Milwaukee
Snow Tubing Outing
DSAW was able to take advantage of the snow in a big way at our Snow Tubing Outing. We were able to spend the day tubing down the snowy slopes while the sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air.
Valentine’s Day Dance
We had a blast at our annual Valentine’s Dance! The state office was transformed into a red and pink extravaganza. The night commenced with music, dancing, games, and a whole lot of food, including delicious mini bundt cake from our dessert sponsor, Nothing Bundt Cupcakes. There was even a surprise visit from Frozen’s Elsa! Thank you to the DSAW families that joined us for this night of fun.
Nail Painting Party This month, we hosted our first ever Nail Painting Party to kick off Valentine’s Day. It was an awesome day filled with excitement, nail polish, and plenty of snacks!
Family Movie Event Lights. Cameras. Action. Family Movie Night is a fun opportunity for DSAW families to get together for a relaxing night of snacks and movies. This month we enjoyed a sensory-friendly, private screening of Pete’s Dragon! Families got to enjoy the movie with the sound played lower and lights on brighter.
Digitability Class
Our brand-new Digitability class had another successful month! This new course is an award-winning employment-readiness program used to prepare students with special needs for today’s tech-driven workplaces. Young adults meet Mondays and Wednesdays through May at the state office. Learn more here!
Relationships Class
We just started two new sessions of a course on relationships for individuals with special needs. Throughout the course, we will talk about personal boundaries, dating, self-defense, stranger danger, and safety. Learn more here.
Nutrition & Wellness Class
This month we continued our two sessions of the Nutrition and Wellness Class offered through DSAW and DSAW-Family Services. The class meets twice a week throughout the winter and participants will learn about personal health and well-being, exercise, and healthy cooking.
Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we discussed taking responsibility for our actions! In March we will be talking about self advocacy, self-advocacy skills, and why they are important. Register Here!
Cooking with the Kiddos
Cooking with the Kiddos happens every first and third Wednesday at our State office! Don’t worry about dinner plans — we’ll take care of it! Kids 8+ are welcome to join us next month!
Coffee Club Coffee Club is hosted at our state office on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. This acts as a great opportunity for DSAW parents and their loved ones to meet other families while enjoying coffee.
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. We also offer free music therapy in conjunction with playgroup! Sign up to join us!
Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. We also have a Young Leaders Class at our Northside location in Fox Point! This location meets the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 - 9 PM! Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime.
Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month we did winter/snow themed activities including a snowman activity and cookie decorating! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, March 8th. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up!
Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month at Cleveland Pub, in conjunction with Tween Club! Come join us for one of our favorite nights of the month on Friday March 8th!
DADs Meeting Fathers and male caregivers are welcome to join us the first Thursday of every month to come together and support each other. We discuss upcoming events, listen to speakers, recruit volunteers, and talk about our kids while enjoying food and drinks at the New Berlin Ale House.
Central Wisconsin
Movie Event
We had a “tale as old as time” at our own private screening of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Cedar Creek Marcus Theatre. We were able to relive the magic of the classic film while enjoying some delicious buttery popcorn and other fun snacks!
La Crosse
Parent’s First Call Training
In partnership with Parent to Parent of Wisconsin, we hosted a training to support parents and match them with new and expectant parents who are looking for resources and support. Connecting with another parent who has a child with Down syndrome can be one of the most helpful resources a parent will have – it can help make their journey a little easier.
Green Bay
Snow Tubing Event
Green Bay had a blast tubing on the snowy slopes at Kewaunee Winter Park! Smiles and laughter were abundant throughout the day despite the cold weather! Thank you to all the families who joined us for this fun day.
MADSS
Mom’s Take 5
MADSS has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! This month, moms gathered at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. We love this time for moms to enjoy conversation with one another over appetizers and drinks.
Dynamic Duals: DS-ASD MADSS & GiGi’s Playhouse sponsored Dynamic Duals this month! It is a group for families with a child with DS-ASD or other significant behavioral challenges. It’s a time to connect and have fun, share successes and resources, brainstorm ideas and strategies for challenges. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Wendy Kaplan at: info@MADSS.org.
Family Bowling & Pizza Party MADSS families enjoyed a Sunday Funday at Schwoegler’s bowling alley! We had so much fun bowling and mingling with families while eating yummy pizza!
Parent’s Night Out This month we had our first ever MADSS Parent’s Night Out in Rock County! Parents, grandparents, adult siblings, and caregivers joined us for a casual evening of conversation and good eats at Texas Roadhouse. Thank you to those who came out and joined us!
Sheboygan
DSAW-Sheboygan families enjoyed a fun day at Just4Fun Playland in February! The kiddos enjoyed the indoor playground that’s equipped with fluffy white clouds, a faux yard, a basketball court, and a giant rainbow play-system superstructure! This was such a fun way to to escape the winter weather together for a little indoor fun!
Fox Cities
Teen FrienDS Club
This month our teens painted their own pottery at the Fire in Appleton! Teen FrienDS Club is held at the DSAW-Fox Cities Office on the second Friday of each month from 6:30-9:30pm during the months of September-May. The club is for teens with Down syndrome ages 13-19. If your teen is interested in joining, please contact Maria SteenPorte at maria@dsawfoxcities.org.
Valentine’s Dance
Thank you to all of the families that joined us for our Valentine’s Dance at the Elk Lodge! Everyone had fun, young & old! A DJ and dancing provided great entertainment. We also enjoyed snacks, drinks, and crafts!
