November 10, 2020
As Family Engagement in Education Month continues, the Parent Resource Center is happy to share a variety of events and opportunities for parents this month. If you are interested in a slot for the Crisis Prevention Intervention sessions, there are still limited spaces available, and the next introductory sessions will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10th at 10am and 8pm. Registration links and additional details are below.
Also this week, Arlington SEPTA is hosting its monthly meeting, featuring a session on Internet Safety During Distant Learning.
We hope to see you at one ore more of the events below.
Stay well, and have a good week.
- Onward: The Formed Families Forward podcast
Formed Families Forward is offering a new podcast. The first session addresses the use of positive behavior supports during pandemic learning from home! - Keeping Up with Medicaid Waiver Contacts Resource Form
It can be hard to keep up with all the information related to the services and supports that you receive. But having information about important people and organizations that you need to reach frequently can help. You can use PEATC’s new form to keep track of important contacts and to update them as they change.
FIND IT HERE: https://bit.ly/3k25YgT - Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
This “Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide” provided by the Office of Educational Technology will inform you, as a parent or caregiver, as you monitor your child’s progress as your child accesses and uses technology for learning. This guide aims to help all parents and caregivers, including those who have limited experience with digital tools, those who are expert with these tools, and anywhere in between.
FIND IT HERE: https://bit.ly/3l5Sn9u
Arlington Public Schools and Parent Resource Center Sessions and Meetings
Please contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us at least 7 days prior to events to request ADA accommodations.
Crisis Intervention Training for Parents/Caregivers
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Morning Session:10am – 10:45am
Evening Session: 8pm – 8:45pm
Register here
From time to time, families inquire about strategies to support challenging and noncompliant behaviors exhibited by their children within the home setting. Understanding how adult responses and approaches to behavior displayed by children is a key factor in preventing and de-escalating undesired behavior.
Join us to learn more as Arlington Public Schools’ (APS) Crisis Prevention facilitators define Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and its philosophy of providing Care, Welfare, Safety and Security as adults respond to behavior challenges.
Each session will provide a live, virtual introductory meeting with facilitators. Upon completion of the introductory session, participants will have access to independent, asynchronous interaction with training modules during a two-week period. At the end of the two weeks, there will be a live, follow-up session with the facilitators.
Although this session is free of charge, we do ask families to commit to participating in the introductory and follow-up meetings, and completing the training modules independently.
Arlington SEPTA Monthly Meeting: Internet Safety During Distant Learning
Thursday, November 12, 2020: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.(7-7:30 p.m. will be for Updates and PTA business)
Online via Zoom Webinar: Register and Submit Questions
Join Arlington Special Education PTA for its November monthly meeting focusing on Internet Safety during this time of distance learning. With children of all ages online more than ever, parents are facing increasing concern over online safety and digital well-being. But how can you be more vigilant when it feels like there are more demands on your time? Marita Rodriguez, Executive Director of Strategic Advancement and Partnership for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), will help us navigate how to reduce online dangers for our children. Among other things we will discuss:
- internet safety basics,
- ways that predators engage children online,
- behaviors that might indicate that your child is in trouble, and
- steps to take to ensure your children are learning or gaming safely online.
All SEPTA meetings are open to everyone. Membership is not needed to join the meeting.
Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC)
Tuesday, November 17, 2020: 7pm – 9pm
Please note that the business portion of this meeting will be recorded through Zoom.
Understanding Transition Services: Employment Connections
Wednesday, November 18: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register here
Arlington Public Schools Transition Services, Parent Resource Center and Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP) are sponsoring the second in a monthly series of transition workshops. This month’s session will feature opportunities for families to learn about employment supports from a host of community and agency partners.
Presenters will include ServiceSource, Melwood, Didlake and many others.
For further information, please contact Christina Eagle at 703-228-5738 or christina.eagle@apsva.us or Kelly Mountain at 703-228-7239 or Kelly.mountain@apsva.us
Community Webinar/Virtual Learning Opportunities/Meetings
Virginia Commonwealth University Autism Center for Excellence (VCU-ACE) Lunch and Learn Series
- Transition from School to Work
Thursday, November 12th: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Register on Zoom - Supporting Communication & Social Skills for Early Learners
November 19, 2020: 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Register on Zoom
People First for Young Adults
November 10, 2020: 6:30pm-8pm
People First for Young Adults is a social and self-advocacy group for youth with disabilities ages 14-26. The goal of the group is to help individuals with disabilities understand the importance of self-advocacy and empower them to speak out for themselves. Youth practice public speaking skills, plan social activities, learn from guest speakers on topics of life skills and advocacy, and engage in projects to enhance social skills. People First for Young Adults meets each month on the second Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Please join on November 10th, and December 8th. And bring a friend or two, too! Email Diane Monnig to request a meeting invitation.
Parenting in a Pandemic: Virtual Parent Support Group
Tuesdays: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Register here for the November 10th meeting
Register here for the November 24th meeting
Developmental Support Associates (DSA) is offering a virtual family support group for local families who care for children, youths, and young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges. The immediate goal is to help families collaborate with professionals and with each other in order to break out of isolation and share experiences, thought, feelings, and novel strategies for promoting personal and social growth. Meetings are free, but pre-registration is required. Login information for the Zoom Meeting will be sent to registrants prior to the date of the meeting. For questions about the support group meetings, email allan@developmentalsupport.com or dmonnig@thearcofnova.org.
Sponsored by the Arc of Northern Virginia and Developmental Support Associates
Changing Landscape of Testing & College Admissions in the Year of COVID
Wednesday, November 11th: 12:15 – 1:00 PM EST
Register Now
College applications and SAT/ACT testing is a confusing gauntlet that stresses out high school parents every year. Add in a global pandemic and rapidly changing requirements, and it’s nearly impossible to know what your child truly needs to do–until now.
Join this webinar to hear Ann Dolin shed light on this confusing process and reveal:
✓ How COVID has changed college admissions and testing in 2020 and beyond
✓ The biggest factors that now determine whether a student will be admitted to their dream school
✓ Practical tips for strong college essays that stand out
✓ The difference between test optional and test blind (and why it matters)
✓ How to know if and when your child should prep for the ACT/SAT—or if they should skip the tests altogether; and
✓ How to best support students in each year of high school
With clear next steps and updated advice, you’ll feel confident in the best way to support your high schooler throughout this year—and beyond.
College 101: A Webinar for High School Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents
Thursday, November 12, 2020:12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Register here
Discover questions you should consider to begin the college conversation to determine if college is the correct path. Explore the differences between the high school and college experiences plus crucial skills needed for college success. Learn about college options and how to choose the one that may be the best fit, how to navigate disability services, and request college accommodations. Read more
Presented by Beth Felsen, Executive Director, Spectrum Transition Consulting, LLC
Sponsored by The Arc of Northern VA
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Arlington Parent Support Groups
Now Meeting Virtually
These groups are geared to parents whose child is experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, including: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders and more. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is respected.
School Age Students and Teens (PK-12) for 2020
Sundays 7-8:30pm
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- November 15
- December 6 and December 13
Older Teen and Young Adults: 3rd Sunday 1-3pm
Questions?? Contact:
- PK-12: Michelle Best (mczero@yahoo.com)
- Adults: Naomi Verdugo (verdugo.naomi@gmail.com)
- Both: Alisa Cowen (acowen@cowendesigngroup.com)
Restorative Justice Information Session
November 18, 2020: 6pm
Register Here
Join a virtual panel and dialogue with experts in the study of Restorative Justice, Andy Shallal, Bus Boys & Poets Founder and CEO and Charles Chavis, Founding Director of the John Mitchell, Jr. Program for History, Justice and Race at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. The panelists will discuss the efficacy of Restorative Justice in its various applications and imagine, in conjunction with the audience, how Arlington can benefit from its increased adoption in the criminal justice system, schools, and community.
Organized Chaos: Executive Functioning Strategies for Learning in a Variety of Environments
Wednesday, November 18: 7:30-9:00 pm
Register Here
Presenter: Courtney Heldman, MS, OTR/L, Director of Occupational Therapy, The Lab School of Washington
Whether learning virtually, in person, or through a combination, executive functioning skills and strategies are necessary to manage daily workload, homework, and maintain organization. This lecture will address key strategies and tips for all students, from elementary to high school, and will target such topics as time management, physical and digital organization of workspace, ergonomics, planning, and more.
Sponsored by The Lab School of Washington
