PRC Monday Message: 5.18.20

May 18, 2020

The team at the Parent Resource Center (PRC) hopes you all had a pleasant weekend. As mentioned in previous weeks, we miss seeing you, so have decided to try a virtual get together on Wednesday! Details on this event, as well as some important news and resources for families, are included below. Stay well, and have a good week – we are thinking of you.

Virtual PRC Pop-In: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – 10:00am – 11:00am
Instead of our monthly PRC Drop-In, your virtual PRC will be offering a digital “Pop-In” on Wednesday. If your schedule permits, please pop-in and join PRC Coordinators Kelly Mountain and Kathleen Donovan for a video get together to check in on Wednesday. Please register here so we can send you a link to join the meeting. We hope to see you then!

A Sense of Calm – Presented by Deborah Hammer
Many thanks to our wonderful colleague, Deborah Hammer, Autism Specialist, who shared a terrific session last week with students, families and staff on calming strategies. The session was extremely well-received, and we are most appreciative to Deborah for generously sharing her time and wisdom with us. If you missed it, please check out the video link and handouts below. Thanks again, Deborah – our community is so fortunate to have you!
View A Sense of Calm presentation slides

Congratulations to Arlington SEPTA
Arlington SEPTA was selected along with Fairfax SEPTA to receive the NOVA District iSTEAM PTA of the Year Award, which recognizes a Local PTA Unit for outstanding efforts in providing meaningful STEM/STEAM activities and programs to the students, parents, teachers, and community at large, promoting student enrichment and community engagement. Arlington SEPTA received this award in honor of its partnership with NOVA District PTA to host the inaugural iSTEAM Expo last September to serve students with disabilities and their families. Congrats, SEPTA!

The Virginia Special Education Family Connection has released the May Family Flyer, which includes information on NAMI Virginia Online Programming including online support groups; Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic (IRIS Module); Five Quick Tips for Families Using Assistive Technology; and a Do It Yourself Assistive Technology at Home webinar.

A Message from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) cares about the well-being of both you and your child, especially as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all in this together and our first priority is to keep our families and ourselves safe by seeking out meaningful supports. We should make every effort to stay positive and patient with one another and be compassionate in the understanding that everyone–administrators, teachers, students, and families–are going through this together. Please consider the following tips and resources when working with your child’s school team.
What Families of Students with Disabilities Need to Know During the COVID-19 School Closure: Tips and Resources for Considerations

Additional Resources to Consider:

VA TV Classroom
Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced that four Virginia public media stations will broadcast teacher-led classroom instruction aligned with the Commonwealth’s academic standards. Blue Ridge PBS, VPM, WETA and WHRO Public Media worked closely with the VDOE to create “VA TV Classroom” to provide instruction to students in grades K-10 who are unable to access other distance learning options.Check out “VA TV Classroom” today!

New Resource Links

Self-Care for the Busy Mom – Organization for Autism Research
The Military Child Education Coalition – COVID-19 Resources
The Value of Social Capital for Young People: SEARCH Institute Infographic