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Greetings from your virtual Parent Resource Center. This last week in October we look forward to the final two sessions of our 2020 Virtual Dyslexia Conference. Dr. Judith Fontana of George Mason University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center has a great session to share with us this evening on Dyscalculia – a math learning disability. There is still time to register, and details are below. We hope you can join us at 7pm! On Thursday our Assistive Technology Team will share a presentation on the Read and Write Literacy Software Tool – a great tool to make everyday tasks easier. If you’ve missed Dyslexia Conference sessions, available handouts and recordings are posted on the conference webpage.
Also, this week Arlington’s Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at 7pm; and on Wednesday our Crisis Prevention Team will offer its second introduction to Crisis Prevention Intervention for Parents and Caregivers, and our Transition Team will offerUnderstanding Transition Services and What Needs to Happen. Details and registration links can be found below.
Finally, Arlington SEPTA is hosting its 6th Annual Phantom Ball on October 32nd! (Yes, October 32nd! Read more here.)
The “At-Home Learning with WETA” activities for the week of October 26-30, which includes WETA PBS and WETA PBS Kids television shows, books, learning activities and PBS Kids online games that families can do together are now posted online. Check out PBS Kids for Parents for tips on how to create virtual learning routines to lessen the stress for your family. This resource also has related articles that can help you tackle this school year as a caretaker.
PBS Learning Media is another place to find educational resources for your child. There are weekly “Learn Along” bingo packets for preschool through second grades. The bingo sheets are available in both Spanish and English and include themes like building, being kind, and fall time. Other resources on this site include videos, lessons and printables for different subjects for grades pre-k through 12th grade.
- Dyscalculia: What We Know and Strategies to Help
Monday, October 26th: 7pm-8pm
Presenter: Judith L. Fontana, Ph.D., Mild Disabilities/Instructional Support Teams CoordinatorGeorge Mason University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC)
Register Here
The ability to calculate and understand basic math concepts and principles are life skills. Dyscalculia is a learning disability that impacts one’s ability in mathematics. Like, but not to be confused with dyslexia, the impact of dyscalculia falls along a continuum. Each case is unique. The session will address common characteristics, assessments and instructional strategies. Resources will be provided. - Read & Write Literacy Software Tool
Thursday, October 29th: 7:30pm-9pm
Presenters: Sandra Stoppel, OTR/L, Assistive Technology Specialist; Lauren Kravetz Bonnet, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistive Technology Specialist; and Marbea Tiernan Tammaro, MEd, OTR/L, Assistive Technology Specialist; Arlington Public Schools
Register here
Read & Write is an educational literacy software program that makes lots of everyday tasks easier. It makes the web, documents and files more accessible on the APS staff’ and students’ personal learning devices. Read & Write was targeted to support reluctant writers and students with learning disabilities in the areas of reading and writing; however, it is beneficial for anyone who prefers to use these robust tools. Arlington Public Schools has this software available to all staff and students in three versions, depending on the type of device that is issued. Read more
Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC)
Tuesday, October 27th: 7pm – 9pm
Register Here
Please note that the business portion of this meeting will be recorded through Zoom.
7:00 – 7:20 pm Welcome, Member Introductions and Public Comments*
(*There will be an option to sign up to make a public comment on the registration form linked above)
7:20 – 7:40 pm OSE Updates and Response to June 2020 Public Comments
7:40 – 7:55 pm Budget Presentation
(Questions can be submitted in advance through the registration form)
7:55 – 8:20 pm Budget Breakout Groups
8:20 – 8:30 pm ASEAC Updates
ASEAC monthly meetings are open to the public and address a range of issues of importance to the disability community. A public comment opportunity at each meeting provides members of the community the opportunity to bring issues to ASEAC’s attention.ASEAC welcomes 3 minute comments from the public during the first 15 minutes of each meeting. ASEAC members use comments to inform recommendations and to advise the School Board. Comments can be made in person or by emailing ASEAC.mail@gmail.com.
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- Public comments will be included in meeting minutes and posted on ASEAC’s website. Comments may be recorded anonymously upon request, but note that our email address is subject to FOIA regulations.
- Neither ASEAC nor APS staff responds to public comments at the time they are given, but staff is requested to provide a response by the next meeting.
Crisis Intervention Training for Parents/Caregivers (Cohort 2)
Wednesday, October 28, 2020: 10am and 8pm
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.
Understanding Transition Services and What Needs to Happen
Wednesday, October 28th: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register here
Arlington Public Schools Transition Services, Parent Resource Center and Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP) are sponsoring a Transition Series this year, which will feature monthly transition topics. October’s topic is Understanding Transition Services and What Needs to Happen. Speakers will include representatives from:
- The ARC of Northern Virginia
- Arlington’s Community Services Board (CSB)
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
- Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP)
For further information 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
CHADD of Northern Virginia and DC (NOVA DC CHADD) –
Calming the Chaos: Productivity and Peace of Mind
Tuesday, October 27, 2020: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
LEARN MORE
Virginia Commonwealth University Autism Center for Excellence (VCU-ACE) Lunch and Learn Series
- Workplace Readiness Toolkit
Thursday, October 29th: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Register on Zoom - Lunch and Learn: TBD
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
Education Technology Resources to Support Students With or At Risk for Disabilities During COVID19
Wednesday, October 28, 1PM to 2PM Eastern
(plus an “overtime” Q&A session from 2:00PM to 2:15PM)
Register here
Sponsored by InnovateEDU and the Educate All Learners Alliance
Military Family Symposium
Saturday, November 14, 2020: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pre-registration is required. Pre-register here.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Department of Special Education and Student Services (SESS), in collaboration with the Department of the Navy, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is offering a one-day Military Family Symposium training opportunity for military families of students with disabilities and those who provide them with educational supports.
Symposium participants will receive information on: (i) current federal and state educational laws affecting military families (i.e., parental consent, remote registration, enrollment flexibility when residing in temporary housing, and open enrollment policy for those residing in military housing; (ii) special education dispute resolution options, with an emphasis on due process hearing procedures; and (iii) post-secondary transition programming.
The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) and the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Center for Family Involvement (CFI) will provide briefings on the services that they provide specifically for military families. There will also be briefings on the resources and supports available through the State Special Education Advisory Committee (SSEAC), a school division’s local special education advisory committee, and the parent resource centers located throughout the Commonwealth. There are also two sessions set aside to address questions directly from the Symposium participants.There is no registration fee for participation in this Symposium.
