Happy Holidays from Kool Kidz, Inc.!

Therapeutic Dance Program to Begin January 2009
Therapeutic dance will begin for the New Year, on January 26, 2009.  The 14 week program will run until May 11, 2009, which will be the final dance performance.  No classes will be held on February 16 or on April 6, 2009.  Two classes will be offered:  a 3 to 9 year old class from 4:00 to 5:00p and a 10 to 21+ year old class offered from 5:00 to 6:00p.  Classes are held on Mondays at the Dunwoody Community Church, 2250 Dunwoody Club Drive in Dunwoody, GA.  The emphasis of the class is on fitness, dance skill development, building self-confidence & self-expression, coordination, musical interpretation, and following motor commands.  The class is taught by physical therapists and may be appropriate as physical therapy intervention for some students.  The cost of the 14 week program is $275.  Sibling discounts are available.  Instructors are open to forming other classes in other areas of Atlanta.  A minimum of four participants and a somewhat large, free (or very inexpensive) area/space to work in is what is needed to start a new class.  Consider a centrally located basement!  For more information and registration details, please contact Christine Rather, PT at crather@koolkidzpt.com or call Christine at 678.480.6016.

Hippotherapy Program Re-born at Beau Blue in Canton, GA
Windy Thomas, a Kool Kidz OT, has re-started the Kool Kidz hippotherapy program at Beau Blue Barn in Canton.  There has been tremendous interest in the program and Windy is completely full on Wednesday afternoons.  Plans to expand in 2009 include Sunday afternoon time slots.  If you are interested in pursuing occupationally based hippotherapy for your child, please contact Windy at wthomas@koolkidzpt.com or call Windy at 404.695.5259. 
In addition, volunteers for this program are always needed.  It is a unique and interesting opportunity for volunteers, so if you know of any one in need of service hours or any one just wanting to give of their time in a meaningful way, please have them contact Windy.

Iron Men Program Will Begin Again After Holiday Season
The Iron Men fitness program for young men ages 13 and up will resume Sunday, January 25 and will run Sundays from 7 to 8 pm through the end of the 2009 school year.  The Iron Men program is run by physical therapists and participants are paired with a peer buddy to work out with each week.  Programs are individually designed to meet each participant’s strengths and challenges and includes activities to improve cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength/endurance/power and flexibility.  To reserve a spot in the Spring 2009 class, please contact Erin Wentz, PT at ewentz@koolkidzpt.com or call Erin at 404.406.9351.

Kool Kidz Walk, Run, Swim 100 Miles in 2009
Kool Kidz is introducing a new fitness program for children of all abilities and all ages in 2009.  The purpose of the program is to promote of the importance of aerobic activity and movement in general for everybody.  Participants will receive an aerobic mile log to track their activity that will be turned in electronically on a monthly basis.  Five minutes of continuous walking (assistive devices allowed), running or swimming constitutes ¼ mile. Time spent doing aerobic activity during therapy counts towards  participants’ aerobic miles.  Monthly updates will be emailed to all participants.  Prizes will be awarded every 25 miles completed.  The program will begin January 1, 2009, but participants can join at any time.  Email Erin Wentz at ewentz@koolkidzpt.com to get your aerobic mile log as soon as possible.  You don’t want to miss out on the fitness, fun and fabulous prizes in 2009!

From the Kool Kidz Office Staff…
The Kool Kidz office staff gently reminds all families to please forward all insurance checks sent to families, instead of to Kool Kidz, to the Kool Kidz office immediately upon receipt.  In addition, for families with Medicaid, please keep track on your own of the number of units approved each month for your child and the number of units utilized.  Your therapist is also trying to keep track, but the ultimate responsibility for accuracy and compliance resides with the family.

New Insurance in 2009?  Don’t Forget to Tell the Kool Kidz Office…
The beginning of a new year means new insurance for many families.  If your family has new insurance in 2009, please fax the front and back of the card to the Kool Kidz office as soon as possible as to not delay the processing of your child’s account or cause your family to receive any unnecessary bills.  Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated.  The Kool Kidz office fax number is 770.592.9431.

Thank You to Our 2008 Holiday Card Cuties
Thank you to Ricky, Caroline and Carson for appearing on our 2008 Holiday Card; you really put us in the holiday spirit!