Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 9.20.21

September 20, 2021

Good afternoon. We hope everyone had a great weekend, and enjoyed the slightly cooler mornings and evenings. The Parent Resource Center is excited to launch our first 2021-22 parent session this evening as we welcome Ann Dolin back to Arlington Public Schools. Ann will be presenting on how to improve your child’s Executive Functioning Skills without Arguing this year. Her sessions are always highly engaging and filled with practical tips for parents. We’ve had a great response thus far for this session, and look forward to virtually seeing you all this evening at 7pm. Details are below. There is still time to register here

Registration has also opened for Dr. Erin Berman’s session Worry and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Using evidence based strategies to helping kids and caregivers cope during tough times, scheduled for September 28th at 7pm. Dr. Berman is an expert in the field of anxiety, and works at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Have a great week!

Switching students with disabilities between virtual and in person instruction

Last spring and summer APS shared guidance on switching students between virtual and in person instruction. As indicated on the FAQs webpage:

Students in the Virtual Learning Program (VLP) can shift to in-person school at any time during the school year by filling out this form and working with the administrator of the VLP, Amy Jackson, and their school’s principal.

For individual changes for students with disabilities (SWD) at both Elementary and Secondary levels, IEP or 504 teams may consider changing models before or after the system-wide transition dates. Families can begin by emailing their case carrier.

Please note that APS is continuing to recruit staff to fill special education vacancies in the VLP.

Virginia’s Early Intervention Plan Seeking Input
Is your child under the age of 6? Have they received early intervention (EI) services in Virginia? The Infant & Toddler Connection (ITC), Virginia’s EI program, is looking for thoughts and ideas on ways they can help children have positive social & emotional skills and relationships. As a parent of a little one who received EI services, your insight is invaluable, and you can make a difference in under 3 minutes. Share your ideas now at https://bit.ly/itcfamilyinput. ITC is also looking for family members of young children enrolled in or recently graduated from EI in Virginia to join their work groups. Share your interest at the end of the survey to learn more.

• Supporting Grieving Students During School Transition Challenges
  Times of transition and change can be particularly challenging for grieving students. The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has shared tips to help children overcome school transition-related challenges this school year. The resource is available for download in English and Spanish and in a social media graphic here.
• WETA and Well Beings is hosting a virtual panel discussion, “Tell My Story: Identifying and Preventing Teen Suicide,” on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT at WellBeings.org/tellmystory. Moderator Stephanie Sy ­– Anchor, PBS NewsHour West; Panel: Jason Reid – Father, Founder of ChooseLife.org,  M. Abeo – Writer, Public Speaker, Photographer, Mark Goulston, M.D. – Psychiatrist, Originator of Surgical Empathy. No registration is required. Visit WellBeings.org/tellmystory for more information.

How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
Monday, September 20, 2021: 7pm
Register here

Worry and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Using evidence based strategies to helping kids and caregivers cope during tough times
Tuesday, September 28, 2021: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Register here

• How to identify an anxious child
• How to change anxious thinking
• The science and biological roots of anxiety in children
• How computer technology is transforming the understanding of anxiety
• Current treatment options (medications & CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy
• Discuss how coping strategies need to be adjusted given the current pandemic

Dr. Erin D. Berman is a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She received her clinical psychology doctoral degree from Rosalind Franklin University / The Chicago Medical School. Her clinical training continued with attending the Boston Consortium of Clinical Psychology where she was a Harvard Medical School Fellowship recipient. She completed post-doctoral re-specialization in child and adolescent Anxiety Disorders at Temple University. Her main area of interest continues to be in cognitive behavioral interventions for children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders.

An Introduction to Special Education
October 7, 2021
10:00am to Noon: In-person session at the Syphax Education Center, Room 456, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 222041
7pm – 9pm: Virtual Session
Register here
Has your child been referred for a special education evaluation? Are you concerned that your child may need special education services? Would you like to know more about the special education process, and the important role you, as a parent, play in this process? Join Parent Resource Center Coordinators Kathleen Donovan and Gina DeSalvo for this free session to learn more about the special education process, from student support team meetings and special education referrals through identification and delivery of special education services. This session will address:

• Regulations guiding special education
• The role of the family in the special education process
• How to prepare for Student Support Team and special education meetings
• The special education “cycle”
• Questions families may have about the process

Visit the Parent Resource Center’s Events page for information and registration for additional community events.