Special Education Update

February 2019

Especially for Parents

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Parent Resource Center (PRC) provides resources, information, and consultations to support the success of all Confidential consultations, an extensive lending library, and a year-long calendar of workshops are offered for parents, educators, and community members. Contact the PRC by calling 703-204-3941, emailing at prc@fcps.edu or visit us Monday – Friday during the hours of 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services.

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and tune into our You Tube Channel to see some of our recorded workshops. Bookmark our PRC website to stay up-to-date with all our workshops and resources.

Join Us for Our February Workshops
All workshops are held at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 100, Dunn Loring, VA, unless otherwise noted. You may register for workshops online.

  • High School Success: A Strategic Transition for Teens Moving to Higher Grades
    If you've got a tween, you know that middle school is no cake walk. Multiple teachers, personal schedule responsibility, and long-term assignments all require independent thought and focus. Ann Dolin, M.Ed., educational consultant and author, will present this workshop on supporting students as they transition from middle to high school. Information will be presented on helping teens finish middle school strong, build positive habits for the future, shift from guided to independent learning, effective time management, and manage their social life so it doesn't interfere with school.
    Friday, February 1, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon
    Register for High School Success: A Strategic Transition for Teens Moving to Higher Grades
  • Sibshops
    An exciting workshop for brothers and sisters of children with special needs! Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services, Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-5 who have siblings with special needs enrolled in FCPS. The workshop is a way for children to meet other siblings in a fun, recreational setting, celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Participants may register for one, two, or all workshops. Registration is free; however, donations will be accepted to support the cost of materials and food. Registration is required and limited, so please register early.
    Three Workshop Days
    Monday, February 4, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon
    Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9 a.m.- noon
    Friday, April 5, 2019, 9 a.m.- noon
    This workshop will be held at Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031. 
    Register for Sibshops
  • Why Won't My Child Go to School? A Conversation about School Refusal
    Dr. Lisa Batemen, Neuroscience, Inc., presents this workshop sharing information on school refusal. Highlights include symptoms of school refusal, including behavioral symptoms, and patterns of behavior. Dr. Batemen will also share information on the differences between school refusal and truancy, causes of school refusal, strategies for parents, and resources to help support students.
    Friday, February 8, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon
    Register for Why Won't My Child Go to School? A Conversation about School Refusal
  • Selective Mutism
    Learn about the diagnosis of Selective Mutism and how symptoms are maintained and persist. Find out ways you can successfully support your child in being brave to overcome their fear of speaking, both at school and out in the world. Dr. Kristin Swanson is a clinical psychologist, specializing in work with young children (ages 2 to 12) and their families. She works with children with a variety of emotional and behavioral needs, with a particular interest in anxiety disorders. Over the past couple of years, Dr. Swanson has developed an expertise in Selective Mutism and works to support families in helping their children overcome their fear of speaking.
    Friday, February 22, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon
    Register for Selective Mutism

Super Transition Saturday

Planning for Elementary, Middle and High School Students: Start Smart and Finish Strong. This workshop is for parents and educators of students receiving special education services. Learn about Career and Transition Services (CTS) programming and course options for students with disabilities. Breakout sessions will cover post- secondary education support services, employment and 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. This event also includes a student/parent panel where members describe their personal experiences as they navigated FCPS and the transition process.

FCPS educators register on MyPLT to receive 4.5 re-certification points. Saturday, February 23, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Snow Date: Saturday, March 9, 2019

This event will be held at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042

Register for Super Transition Saturday


Special Education Conference 2019 - Save the Date

This year’s conference focuses on building inclusive and post-secondary practices to support the development of 21st Century skills and Portrait of a Graduate attributes.

The 14th Annual Special Education Conference will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015.

  • Registration will begin in February 2019.
  • Parents and Community Members will be able to register online or by phone.
  • FCPS Educators, Administrators, and Preservice Teachers can register online and earn five recertification points for attending the entire conference.
  • New Student Strand for youth ages 14-22.
  • Email prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941 with questions.
  • View the Save the Date Flyer

13th Annual I’m Determined Youth and Parent Summit

The Virginia Department of Education’s I’m Determined project, in conjunction with the Partnership for People with Disabilities, are now accepting applications for the 13th Annual I’m Determined Youth and  Parent Summit. The two-day event will be held from June 12-14, 2019, at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Youth with disabilities from across the Commonwealth will meet to identify ways to become better advocates and lead more self-determined lives. The selected individuals and a parent/guardian will receive paid registration, dormitory accommodations, travel expenses, and meals for the three-day event. A concurrent Parent Summit for the selected participant’s parent/guardian will be held at the university. Deadline for application submission is March 8th, 2019. For more information and to apply go to: https://summit.imdetermined.org/


During the 2018-19 school year, Assistive Technology Services (ATS) will be offering training sessions focused on the use of high-end Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). 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 5, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Virginia Hills
  • February 11, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Proloquo2Go App – Virginia Hills
  • February 12, 2019, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., PRC Devices – Lanier Middle School
  • February 19, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Alan Leis Center

Extended School Year (ESY) 2019 Save the Date

2019 Summer ESY direct, class-based services will be July 1-26, 2019. More information regarding site locations and bell schedules will be coming soon.


 

Especially for Staff Members

ESY and Assessment

  • The ESY and Assessment program will be offering a training on The Nuts and Bolts of ESY. This training is for all teachers who are considering that students may require this service. You may sign up on My PLT – Course #SS-44022.
  • The ESY and Assessment program will be offering the final training in the series: Year Long Overview of the Virginia Alternate Assessment (VAAP): Putting it All Together on Monday, February 4, 2019. This training is for both new and veteran teachers of students participating in the VAAP. You may sign up on My PLT – Course #SS-44021.

Don’t forget to collect data for ESY discussions during Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings after the winter break. A specialist from ESY and Assessment would be glad to schedule a time to speak to school teams about ESY criteria and goal writing.


VAAP Scoring Event

Opportunities to apply and submit your application to score for the VAAP Scoring Event will be available February 1 – March 1, 2019. Please note that the scoring event will be held at Virginia Hills in Alexandria on the following dates:

  • Secondary: April 30 and May 1, 2019
  • Elementary:  May 2 and May 3, 2019

Applicants will be notified if selected to score. Scorers will be required to attend one full day of scorer training and two days for the grade relevant scoring event.

VAAP Scorer training dates:

  • Monday, April 8, 2019 – Gatehouse, Rooms 3050/3051
  • Tuesday, April 9, 2019 – Virginia Hills, Multipurpose Room

ESY Job Opportunities

Direct, class-based ESY dates will be July 1-26, 2019. July 4 and 5, 2019, will be holidays. ESY job opportunities will be available beginning February 13, 2019. Links to the various positions can be found on our ESY intranet website under ESY Employment Opportunities. Instructional staff member contracts will begin in June, so please make note of start date for these positions as all staff members are expected to work on all contracted days.

Applicants for teaching positions must have a special education license/endorsement.

Positions include:

  • Teacher Employment Opportunities
  • Paraprofessional and Support Employment Opportunities
  • Related Service Employment Opportunities

Updated Accommodations Information

The updated FCPS Standards of Learning (SOL) Accommodations Reference Chart with information pertaining to students with disabilities and English learners is now available online. All versions of this reference chart dated prior to November 2018 should be discarded. This chart and additional resources are available on the Office of Special Education Instruction assessment intranet site.

Four weeks before a testing window begins, special education department chairs and lead teachers are asked to work with their assessment coach/school test coordinator (AC/STC) to ensure they have the necessary accommodations information for students participating in state assessments. Please collaborate with your AC/STC to determine the most appropriate format to submit this information in a timely manner.


Office of Special Education Instruction (OSEI) Trainings for Staff Members

During the month of February, OSEI is offering the following trainings for staff members. Registration is available in My PLT. For more information about OSEI trainings, visit http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/trainings/osei/

  • Mandt – Course #SS-25097
  • Mandt Recertification – Course #SS-25098
  • Early Childhood Special Education Staff Development Day – Course #SS-22077
  • MTSS/RI Coaching for Elementary Schools: Academics – Course #SS-60196

Department of Special Services

Teresa L. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Irene Meier, Director, Office of Special Education Instruction