The Connection

We hope you had a great February intersession break and are ready to be back! We are so excited to have our students back with us! In this edition of The Connection you will find many parent training opportunities from learning about developmental milestones, Understanding Your Child's IEP and the Family Connection Hopes & Dreams Conference! There is also information about a great opportunity to celebrate World Water Day!

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

F1S Programs for Exceptional Children presents

Understanding Your Child's IEP Parent Training

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

10:00 AM

Virtual Training

Register Here!

Join us to learn, from a representative of Family Connection SC, who will provide training and information for parents on the parts of an IEP and what to expect in an IEP meeting.

You are invited to join us for this free webinar for parents and caregivers of autistic children. Register today by clicking the link below!

Developmental Milestones in an Autistic Child's Early Years: Monitoring and Screening Resources to Support Your Child's Development

Thursday, February 27, 2025

5:15pm - 6:30pm EST

This is the second in our new 10-month webinar series for 2025 provided virtually by experts at the National Autism Center at May Institute. Please stay tuned for future webinars.

ABOUT THIS WEBINAR:

The first few years of a child’s life bring great joy as loved ones watch them grow. This pivotal time in a child’s development may also bring anxiety when caregivers have concerns about their child’s development or question if their development is on track compared to same-aged children. While these anxieties can lead to feelings of isolation for those unsure where to seek help and support, there are many helpful resources available to ensure all families have access to the support they need to help their children thrive in their early years of development.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Abigail Rix, M.A., LABA, BCBA

Senior Program Director, May Center for ABA Services and May Center for Early Intervention, West Springfield, Mass.

Register here!

Once you register, you will receive an email within 48 hours

to confirm your attendance and more information about the training.

Francis Marion University

Freshwater Ecology Center presents

World Water Day Celebration

Saturday, March, 2025

10 AM - 2 PM

3742 North Williston Rd

A Family Friendly Event

Featuring:

• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities for kids
• Fishing demos by SC DNR
• Live animals with Black Creek Wildlife Center
• Paddling demos by Naturally Outdoors
• Information tables by SC DNR/Pee Dee River Basin Council, SC DHEC, SC Office of Relisience, Pee Dee Land Trust, Winyah River Alliance, and more
• Be the Change table - learn more about the UN's World Water Day and make your personal commitments to solve the water and sanitation crisis
• Food Trucks

For additional information:

Dr. Jeff Steinmetz

843-661-1404/jsteinmetz@fmarion.edu

March 22 World Water Day

2023 Glacier Presentation

The Miracle League of Florence County is a modified style of baseball tailored towards participants with physical disabilities. This league is open to all ages, and is $20. Leagues are currently held in the Spring and Fall. All games are played on a new rubber-surface field at our Greenwood Park. The Miracle League is 7 weeks long (1 game per week) with 3 innings or 1 hour per game. All players get an at-bat each inning and they also have an on-field “buddy” that helps them during the game. Games are played during the week and Saturday mornings.

Please feel free to visit the Miracle League Facebook Page and the Miracle League Profile.

REGISTRATION for our 2025 Spring Season of Miracle League Baseball begins TODAY through February 27th with NO LATE REGISTRATION!!!

You can register online at the link below or call the Rec office at 843-667-0920. Don’t wait-get your athletes signed up!!

https://registration.florenceco.org/

Come join the fun and LET'S PLAY BALL!

Registration now open for our

Hopes & Dreams Conference!

Event Details: Thursday, March 27, 2025

R2i2 Conference Center (763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29229)

Join Family Connection SC for the annual Hopes & Dreams Conference—a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration designed for parents, students, and professionals. They are excited to welcome two keynote speakers: Tanner Smith, a South Carolina native who came into the public eye after appearing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, and "Quirky Kid" Amy Nelson, an autistic professional and award-winning author of Every Bunny Can Learn: A Tail of Inclusion. There will also be a wonderful array of workshops planned and CEUs available.

Limited Parent Scholarships are available—apply today!

Parent Scholarship Application
For more information, contact: Megan Branham

Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities are still available! Contact Jacki Garbinsky

Learn more and register!

Erika Chapman is the Florence One Schools Parent Liaison for our Program for Exceptional Children. Erika serves as a liaison between teachers, parents, students, support staff and the community regarding educational programs, services and student issues in areas of Programs for Exceptional Children.

You will receive our PEC parent newsletter, The Connection, twice a month. It's full of helpful information, announcements and the dates for all upcoming parent training events. Erika can help parents/guardians to connect to resources both within and outside of the district; as well as get connected to agencies like DDSN, fill out paperwork for Medicaid and understand your child's IEP.

The Parent Liaison website also has lots of helpful resources for families. On the website you can find all past PEC newsletters and helpful webinars on Understanding Your Child's IEP and All About Resources in the Florence area. Check it out!

Please feel free to reach out to Erika if she can assist you in any way! Her email is echapman@fsd1.or and her phone number is 843-292-1008.

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of February? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161