Special education information from ACPS

News from ACPS: Alexandria City Public Schools 

SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHTS IEP PROCESS

The next Special Education Family Engagement Series workshop, “Understanding the IEP Process,”is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 10-11:30 a.m.It will take place in Room 134 at the T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus, 3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Space is still available. The workshop is designed to give parents of children newly receiving special education services a basic understanding of the IEP process in ACPS. Register by Friday, Nov. 22, by contacting ACPS Parent Support Specialist Janet Reese at 703-824-0129.

 

STATE CONDUCTS 2013-14 SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT INVOLVEMENT SURVEY

The Virginia Department of Education is asking all parents of children receiving special education services in the Commonwealth to complete the 2013-14 Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. Information from the survey is used by each state to complete its Annual Performance Report, to be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, in keeping with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The survey is anonymous and is very brief, taking only a few minutes to complete. It is available in both English and Spanish. The online survey can be completed any time up until June 30, 2014. Copies of the survey in paper form, along with accompanying postage pre-paid envelopes, for those parents who prefer them to the online format, will be available at the Anne R. Lipnick Family Resource Center, Room 134, T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus, 3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria.

Thanksgiving with special needs kids is hard!

Thanksgiving with special needs kids is hard! 

It’s hard with so many different people, people that could be unfamiliar.

It's hard with so many people that don’t understand special needs children, my children. 

It’s hard with so many things going on at one time, talking, cooking, loud tv with football.  Children don’t know what to do, where to go, who to be with.

It’s hard with so many food choices that they don't always like or can’t eat.

It’s hard with so many social cues that they don't get or can't understand.

It’s hard to take kids with special needs out of their comfort zone.  

It’s hard because they don’t have what they may need to calm them selves or to occupy them selves.

It’s hard because adults socialize, kids with special needs don’t socialize, they need activities, they need to be engaged. 

 You want the host to make it conducive for all kids - not just the older kids, or the little kids, or all the girls or all the boys.  

 Accept the special needs child, and make ALL children feel welcome. 

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

( via the Coffee Klatch) 

ACPS Parent Resource Family Engagement Series

2013-14 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SERIES

Puberty & Children with Intellectual Disabilities & Autism

Wednesday, November 13, 2013  7:00 - 9:00pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

The goal of this workshop is to give parents the tools they need to teach their child about their changing body and how to set appropriate boundaries to remain safe. Body changes, hygiene, privacy & prevention of exploitation are addressed.

Presented by: Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist
Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on November 6, 2013. Be sure to register prior to this date.

Understanding the IEP Process

Wednesday, December 04, 2013  10:00 - 11:30am
Monday, May 05, 2014  10:00 - 11:30am
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Room 134 (Family Resource Center)

This informative workshop is designed to give parents, new to ACPS Special Education services, a basic understanding of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

Presented by: Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist Capacity: 10 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on November 22, 2013 & April 28, 2014.

Be sure to register prior to these dates.

10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Assistive Technology

Wednesday, January 15, 2014  7:00 - 8:30pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

This informative workshop will answer ten of the most frequently asked questions regarding Assistive Technology (AT), to increase parents awareness. Questions include: How is AT accessed? Is AT geared towards a specific disability?

Presented by: Jennifer Holloway, ACPS Lead Assistive Technology Specialist Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on December 15, 2013. Be sure to register | 703.824.6650  

	Executive Function Strategies to Empower Your Child

Wednesday, January 29, 2014  7:00 - 9:00pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

This workshop will allow parents to gain insights into empowering their child to strengthen executive function skills, thereby allowing them to gain confidence and improve their emotional, organizational, academic and social skills. The presenter is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of ADHD coaching for youth, and author ofEmpowering Youth with ADHD: Your Guide to Coaching Adolescents and Young Adults.

Presented by: Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, MCC, SCAC
Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on January 22, 2014. Be sure to register prior to this date.

College Planning & Preparation for Students with Learning Differences

Wednesday, February 19, 2014  7:00 - 9:00pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

This workshop will provide parents with strategies to help their student to plan, prepare & successfully remain in college. It will focus on testing accommodations, appropriate college support services, SAT vs. ACT tests, independence and self-advocacy. The presenter specializes in individualized college planning for students with learning differences.

Presented by: Joan Witten, Education Consultant, The College Consulting Collaborative Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on February 12, 2014. Be sure to register prior to this date.

What About Me?
Siblings of Children with Disabilities

Wednesday, March 19, 2014  7:00 - 9:00pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

Siblings of children with disabilities frequently struggle with feelings of resentment towards their sibling, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and at times believe they need to assume responsibility for their sibling. Often they even feel ignored by their parents and isolated from their peers. The focus of this workshop is to give parents the tools to help siblings cope with conflicting feelings, gain confidence and understand how to manage their family situation.

Presented by: Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist
Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on March 12, 2014. Be sure to register prior to this date.

Managing Anxiety & Building Resilience in Children with ADHD, ASD & Learning Differences

Monday, April 07, 2014  7:00 - 9:00pm
T.C.Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus  Media Center

Academic struggles and trying to navigate socially through a world that doesn’t make sense can lead to anxiety in many children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) & learning differences. The goal of this workshop is to give parents some strategies to help their children manage anxiety and stress, cope with disappointment, and maximize their strengths.

Presented by: TBD
Capacity: 30 participants
NOTE: Registration closes on April 01, 2014. Be sure to register prior to this date.

VA special education parent survey

State Conducts 2013-14 Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

The Virginia Department of Education is asking all parents of children receiving special education services in the Commonwealth to complete the 2013-14 Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. Information from the survey is used by each state to complete its Annual Performance Report, to be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, in keeping with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The survey is anonymous and is very brief, taking only a few minutes to complete. It is available in both English and Spanish.

The survey is a means of collecting from parents demographic information such as the age and ethnicity of their child. Parents are asked to indicate the school division where their child is enrolled and their child's primary educational disability or exceptionality. The survey further asks for information about the parent's involvement in the IEP process and knowledge of available options, in the event that an agreement is not reached regarding the IEP. It asks parents to indicate whether their child's school division has provided them with information on the local special education advisory committee and about local community resources, supports, services, trainings and activities.

The online survey can be completed any time up until June 30, 2014. Copies of the survey in paper form will also be available shortly, along with accompanying postage pre-paid envelopes, for those parents who prefer them to the online format. The paper surveys will be available at the Anne R. Lipnick Family Resource Center, Room 134, T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus, 3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria.

Questions about the survey should be directed to Alexandria City Public Schools Parent Support Specialist Janet Reese at 703-824-0129.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013VAParentInvolvementSurvey

Packing for College

Here are some of the suggestions/ideas for college packing

 

- big zip lock bags for packing. Use for clothes, bedding, towels, etc. (so much better than a trunk and when you are at school they can get folded up and put in the bottom of a drawer)

-duffle bag instead of suite case for the trips to/fr school.

- bed risers - put under the legs of the bed to raise it up for more storage underneath

- mattress bag - put around the mattress for bed bugs, etc..  

- small fan. Helps even if you have ac but also good for white noise to block out dorm noise

- small lamp or desk lamp - the dorm light is usually pretty bad.

- power strip and extension cords - lots of them!

- tacky stuff to hang pictures/posters etc.

- bulletin board – only if there is enough wall room

- hangers - bring lots!  (don't transport clothes on hangers).

- flip flops for the shower/bathroom

- shower caddy/bucket. The smaller the better but hard to find.     (Try the container store)

- laundry bag (not a basket - unless lots of room in the dorm room- it takes up a lot of room).

 

Label everything!  Get fabric markers and label every towel, pillowcase,article of clothing.

Use colored duct tape to mark power cords, electronics, other items.

 

Bedding -

2 sets of sheets

2 pillows

Throw pillow

1 Comforter

1 Blanket

Towels - 2-3 big ones

Small hand towels 2

Wash clothes - only if you use them

Beach towel

 

Toiletries - take 2 of everything just in case something gets lost or you run out.

(2 deodorants, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc..) can keep this stuff in a Rubbermaid container under the bed.

Also, write name on all this stuff with a sharpie. Amazing what you leave in the bathroom or that someone just helps themselves too.

 

Take varying sizes of rubbermaid containers to keep food/snacks in. (keep bugs/mice away), store stuff, etc..

 

Plastic cups - so you can always have something to drink, put stuff in etc..

 

You don't have to take all the clothes now. Take only what you will need at first. Then stuff can be shipped or swapped out over breaks.

 

Make sure you have pictures of the family and friends.  Print out some picsand put in frames. Create small photo albums to keep around. (everyonekeeps pics in their phones but it's nice to actually have pics in frames around the room)

 

Care packages -----

-Make sure one will arrive right after school starts,  Day 2 or 3.

- send snacks etc..  Don't send stuff

-if you send laundry detergent, etc. put fun stuff in too - nail polish, food, magazine, etc..

Send packages of stuff that are needed fr amazon

Always send enough to share.

Get an Amazon Prime Account – so worth the free shipping!

 

Find out about laundry - does it use a prepaid card? If so, great to get a few cards already full of $.

Take detergent that is pre measured - tide pods, purex sheets, etc..  

 

Bank account - figure out what/how it works at School.

Does she need a checking acct. debit card etc

 

Computer/cell phone etc..

Most schools have help in setting this stuff up once you get there.

Just make sure the wifi stuff is set up and not running off data plan all the time.

Make sure laptop has name on it. Keep track of serial #.

Make sure cords, chargers, etc have identifying stuff. (see duct tape above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packing List ---

 

 

Advil

air freshener - any type of freshener - probably not plug in since

     outlets are scarce

backpack

bed risers

binders

blanket

book light

boots - hiking and/or rain

calculator

calendar/planner

cell phone and charger

clock/clock radio/home for the cell phone (docking station)

Clorox wipes

coat - sport coat

comforter

computer

computer case

crates - storage

cups - plastic

deodorant

desk lamp

detergent

dryer sheets

duct tape

extension cords/surge protectors - at least 2-3

fan - even if there is ac, good for white noise

flash light

flip flops (shower shoes!)

hangers/slacks hangers

headphones

highlighters

hooks - over the door bathroom, room, etc..

kleneex

laundry bag

markers

mattress pad

mattress bag - allergy/bed bug

notebooks/folders

pencils/pens

photos

pillows

posters

poster mounting/sticky stuff

post its

razor(s)

rubbermaid storage containers - under bed, food, etc.

rug

shampoo

sheets

shower caddy

sponges

soap

sweatshirts

toothbrush/toothpaste

towels - hand and bath

trash can

umbrella

 

 

 

 

 

for suite living ---

cleaning supplies:

 sponges

toilet paper 

 toilet brush

 cleanser

 lysol wipes  

 trash can(s)

trash bags 

 broom and/or dustpan w/ brush

 

 

bathroom stuff:

 plastic drawers for keeping stuff in the bathroom

 over the shower head shower caddy

 bath mat

 over the door hangers

 toothbrush holder

 hand soap

 

Screening of the film "The United States of Autism"

On Thursday, June 06 7:30pm - 9:25pm in Arlington, VA at AMC Courthouse Plaza 8,  there will be a screening of the film â€œThe United States of Autism.†Very inspirational!

I trust this email finds you well.  I am the mother of a teenager on the Autism Spectrum as well as the President of The Tommy Foundation, a non-profit for Autism, and one of the Executive Producers of a film about the subject called "The United States of Autism." It is for this last project that I wanted to touch base with you today.  On Thursday, June 06 7:30pm - 9:25pm in Arlington, VA at AMC Courthouse Plaza 8,  there will be a screening of the film which follows one man's 11,000 mile, 40 day journey across the American landscape to visit twenty families and individuals affected by autism while searching for answers for his own son. With interviews from around the nation that include the widest spectrum of backgrounds - each conducted in the participants' original language - the film weaves a broad and compelling tapestry across the spectrum of American life in all its faiths, disparities, colors, and cultures. What he learns along the way will change not only his life, but the lives of those he meets, forever. It's a story about the best days that still lie ahead for our nation, the families, and the people who give America its heart.

 

The film opened to a sold out NYC venue on April 5th and has been highly praised.  It is our hope that you will consider sharing information about the film with families and staff or other interested parties.   Tickets can be purchased within the next 20 days at: http://www.tugg.com/events/4070

 

 

In the news:

 

From a station in Iowa: http://www.siouxlandnews.com/story/22071763/the-united-states-of-autism-documentary-premieres#.UXnZfi-gy9Q.facebook

 

From Lancaster Newspapers: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841783_-The-United-States-of-Autism-.html

 

Utah: http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/story/The-United-States-of-Autism/mTcTL-GX7UOYbKBwuQaQTQ.cspx

 

Albany, NY: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Colonie-family-featured-in-documentary-United-4424130.php

 

Grand Rapids, MI: http://fox17online.com/2013/04/24/local-organization-celebrates-national-autism-awareness-month-with-screening-of-advocacy-movie/#axzz2RPjQ8LAH

 

Rock Rapids, IA: http://www.ksfy.com/story/21861345/rock-rapids-family-spreads-autism-awareness-in-film-the-united-states-of-autism

 

Savoy, IL: http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_idH4712

 

 

The film has already been screened in over 20 cities with requests in more than 30 more. 

 

Grad student looking for parents of special education students

My name is David Blaiklock and I am working on my dissertation at George Mason University. My study is focused on how parent centers such as the Parent Education Advocacy Center (PEATC) help parents participate in IEP meetings. I am recruiting parents to participate in interviews.
If you know anyone who either has or you think has used the services at PEATC, then please forward this to them.
Interested participants can contact me at 703-568-2055 or dblaiklo@masonlive.gmu.edu.

Change in diploma options for students with disabilities

I received this today from PEATC:


Attention Virginia Parents of Students with Disabilities!
Changes are coming to those students who are entering 9th grade in the Fall (2013-14 school year). There will be no more modified diplomas and the only diplomas offered in Virginia will be the Standard diploma and the Advanced diploma. The Virginia Board of Education has adopted revised high school graduation standards for students with disabilities.

The Virginia Board of Education's approved "credit accommodations" for students with disabilities (see http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2013/03_mar/agenda_items/item_a.pdf) would allow students' IEPs to specify alternate options to meet the Standard Diploma requirements.
This is a huge change in Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education is working on creating Guidance Documents so that all school systems know how to implement these changes.

Note from a client

I love getting notes from clients. I love helping them and their children.

"I wanted to thank you so much for letting me know about Oakwood. My son has been accepted for the fall and we are going to start him in the summer camps in a few months. We are very excited about it and grateful to you for the guidance." - L.L., Alexandria, Va

What ADHD Students Wish Their Teachers Knew

What ADHD Students Wish Their Teachers Knew
Written by Lisa Gridley

Although each child should be treated as an individual with their own strengths, challenges and needs, here is a list of the most commonly experienced issues for students with ADHD.

I have a condition called Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder. It is a real medical condition which doctors define as impairment to my executive functions (cognitive management system) in my brain. That means that learning is hard for me because executive functions include:

Organization, prioritizing, estimating time and starting work
Focusing, sustaining and shifting attention to tasks
Regulating alertness, sustaining effort and processing speed
Managing frustration and modulating emotions (worry, disappointment, anger)
Utilizing working memory and accessing recall
Monitoring and self-regulating action (behaviours such as impulsiveness, hyperactivity and social skills)

The part of my brain that manages these skills is like an orchestra conductor who tells all the musicians how to play together and on time to make beautiful music. My conductor is having trouble communicating with the musicians and so I need your help.

I am not crazy, lazy, bad or stupid. In fact, my IQ score is most likely above average to average and many people with ADHD are also gifted. But because my brain is wired differently than regular students, I sometimes feel stupid or bad. Sometimes it's hard for me to admit that I need help. Sometimes it's easier and less humiliating to act like I understand or to act angry to distract you from finding out that I am having trouble and so that the other kids in the class don't know that I'm struggling. I need to know that you won't make fun of me and shame me when I ask for help. Another challenging thing about having ADHD is that one day I can do something really well but the next day, I can't. Please don't make me feel bad by saying, "I know you can do this if you really try - you did it yesterday." Instead, show me how to get started just as if I was learning it for the very first time. You can also help me by letting me try some of the work but checking it quickly to make sure that I've got the right idea. Don't let me do a bunch of the work wrong because I'll have trouble getting the wrong way out of my mind and I'll be very annoyed that I have to do the work all over again.

Because you cannot see my ADHD, you might have trouble remembering that I need your help. When you look at me, pretend that I am a blind student and think about how you would feel about helping.

I have a lot of trouble controlling my behaviour sometimes. Being inside my head is like having several radio stations all playing at the same time so it's hard to just listen to one. It's very stressful and frustrating and so sometimes when you ask me to do something and I respond in a negative way, it's because I simply can't handle any more stress.

You can really help me by pretending that you're my coach. Good coaches get the best performance from their players by encouraging them, rewarding them and praising them immediately, especially in front of others. Punishment for things that I'm not very good at only makes me feel worse about myself. And please don't embarrass me in front of the class - please talk to me privately about issues. I sometimes have trouble making and keeping friends and responding appropriately to social interactions. Please coach me on how I can do things better. Show me in detail, model it for me - I don't tend to learn well if I'm just told how to do something. And give me praise and encouragement when I try.

To help me remember the rules, please post them somewhere where I can constantly see them. I'll need your help to know when I'm breaking a rule and reminders and warnings to follow the rules - basically, I need practice to follow the rules. Let me know right away if I'm breaking a rule and let me know what I should be doing instead.

I'll need your help to learn and practice: organization skills (things like writing assignments in my agenda, planning them out, completing them, and getting them back to you when they're due), note taking, study skills and test taking strategies. When you mark my work, please look for areas that I am struggling with and show me how I can do better.

It's really hard for me to remember lots of instructions when you give them all at once. Please give me one instruction at a time. For assignments, it really helps if I have written instructions so I don't have to try and remember everything.

The medication that I am taking helps me to focus and calms my hyperactivity. But as I grow, my medication may need to be adjusted. You can really help by letting my parents know if you notice that my medication is not working as well as it did.

Even with the help of medication, I still feel the need to move. Movement helps me to learn. Sometimes it helps if I can stand while you're teaching. Sometimes I really need to work off the energy because it feels like I've got high voltage electrical currents running up and down my arms and legs. Let's develop a private signal that lets you know that I'm really needing a break from sitting still - I could run something to the office for you, hand out or collect papers or wipe off the board. Or you could involve the whole class in a stretch break and no one would know that it's really just to help me.

Do not take away recess or gym as punishments. I desperately need physical activity several times a day to work off the excess energy that I have and relieve the stress of having to sit still for so long. Without this time to 'blow off steam', I am more likely to have increased hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

The other thing that helps is if I have something to do with my hands. Clay, a stress ball or even an elastic helps my body to get rid of the extra energy.

Finding a good seat in your classroom is important. I may need to sit at the front of the room so that I'm not distracted by what all the other students are doing and so that I'm closer to you when I need help. Or I may do better at the back of the room so that I'm not always turning around to see what's going on behind me. Being at the back also takes away my 'audience' and allows me to stand up if I need to without distracting the other students. I also need to sit somewhere away from other distractions like windows and pencil sharpeners and other students who are struggling. And it helps if I can sit beside a student who can help me when you're too busy because when I need help, it's hard for me to wait.

If you see that I've lost my focus, please give me a private signal to get me back or walk by my desk and touch my shoulder. Or say something like, 'Now this is very important, so please pay attention.' Please don't ever humiliate me by using sarcasm or sayings like 'Earth to _______'.

I can be very sensitive to small noises and sensations like the hum of fluorescent lights, the temperature of the room, the tags inside my clothes or the sound of the kid behind me as he writes. Sometimes, I just can't concentrate because these small things are so distracting. It helps if I have a quiet place to go to if I feel the need or if you see that I'm having trouble concentrating but please give me the choice to go there. Do not force me to go there because it will only humiliate me in front of my friends. If you offer this 'quiet place' to the whole class, it helps me to accept the option without feeling centered out.

I have trouble making transitions from one task to another especially if I'm doing something that I enjoy. Sometimes I can hyper focus and it's hard for me to stop and change tasks. You can help me by giving me advance notice that we will be starting something new in a few minutes. It gives me the time that I need to work on putting the brakes on in my mind. Changing from doing something active to doing seatwork (coming in from recess or gym) is especially hard for me. Help me by slowing me down gradually and rewarding me when I settle quickly.

Handwriting is difficult for me. Please let me print if I want to. Using a computer is even better because I can think faster than I can write and a computer will help me to get my thoughts down without having to worry about mistakes and organization which can be corrected later.



http://www.caddac.ca/cms/page.php?49+

NPR wants to hear from special needs parents

WAMU 88.5's The Kojo Nnamdi Show is putting together a program exploring the challenges faced by parents of children with special needs. Parents can share their experiences via an online form:http://www.publicinsightnetwork.org/form/wamu/b6cb19144eeb/what-is-it-like-to-have-a-child-with-special-needs or by e-mailing insight@wamu.org .
WAMU 88.5 is an NPR station in the DC area.

Let's Talk Kids: Professionally Facilitated Parent Discussion

Let’s Talk Kids

Professionally Facilitated Parent Discussion



Fourth Tuesday of the month, starting March 26

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

HOP - Hands On Play, 688 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria





Some Topics for Discussion:


· Developmental Milestones

· Feeding issues

· Navigating divorce with your child

· Ways to improve communication between you and your child,

· Separation and school anxiety

· Types of early childhood interventions and how to access them

· Appropriate discipline

· Sensory integration/processing






Facilitated by:


Cathy Canfield, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Children’s Counseling of Alexandria



Amanda Kelley, MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Functional Therapy Solutions LLC



Jamey L. Lord, M.A.T. CCC-SLP

Speech Pathologist

Speech Beginnings, PLC



Kellie Meehan

Educational Consultant

CARES - Children's Academic Resource & Educational Services




For more information contact: cathy@alexandriachildrenstherapy.com

News & Events from the Arlington Parent Resource Center

Please find below a list of events occurring during the month of March at the PRC and within Arlington Public Schools.  Please note that the PRC's session, Easing the Transition of Students with Disabilities from High School to Postsecondary Education, originally scheduled for March 4, 2013, has been rescheduled to March 18 to avoid a conflict with the

Registration is requested for all PRC Events.
Register online and download flyers at:  www.apsva.us/prc/events

Transportation/Parking:  All PRC Events are accessible via public transportation.   To learn more about public transportation options, and/or parking information, please contact the Parent Resource atemma.parralsanchez@apsva.us or use Metro's trip planner.

Autism Book Club: Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence by Liane Holliday Willey and Luke Jackson

March 1, 2013:  10am to 11am

Syphax Academic Center at Sequoia Plaza, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA  22204

Super Sibs Club

Thursday, March 7, 2013: 10am to 2pm

Gunston Community Center, 2121 N. Culpepper Street, Arlington, VA  22207

Siblings (Grades 2-5) of children with disabilities are invited to join us for fun, recreation and peer support.  Registration is REQUIRED, and space is limited. 

Easing the Transition from High School to Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities

NEW DATE: Monday March 18, 2013

Morning Session: 9:30am to Noon or Evening Session: 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Syphax Academic Center at Sequoia Plaza

2110 Washington Boulevard, Room 171, Arlington, VA  22204

This session will focus on post-secondary options with academic components - colleges and universities, as well as post-secondary programs designed for students needing intensive academic and vocational support services.  

Topics will include:

• IDEA v. Section 504
• Disability documentation
• Disclosure
• Beginning the post-secondary search process
• Summer programs for students with disabilities
• Legal responsibilities of colleges v high schools regarding disabilities, and the impact on students and families
• Campus services that provide "equal access" v. "above and beyond the law" programs

ADHD Parent Support Network Meeting

Wednesday, March 20, 2013:  7:00pm to 8:15pm

Syphax Academic Center at Sequoia Plaza, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Room 171, Arlington, VA  22204

Based on parent feedback, each session will address topics of interest to families of children with ADHD, and provide an opportunity for parents to participate in discussions and share tips, ideas, questions, concerns and resources with other parents, staff, and guest speakers.   Registration is requested. 

Arlington Public Schools and Community Events

Making College Affordable: Financing Your Education

Mon, March 4, 2013:  7:00pm to 9:00pm

Wakefield High School, 4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA  

Sponsored by US Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th)

This forum is designed to give parents information on student aid and provide options on how to finance higher education. Representatives from the US Dept. of Education, Sallie Mae, and other organizations, including NOVA, Marymount University, and Virginia Tech, will be on hand to answer questions. For more information or to RVSP, contact Krysta Jones at krysta.jones@mail.house.gov. Registration is not required, but encouraged.

Multicultural Parent Conference

Saturday, March 16, 2013:  8:30am to 1:00pm

Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA  

Workshops for parents on: What Grade Level Means: How to Interpret Your Child's Report Card; SOL, DRP, and other testing: ESOL/HILT services, Bullying, Communicating with Teachers, and more. Interpretation services in Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Mongolian, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Urdu will be provided. Free childcare for children ages 4-14 and lunch provided.  Sponsored by APS, Arlington County Parks & Recreation, Educación Para Nuestro Futuro (Edu-Futuro), Mongolian School of the National Capital Area, and LULAC.

Oakwood School Presents The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia

Part-time CCC-SLP Speech-LanguagePathologist (Old Town, Alexandria)

P-T CCC-SLP: Come join a small pediatric private practice in the heart of Alexandria's Old Town just outside of Washington DC! We are in need of a part time therapist - must be flexible and able to work into early evening hours. Competitive pay and continuing education allowance in a therapist owned office . Immediate start date. CCC and VA license required.
Call Jennie 703-535-7841 or email speechva@yahoo.com