Assembly Member Toni Atkins visits COOK Education Center

California State Assembly Member Toni Atkins and her Senior Field Representative, Lindsey Masukawa, were given a tour of TIEE’s COOK Education Center by TIEE Executive Director, Dr. Suzy Fitch. Assembly Member Atkins’ tour came as a result of her desire to learn more about the continuum of publicly funded school options for students with special needs.

Both Assembly Member Atkins and her Senior Field Representative, Lindsey Masukawa, were very complementary of the highly skilled teaching staff of COOK Education Center. They witnessed students being actively and positively engaged in instruction that met wide-ranging individual needs from personal grooming to vocational skills to high school biology.

Assembly Member Atkins also met with the San Diego region members of the California Association for Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES), who constitute the majority of non-public schools in the San Diego area. The CAPSES region members thoroughly enjoyed interacting with Assembly Member Atkins who eagerly discussed various issues of concern for schools in providing special education and services to children in these difficult economic times. Dr. Fitch, current CAPSES President, noted that Assembly Member Atkins showed great interest in CAPSES’ concerns and asked to be kept apprised of issues of concern to CAPSES members.

Assembly Member Atkins was elected in November 2010 to represent California’s 76th Assembly District in which three of TIEE’s four schools are located, including COOK Education Center, Urban Skills Center, and Children’s Workshop.

Students, Families, and Staff celebrate with Thanksgiving feasts

Thanksgiving celebrated at COOK Education Center with traditional feasts

COOK Education Center held two celebrations
The COOK Foundations Program Thanksgiving Feast
The students enjoyed a turkey sub sandwich, along with a selection of yummy side dishes and fantastic desserts!

We celebrated with fall colored tablecloths and turkeys that the students designed in art class. Thanks to families for all your help in making our feast a success!

COOK Education Center’s Secondary Program had a wonderful time sharing a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with their family and friends. In true Thanksgiving style, guests gorged themselves on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and rolls with cookies and cupcakes for dessert.

A big thank you to Kathy Olsen and Juliet Sy for helping with decorations, setting up, and serving this great feast. And another thank you to Josie Myers for cooking up a wonderful gluten free/casein free meal for our guests with dietary restrictions. And thank you to all who sent in donations. It was wonderful to see everyone and share this time together.

Feast at Urban Skills Center
The Urban Skills Center program held it’s Annual Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday 11/22/11. We were thrilled to have over 80 students, staff, family members and alumni join us for this tasty event. Some of the highlights of the meal included stuffing made by Ms. Martin’s Food Prep class, gravy made by Mr. Forthun’s Food Prep class, vegan mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, fried rice roasted blue potatoes and pasta made by Ms. Alana’s Food Service (i.e, Kangaroo Cafe) class, sweet potatoes prepared by Ms. Lepard, salad prepared by Mr. Johnson and all the delicious desserts and soft drinks donated by our families. Special thanks too to Mr. MacAskill’s purchasing class for shopping for our ingredients. We also want to thank all the families that donated money to help fund one of our treasured annual events. A wonderfully delicious time was had by all!!!