( via the Coffee Klatch)
Monday, November 4, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
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.
Friday, October 18, 2013
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
Sunday, August 18, 2013
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
Monday, May 13, 2013
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 “The 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
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
The film has already been screened in over 20 cities with requests in more than 30 more.
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