CyberBullying research

1-800-869-6782

www.peatc.org

Attention Parents of Teens in grades 6 – 12

Please Help Prevent CyberBullying!

Provide Valuable Insight and Voice your Experiences and Concerns with the Growing Problem of Cyberbullying among Adolescents

As an educational researcher and PhD candidate in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, I am conducting research to examine cyberbullying from the perspective of teens in grades 6 -12. The information from this research may be utilized to increase awareness and help in the development of preventative strategies.

If you are interested in participating, I would like to invite you to share your experiences in a brief parent survey, and ask permission for your child to participate in a personal interview concerning cyberbullying.

Please contact me at 703-930-0367 ormary.guckert@gmail.com

Your experiences are valuable and will help inform school bullying interventions and educational policies!

Note: This Research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at GMU. All personal identifying information will be kept confidential by the researcher.

Oakwood school speaker series

FROM OAKWOOD SCHOOL: 


We invite you to join us for our first speaker of the year on Tuesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. in the gym. Weezie Parry, LWS, M.Ed. with Weaver and Associates in McLean, VA will be presenting “A Parents' Guide To Building Self-Esteem and Courage in Your Child.” Weezie’s area of expertise is child and adolescent therapy, specifically among children with ADD/ADHD, learning differences, and other challenges.

Kindly go to www.oakwoodschool.com to register for this event. 

News from the Alexandria Parent Resource Center

Anne R. Lipnick Special Education Family Resource Center 

Weekly Newsletter

Monica Sanjur: monica.sanjur@acps.k12.va.us
703.824.0129

THE VDOE's 2012-2013 SPECIAL EDUCATION INVOLVEMENT SURVEY: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012VAParentInvolvementSurvey

Paper copies of the survey have been distributed to every school. If you prefer to fill out the paper survey, ask your child's case manager or lead special education teacher for a copy. Attached to this email message you will also find files for the bilingual flyer and ideas for dissemination.

The Family Resource Center Thursday morning support group will meet this week  

10:00 am-Noon, Minnie Howard, Room 134, 3801 W. Braddock Rd, Alexandria

Please join us for coffee, bagels, and sharing.

November 7: College and Career Night for Students with Disabilities

6:30pm-8:00pm, Rotunda Room E201, T.C. Williams High School,3330 King St, Alexandria

Presentations by T.C.W. Director of School Counseling, Two and Four-Year Colleges/Universities, and T.C. Grads Student Testimonials. Learn about the STRIVE (Support & Training for Independence & Vocational Education) Program. The STRIVE Program provides opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities to transition from school to post-secondary training, employment and successful community living.

November 7: CARD STAR Training for Parents and Professionals

11:30am –12:30pm, Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore, MD

Strategies to Enhance Functional Participation in Activities of Daily Living. Presented by: Teresa Anderson, OTR/L, Meghan Hinderer, MS OTR/L, Megan Owens, MS OTR/L, and Jeanine Lindenstruth, MS OTR/L. Participants will learn fun and motivating ways to encourage functional participation during daily living activities such as feeding, dressing, and playing. Strategies for enhancing a child’s willingness to engage in purposeful activities will be presented. To registert: http://kennedykriegercard.eventbrite.com/ or call Stacey Duvall at (443) 923-7680

November 7: GPS+ (Generating Person-centered Solutions and Support)

7:00-9:00pm, Arc/ ASNV/ DSANV Hospitality Center, 98 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA

If you're a parent with a new diagnosis on the autism spectrum, or new to the Northern Virginia or experiencing a transition into school, middle school, high school or adult life, this event is well worth your time. Introductory resource information along with some important information on schools and county services will be provided with numbers to call and a path to take to start you on your way to providing your child and family all the services they might need. For more information: 703-532-3214, space is limited.

November 8: Bipolar Disorder and Severe Irritability in Children and Teens

7:00am – 9:00am, Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA

Dr. Kenneth Towbin, from the National Institute of Mental Health, will discuss the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder and severe irritability in children and teens at this workshop. He will also present strategies for parents to help their children, as well as treatment options and current research. For more information:703−204−3941

flyer attached, please distribute

November 10: Sensory Friendly Film: Wreck-It Ralph

All shows are at 10:00 am local time at various theaters.

AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy new current in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program. For more information:http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

November 10: Pathways to the Future

 9:00am-4:00pm, Chancellor High School, 6300 Harrison Road,Fredricksburg, VA

A free conference and resource fair for youth with disabilities, their parents/guardians and the professionals who support them.

Vendor fair and information sessions to assist you in preparing for the move from school to adult life in the community-TRANSITION!
Sponsored by (FACT) Fredericksburg Area Council on TransitionFor information, contact the disAbility Resource Center (540) 373-2559 

November 10: R.A.T.E. (Real Assistive Technology for Everyone) Conference 2012
8:00am-1:00pm, Rachel Carson Middle School, 13618 McLearen Rd, Herndon, Va
FREE conference, presented by FCPS Assistive Technology Services, to learn strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students especially those with special needs. For more information contact: Sandra Morrissette (skmorrissett@fcps.edu)

November 12: Access Lecture Series--Handling Difficult Behaviors in Children: Evidence-Based Strategies for Success
7:30-9:00pm, McLean Bible Church, Community Room A, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA
Children with Autism and other developmental disabilities can demonstrate challenging behaviors that parents and educators can find difficult to understand or change.  In this lecture, parents and professionals will gain an understanding of the reasons these behaviors occur and evidence-based intervention strategies that can be incorporated into daily routines and activities.Guest Speaker: Dr. Jane Barbin, Executive Director Behavioral Directions, LLC. For more information: erin.roundtree@mcleanbible.org or 703-770-2938. (Check out the Lecture Series website for the audio and handouts from previous lectures)

flyer attached, please distribute

November 13: Lunch Bunch with The Arc, ASNV and DSANV
Noon-2:00pm, Arc/ ASNV/ DSANV Hospitality Center, 98 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA
Bring a bag lunch and talk to experts about your questions and concerns in navigating the maze of services for individuals with disabilities and on the spectrum. Topics include what is on the top of your list but also can include: Getting a diagnosis, Medicaid Waivers, IEP's and other school issues, Guardianships, Special Needs Trusts, Recreation, Transportation, and Housing.  Please RSVP: 703-532-3214 Space is limited. 

flyer attached, please distribute

November 16: Special Siblings Workshop
10:00am – 11:30am, Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA
Siblings of children with disabilities are indeed special! Join us for this workshop to learn strategies to help support these special siblings. Learn how to explain a disability to a child, deal with emotions, maintain open lines of communication and handle sibling rivalry. For more information: 703−204−3941

flyer attached, please distribute

November 16: Respite Care Fair
11:30am – 1:30pm, Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA
Respite for parents of children with disabilities can enhance the quality of life for the entire family. Please join us for our annual Respite Care Fair to talk to respite care providers, view exhibits, and learn how to access information and resources. Refreshments & door prizes! For more information: 703−204−3941

flyer attached, please distribute

November 17: Dedication of the NEW Kelley Cares Miracle League Field
5pm, Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Alexandria, VA
Please come to the dedication of the new Miracle League baseball field created to celebrate athletes of all abilities.
flyer attached, please distribute

November 18: PMT (Parent Management Training) Classes12:30pm-1:30pm, North Spring Behavioral Healthcare, 42009 Victory Lane, Leesburg, VA
North Spring offers several distinctive residential programs for youth with emotionally disabilities in need of a structured residential setting. PMT teaches parents what research has proven to be effective ways to address behaviors which interfere with the child's ability to experience success. Positive reinforcement of replacement behaviors is at the core of PMT interventions and has been proven to be more effective in altering behaviors for the long-term. For more information: 1.800.777.8855.

John Adams Parents Co-Chair Differently Abled Children's Committee

After years of speaking to kindergarten through fifth-grade general education classrooms during October for Disability Awareness Month and April for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, Mildred Rivera and Yolie Carrasco are co-chairing John Adams Elementary School's Differently Abled Children’s Committee, created by the school's PTA.Congratulations ladies! For more information: http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news/good-news/gn2012110201.php

ADHD Coaching Strategies for Parents
This informative workshop by guest speaker, Jodi Sleeper-Triplett was presented November 1 at George Washington Middle School. For those that were not able to attend, the presentation slides are attached to this email as a PowerPoint file. If you are unable to access this attachment, copies are available at the Family Resource Center along with informative handouts from the author.
file attached 

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is offering FREE Signing ClassesThese classes are offered for parents and families of young children with hearing loss. All skill levels are welcomed! Child care is provided for children from birth-12 years old.
Class time: 6:15-7:45pm. Class dates are: Nov. 8 & 29, Dec. 6 & 13, Jan. 10 & 31, Feb. 21 & 28, March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18, andMay 2, 16, & 30. All classes are held on Thursday nights at VSDB,514 East Beverley St, Staunton, Virginia. Contact Kathy Guisewite for more information 540-414-5248 orkathy.guisewite@vsdb.k12.va.us

flyer attached, please distribute

Other Resources:

• The Virginia Ability Alliance maintains a calendar of local events . For more information:http://www.thearcofnova.org/info-referral/calendar/
• Youth Topics is a service of the Center for Children and Families, Department of Community and Human Services, City of Alexandria.
  Sign up to receive the Youth Topics Newsletter:https://enews.alexandriava.gov/index.php?CCheck=1
• SCAN's November calendar of offerings:http://www.scanva.org/downloads/parent-calendar-november2012.pdf

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For more information:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/emailers/ds121106.html

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For more information:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/emailers/ds121102.html

Common Signs of Dyslexia

 From LD OnLine – www.ldonline.com

Common Signs of Dyslexia

Reading problems can be tough on the whole family. If your child is struggling, the first thing to do is to find out why. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. It's a learning disability that can affect both boys and girls, and is more common in children whose parents also had difficulty with reading and writing.

Children with dyslexia can go on to become successful readers, but it's important to get extra help early!

Common signs

If these signs remind you of your child, talk with your child's teacher to see what extra help they can offer. If difficulties persist, talk to the principal about getting a free evaluation for your child.

Preschool

•  May talk later than most children

•  May have difficulty pronouncing words

•  May be slow to add new vocabulary words

•  May be unable to recall the right word

•  May have difficulty with rhyming

•  May have trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, colors, or shapes

•  May have difficulty learning how to write his or her name

•  May be unable to follow multi-step directions or routines

•  May have difficulty telling and/or retelling a story in the correct sequence

Kindergarten through fourth grade

•  Often has difficulty separating sounds in words and blending sounds to make words

•  Has difficulty reading single words

•  May be slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds

•  May confuse small words - at/to, said/and, does/goes

•  Makes consistent reading and spelling errors

•  May have trouble remembering facts

•  May be slow to learn new skills; relies heavily on memorizing  without understanding

•  May be impulsive and prone to accidents

•  May have difficulty planning

•  Often uses an awkward pencil grip

•  May have trouble learning to tell time

Adapted from ABC's of Dyslexia. (2000). International Dyslexia Association.

For more information on common signs of dyslexia, visit www.LDOnLine.org and visit our sister sites, ColorinColorado.org and ReadingRockets.org, for more information about learning.