The Connection

We have so many fun and unique opportunities to share with you in this edition of The Connection! Please take time to read through and take advantage of some of the parent training opportunities and fun events in our state that are being offered for families of students with exceptional needs!

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 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!

Understanding your child’s IEP can seem like a challenge-but it doesn’t have to be! Learn what it is, it’s importance, and how to prepare.

Join a representative from Family Connection SC for a thorough introduction to the Individual Education Program. The IEP serves as a road map for special education students ages 3-21. We will discuss the steps of the special education process and learn key terms, gain an understanding of the roles of all members of the IEP team (parents and caregivers are an important part!), understand the contents of the IEP and what they mean, and learn how to become a more knowledgeable and active participant in their child’s meetings.

When: Tuesday, March 26 at 6:00pm
Virtual Training

Link will be sent once you have registered.

Register here: https://forms.gle/yAstEDGVqskWyWBA7

Please contact F1S Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@fsd1.org or 843-292-1008.

You are invited to join us for this free webinar for parents and caregivers

of children with autism. Register today by clicking the link below!

Navigating the IEP Process

Thursday, March 28, 2024

5:15pm - 6:30pm ET

Presented by Jenna Garvey, M.Ed., LABA, BCBA

This is the sixth of a 10 month webinar series provided virtually by experts at the National Autism Center at May Institute. Please stay tuned for future webinars.

ABOUT THIS WEBINAR: Navigating the IEP process can be confusing and frustrating! Please join us on March 28th for a live parent webinar where we’ll breakdown the process and offer suggestions for how you can best advocate for your child!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Jenna Garvey, M.Ed., LABA, BCBA
Clinical Director, May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Chicopee, Mass.

Register here

Our 2024 Hopes & Dreams Conference brings together parents, students, professionals, exhibitors, and sponsors for a day of learning and collaboration!

When: March 21, 2024 @ 9:00AM — 4:00PM
Where: R2i2 Conference Center: 763 Fashion Drive Columbia, 29229

You can register here.

We are planning 15 breakout sessions and two general sessions. Keynote speakers and session topics will be announced soon!

If you have a child that uses AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) or a speech generating device, you may have heard the terms core words and fringe words? Are you interested in learning a bit more about the difference and why they are so important?

Check out the short video above by Rachel Madel and you can read more about it at her blog, Rachel Madel Speech Therapy Inc. She shares lots of free resources there and even has a podcast, if you prefer to listen. You can access that here: Talking with Tech AAC podcast

Many young people with disabilities want to work after high school or college, just like their peers. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a program that provides services and supports to help people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job.

This FREE self-paced online course will provide basic information about the vocational rehabilitation program and the services that are available.

This training is open from March 18, 2024 through April 18, 2024.

Training can be accessed any time during these 3 weeks.

Certification of completion of 2 hours will be provided to participants who complete this training.

Register here.

Presented by PEATC in partnership with Family Connection of South Carolina

You don't want to miss this great new book, Grow Colt & Sullivyn Grow, by Jordan Uhl Kirby! It is a story of a twin brother with Spina Bifida who becomes his sister's inspiration. Jordan is the mother of two of our very own Florence 1 students, Colt & Sullivyn!

You can order the book online at Barnes & Noble or pick it up locally at Carolina Trading Post and at Tangled Salon and Co!

We are also excited to share that Wilson High School teacher, Benny Morgan's wife has also published 3 books. Two of them are based on experiences with their son who has autism. Check out below Tip Burwell's books Ethan's String and Keeping Time with Ethan. Follow the links to purchase them yourself!

Got books?

Hakabohu Book Swap 2024

Drop Off Period: March 25th-30th

Swap Dates: April 3rd-5th

Drop off your New or Gently Used Books for a voucher to use during the Swap Dates!

All proceeds from our first annual book swap will go to The School Foundation!

Get your child's summer reading collection ready!

Reach out with any questions!

670 Senior Way

Florence, SC 29505

843-664-8383

Bring your old books that are in good to like new condition and then get the opportunity to purchase a similar number of other books for $1 each. ALL proceeds will go to the School Foundation and all books not purchased will be donated to local libraries or organizations that serve children. It’s a chance to donate books that are just taking up shelf space and for your child to get tons of books that are new to them for spring and summer reading.

If you have children’s books you’d like to just donate to our event, we would love to add them so families can get the opportunity to purchase way more than they donate and a chance to raise even more money for the School Foundation.

Save the Date for Special Olympics Area 1!

It will be on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at West Florence High School.

Exceptional Education students ages 8 & up may participate.

You will receive more details from your teachers soon. It does require that you submit two forms, including paperwork from your student's doctor. Those forms must be returned before your student will be cleared to participate. You may ask your teacher about more details!

Wings for All is Taking Off Again at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)!

Get ready for an uplifting journey! Wings for All, brought to you by The Arc of South Carolina, The Arc of the United States, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), Delta Air Lines, and Enterprise is making its grand return to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

This special event is crafted with love for families with special needs, offering a unique opportunity to experience the air travel process in a stress-free, supportive environment.

Event Highlights:

*Navigate through the airport: Get familiar with the airport layout.

*Check-in process: Learn how to check in smoothly.

*Boarding: Experience boarding a plane with ease.

Location: CAE Airport, 3250 Airport Blvd. West Columbia, SC 29170

Registration Window: Open from March 4 - April 11.

Don't miss your chance to secure your seats for this one-of-a-kind event!

Have questions? We're here to help! Email us at thearc@arcsc.org.

Register today and join us for a day of learning, understanding, and fun!

Let’s make air travel a joyous journey for everyone. See you at CAE on April 20th!

Participants Register at: https://tinyurl.com/WingsforAllCAE2024

Event Volunteers Register on our website at: https://www.arcsc.org/wings-for-autism

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 March? 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