Special Education Update

February 2018

Especially for Parents

  • What is Restorative Justice? Restorative justice practice is a philosophy based on a set of principles for responding to harm and wrongdoing that is victim-centered and focuses on offender accountability to those who were harmed, as well as to the laws or rules that were broken. Restorative practices are skills that may be used to build relationships, create connections and prevent harm before it occurs. The Restorative Justice workshop will be presented on Friday, February 2, 2018, at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, Entrance 1, Room 100 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Highlights will include: How restorative justice practices and restorative circles are used in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the benefits of using restorative language when talking to your children at home, and restorative activities that promote communication and build stronger relationships between parents and children, parents and school staff members, and schools and communities.
  • Section 504: What Parents Need to Know Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of a disability. Join Kathy Murphy, FCPS Section 504 Specialist, as she discusses the 504 Qualification and Plan process. The workshop will take place on Friday, February 9, 2018, at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Service, Entrance 1, Room 100 from 10 a.m. to noon.
  •  Don’t miss Super Transition Saturday! Come learn about Career and Transition Services (CTS) programming and course options for students with disabilities. Breakout sessions will cover postsecondary support services, student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success, and in-school CTS supports that are available to all FCPS students as they progress through the secondary years toward graduation and beyond. There will also be a combined student and parent panel where members describe their experiences as they navigated FCPS and the transition process. FREE childcare will be available ages 3 and up (advance registration is required)! This event will take place at Lanier Middle School on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note: The snow date is February 24, 2018. 
  •  Building Healthy Relationships Navigating the social world is hard! It can be extremely difficult for children and teenagers with disabilities. Please join Robin Moyher and Laura Freeman from the George Mason University Mason LIFE program, as they present strategies to help teach your child/teen how to build healthy relationships with family, friends, and in the community. This workshop will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, Entrance 1, Room 100, from 10 a.m. to noon.
  • The Office of Special Education Instruction (OSEI) will be offering a parent training called Transitioning to Middle School, on February 15, 2018, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Leis Center in the Multi-Purpose room #106 or at the Gatehouse Administrative Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for students entering a secondary Category B program.
  • The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) provides resources, information, and consultations to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Confidential meetings, training opportunities, an extensive lending library, and a year-long calendar of workshops are offered for parents, educators, and community members through collaboration with staff members from FCPS offices as well as local and national experts. Contact the FCPS PRC for additional information, to schedule a consultation, use our extensive lending library, to attend a workshop, or to request workshop flyers in Arabic, Korean or Spanish at 703-204-3941 or email at prc@fcps.edu. Follow us on Twitter @prc_fcps, like us on Facebook at FCPS – Parent Resource Center and bookmark our website! https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center

Especially for Staff Members

  • Opportunities to apply and submit your application to score for the Virginia Alternative Assessment Program (VAAP) Scoring Event will open on February 5, 2018, through March 2, 2018. If selected, VAAP scorers will be required to attend one full day of scorer training and two days of scoring. An acceptance email will be sent to those selected scorers prior to the training date in Apri

    VAAP Scorer training dates: 
    o    April 18, 2018 at the Gatehouse Administrator Center
    o    April 19, 2018 at the Gatehouse Administrator Center

    VAAP Scoring Event:
    o    Elementary: May 3 and 4, 2018
    o    Secondary: May 1 and 2, 2018
  • Extended School Year (ESY) Job Opportunities- Summer positions will be available through ESY job opportunities beginning February 14, 2018. Links to the various positions can be found on the ESY intranet website under ESY Employment Opportunities. Applicants for teaching positions must have a special education license/endorsement. Positions include:
    -Elementary teacher and instructional support
    -Secondary teacher and instructional support
    -Office positions. 
  • A resume will be required by Human Resources when you apply through CareerQuest. ESY student dates are July 2, 2018, through July 27, 2018, with July 4, 2018, being a holiday for everyone. All instructional staff members report on June 27, 2018, and work through July 27, 2018, with July 4, 2018, being a holiday for everyone.
  •  During the 2017-18 school year, Assistive Technology Services (ATS) will be offering training sessions focused on the use of high-end Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Participants will learn basic programming and maintenance of the devices as well as integration ideas. These sessions are open to both staff members and parents of students using the specific devices. To register, contact the ATS Resource Teacher who supports your school. February sessions will include the following topics:
    February 6, 2018, 9 a.m. - noon, Words for Life App - Lanier Middle School
    February 13, 2018, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., PRC Devices - Lanier Middle School
    February 20, 2018, 9 a.m. - noon, Proloquo2Go App - Virginia Hills
    February 27, 2018, 9 a.m. - noon, Words for Life App - Lanier Middle School
  • Additional training opportunities for staff members:

    Title: Corrective Reading Comprehension & Decoding
    MyPLT#: SS-27050 
    Audience: Teachers in grades 3-12 who plan to implement  
    Training Date: 2/1/18 

    Title: REWARDS
    MyPLT#: SS-29082
    Audience:Grades 4-6 teachers implementing during the 17-18 SY
    Training Date:2/2/18

    Title: RI in EDSL Functionality: Planning for Transition Using the Foresight Worksheet and the PLIST
    MyPLT#: SS-60185
    Audience:Administrators, teachers, and staff members that support RI
    Training Date:2/6/18

    Title: Vmath
    MyPLT#: SS-25056
    Audience:Teachers in grades 2-8 who are implementing
    Training Date:2/1/18

Department of Special Services

Teresa L. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Irene Meier, Director, Office of Special Education Instruction