Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 12.13.2021

Good evening! As we approach Arlington Public Schools’ Winter Break (December 18-January 3rd), we wanted to share with you that the Parent Resource Center will be closed during the entirety of the winter break. We will re-open on Monday, January 3rd, and will respond to voicemail and email messages at that time. We hope that each of you enjoy a wonderful break with your children, and have a happy and healthy New Year!
We look forward to connecting with you in 2022!

As a reminder, the Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC), and Arlington SEPTA are holding important virtual meetings this week before the break. Tomorrow (Tuesday, 12.14.21), ASEAC will host a session focused on the needs of families with students with disabilities who are also English language learners, and on Wednesday, December 13th, Arlington SEPTA will hold its annual SUPER TEAM CHAT. Details and information can be found below.

Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) Meeting
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Virtual Meeting –  via Zoom
Register here
Do you know a student who is an English learner and receives special education services? Please join us.”
The Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) is excited to welcome a guest presenter, Ms. Terri Murphy, the Director of the English Learners Office on December 14th. Ms. Murphy will share some data related to students who are both English Learners and have disabilities, current practices APS utilizes to support students, and her vision for the development of a 5-year plan for the EL Office. There will also be some time for questions and answers from the community. Simultaneous translation will be available in Amharic, Arabic, Mongolian and Spanish.To access simultaneous interpretation,

• Dial: 1-646-307-1479
• Then enter Guest code for language (see codes below)
• Then enter #

7:00-7:20 – Opening and Public Comments
7:20-7:30 – Office of Special Education Report
7:30-8:10 – Office of English Learners
8:10-8:45 – Discussion – ASEAC Report to School Board
8:45-9:00 – 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.

Reunión del Comité Asesor de Educación Especial de Arlington (ASEAC)
Martes, 14 de diciembre de 2021: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Registrarse aqui
Para acceder a la interpretación simultánea, marque:

• 1-646-307-1479
• Introduzca el código
• ingresar #

7:00-7:20 Apertura y comentarios públicos
7:20-7:30 – Informe de la Oficina de Educación Especial
7:30-8:10 – Oficina de Estudiantes de Inglés
8:10-8:45 – Discusión – Informe de la ASEAC a la Junta Escolar
8:45-9:00 – Asuntos ASEAC
Esta parte de negocios de esta reunión se grabará a través de Zoom. Esta parte de negocios de esta reunión se grabará a través de Zoom. Al comienzo de cada reunión, ASEAC agradece los comentarios del público sobre las necesidades de los estudiantes con discapacidades en APS. Consulte las Pautas de comentarios públicos de la ASEAC en https://aps2016.apsva.us/special-education-advisory-committee para obtener información sobre cómo enviar comentarios públicos.Cualquier persona que requiera un intérprete y / o con una alguna discapacidad que necesite adaptaciones para atender a la reunión debe comunicarse con el Centro de Recursos para Padres y solicitar asistencia al 703.228.7239 o prc@apsva.us con al menos quatro días de anticipación antes de la reunión.

Super Team Chat
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
6:30 – 7:00 p.m.: PTA business
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.: Super Team Chat
Online via Zoom Webinar
Register here
Join Arlington Special Education PTA (SEPTA) for its annual “Super Chat” with  Superintendent Durán and the Office of Special Education to discuss topics relevant to special education in Arlington Public Schools.All SEPTA meetings are open to everyone.
American Sign Language interpreters will be available for this meeting.
A recording of the meeting will be loaded to SEPTA’s YouTube channel the following day.
Questions are submitted by SEPTA members and compiled by SEPTA’s board. A week prior to the meeting all the questions are submitted to the Superintendent and Office of Special Education to allow time to gather data necessary to answer questions as fully as possible.

The Virginia Department of Education has asked us to remind families who have not yet done so to please complete their Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will close on Friday, December 17th.
English language survey
Spanish language survey

Towson University is offering a free weight loss program for parents with a child (8-18 years) who has a disability. The program is part of a study at Towson University. All participants get 12 weeks of video coaching sessions and directions for an evidenced based approach to safe an effective weight loss. This is part of a study being conducted at Towson University.  To learn more, contact the Physical Activity and Public Health Lab at paphl@towson.edu.

The Virginia Department of Education’s Department of Special Education and Student Services is posting weekly updates for families on Twitter at #familyengagementfriday

New Resources from PEATC

• Sexual Health and Wellness: Family Toolkit
• Healthcare Transition Checklist
• Life Skills Checklist
• Is Guardianship My ONLY Option?
• Supported Decision Making in Special Education Programs

SCAN of Northern Virginia is offering a variety of new opportunities including:

• Nurturing Parents | English & Spanish
  Wednesdays January 26—March 16—-For parents with children of all ages: Receive support in topics such as child development, praise and empathy, family rules and expectations, stress management and much more;
• Strengthening Families | English
  Thursdays: January 27—March 10—-For parents and youth ages 10-14: Strengthen your family bond with discussions, games, projects, and much more. Families will discuss topics such as family stress, tobacco use, peer pressure, and more.Family Coaching | English & Spanish
  Open enrollment—-Meet weekly with a Family Coach to identify individualized goals and create a targeted family

Apply or learn more

We’ll be back on January 3rd with our 2022 Events Calendar! Stay well and have a wonderful winter break.