SPED PEC NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 11 NUMBER 4

Special Education Parent Empowerment Council SPED PEC Mission Statement:
To support students with special needs and their families to successfully navigate the services offered by Knox County Schools and the surrounding community.
Click on the Parent Advisory Council Logo to connect to the web page for more information dealing with Education Issues including videos, community calendar highlighting free family events, student and family trainings, supports and much more!
9 Tips to Make the Most of Your Parent Teacher Conferences
Knox County Schools offers two types of Parent-Teacher Conferences. The first is held twice a year as a school-wide "Meet the Teacher" event. This is a general orientation held early in the semester for families to get familiar with staff, routines, and procedures. The second type is scheduled individually, usually at a parent's request, to address specific questions or concerns about a child's academic or personal progress.
To help you get the most out of an individual meeting, we’ve put together a guide on how to prepare. Click on the link below to learn more.
Anxiety: When School Stress Becomes too Much
School expectations include learning new material, time management, organizational skills, as well as adjusting to the social aspect of school life. It is not surprising that most students experience stress and frustration at times. However, if these feelings start to negatively affect the student's daily life over a long period of time, it may be necessary to seek assistance. The article below outlines how to determine whether your child may need extra support. Click on the button below for tips on how to help.
6 Surprising Benefits of Video Games for Kids
Believe it or not, there are some positive things that your child can learn from video games. Research has shown that video games can encourage some basic reading skills, practice for social interactions with online programs, and help develop basic problem solving skills. However, as with most things, moderation is the key. To learn more, click on the link below.
KNOX COUNTY SCHOOLS EVENTS
Event Information
COMMUNITY EVENTS, TRAININGS, AND RESOURCES
Precious Cargo Program
Not all disabilities are visible.
Some people may have difficulty communicating. Others may need extra time to respond to questions or directions. For families, that can make traffic stops stressful and uncertain.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Precious Cargo program helps provide law enforcement officers with necessary information before an interaction begins.
The program is:
- Free
- Voluntary
- Confidential
Because you are precious cargo.
Event Information
Supporting your child with challenging behaviors across settings can be difficult. Children want to do well and be successful, but academic, behavioral, and social expectations can overwhelm students with mental health, emotional, or behavioral needs and increase unwanted behaviors. All children have the right to an education, even when behaviors get in the way. Join us for this workshop to discover information and resources to help address these challenges, think about your child’s behaviors in a new way, and learn how to improve your responses to those behaviors with positive support and interventions. If an ASL interpreter is required, please notify workshops@pacer.org at least 48 hours prior to the workshop. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Event Information
Join us for a day dedicated to education, awareness, and the celebration of ability. We are showcasing adaptive sports and local resources to enlighten our community on the importance of access and inclusion for all. Adaptive Activities: There is no cost for attendance or participation!
Event Information
Join us for a joyful fall afternoon at the garden! This free community event invites families to connect with nature through hands-on garden activities, lawn games, and an afternoon outdoors together. Enjoy live music from East Knoxville musicians, celebrating our neighborhood. Browse the Fall Plant Sale featuring a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials perfectly suited for fall planting — including rare and unique varieties you won’t find anywhere else. Come play in, explore, and discover the Garden.
Event Information
Would you like to build confidence in your ability to advocate for yourself and your child? Our advocates are here to help! We will provide some information and tips, as well as discuss some of the barriers we encounter. October 20th - 11 am CT. Register here. For more information, please contact Sabrina Moore at Sabrina.Moore@tnvoices.org
RSVPs are enabled for this event.