Friday, February 7, 2014

This workshop will provide parents with strategies to help their student to plan, prepare and 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

Workshop Registration:
Please contact Janet Reese
Parent Support Specialist
703.824.0129

janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us

Interpreter services are available only with prior notice. Two weeks prior notice is required, to be able to provide on-site interpretation for any workshop.

NOTE: Registration closes on February 12, 2014. Be sure to register prior to this date.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Alexandria Preschool Programs

If you are looking for a preschool program the City of Alexandria offers three early childhood programs that are as follow and can be found at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/preschool/index.php
1) Pre-Kindergarten (VPI)
2) Preschoolers Learning Together (PLT)
3) Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

The PLT applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be available on March 1, 2014 and below there is more information regarding this great PLT program!
I hope this helps you to find the right program for your child.

The Alexandria City Public Schools invites three- and four-year-old typically developing children to be included in three hour preschool classes for children with delays in their development. Typically developing 3- and 4-year-old children from the community serve as role models for language, play, social and physical skills for preschoolers with special needs. In return, they receive a free developmental screening and a quality early childhood program taught by a teacher with a degree in early childhood special education and a qualified para-professional.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jane Richardson
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
5651 Rayburn Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
Phone: 703-578-8217
Fax: 703-578-8218
E-mail: jane.richardson@acps.k12.va.us

APPLICATION CRITERIA OF PLT PROGRAM

Family is able to provide transportation for student to attend a half day class (8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. or 11:20 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.) Monday through Friday.
Children must be two years, 6 months to four-years-old by September 30.
Children must pass a developmental screening and be observed by an ACPS preschool special education teacher.
Preference given to children who live within the school boundaries of Jefferson-Houston, Charles Barrett, and John Adams.
Preference given to children who have had no formal early childhood school experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Complete the PLT program application (available March 1) athttp://www.acps.k12.va.us/preschool/plt.php

Step 2: Return completed application to the preschool site closest to your home:

Jefferson-Houston: Caitlyn Schnure or via e-mail to caitlyn.schnure@acps.k12.va.us
Charles Barrett: Heather Chiles or via e-mail to heather.chiles@acps.k12.va.us
John Adams: Paula Craft or via e-mail to paula.craft@acps.k12.va.us
Step 3: Participate in a Screening Event and Play Observation.

Step 4: Receive notification in June. Parents must sign an agreement ensuring that their child will attend school five days a week, according to the school schedule. Parents must also register their child at the school and must provide transportation.

School Registration - required documentation for ACPS registration:
Two different documents showing Alexandria City residency (ex. a rent receipt, lease agreement, utility bill, or personal property tax receipt)
Child's original birth certificate (will be copied in the school office)
Proof that the adult registering the child is the parent or legal guardian (names on birth certificate matches the parent's picture ID or court documents of legal custody)
Completed Virginia School Entrance Health Form showing a physical examination given within 12 months prior to child's first day of school, showing required immunizations (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, and hepatitis B).
Results of PPD tuberculin skin test given within previous 12 months with dates received and read, or a written risk assessment statement from a licensed health care provider.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Dance classes for special needs children

Saturday morning dance classes are being offered for children with special needs and their siblings. Session A, Movement Class, is for children who want to focus on social interactions, relaxation techniques, body awareness and fun. It is suited to beginning dancers or children still working on participating in a group. Session B, Choreography Class, is aimed at children who want to learn dance technique and choreography to music. For more information, contact Elizabeth McKenzie atElizabethM@skillbuildersllc.com, (703) 941-7757, ext. 107.

Monday, January 27, 2014

ACPS begins to recruit for AVID Program

Recruitment Begins for Expanded AVID Program

January through March marks a key time for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Based on the Alexandria City School Board's approval of the 2014-15 Program of Studies, AVID will expand to include sixth-grade students at both middle school campuses. Currently, AVID is offered to students in grades seven through 12 in ACPS.

T.C. Williams AVID students attend the African American Student Leadership Conference sponsored by Bryant Education Leadership Group in Washington, D.C., in January.

AVID, a college readiness system, is designed to support students who may be the first in their families to attend college, are historically underrepresented at four-year colleges, possess 2.0-3.5 grade point averages and are deemed in the "academic middle" and truly are determined to go to college. Each interested student must complete an application, take part in an interview and be selected by the site team.

AVID students are expected to take one or more rigorous courses, including Algebra in the eighth grade and an honors or Advanced Placement course, and to take part in consistent community and service events. Over time, AVID students will have opportunities to visit anywhere from 10-12 colleges during their middle and high school years. These students are eligible for other benefits, such as free college entrance testing, leadership opportunities, multicultural events and hearing from approximately 15 speakers each year. For the second year, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria also will give away a scholarship designated specifically for an AVID senior.

Lt. Col. Julie Freeman speaks to AVID 9 students about her choice to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania's nursing program as a ROTC student.

In ACPS, 340 students participate in AVID in grades seven through 12. This year's senior class will graduate 23 students who are now eagerly completing their FAFSAs, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria application, a minimum of four college applications each and scholarship searches, all with the help of various AVID supporters.

For more information on how a child can apply for AVID, please contact the AVID Site Coordinator at each campus: Erica Daniels, Stephanie Smith and Rhea Butler. For more information on the international program, visit the website.

CARES: Children's Academic Resource & Educational Services

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