The WSPEI Connector
November 2026
馃摚 Communicating Information and Resources for Wisconsin Families and Educators
October was a unforgettable month for Wisconsin sports鈥攈uge congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers and all who cheer for the Brew Crew on their historic World Series victory!馃弳
As we step into November, the days may be getting shorter and the air turning crisper, but there鈥檚 no shortage of opportunities to gather, connect, and learn together.
Check out our full lineup of events below.
And remember: you鈥檙e never too old to jump in the leaves!馃崅
馃摬Connect with WSPEI Staff
馃攷Are you looking for support, information or resources about Special Education and IEPs?
We have a variety of way you can request help and support from our local staff member:
馃摡Fill out a Request for IEP Support Form.
Information provided on this form will help us connect you to your local WSPEI Family-School Partnership Coordinator:
Click on this link for the Support Request Form
馃敜Send an email to our general email address and the WSPEI Program Support Specialist will connect you with the Family-School Partnership Coordinator who can best support you:
Email us at: wspei@cesa12.org
馃寜Bring a Workshop to Your Area! We'd love to partner with you!
Interested in hosting one of our workshops locally? Reach out and let's make it happen.
Email us at: wspei@cesa12.org
馃捇Contact your local WSPEI Family - School Partnership Coordinator directly - email and phone information can be found by clicking this page on our website.
The WSPEI Program Statewide Learning and Networking Events
WSPEI Statewide Workshops and Networks
All statewide WSPEI events are held virtually and are FREE!
- Links to workshop information flyers with registration forms are below.
- Pre-registration is required.
- Meeting links are sent out one week prior to the first session.
- Workshops are not recorded. If you register, please plan to attend.
All events can be found on our website: Click on this link for Learning Opportunities Page
Click on this link to access a document listing all WSPEI Statewide Events to share with others in your community
TOPIC SPECIFIC WORKSHOPS
Participant to Partner: Elevating your Voice in the IEP
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
This workshop is offered with Spanish interpretation on November 13, 2026
De participante a socio:Hacer o铆r su voz en el Programa de Educaci贸n Individualizada (IEP)
Talleres de oto帽o con servicio de interpretaci贸n al espa帽ol
13 de noviembre de 2026
Click on this link for workshop description translated into Spanish
Haz clic en este enlace para ver la descripci贸n del taller traducida al espa帽ol.
Recipe for Success: Preparing Students with IEPs for Life After High School
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
The Special Education Journey: Navigating Resources from Early Childhood to Adulthood
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
Understanding Child Find and the Special Education Referral Process
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
Building Social Capital
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
Collaborative Solutions: Navigating Behavior, Discipline and IEPs Together
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
This workshop is offered with Spanish interpretation on December 3, 2026
Soluciones colaborativas: C贸mo abordar juntos la conducta, la disciplina y los IEP
Talleres de oto帽o con servicio de interpretaci贸n al espa帽ol
3 de diciembre de 2026
Click on this link for workshop description translated into Spanish
Haz clic en este enlace para ver la descripci贸n del taller traducida al espa帽ol.
Ready, Set, Let's IEP: Practical Tools for Preparing for the IEP Process
Click on this link for information Flyer with dates and registration
Leadership in Action: Finding the Leader in YOU!
2-part series coming February 2027
Click on this link for information FLYER with dates and registration
El Liderazgo en Acci贸n: 隆Descubra al l铆der que hay en usted!
Talleres de oto帽o con servicio de interpretaci贸n al espa帽ol
MONTHLY NETWORKS
Family Support Community
A monthly support group designed for families and other caregivers who support a child with a disability.
Click on this link for Information Flyer with dates and registration
Family, Youth & Community Engagement Network
Gatherings are held on the third Wednesday of every month, September to May, 4:00-5:30 pm
November Topic:
Opening Doors to Access through Assistive Technology: What is it and How Can It Help Students Succeed?
- Wednesday, November 21
Click on this link for Information Flyer with dates and registration
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
The Explosive Child
Written by: Dr. Ross Green
Click on this link for Information Flyer with dates and registration
From Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Council on Special Education 2026 Fall Public Forum
The Council on Special Education will be hosting a virtual public forum on
November 18, 2026, from 5:00pm-6:30pm.
The Public Forum allows the State Superintendent鈥檚 Advisory Council on Special Education to:
- Listen to families, school administrators, educators, community representatives, etc.
- Gather input on the unique challenges and successes of special education in Wisconsin
- Advise the State Superintendent and the Department of Public Instruction
- Hear about any topic upon which people may choose to comment
Click on this link to register for the link for the Zoom meeting.
If you are unable to attend the meeting on November 18th, you can submit a comment online.
Online comments will open on November 6, 2026 and close on November 20, 2026.
To submit a comment please email spedcouncil@dpi.wi.gov. For additional information, please contact Lisa Wery.
New Resource: AI and Special Education Webpage
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to expand access, increase independence, and personalize learning for students with disabilities.
- AI should never replace the IEP team's responsibility to discuss and identify a student's strengths, disability-related needs, goals, and special education services.
- Learn more on the new AI and Special Education webpage.
WI FACETS
Links to Resources and the October Family Engagement Newsletter
WI FACETS is Wisconsin鈥檚 Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) funded through the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
View and register for upcoming trainings at: www.wifacets.org/training/calendar
The November Family Engagement Newsletter takes an in-depth look at Manifestation Determination Reviews and explores resources for Emotional Behavioral Disabilities :
- Click this link for the November 2026 Newsletter in English
- Click this link for the November 2026 Newsletter in Spanish
Wisconsin Conferences
CHILDREN COME FIRST CONFERENCE
Dates: November 16-17, 2026
Location: Kalahari Resort, WI Dells, WI
Conference Save The Dates
Transition Conference
February 11 & 12, 2027
- Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Promoting Early Childhood Conference
- March 1-3. 2027
- The Osthoff Hotel, Oshkosh, WI
Circles of Life Conference
- May 6 & 7, 2027
- Wilderness / Glacier Canyon Lodge
WI Facets Endless Possibilities Conference
We鈥檙e moving the conference to JUNE!
- June 17, 2027
- Waukesha County Technical College (AJN Center), Pewaukee, WI
Wisconsin Family Voices
November Events Calendar
All learning sessions are open to Wisconsin families and the professionals who support them.
Each session will be presented by experienced Family Voices staff, unless otherwise noted.
Wisconsin Community on Transition
Youth and Family Voice Survey
Transition planning supports students with disabilities and their families to think about their life after high school.
Your opinion is wanted to identify needs of youth with disabilities and their families in transition:
November reminds us to be thankful for small joys and quiet beauty
Pumpkins and falling leaves
Thankful for the little things
Colorful Harvests
The WSPEI Connector Newsletter Archives 馃摐
馃摑Downloadable PDFs of this edition and past newsletters can be found by clicking HERE
Thank you for reading!!
