Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. As we continue our journey together this school year, I am grateful for your support and involvement in our school community. As Special Programs staff, we are excited about the ICAP Valentines Dance at Glenn High School. Our students are eagerly looking forward to this special February event!
Our recent Special Programs Parent Advisory Council (SPPAC) meeting was a great success. It included discussions on partnership opportunities and valuable legislative updates that impact our special programs community. A heartfelt thank you to all our members and attendees for their participation. If you were unable to make it, we encourage you to join us at the next event or an upcoming meeting. Your voice and involvement can make an impact in our students' experiences.
I am incredibly grateful for your partnership and the opportunity to support our students together. We look forward to collaborating with you in the coming weeks and celebrating more success stories.
Sincerely,
Paige Collier
Assistant Superintendent Special Programs & Services
The Special Programs Parent Advisory Council (SPPAC) is looking for leaders to join the 2025-26 Executive Council! Positions for Vice President, Secretary, and Communications Chair will be open, with applications accepted through late March. Stay connected by visiting the SPPAC Linktree to join our Facebook community, access valuable resources, and get details on upcoming events—like our March 5th meetup at Good Lot
Did you know? Day Habs are now called ISSPs! These programs provide engaging social and skill-building opportunities for individuals 18+. Check out our upcoming district-guided tours:
📍 March 12 – Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG)
- Limited to 12 spots per tour. [BiG Tour Sign-Up]
- A special tour for LISD families. RSVP to Aline Crompton by text at 512-433-9396.
- 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | The ARC in Leander (ACTS Church)
- 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. | United Partners in Pflugerville
- 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch Break
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Social Care of Life in Round Rock
Looking for fun and effective ways to encourage meaningful conversations with your older child? Our Speech Pathology Team recommends using 1- to 2-minute video shorts! These engaging, mostly wordless clips present a problem and solution—perfect for building storytelling, prediction, and problem-solving skills.
🔗 Check out this list of video shorts!
Conversation Starters:
❓ Pause mid-way: What happens next?
📖 Retell the story: What happened first, next, and last?
😂 Reactions: What made you laugh or wonder?
🔍 Problem & solution: How was the issue solved?
🎬 Get creative: How would you change the ending?
Quick, fun, and educational—try it today! 😊
February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to focus on heart-healthy habits for the whole family! One of the easiest ways to support a healthy heart is to get up and move—and the best part? It can be fun, too!
Fun Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy
🏃 Work Your Heart – Roll the Dice: Make exercise a game! Roll a dice and complete the matching heart-pumping movement. It’s a great way to add variety to your routine and keep things exciting.
🎲 1-2-3 Workout – Family Fun Challenge: Get the whole family involved! Pick a heart, click on it, and follow the exercise it reveals. Each movement lasts just 30 seconds, making it a quick and engaging way to build heart strength together.
💃 25 Ways to Get Moving: Looking for creative ways to stay active? Try fun dances, interactive games, and simple exercises that make movement feel like play!
For more ways to support heart health, check out this Children’s Health article filled with expert tips to keep your child's heart strong and happy. Let’s make February a month of healthy hearts and happy moves! ❤️💪
Celebrate the season of love with engaging, hands-on activities designed by our Occupational and Physical Therapy teams! These fun, at-home exercises not only bring joy but also help strengthen essential motor skills.
Skills These Activities Support:
- Fine Motor Strength – Build those tiny muscles for writing and daily tasks
- Thumb Opposition & Pincer Grasp – Improve grip for holding small objects
- Finger Isolation – Develop control for tasks like buttoning and typing
- Eye-Hand Coordination – Strengthen tracking and accuracy
- Bilateral Coordination – Encourage both hands to work together
- In-Hand Manipulation – Boost dexterity for more precise movements
Printable worksheets are available at the bottom of this newsletter—download and enjoy some Valentine’s-themed skill-building fun at home!
Collaborative Partners Episdoes
Join Ashley Anderson, Special Programs Parent Liaison, and Denise Geiger, Senior Transition Coordinator, as they discuss essential transition support services for students moving into adulthood. In this episode, they cover:
- LISD Transition History
- 18+ Services & Employment Accommodations
- Post-Secondary Education
- How Families Can Collaborate
Listen now to gain valuable insights and submit your questions for future episodes!
Vela Classes
We’re excited to share the Spring 2025 VELA Programming Flyer—registration is now open for all courses designed specifically for parents of children with disabilities! VELA courses provide families with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for their children and navigate special education effectively. Take a moment to review the flyer and explore the valuable resources available this spring.
💡 $1,500 in Educational Support for Eligible Families
The PDSES program (formerly SSES) offers a one-time $1,500 grant for eligible Texas public school students in special education. These funds can be used for learning materials, tutoring, therapy services, and more! Application Window is from now until March 31.
