The Connection

It seems we are all dealing with a little bit of spring fever after the warm temperatures we experienced last week! In this edition of The Connection you will find some great resources to celebrate both Autism Awareness Month and Occupational Therapy Month! Don't forget to register your child for next school year. It is easy to do and you can win a grocery store gift card too!

Do you have questions ESY (Extended School Year)? There is a short video in this newsletter explaining what it is and how your student would be determined eligible. Also there are some great opportunities for a free concert and a youth leadership forum!

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!

Registration opened March 4, 2024, for the upcoming school year. Snapcodes will be used for returning student registration at f1s.org.

Parents/guardians will be provided their child/children’s snapcode in two ways:

• Via email on March 4th when registration goes live

• In the mail with Quarter 3 report cards around March 25th

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭/𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤.

This year, to simplify the process, there will not be a separate link for registering Pre-K students and their registration will open at the same time as registration for older students. Don’t have a device at home? Registration opens when students are still in school so district-issued Chromebooks can be used to complete registration online!

Registration opened March 4th for next school year! Our goal is to have 70 percent of all students registered by May 24th. Help us reach our goal and get entered to 𝙬𝙞𝙣 𝙖 $100 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙙!

The earlier you register, the more chances you have to win. Register by March 26th to be eligible for all three drawings: March 27th, April 24th, and May 22nd (one elementary, middle and high school level winner per day). Winners will be announced via email and on district social media. Families earn one entry per child registered.

Register now at F1S.org!

Speech and Language Summer Sessions

Available to F1S students CURRENTLY receiving school-based therapy services.

Sessions are available Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM for 6 weeks during the following weeks. Parents will have a choice of one hour sessions or a 3 hour speech/language class:

June 3

June 10

June 17

June 24

July 8

July 15

Sessions will be located at Delmae Elementary School. Transportation will be available upon request.

RESERVE A SPOT by scanning the QR code above with your smartphone or visit: bit.ly/f1sspeechcamp

From more information contact:

Shelley Stokes, MS, CCC-SLP at sstokes@fsd1.org

F1S.ORG

Determining the need for ESY can be confusing! Join Family Connection SC to discuss the “Extended School Year Considerations” found in your child’s IEP.

Determining the need for Extended School Year (ESY) services is a decision for the IEP Team. The IEP Team is made up of Special Education teacher(s), General Education teacher(s), the LEA, and YOU, the parent or caregiver.

Join us to discuss what ESY is and what considerations/criteria are used to determine if your child is eligible for these services. Check out the video below from Family Connection SC to learn more!

Step into the world of inclusive education with “Autism Academy 360,” the podcast designed for educators, parents, and anyone passionate about unlocking the full potential of individuals on the Autism spectrum. Lisa Hollady, and alongside fellow special education teacher, Abby Moehringer, will bring you a wealth of knowledge and experience.

As creators on Teachers Pay Teachers and advocates for Autism Acceptance, Lisa & Abby dive deep into the intricacies of teaching and supporting Autistic students. Each episode is a journey through practical strategies, insightful conversations, and interviews with experts, all aimed at enriching your understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Whether you’re a seasoned educator seeking fresh insights, a newbie in your first classroom or even a parent navigating the complexities of special education, “Autism Academy 360” is your go-to resource. Join us on this empowering and educational adventure as we explore classroom techniques, behavior management, and the latest research, providing you with the tools to create truly inclusive learning environments.

Listen here or wherever you find your podcasts!

Join South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs and Carolina Autism & Neurodevelopment Research Center on April 23rd for an in-person day of learning at Autism Connect!

Learn more! Visit: https://ddsn.sc.gov/ddsn-divisions/autism/autismconnect

This inclusive concert gives audience members the ability to fully experience orchestral music without any of the constraints of a standard performance. During this 60-minute program, audience members are free to move about, dance, speak, sing or vocalize. This concert is also welcoming to sensory sensitive listeners. All families will delight in the discovery of orchestral experiences that invite and welcomes all to the world of classical music. A Work of Heart is fully accessible.

Sunday, April 28th
The concert begins at 3 PM. Doors open at 2:00PM
Register here for tickets: A Work of Heart matinee family concert

Join us for a pre-concert event in the Koger Lobby.
● Familiarize yourself with the Koger Center lobby and auditorium..
● Learn about services and resources available through our community partners: SC Department
of Disabilities and Special Needs, PAALS, Family Connections of SC, USC CAN Research, Able SC, SC Assistive Technology, Easter Seals and more.
● Explore the instruments and sounds of the orchestra at the Instrument Petting Zoo.
● Valet Parking
● Quiet Room
● ASL interpreter
● Large-print programs
● Screen reader version of program
● Verbal descriptions from stage
● Changing station
● Assisted listening devices
The SC Phil is delighted to offer FREE tickets to anyone associated with our partner organizations.
SIGN UP for FREE tickets. Tickets will be either mailed or available at Will Call.

Sponsored in part by
BlueCross BlueShield of SC, Colonial Life, The Nord Family Foundation, SC Arts Commission
Presented in memory of Maggie Cafferty

The South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum is an opportunity for young adults with disabilities living in South Carolina to cultivate leadership skills and learn how to become an advocate in their community. Selected delegates typically stay on a college campus for three nights to learn about independent living and advocacy in a safe and supportive setting while building relationships with other young adults from around the state.

The South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum (SC YLF) is a unique 4 day, 3 night summer leadership experience that builds advocacy skills for young adults with disabilities. This year it will be held July 21-24. This program is funded by the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council. The SC YLF is open to anyone that is 15-23 years old, has a disability, shows leadership potential in school or their community, and lives in South Carolina. That’s it!

Apply here!

Deadline is April 30th!

Save the Date!

Join us for A Very Special Prom!

When: May 18th from 6pm-8pm

Where: Staybridge Hotel

150 Westpark Drive

Florence, SC

We want to celebrate the amazing Occupational Therapists that serve our Florence One students!

So what is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

"Occupational therapy helps children with motor, cognitive, physical, and speech delays to develop their skills. It also focuses on how kids carry out daily tasks...Pediatric occupational therapists work to improve the function and independence of children and teens with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. They provide therapeutic interventions that help develop their fine motor skills, cognition, language skills, and more."
You can learn more about OT in this article from Sensory Solutions.

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 April? 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