The Murfreesboro Chapter of Rising AboveMinistries next service for the special needs community is on Saturday, February4th from 6:00-7:00 pm at Lifepoint Church’s Stewarts Creek Campus at5100 Almaville Road in Smyrna. Jeff Davidson, founding pastor ofRising Above Ministries and father of a son with special needs will bespeaking.

Each service begins with a non-denominational andcontemporary worship time with music for all ages.  Afterward, childrenand adults with special needs and their siblings may leave for classroom timewhich is specifically designed for them.  There are lovingvolunteers that will share God’s word in creative and fun ways.  Everychild will be included and have the opportunity to learn in their ownway. 

The worship service will be followed by a fellowshipmeal.  Rising Above is providing pasta dishes and drinks. We are askingeach family to bring either a salad, bread or dessert.

We invite everyone to join us!  For more information or toget involved, contact Kurt or Sonya Craig at craigs@risingaboveministries.orgor 615-653-3840.

Wehope everyone is having a great week.  Below is news regarding upcomingactivities.  Please note your calendar now and plan to attend theseevents.

Wehope to see you there!

L.E.A.R.N.of TN

www.learntn.org

L.E.A.R.N.DANCE CLASS

Wewill be having dance classes for three consecutive Thursday evenings: November 3rd, 10^th and 17^th from 6:30-8:00pm in theFirst Baptist Church gym.  Cindy Shadrick, Shane’s mom, has offered toteach the classes.  There is no limit on the number of participants andeveryone in the family is welcome to attend!  This is a good opportunityto brush up on your dance skills before our End-Of-The-Year Celebration andDance! We hope to see everyone there!

L.E.A.R.N/MTSUBASKETBALL CLINIC

Our4th annual L.E.A.R.N./MTSU Basketball Clinic will be held Saturday, November5th from 10am-12:30 pm at Sports Com. Pre-Registration 9am-10am.  MTSU Coach Kermit Davis and the MTSU Blue Raiders basketball teamhave once again volunteered to conduct the clinic for us.  If yourchild is interested in participating in this fun andeducational event, please contact Dave Davis at ddavis166@comcast.net or  533-0668.

END-OF-THE-YEARCELEBRATION AND DANCE

Everyoneis invited to our biggest event of the year on Saturday, December 3rd from6-10pm in the gym at First Baptist Church. We will have a pot-luck dinner,present sports awards to athletes and then dance the night away! You won't wantto miss this!  More information and sign-ups in our next newsletter.

L.E.A.R.N.CLOTHING FUNDRAISING SALE

Wewill be selling t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants (newitem), hoodies, and caps in order to raise funds to support various LEARNactivities and events.  The clothing and caps are great for our LEARNmembers, their families, and our volunteers to wear to all of our LEARNactivities.  We will be taking orders at the L.E.A.R.N./MTSU BasketballClinic on Saturday, November 5th and our End-of-Year Sports Celebration onSaturday, December 3rd.  At both events we will have a table set-up so wecan take your order and payment.  Orders will be placed on Monday,December 5^th  and we will have the order back and ready to handout before Christmas.  Please complete the attached order form and bringit with your payment to the Basketball Clinic or End-of Year SportsCelebration. 

Wehope that you will support our fundraising effort by placing a shirt and/or caporder.  Thank you!

L.E.A.R.N.HOLIDAY CERAMICS CLASS

Wewill have a ceramics class on Thursday, December 8th from 6:30pm -8:00pm at First Baptist Church. Elaine Finchum is sponsoring this class.This class will be offered for children and adults with special needs ages 8 andup and will be free of charge. We must limit the class to 10 participants andone parent/guardian for each participant. If you wish to sign your child up forthis class, please email Linda Miller at dlkktak@att.net

OTHERNEWS

L.E.A.R.N.FLAG FOOTBALL

OurL.E.A.R.N. STARS flag football team competed in the Special Olympics State FlagFootball tournament on October 1^st.  Please click on thefollowing link to read an article about this year’s program http://www.learntn.org/Football.html Congratulations to all the players and coaches who participated in our 2011Flag Football program.

RISINGABOVE MINISTRIES

TheMurfreesboro Chapter of Rising Above Ministries will hold itsfirst service on Saturday, November 5th from 6:00-8:00 pm at LifepointChurch’s Stewarts Creek Campus at 5100 Almaville Road in Smyrna.

Eachservice will begin with a joint worship time with music for all ages.  Afterward,children and adults with special needs and their siblings may leave forclassroom time which will be specifically designed for them.  There willbe loving, trained volunteers that will share God’s word in creative and funways.  Every child will be included and have the opportunity to learn intheir own way.  Our worship services are followed by a fellowship meal.

Weinvite everyone to join us! For more information or to get involved, contactKurt or Sonya Craig at craigs@risingaboveministries.orgor 615-653-3840.

It seems Autumn is upon us as the weather is turning cooler. We hope you all are taking advantage of this and enjoying plenty of outdoor activities before winter hits.

There is a lot of news to share, so please read carefully.

We hope to see you at the next event!

L.E.A.R.N. of TN

www.learntn.org

L.E.A.R.N. FLAG FOOTBALL

Our L.E.A.R.N. STARS flag football team will be competing in the Special Olympics State Flag Football Tournament, this Saturday, October 1st.  The tournament is being held at Lighthouse Christian School, 5100 Blue Hole Road, Antioch.  Our team is scheduled to play in four games with the first game starting at 9:00am and we will also have games at 10:30am, 12:00pm and 1:30pm.  Games are two 15 minute halves with a 5 minute half time.  We invite all L.E.A.R.N. families and friends to bring their lawn chairs and maybe a blanket or two and come out and cheer for your STARS team. 

L.E.A.R.N. PARENT MEETING

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our annual Parent Meeting NEXT Thursday, October 6th from 6:30 - 8:30 at First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro.  We will be making announcements about some possible changes, we will distribute financial reports and discuss options for 2012 and have a forum for discussion. It would be nice to have all families represented.

FALL FLING 2011

Our annual L.E.A.R.N. Fall Fling is scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd from 3-8pm at the home of Carla Maye, 3505 Halley's Dr. Murfreesboro.  EVERYONE is welcome!!  We will have a pot-luck dinner, hay rides, LOTS of games, craft activities, photo station, face painting, campfire and FUN! 

LEARN will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments, paper goods and utensils and ice.  We ask that everyone bring a side dish or dessert to share, a 2 liter or gallon drink, and a bag of wrapped candy.  We will eat around 4:00. You may also want to bring camp chairs and/or a blanket.  Please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org (or RSVP on Facebook) to let us know how many will be attending so we can be sure to have enough hot dogs and supplies. 

Families and volunteers, we need your help for the Fall Fling to be a success!  Please sign up to work a game or activity so everyone gets an opportunity to enjoy the day.  Please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org to let her know which area below you would be willing to help with:

*Set up and Decorating 

*Face Painting

*Pumpkin Walk  

*Fall Golf

*Bean Bag Toss

*Leading large group games - at various times through the afternoon 

            -Pumpkin Roll

            -Pumpkin Spatula Relay

            -Make a mummy

            -Balloon Relay          

*Photo Station - (already covered)

*Crafts Table-  at various times

                    -decorate a mini pumpkin 

                    -fall craft  

*Hay Ride - we need 1 more truck, trailer and driver. (We have 2.)

*Clean-up crew 

L.E.A.R.N. BOWLING

Area 16 Special Olympics Bowling Tournament will be held at the Smyrna Bowling Center on Thursday, October 27th at 9am.  L.E.A.R.N. has registered 14 bowlers to participate.  Athletes, siblings and family members will continue to meet at the Smyrna Bowling Center on Sundays at 2:30pm to practice and have lots of fun.  If you have any questions contact Dave Davis.

L.E.A.R.N/MTSU BASKETBALL CLINIC

We are making plans for our 4th annual L.E.A.R.N/MTSU Basketball Clinic.  MTSU Coach Kermit Davis and the MTSU Blue Raiders basketball team have once again volunteered to do the clinic for us.  A date has been set for Saturday, November 5th at the SportsCom.  More info regarding the event to come. 

GOLF

Close to 200 participants from as far away as Bermuda and Canada participated September 22 - 25 at the Special Olympics Nationals Golf Tournament held at The PGA Village in Port St Lucie, Florida.  Our state was represented by 14 players including L.E.A.R.N. athlete Eric Davis and his Unified Partner Dave Davis.  Check out Facebook for the great pictures.  Anyone interested in joining our L.E.A.R.N. Golf Program please contact Dave Davis. 

SAVE THE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following L.E.A.R.N. events.  More details on these activities to come..  

• Dance classes will be open to the entire family. Thursday evenings from 6:30 -8pm, November 3, 10 and 17.
• Everyone is invited to our End-Of-The-Year Sports Celebration and Dance on Saturday, December 3rd from 6–10pm in the gym at FBC. This will be the biggest event of the year, don't miss it!

OTHER NEWS

PROJECT HEALTH 4 SPECIAL KIDS

Project HEALTH 4 Special Kids is a FREE program that meets once a month at Patterson Community Center in Murfreesboro from 9am-12pm.  During this time, kids ages 12-22 of all ability levels are welcome to join us for an active and healthy day!  We learn about healthy recipes, how to properly work out in a gym, play active games, and have therapeutic water activities in the pool.  The dates for this programming are the following:

October 1, 2011

November 5, 2011

November 19, 2011

December 3, 2011

January 7, 2012

January 21, 2012

February 4, 2012

March 3, 2012

March 10, 2012

Kids who register for this program will also receive a 30 visit pass to Murfreesboro Parks and Rec for his/herself and a caregiver.  Please email Megan Graf at Megan@s4af.org or call 615-354-6454 to register your child today!

RISING ABOVE MINISTRIES FALL FESTIVAL

Rising Above Ministries Nashville is having a FREE Fall Festival THIS Saturday, October 1st from 2-4pm, rain or shine, at 5240 Edmonson Pike, Nashville.

There will be games, crafts, a petting zoo and lots of fun for individuals with special needs and their siblings.

To register your family, call 615-544-5214

AREA 16 SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUNDRAISER

Area 16 Special Olympics Wings and Rings fundraiser will be on Tuesday, October 18th from 5:00-8:00pm at the Toot’s on Sam Ridley Pkwy in Smyrna.  This event gives L.E.A.R.N. family and friends a wonderful opportunity to help Area 16 Special Olympics raise funds for activities for Special Olympics athletes. 

How does the fundraiser work?"  L.E.A.R.N. families and friends can join others in the community and purchase your meal (including tipping your server) and enjoy seeing lots of folks you know, the Toot's atmosphere, and (family friendly!) entertainment provided by the SROs!  The SROs will assist in the serving with the Toot's Staff in addition to singing and telling jokes!!!  Each table will have an envelope for any contributions diners would like to make. 

Mark your calendars now and help support Area 16 Special Olympics and the programs they provide for Special Olympics athletes.

RISING ABOVE MINISTRIES COMES TO MURFREESBORO!

Rising Above Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to special needs ministry at the church, chapter and community level.  We believe that everyone is created by God with a plan, purpose and destiny to reflect His glory.

The Murfreesboro Chapter of Rising Above Ministries will hold its first service on Saturday, November 5th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lifepoint Church’s Stewarts Creek Campus at 5100 Almaville Road in Smyrna.

Each service will begin with a joint worship time with music for all ages.  Afterward, children and adults with special needs and their siblings may leave for classroom time which will be specifically designed for them.  There will be loving, trained volunteers that will share God’s word in creative and fun ways.  Every child will be included and have the opportunity to learn in their own way.  Our worship services are followed by a fellowship meal.

We invite everyone to join us!

In 2012 we will begin a Mom’s Support Group and Bible Study, a Dad’s Hang Time as well as have an Easter Eggstravaganza and social outings.

For more information or to get involved, contact Kurt or Sonya Craig at craigs@risingaboveministries.org or 615-653-3840.

THE KATHY B. DAVIS FOUNDATION

Dave Davis has started a 501c3 non profit foundation in memory of his late wife who passed away on Nov. 5. 2009.  The organization just recently received the IRS non profit status approval.  In her own quiet and unselfish way, Kathy always put the needs of others before her own, unconditionally.  She made it a personal goal, to help those in our society that didn't always have the means or ways to help themselves.  In the months prior to her death, Kathy applied for, studied and became a child court appointed advocate. She was scheduled to appear in her very first case, two days before her death.  It is in this same spirit of giving unselfishly to others that the mission of the foundation was developed: To Support and Create Life Enhancing Opportunities for Individuals with Special Challenges.

Individuals with Special Challenges is all encompassing and it not only covers individuals with special needs but also those individuals like Kathy was trying to help and provide advocacy support, just prior to her death.  

Dave will continue to serve in his administrative capacity as a cofounder of LEARN.  His new Foundation will support L.E.A.R.N. and help other programs as well.

We hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend.  Listed below is information regarding upcoming events and activities.  Please take note of the dates and times and mark your calendars now.  We look forward to seeing you at these events and activities.

Thank you,

L.E.A.R.N. of TN

www.learntn.org

PETALS WITH A PURPOSE

Join us for our July PWP meeting this evening, Thursday, September 1st at 6:30pm.  We will be meeting in our classroom at First Baptist Church and participants will learn more about flowers, create a bouquet to deliver to Community Care of Rutherford County, and enjoy fun and friendship!  Please RSVP to Susan Meier at mkskjc@aol.com so she knows how many students to expect. 

Please click on the following link http://www.learntn.org/PWP.html to read an article regarding the PWP program and pictures from our May and June activities.

SAVE THE DATES

• Mark your calendar for the following events. More details on these activities to come..
• Our annual LEARN Fall Fling will be on Saturday, October 22nd from 3-8pm. More info to come. 
• Dance classes will be open to the entire family. Thursday evenings from 6:30 -8pm, November 3, 10 and 17.
• Everyone is invited to our End-Of-The-Year Sports Celebration and Dance on Saturday, December 3rd from 6–10pm.

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and a happy 4th of €uly.  Listed below is information regarding upcoming events and activities.  Please take note of the dates and times and mark your calendars now.  We look forward to seeing you at these events and activities.

Thank you,

L.E.A.R.N. of TN

www.learntn.org

PETALS WITH A PURPOSE

€oin us for our €uly PWP meeting on Thursday, €uly 7th at 6:30pm.  We will be meeting in our classroom at First Baptist Church and participants will learn more about flowers, create a bouquet, and en€oy fun and friendship!  For additional information please email Susan Meier at mksk€c@aol.com. 

Please click on the following link http://www.learntn.org/PWP.html to read an article regarding the PWP program and pictures from our May and €une activities.

L.E.A.R.N. FLAG FOOTBALL

Our Flag Football Parent/Caregiver Orientation Meeting will be on Saturday, €uly 9th from 10:00am – 12:00pm in the gym at First Baptist Church.  All athletes who are interested in participating in our Flag Football program are asked to attend the meeting.  We will have information regarding the sport, practice schedule, and registration forms available for parents/caregivers to complete.  Volunteers who would like to help coach are asked to attend this meeting, also.  If you have any questions, please contact Tricia at tricia.lacy@learntn.org  Hope to see you there!

L.E.A.R.N. GOLF 

We recently participated in our 3rd Special Olympics Golf Tournament this year.  It has been a lot of fun thus far.  The next Special Olympics Tournament is €uly 18th at the Bear Trace course in Chattanooga.  Those golfers wishing to participate, please contact Dave Davis by the 11th of €uly.

LEARN/MTSU FLAG FOOTBALL CLINIC

Our 2nd Annual Flag Football Clinic is scheduled for Thursday, €uly 21st from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Sports Com in Murfreesboro on our practice field, which is located near the main building by the bocce courts. MTSU Head Football Coach Rick Stockstill and several of his players and coaches will be on hand to teach basic flag football skills to the athletes and then players will help coach the athletes in a scrimmage game.  The clinic is free and is open to both boys and girls with special needs ages 8 and up.  If your child(ren) is interested in attending the clinic, please email Tricia at tricia.lacy@learntn.org by Tuesday, €uly 19th and she will email you a Clinic registration form.  The registration form is required for anyone who wishes to attend and we ask that you bring the completed form to the Clinic. 

BEST BUDDIES MTSU TO BEGIN SECOND YEAR

Best Buddies began a chapter at MTSU in 2010 and formed a partnership with L.E.A.R.N.  Our inaugural year was a huge success as Best Buddies MTSU was voted Outstanding Tennessee Chapter!

The Best Buddies College program provides one-to-one friendships and social opportunities between college students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  During the school year the Buddy pairs should maintain weekly contact via phone, email, letter, etc., and make two in-person visits per month (group events, going out to eat, seeing a movie, shopping, playing video games, attending sporting events, etc.)  There will also be social opportunities to have fun as a group such as picnics, dances and parties.

The Best Buddies Mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  For more information, you may visit www.bestbuddiestennessee.org

If your child has an interest in being a friend, and having a friendship with a college student that is mutually beneficial, and they are 18 years of age or older, email Sonya Craig at sonya.craig@learntn.org .

 SAVE THE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following events. More details on these activities to come.

• **Note date change**LEARN's End-Of-Summer Bash will be held on Sunday, August 14th from 12:00-4:00pm.
• Moms, dig out your FUZZY SLIPPERS! We will be having our annual Mom's Fuzzy Slippers Night on Saturday September 10th from 7-11pm!! You won't want to miss this!
• Our annual LEARN Parent Business Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 6th from 6:30 - 8:30pm.
• Our annual LEARN Fall Fling will be on Saturday, October 22nd from 3-8pm
• Dance classes will be open to the entire family. Thursday evenings from 6:30 -8pm, November 3, 10 and 17.
• **Note time change**Everyone is invited to our End-Of-The-Year Sports Celebration and Dance on Saturday, December 3rd from 6–10pm.

OTHER NEWS

Rising Above Ministries invites everyone to €oin them for a trip to the Adventure Science Center in Nashville on Saturday, €uly 23rd at 10:00!

This is a great opportunity to meet other families with children with special needs!

Everyone will meet in the lobby at 10:00. Bring your lunch!

General Admission: Adults/Teens: $10 /  Youth 2-12: $8  / Toddler (under 2): FREE 

The Adventure Science Center is located at 800 Fort Negley Blvd. in Nashville.

For more information on the Center please visit www.adventuresci.com

Please register your family by emailing April Phillips aphillips@risingaboveministries.org

For more information about Rising Above Ministries, visit www.risingaboveministries.org