Friday fun for some of our bus drivers and supervisors! The Pathway swing is fun for all — why should students have all the fun?

5 months ago, Carolyn Rammage
Three woman sitting on an outdoor swing, enjoying the sunshine.
Things are getting serious (and seriously fun) here at STEP! We’ve been diving into some "eye-opening" rounds of Monopoly and The Game of Life, and it’s about way more than just rolling dice.

These games are the ultimate practice for the real world. Our crew is busy:

Budgeting their bucks (and realizing how fast "rent" adds up!)

Navigating career paths and life’s unexpected twists.

Mastering the art of negotiation and decision-making.

Whether we’re buying up properties or choosing a college path, we’re building the skills needed for independence—one turn at a time.

Who knew "adulting" practice could be this competitive?
5 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
A group of young adults sitting around a white table in a brightly lit indoor space, playing the board game Life. One person holds a stack of game money while others focus on the colorful game board. In the background, there is an American flag, a purple staircase, and fitness equipment.
Four people are gathered around a table playing Monopoly. A young man in a bright orange hat appears to be speaking or explaining a rule, while a woman in a tan sweater manages the game's bank. A large digital screen displaying a document stands in the background of the classroom-like setting.
A close-up view of the same Monopoly game from a different angle. The player in the orange hat reaches out to move a game piece on the board. Neatly organized stacks of colorful Monopoly money and property cards are spread out on the table in front of the players.
Little astronomers at work—preschoolers design their own planets using creativity and imagination.
5 months ago, Kelsey Mickus
A group of preschool children sit around a table using markers and materials to decorate small round objects as they create their own planets.
Big fine motor wins! This 1st grade artist is coloring their way toward summer break. Growth never looked so bright 🌈
5 months ago, Kellie Hanlon
A child wearing a blue Sonic the Hedgehog t-shirt draws on a white piece of paper with a yellow crayon at a wooden table.
A child wearing a blue Sonic the Hedgehog t-shirt draws a rainbow on a white piece of paper with a blue crayon at a wooden table.
A child in a blue Sonic the Hedgehog t-shirt holds up a hand-drawn crayon rainbow on a white piece of paper.

Field Day 2026 at Northwest was a success! From snow cones to bounce houses to water play, there was a little something for everyone!

5 months ago, Rachel Bechard
A young boy wearing a camo jacket is holding the edge of a giant parachute, lifting it up high. Kids can be seen running around in the background, walking on top of the multi-colored parachute.
A woman pushes a young girl in a wheelchair while the young girl is pushing a giant ball on a grassy field.
Thank you to BIGGBY COFFEE for the free drink during Educator Appreciation Week! Your coffee is the best, and we truly appreciate your kindness and support for educators in our community.
5 months ago, Hayley Asher
Four woman in Biggby Coffee shirts pose together, smiling, in a coffee workplace.

Instructor Becky Precise, and Skills Trainers Abbey Schultz and Jody McConnell, are the heart and soul of the Project SEARCH program. Whether they are teaching new skills, building confidence, or cheering on our interns, these three make magic happen every single day.

5 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
Three smiling women stand close together in front of a large framed landscape painting of an autumn forest and river. They are all wearing black tops and identification badges. The woman on the left wears leopard-print pants, the woman in the middle wears maroon scrub pants, and the woman on the right wears dark pants.

Friday, April 30th, Great Start Livingston celebrated the opening of our sixth permanent StoryWalk in Livingston County at Colman Park in Green Oak Charter Township! Talking is Teaching ~ greatstartlivingston.org

5 months ago, Lauren Weber
Group of people stand behind a sign.
Adult women standing with group of small children looking at a plaque.
Mother and her two children reading a page from the story walk.
Ms. Dawn's class exploring outer space—preschoolers learn about planets through hands-on projector discovery and shared curiosity.
5 months ago, Kelsey Mickus
A teacher sits on the carpet with preschoolers, holding a projector as children gather around to explore images of planets together.
A close-up of a small classroom projector device sitting on the carpet, used to display images of planets for learning.
The moon image is projected onto the classroom ceiling while children watch and discuss what they notice.
A classroom ceiling displays a projected image of the sun as preschoolers sit below and observe during a space lesson.
Lunch break fun! Ms. Granger’s class headed to McDonald’s to practice real-world skills like ordering, budgeting, and social etiquette. Learning happens everywhere, and it tastes pretty great too!
5 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
An eye-level shot indoors shows people sitting and standing at a restaurant. Three people sit on chairs in front of a long light-colored table. The person on the left is wearing a blue hoodie, the person in the middle is wearing a green jacket, and the person on the right is wearing a black jacket. More people sit on the other side of the table. To the left, several people stand in a line. In the background, there are windows and a glass door. Four blue pendant lights hang from the ceiling. A garland with pink flowers hangs on the right wall. The floor is light-colored tile.
A Fowlerville Elementary student is using his assistive technology (SnapType on an iPad) to list the national parks! 🏞️ We are thankful for technology that gives students access to alternative ways to communicate and express their learning!
5 months ago, Kellie Hanlon
A student wearing vibrant, multi-colored swirl noise-canceling headphones types on a tablet screen in a hallway. They are standing next to an "Expected Behaviors" bulletin board that displays illustrated rules like "Keep hands to self".

Creating spaces where students feel happy and relaxed opens the door for engagement and meaningful communication. 💬✨

5 months ago, Jaime Oppenlander
Two adults with a young girl who is fishing in a swimming pool.
Young man holding sticks attending to a communication partner holding an ipad.
Our Project SEARCH interns spent their final day soaking up the sights of Howell before we pack up and head to our new home. While we’re sad to leave this community behind, we are incredibly proud of the growth and hard work these interns have shown here.

Next stop: Trinity Health in Brighton on April 20th! We can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds.
5 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
A group of five smiling young adults stands together outdoors in front of a building with a dark door and two green wreaths. They are dressed in casual clothing, including sweatshirts and polo shirts, with some wearing identification badges. The setting appears to be a courtyard or patio with brick details and potted plants.
Hands-on science in action—preschoolers explore caterpillars, ladybugs, and praying mantis eggs up close.
5 months ago, Kelsey Mickus
A preschool classroom table displays live insect habitats, including caterpillars, ladybugs, and praying mantis eggs, set up for children to observe and explore life cycles.

You're getting a behind-the-scenes look at how we support our students. Our Social Work and Speech services are working directly in the classroom to provide hands-on support right where learning happens.

Today's focus: coping skills for life.

By working together in the classroom, our specialists help students build essential tools to navigate challenges, manage emotions, and communicate effectively in real-world situations. It's all about empowering students with the resilience and confidence to thrive!

6 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
A group of people gathered around a large table in a bright, industrial-style community room or classroom, engaged in a collaborative activity or discussion.

Pinckney collaboration at the START Conference! PAC members and Special Education Directors joined forces to learn, connect, and bring back strategies to better support students with autism.

6 months ago, Amy Buchler
two woman posing together in a conference room setting.
A group of five female woman and one male posing in front of a banner sign that says "START"
Three woman posing together and smiling in a large conference room full of people.
Three woman posing together in a selfie.
Siblings and friends find each other during Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) in Fowlerville as they walk the track and have fun staying active in the sunshine! 🏃🏃‍♀️
6 months ago, Kellie Hanlon
Two young boys stand together with their arms around each other on a black running track. The boy on the left wears a dinosaur-print shirt and colorful shoes, while the boy on the right wears a grey sweatshirt. They are smiling in front of a chain-link fence and a grassy field under a bright blue sky.
Two young girls walk away from the camera, holding hands as they stroll down a black running track. The girl on the left has long blonde hair and wears a green hoodie, while the girl on the right has dark curly hair and wears a light blue sweatshirt. In the background, other children are visible on the track near a white building.
Feeling incredibly full after a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week!

A huge thank you to our amazing team for the special drinks, the delicious lunch, and this hilarious custom shirt (I promise to live up to the title!). While the treats were a highlight, what I cherish most is the culture we’ve built together. It’s not just about one week; it’s the daily respect, collaboration, and shared commitment to our students that makes this place home.

Also, a special shoutout to the PREP students—hearing from you made my heart melt. It’s a relief to know I’m not "the mean teacher" after all! 😂 I feel so seen and appreciated. Thank you for everything!
6 months ago, Pleasanna Carter
A selfie of the same smiling woman wearing a light pink t-shirt. The shirt has bold black text that reads, "PLEASANNA: The Solution to Every Problem."
A framed piece of wall art dedicated to "Mrs. Carter." The design features several colorful hearts, each paired with a student's name and a positive attribute, such as "Kind Olivia," "Smart Lindsay," and "Brave Gabe."
An open greeting card addressed to Pleasanna, an "incredible Transition Coordinator." The text expresses deep appreciation for her dedication, teamwork, and years of hard work putting students first. The bottom of the card is decorated with a colorful floral illustration.
A selfie of a smiling woman with long brown hair, sitting in a bright, modern lounge area. She is holding a clear plastic cup containing a pink smoothie or blended drink with a straw.
We are thankful for Mrs. Tracie, whose joy and expertise in OT, AT, and Speech helped make our immersive book experience meaningful and engaging for all learners. 💬
6 months ago, Jaime Oppenlander
Adult helping student sit on the floor while pretending to roast marshmellows.

In collaboration with our Educational Service Center, we created an immersive, camping-themed book experience for our Pathway students. Throughout the week, students engaged in Comprehensive Literacy for All lessons, culminating in a hands-on experience that brought their book to life. Students explored real-life items connected to the story—building shared experiences and prior knowledge that support comprehension and communication.

It takes a team! Grateful for our Assistive Technology Consultant, Tracie, for supporting engagement through communication, joint attention, and shared learning. The power of learning through play shines through every moment. 💬🤝🏕️

6 months ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Young man walking up a ramp
Group of young learners gathered at a kiddy pool
Young man sits by a makeshift camp fire.
Two teachers sit with a learner inside a pop up tent.