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Reflections
from
Connections

Connections Cares 2016

1/20/2017

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Connections Cares is the philanthropic arm of microConnections.  When the Connections students and staff created microConnections last year, we agreed that a significant part would include giving back to our community.  This was important to us as a large part of what we do is because of our community partners and support.  Connecting Families exists because of the community agencies that partner with us and donate their time to offer ongoing education about adult services in Illinois to our team and families.  We are thrilled to have our products available for sale in Naperville and this is due to Peace and the Alive Center.  A significant part of our vocational and internship program would not exist without our more than 50 community partners.  Our families support all that we do in many ways – they offer plants and tools for our garden, donated our Snack Shack sign, and support our fundraisers to name a few.  We strive to give a minimum of 10% of microConnections profits back to the community in the form of fleece blankets, dog toys, dog treats, pet blankets, and bookmarks.  In 2016, Connections Cares made the following donations:
  • 8 fleece blankets to the Edward Hospital Care Center and Ronald McDonald Family Room in Edward Hospital.
  • 5 pet blankets to the Naperville Area Humane Society.
  • More than 10 bags of dog treats to the Naperville Area Humane Society.
  • More than 5 cat toys and 20 dog toys to the Naperville Area Humane Society.
  • Approximately 250 bookmarks to the Naperville Education Foundation.
  • Flowers to Alden Estates of Naperville, Family Shelter Service, and Hesed House.
  • Weekly flower delivery to Sunrise of Naperville North.

Connections Cares is proud to share that these donations total approximately $1,000.  Additionally, Connections installed The Snack Shack using microConnections funds and community donations.  Lastly, Connections is proud to share that we raised the funds to complete the installation of our sensory garden this spring.  We are thankful for NCUSD 203, our families and community for all of your support, we couldn't have done it without you.  Thank You!
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Check Out the Naperville Public Library's Technology Services

1/19/2017

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Falling behind in classes? Need extra time to work on projects or assignments? The Naperville Public Library has your back. The Naperville Public Library has a specialized computer lab for individuals needing to seek access for computer software, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe, for specific project needs and requirements. Each computer lab has access to the Naperville Public Library’s online database and available software, as well as the ability to print, scan, and fax documents. Free admittance and WiFi makes the computer lab the more popular destination for hardworking individuals to obtain information or fax, scan, or print documents for less than $2.00 per sheet, There is no library card or reservation to reserve a spot in the computer lab. Stop into any of the Naperville Public Library’s computer labs today and their staff will be more than happy to assist you and answer any technical questions.  Opportunities such as computer classes and one-to-one assistance are offered on a regular basis to provide more in-depth learning. For more information, you email emerging technology services at ets@naperville-lib.org; check out their services here, computer and technology services; or contact 630-961-4100.

T    
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Top Ten Worst Movies Ever: #s 5-8

1/17/2017

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#8 Earth To Echo (2014)
There are movies that pay respect to an original film, there are mockbusters of animated movies, and then there are rip-offs of popular franchises like Earth to Echo!  
This movie leaves me well, ambivalent.  The movie is a complete rip-off of E.T: an alien is in need of returning home, he saves the kids from an oncoming truck, and the kids ride their bikes often (gee, like I haven’t seen that before).  Do we need to rip off where the kid flies over the moon like Hey Diddle, Diddle? There’s not much else to say about Earth to Echo; it’s a shameless cheap knock-off of ET that is profoundly dull.

#7 The Nutcracker in 3D (2009)

How can you not say that this is cliche?  This story of the Nutcracker has gone on for over 120 years and I’m frustrated that movie producers just want to keep making holiday movies based off this. During the holidays everywhere you turn you’ll see the Nutcracker - even in local elementary schools they perform it for the school play. Whenever I see the Nutcracker, I’m supposed to get overjoyed by it.  But after seeing this, just thinking about the Nutcracker sends me cringing. In this remake I really have to give credit to how bad the visual effects are in this movie and our badly animated main character has that special South Korean sweatshop toy appeal to him.

As if the directors and producers weren’t finished yet, they thought watching such a magical holiday classic needed to be in 3D. 3D is so overused now and more often than not you’ll see movies released in 3D that don’t really need to be in 3D at all. The reason why every film is in 3D is because 3D costs more and that means that if they released the film before the holiday season, they get some of that sweet, sweet “CHA-CHING”. This movie is a stab in the back to anybody who was a fan of the Christmas legend and whoever buys Nutcrackers. After watching this, I’ve learned that when you enter a theater that’s presenting a movie on a long time holiday favorite, don’t get your hopes up.

#6 Vampires Suck (2010)

*Groan*, how many more Twilight-based films is Hollywood going to pump out? People say that Twilight is just as good as the Harry Potter series but Twilight is full of stereotypes now. The only time I knew about this vampire franchise is all the girls at my elementary school lunch table just kept raving about it. When the writers and producers saw how thoughtless and profitable the Twilight series was, they thought, "Let's make another movie purely just to annoy fans of the Twilight series". Strangely enough, the Twilight franchise has a strange cult following to it. What is it about Vampires and romance that have to do with one another? I can just watch a Dracula film and claim that’s the only vampire movie in existence. Vampires Suck - I guess the writers thought it was hilarious that Vampires suck people’s blood and clearly people will find it hilarious.  This film lacks any form of originality; it’s a sloppy and recycled comedy, heck it can’t even be a comedy! Instead of focusing on a humorous vampire movie, Vampires Suck just puts actors in front of the camera to purposely ridicule pop culture for that hip MTV crowd.

​#5 Daddy's Home (2015)
I understand that Mark Wahlberg was trying to relive his juvenile days as a punky teenager but why, why did he decide that nearly 20 years after putting those days behind him that he wanted to act like a punky teenager despite being over 30 years old? Daddy’s Home has two well known actors, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.  The film is about Brad (Will Ferrell) who portrays an ignorant, neglectful, and self-centered stepfather who puts work first over his family any day and then his worst fears come true when their father, Dusty, (Mark Wahlberg) comes home.  Reluctantly the stepchildren choose Dusty over Brad.  Therefore, Brad and Dusty begin a rivalry by beating the tar out of each other and clash into epic matchups to win over their kids’ interest. I think they put a lot more effort into the Lakers’ game scene.  


T

Talk to us in the comments!  What do you think, do you agree or disagree with T?






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    From the Staff and Students at
    Connections
    Transition Services
    Naperville School District 203

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