Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 10.4.21

October 4, 2021

Happy October to all of our families, colleagues, community partners and subscribers! This is always a busy month, as there are a number of disability awareness recognitions designated each October.

October is Learning Disabilities (LD) Awareness Month, a time when the nation turns its attention to the one in five students who learn differently because they have dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or other learning and/or attention issues. “This is a time to understand how these disabilities impact students and their families, to reflect on the significant achievements that these students have made, and to renew our commitment to creating a stronger future for them.” US Department of Education

In addition to LD Awareness Month, October is: ADHD Awareness Month, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

We plan to acknowledge AAC Awareness during the week of October 25th, so stay tuned to learn more about plans for that week. In the Community Events section below, we are delighted to highlight a session offered by Arlington Public Schools’ Christina Eagle, Coordinator of the Program for Employment Preparedness, through the Organization for Autism Research. Christina, a recipient of SEPTA’s 2021 Excellence in Education Awards, is a talented educator, and a steadfast advocate for our young adult community, and we look forward to her session in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month which will feature PEP students.

Our local CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) chapter has a number of weekly events planned (see the Community Events section below) during their annual resource fair.

Finally, although our APS Dyslexia Conference happens every other year, we are grateful to have a number of 2020 Dyslexia Conference session videos and presentation materials available online, along with a wonderful Student Dyslexia Panel video that was filmed last year.

We will continue to share resources throughout the month.

Recovery Services
The Office of Special Education (OSE) and the Parent Resource Center have received questions related to COVID-19 Recovery Services. Please visit the Recovery Services updates page for information and a short video.

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 22204
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

Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting/Reunión del Comité Asesor de Educación Especial de Arlington (ASEAC)
Tuesday, October 12, 2021: 7pm to 9pm
Register here
Virtual Meeting –  via Zoom
Agenda

• 7:00-7:20 – Opening and Public Comments
• 7:20-7:40 – Office of Special Education Report
• 7:40-8:10 – Virtual Learning Program (VLP)
• 8:10-8:20 – Introducing Division Counsel Chrissy Smith
• 8:20-8:30 – Introducing Interim Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Dr. Jason Ottley
• 8:30-9:00 – ASEAC business (This business portion of this meeting will be recorded through Zoom.)

At the beginning of each meeting, ASEAC welcomes comments from the public regarding the needs of students with disabilities in APS. See the ASEAC Public Comment Guidelines at https://aps2016.apsva.us/special-education-advisory-committee for information about submitting public comments.
Any person who would like an interpreter and/or any person with a disability who needs accommodation to access the meeting should contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us at least four business days in advance of a meeting to request assistance.
Reunión del Comité Asesor de Educación Especial de Arlington (ASEAC)
Martes, 12 de Octubre de 2021 de 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Reunión virtual – a través de Zoom
Registrarse aqui

• 7:00-7:20 – Apertura y comentarios públicos
• 7:20-7:40 – Informe de la Oficina de Educación Especial
• 7:40-8:10 – Programa de aprendizaje virtual (VLP)
• 8:10-8:20 – Presentación de la abogada de la división Chrissy Smith
• 8:20-8:30 – Presentación del director interino de diversidad, equidad e inclusión, Dr. Jason Ottley
• 8:30-9:00 – Asuntos ASEAC (Esta parte de negocios de esta reunión se grabará a través de Zoom.)

COMMUNITY PARTNER WEBINARS/VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES and MEETINGS