November 2, 2020
Good evening, and November greetings from your virtual Parent Resource Center. Although we are grateful to support family engagement in Arlington Public Schools’ throughout the year, we are pleased to announce that Governor Ralph S. Northam, Dr. James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Virginia Department of Education recognize November as Family Engagement Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The importance of family engagement in schools is well documented. Over 30 years of research shows that one of the most effective ways to increase student achievement is for parents to be actively involved in the education of their children. The past several months have brought unique challenges and opportunities, and have reminded us of the critical role parents and guardians play in the education of their children.
Happy Family Engagement in Education Month – we are honored and gratified to collaborate with you in supporting APS students.
Read the Virginia Board of Education’s Resolution of Recognition here.
Your child may have questions about this week’s election. The PBS Kids Arthur short Get Out the Vote can help you explain the process. In this video, Binky and Buster talk about how they can get involved in the voting process, even though they are not old enough to vote yet. This is one of the many Resources about Voting from PBS Kids.
For older students, check out eMediaVA’s Election Day 2020 Collection.
WETA’s Week of November 2nd At Home Learning resources are now available.
Upcoming PRC and APS Events
Crisis Intervention Training for Parents/Caregivers – Cohort 3
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, introductory session with facilitators. Upon completion of the introductory session, participants will have access to independent, asynchronous interaction with training modules during a two-week session. At the end of the session, 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 both live sessions 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 navigate how to reduce online dangers for children. Among other things, SEPTA 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.
You can submit questions for Marita in advance on the registration form until Monday, November 9th at 10:00 p.m. or ask questions in the chat which will be answered as time allows.
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
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
- Improving School Work Motivation in a Virtual World
Thursday, November 5th: 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Register on Zoom - 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.
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 2020Sundays: 7pm-8:30pm
- 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)
