Parent Resource Center News
January 2022
Happy New Year from the Parent Resource Center!
"Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.” — Mary McLeod
Though January marks the halfway point of the school year, take the opportunity that the New Year provides to try something new! If you've never visited the Parent Resource Library, come by and check out our vast selection of learning resources and games and take something home to your child to encourage them to have fun while they learn.
Our library is open from 8-4pm, Monday through Friday. Parents are welcome to come in to check out resources, or contact us to send requested resources to your child's school. If you're looking for an educational resource, game or activity to support your child's math, literacy, or social skills goals, give us a call and we can help you find something!
Visit our library catalog to see our growing collection of resources, books, and eBooks! https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/43326
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EVENTS
Upcoming events are for January and February
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Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting
This month, SEAC welcomes Kim Lett, Deputy Director at the disAbility Resource Center, as she shares information on CILs and how they aid in supporting people with disabilities through the lifespan. Kim will also address current legislation before the Virginia General Assembly that may affect the rights and lives of people with disabilities.
Click on the "What is SEAC?" picture below to download a complete list of meeting dates for the 2021-2022 school year. All meetings are from 7-8:30pm.
Google Meet (click to join meeting): meet.google.com/euj-eime-xdp
Join by phone: (915)519-4455 PIN: 743 464 338#
Thursday, Jan 13, 2022, 07:00 PM
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Grandparents & Extended Family Raising Children Support Meeting
Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center staff hosts a monthly support and resource sharing group for grandparents and relatives raising children. Meetings are from 10-11:30am on Google Meet. Click on the picture below to download a complete list of meeting dates for the 2021-2022 school year.
Click on the link to join: https://meet.google.com/yuu-qtvv-qmn
Dial-in:(US)+1 929-324-1998
PIN:873 325 916#
Thursday, Jan 20, 2022, 10:00 AM
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Information Session: Legal Guardianship & Supported Decision-Making
When your child turns 18, he or she is presumed by law to have the capacity to make his or her own decisions. Join the Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition and attorney Matthew Bellinger as he discusses what level of decision-making support your child may need when he or she becomes an adult. Learn more about guardianship, supported decision-making, and other options for support. Learn more at factfred.com/upcoming-events.
Register here: https://guardianshipsdm.eventbrite.com
Thursday, Jan 20, 2022, 07:00 PM
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Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities
About Critical Decision Points
This training was developed in partnership between the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Board of People with Disabilities to help parents understand that there are decisions that parents make as early as elementary school that can impact the ability of a student to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma, and the potential consequences of these decisions. Join the Parent Resource Center staff as we highlight the resources that are provided for parents to understand these "critical decisions" and when they should be made!
Thursday, Feb 24, 2022, 07:00 PM
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Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
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IEP University - Two Week Self-Paced Training
The IEP process can be difficult and stressful. Everyone comes to the IEP table with thoughts of their personal responsibilities, perspectives, and individual concerns. IEP meetings can be places of high anxiety and there are occasions when conflict may erupt as a result of managing emotions while simultaneously following policy and procedures.
PEATC, in collaboration with VDOE, has developed IEP University (IEPU) to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information around IEP development and meetings. IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. IEPU will target practical strategies aimed at helping future IEP meetings be more positive, productive, and collaborative for everyone involved.
A certificate of completion for 6 hours will be provided for all who complete the training.
To register for Jan 10 - Jan 24 self-paced session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iep-university-iepu-registration-208119550177
To register for Mar 1 - Mar 15 self-paced session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iep-university-iepu-registration-208634741127
Monday, Jan 10, 2022, 08:00 AM
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Special Education Workshop Series
PEATC presents this virtual workshop series for parents and professionals who want to learn more about special education in Virginia. You can attend one, some, or all of these informative workshops!
- January 19th - From Referral to Eligibility: A Deeper Dive
- February 2nd - Anatomy of an IEP
- February 16th - Measurable IEP Goals
- March 2nd - How To Talk So Schools Will Listen (And Listen So Schools Will Talk)
- March 16th - Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia
These workshops will be held via zoom. You will receive the zoom login information in a confirmation email upon registration. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-education-workshop-series-registration-220218598757
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022, 06:30 PM
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Transition University - Five Week Self-Paced Training
Life is full of transitions. For families of children with disabilities, thinking about the future can bring mixed emotions. Some families are just trying to make it through day-to-day challenges and might not feel they have the energy to think about what happens after high school. Others may want to plan for that transition, but are confused by unfamiliar language, complex steps, and the many agencies that maybe involved in adult services.
Join PEATC for this FREE 5-week SELF-PACED online course that focuses on providing parent-friendly transition information to help make transition planning easier. This course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle or high school students that receive special education services. The goal is to share factual information on transition services and to help make the transition from school services to the adult services world less confusing.
Participants who complete the full course will receive a certificate of completion showing 6.5 hours.
Topics covered in this course will include:
- What do we mean by Transition and Why is it Important?
- Supported Decision Making, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, and Age of Majority
- Future Planning including Special Needs Trust, ABLE Accounts, and Letters of Intent
- Transitioning into Independent Living (employment, further education, housing, etc.)
- Connecting to Your Community and to Adult Services (waivers, SSI, VR, etc.)
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-2022-transition-university-registration-166434491043
Sunday, Feb 6, 2022, 08:00 AM
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TITLE I
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Check out what these Title I Schools are doing in January!
Salem Elementary
PTO Winter Wonderland Breakfast January 29th 10:00 - 12:00 - Students are invited to
have a cozy winter breakfast with Frosty. They will also participate in winter craft
stations.
Lee Hill Elementary
On December 10th at Lee Hill Elementary, The Annual Winter Family Engagement Event
occurred with over 600 participates. Families joined in on a magical night, driving
along the way to see colorful lights. Participants received free books, math games, sensory kits,
and a bagged meal. Students brought letters to Santa’s Mailbox and pictures with
Santa were taken. The event was enjoyed by all!
Salem Elementary hosted several activities in December:
December 7th , Students joined their art teacher, Ms. Josephine De, for the Winter Virtual Art Night participating in a fun night of painting! Supplies were provided for the students and their
families to paint a snowflake ceramic tile at home. The tiles were returned to school to be sealed into a drink coaster for all to enjoy!
On December 16th, SES hosted their Virtual Family Science Night. While in their comfort of their own homes, families were able to log in to experience a fun night of science experiments and discussion. Hands on activities were provided relating to science, technology,
engineering and math.
Title I Winter Literacy / Math Bags: Before heading off for Winter Break students were
given a winter bag full of books, math games, and literacy activities.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS, WEBINARS, AND RESOURCES
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Virtual Program Library for People With Disabilities Is Now Live
Looking for online activities that someone with disabilities in your life can use to keep busy as the weather cools down?
The Arc is excited to share our new Virtual Program Library, a free hub full of on-demand activities that can be done from home by people with disabilities, their families, and service providers.
Topics include arts, community and life skills, health and wellness, virtual clubs, and more.
Visit the hub to check out the resources we have so far and share it with your networks so it can continue to grow into a robust resource for people with disabilities and their supporters!
The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with IDD and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. The Arc’s national chapter network serves more than one million people with IDD and their families each year.
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Jan 6, 2022 Family Connections Webinar: "New Year: Resolutions & Expectations"
Hosted by the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, “Family Connections” is a virtual community for parents and caregivers who support loved ones facing substance use and/or mental health challenges. Families tell us they need credible resources, guidance to accessing help, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Monthly gatherings will focus on a specific topic, provide tips and tools, and offer the opportunity to network with other families.
Family Connections take place the first Thursday of every month at 1:30 ET.
Our January topic, “New Year: Resolutions & Expectations,” with guest speaker Gena Fitzgerald from SAFE Project, will look at how to welcome the new year and to define what really matters to you.
Join us from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 6th.
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-connections-registration-225319355257
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The 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, opened Oct. 1 with a new online design. Parent Resource Center staff recommends these videos as you prepare to fill out the FAFSA form for your child:
- Financial Aid 101 webinar (presentation slides are posted below)
- 2022–23 FAFSA Line-by-line Live Demonstration–October 2021
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How to Help Kids Manage Anxiety
Check out this handy free guide from The Federation on the Move: How to Help Kids Manage Anxiety.
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CHILD FIND
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Spotsylvania County Public Schools Child Find Services
Any child who is identified as having a disability and qualifies as in need of special education is entitled to a free, appropriate public education designed to meet his/her needs. Early identification assists parents, students and schools in the design of appropriate educational services. Referrals can be made by anyone concerned with the child's educational performance including the parent, child's teacher, community agency or a school official.
For additional information, contact:
Birth - age 2: PEID (Parent Education Infant Development)
(540)371-2712
Age 2 - 5 prior to entrance to kindergarten: Early Childhood Special Education Office
(540)582-7020
For school age children: Call your neighborhood school or
Office of Student Support Services (540)834-2500, extension 1005
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CONTACT US
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Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center
Monday-Friday
8am-4pm
Courtney Seely, Teacher Facilitator
Sandy Sprague, Parent Facilitator
Sarah Bell, Administrative Assistant
Email: prc@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/prc
Location: 7409 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553, USA
Phone: 540-582-7060
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotsyprc
Twitter: @SCSPRC