Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 8.30.21

Monday, August 30, 2021

Welcome Back to school! After a very unique period, we join in the excitement of our students, parents, colleagues and supervisors in welcoming Arlington Public Schools students back to school for the 2021-22 academic year. We hope each of your children had a wonderful first day, and we look forward to collaborating with you and our colleagues to support their learning and the important work happening in schools each day. Many thanks to the staff in our schools and our colleagues and supervisors here in the central office who have been working tirelessly to prepare for a great first day. Kudos to parents and caregivers who have been supporting learning at home, and preparing students for the new academic year.
We know from research and experience that family engagement has a significant impact on student success, so we hope you’ll share your knowledge, ideas and suggestions with us; take advantage of the Parent Resource Center resources; attend our free parent learning sessions where we will learn together to support students and one another; and let us know how we can best support you in your parenting journey. We are looking forward to a great year! Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us.

Upcoming Dates to Note:

• September 9th: Elementary Back to School Night
• September 14th: Middle School Back to School Night
• September 14th: Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting (ASEAC) at 7pm
• September 22nd: High School Back to School Night
• September 23rd: HB-Woodlawn Back to School Night
• September 23rd: Arlington SEPTA Meeting at 7pm
• September 30th: Career Center/Arlington Tech Back to School Night

ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENT RESOURCE CENTER EVENTS

Please contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.usat least 7 days prior to events to request ADA accommodations.

How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments
Monday, September 20, 2021: 7pm
Virtual Meeting – Registration Link Coming Soon
“Do you have any homework?” “I’m not sure…
”“What do you mean you’re not sure? Where’s your agenda?” “I think it’s in my room…somewhere.”

Sound familiar? If you’re having this conversation multiple times each week, you’re not alone. Whether your child is in elementary school or preparing to graduate from high school, you want them to be ready and on top of their priorities. Your child likely wants to be organized as well. So why do they keep missing deadlines, losing assignments, and starting things the night before they’re due? It’s because executive functioning skills, like time management or prioritization, take time to learn. But once a child develops systems that work for them, these strategies can help them be successful throughout K-12 school and beyond.If you’re tired of hearing your child respond, “I don’t know,” every time you ask about homework or tests coming up, this webinar is for you!

Join Ann Dolin, M.Ed. to learn how you can help your child develop those critical executive functioning skills this school year. Other topics covered include:

✓ How to ensure kids stay on top of their schoolwork without feeling like a nag
✓ Site maps, Google calendars, and other tools for staying organized
✓ Smart strategies for tracking assignments (especially if your child’s teachers have different expectations and systems!)
✓ When to leave things up to your child, step in to support, or recruit outside help
✓ Keeping kids engaged by encouraging them to ask questions and advocate for themselves
✓ Opening the lines of communication to improve the parent/child relationship and avoid  conflict around academics

Save the Date: Tuesday, September 28th at 7pm – Virtual Session. Dr. Erin Berman of the National Institute of Mental Health will join us for a session on anxiety in children and youth.

An Introduction to Special Education
October 7, 2021
Register here

• 10:00am to Noon: Syphax Education Center, Room 456, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22204 (Masks required)
• 7pm – 9pm: Virtual Session

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Please visit our EVENTS page for additional details on community events.

Executive Function Basics for Parents – Videos and Animations

If you have a child with executive function challenges such as getting stuck or overwhelmed, or trouble with following directions, these videos provide simple strategies that parents can use immediately. These short, engaging videos and animations feature real-life situations, practical advice from experts, parents sharing their wisdom, and easy to understand explanations.

Here are some additional resources that may be of interest:

• Executive Functioning: Mornings Before School (Children’s National)
• Helping Kids Deal With Back-to-School Anxiety (Children’s National)
• Helping Your Child Transition Back to In-Person Learning (Children’s National)
• Handling Back to School Anxiety in a Pandemic (Stanford Children’s Health)

Wishing you and your family a fantastic 2021-22!