Special Education Scoop
November 2026
Special Education & 504 Parent Connection Night
Campus Highlight - The Ocean Room at Spring Hill Elementary
November Family Engagement Events
Caregiver's Night Out (The Sensory Club and Access to Joy)
December Family Engagement Events
Autism Society of Texas Holiday Party
Holiday Resources
Destination…Life Transition Conference Returns February 27, 2027
Overview of Transition Planning for Parents
Integral Care IDD Services in Travis County
Lending Library for Families
Family Digital Resource Folder
Important Dates
Resources
Introducing the Ocean Room: A Calm Space for Every Learner at Spring Hill Elementary
Every child has moments when big feelings feel too big to handle. For some students, especially those receiving special education services, those moments can be intense, and they need a safe place to work through them. At Spring Hill Elementary, that place now exists. We are excited to introduce the Ocean Room.
What Is the Ocean Room?
The Ocean Room is a serene, welcoming space where students can go when they need help regulating their emotions and bodies. Our staff worked together to paint an ocean theme across all four walls, creating a peaceful setting that invites children to slow down, breathe, and reset.
Built With Care, Start to Finish
Nothing in the Ocean Room was chosen by accident. Every part of the space has been carefully planned so that a child who is feeling dysregulated is:
Safe, able to calm down without hurting themselves or others
Loved, supported by caring adults who understand what they are going through
Able to recover, with the time and tools needed to return to learning
The room includes a large rug, light stools, and a large crash pad. Together, these give students comfortable ways to move, rest, and release tension.
Tools That Support Self-Regulation
The walls of the Ocean Room do more than look beautiful. They also support learning. The room includes:
Breathing strategies. These are taught to students ahead of time, so they are familiar and ready to use when emotions run high.
Counting bubbles. A calming visual strategy that helps children focus their attention and slow their breathing.
The Four Zones of Regulation. A framework that helps students recognize and name how they are feeling, and choose strategies to move toward a calm, ready-to-learn state.
Because these tools are taught in advance, students are not learning something new in the middle of a hard moment. They are using skills they already know.
What This Means for Your Child
The Ocean Room is a supportive space, not a punishment. Students visit because they need help regulating, and every child who comes is met with kindness and patience. Our goal is to help students build lifelong skills for understanding their feelings and caring for themselves.
How You Can Help at Home
You can reinforce what your child learns at school by:
Asking your child about the Four Zones of Regulation and which zone they feel they are in
Practicing breathing strategies together during calm moments
Using the same language the school uses, so your child hears consistent messages in both places
At Spring Hill Elementary, we believe every child deserves a place to feel safe, calm, and cared for. The Ocean Room is one more way we are making that true.
No Coffee Talk this month due to Parent Connection Night.
Parent Connection Night
Join us for our Fall Parent Connection Night! Enjoy free pizza and childcare while connecting with a guest speaker and local agencies that can provide valuable resources and support for you and your child. Come learn more about the services available to help your family thrive!
November 5, 2026
Arrive between 5:15-6:00 for pizza
Guest speaker at 5:35 (can eat while listening)
Childcare opens at 5:30
Agency Fair 6-7:15
Park Crest Middle School - 1500 N Railroad Ave, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Information Session: Medicaid Waivers & LIDDA Supports
Planning for your child’s future starts now. Join this virtual Information Session to learn about Texas Medicaid Waiver programs, including services that support independent living, respite care, therapies, and more, for students who will need continued support throughout their lives. Families will also learn about the YES Waiver, LIDDA’s role in accessing services, and why early enrollment is critical, as most waiver waitlists can be up to 20 years long and eligibility is not based on family income.
November 12, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Join here: https://pfisd-net.zoom.us/j/7794893516?pwd=TFVlM1VxK1ZvZHczOFNXYVFSeHNadz09
Parents Supporting Parents
This is an opportunity for families to come together to collaborate and support each other., November 18, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Join here: https://pfisd-net.zoom.us/j/7794893516?pwd=TFVlM1VxK1ZvZHczOFNXYVFSeHNadz09
Topic: Age of Majority, Guardianship, Alternatives to Guardianship, Supported Decision Making Agreements
Pflugerville Blue Santa
Who qualifies: Families who live within Pflugerville city limits with children newborn to 14.
What they provide: 4 toys per child, plus stocking stuffers
Apply here: https://pflugervilletx.gov/blue-santa
Registration closes Dec. 4th.
Williamson County Brown Santa
Who qualifies: Williamson County families in need.
What they provide: Holiday assistance (gifts, food, shoes, blankets, space heaters, etc.)
Apply here: https://www.wcbrownsanta.com/need-assistance
Application opens November 1st.
Hill Country Christmas
Who qualifies: Central Texas families in need.
What they provide: Holiday gifts for children.
Apply here: https://www.hillcountrychristmas.org/
Application is currently open until Dec. 4th.
Austin Area Toys for Tots
Who qualifies: Children in need (up to age 12, varies by location).
What they provide: New toys.
Apply here: https://austin-tx.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
You may also call 2-1-1 if you need assistance to find current information on open programs.
Coffee Talk
Together we can exchange information, work collaboratively, and foster a strong connection to support the development of our children. Join us on December 1, 2026 from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at PFISD Learning and Technology Center, 1601 W. Pecan St. Pflugerville. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided!
Functional Academics Family Connections
This group meeting brings together families of students in Functional Academics to build connections, share experiences, and support one another. Families have the opportunity to collaborate, ask questions, and grow together as partners in their child’s success. Rachel Jost, LID Coordinator will be here to answer questions and discuss meaningful inclusion and community outings.
December 3, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the PFISD Learning and Technology Center (1601 W. Pecan St. Pflugerville).
Parents Supporting Parents
This is an opportunity for families to come together to collaborate and support each other., December 15, 2026- 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Join here: https://pfisd-net.zoom.us/j/7794893516?pwd=TFVlM1VxK1ZvZHczOFNXYVFSeHNadz09
Topic: Community Resources
Check out the Information About the Texas Transition and Employment Guide on the SPEDTex website. This family-friendly document is a condensed version of the original resource, Pathways: The Texas Transition and Employment Guide. It provides essential tips and highlights to help parents and caregivers support their child with disabilities in preparing for life after high school. It covers critical areas of transition planning such as education, employment, independent living, and community involvement. Designed to empower families, the guide offers practical strategies, suggested timelines, and valuable resources to support a smooth and successful transition from the public school system to adult life.
The PFISD Special Education Family Lending Library is available to you! You can check out books for up to three weeks using our Google Form. To see what’s currently available, please review our book selection spreadsheet before submitting your request.
Please note that while we provide these resources for your convenience, we do not endorse any specific book or author. Our goal is simply to offer tools that may support your family’s learning and engagement.
If you have any questions or suggestions for future titles, we’d love to hear from you!
A Family Digital Resource Center has been created to help families easily find resources that support their child and family's unique needs. Organized by topic, it includes helpful pamphlets, websites, and other materials families can explore at their own pace. We invite you to check it out!
Please note we are not endorsing the resources, just providing one place with information from our community.
Visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QdJLep30BlmiQ-fuSe_XjchqfKLa_jUq?usp=sharing
November 5, 2026 - Parent Connection Night
November 12, 2026 - Information Session: Medicaid Waivers & LIDDA Supports Virtual Session
November 17, 2026 - Parents Supporting Parents Virtual Session
November 23 - 27, 2026 - Thanksgiving Break (Student/Staff Holiday)
December 1, 2026 - Coffee Talk at the LTC
December 3, 2026 - Functional Academics Family Connections Meeting at the LTC
December 15, 2026 - Parents Supporting Parents Virtual Meeting
December 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027 Winter Break
January 18, 2027 - Staff and Student Holiday
February 12 and 15, 2027 - Student Holidays
February 27, 2027 - Destination Life Transition Conference
Family Digital Resource Center
Pflugerville ISD Special Education Department
Special Education Operating Guidelines Website
Special Education Scoop Previous Newsletters
Mental Health Support at School
Parent Guide to the ARD Process
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
Medicaid Waiver Program - English
Medicaid Waiver Program - Español
Medicaid Waiver Program - Vietnamese
People With Down Syndrome Resource Page