Special Education Update

April 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 students. 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 phone at 703-204-3941, email, 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 April 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.

  • Technology to Support Reading and Writing: Encouraging Independence and Student Success

    Join FCPS Assistive Technology Services to explore a variety of technology tools to support student success and independence with reading and writing in the digital classroom and at home. Highlights will include common tools, strategies, and features which can be useful to support students of all ages who struggle with reading and writing. This session will be a demonstration. Participants wishing to follow along are encouraged to bring a laptop, tablet, or phone and have a Google account.

    Thursday, April 4, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon

    Register for Technology to Support Reading and Writing: Encouraging Independence and Student Success

  • Sibshop

    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 Fairfax County Public Schools. 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, please register early.

    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 Sibshop

  • Flash Forward: Post-Secondary Education & Employment Options

    Presented by FCPS Career and Transition Services, Flash Forward will provide students with IEPs and their parents an introduction to options after high school. Representatives from post-secondary and adult education employment, community programs, and services will be available. The schedule includes information tables, an overview of post-secondary options, and a breakout of workshop sessions.

    Breakout Sessions:

    • Supported Employment Options – For students who will require ongoing support after graduation.
    • Competitive Employment Options – For students with disabilities that will not require ongoing support.
    • Post-secondary Education Options – For students planning to continue their education at a 2 or 4-year college or specialized training program.

    Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

    This event will be held at Woodson High School, 9525 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031.

    Register for Flash Forward

  • Autism and Safety: Public Safety Considerations, Guidance for Families, Caregivers, and Self-Advocates

    Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other cognitive disabilities may not recognize danger, react well in an emergency, or be able to seek help. This workshop will provide parents and educators of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other cognitive disabilities information on safety risks for individuals with special needs, proactive steps to reduce the risk of potential dangers and resources available in the community for emergency preparedness. Scott Campbell, a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Public Safety Workgroup for Autism Awareness; Autism Safety and Awareness Trainer for families and first responder personnel in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.; former President of the Autism Society of Northern Virginia; and former President of Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) of Northern Virginia will present this important workshop.

    Friday, April 26, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon

    Register for Autism and Safety


 

Conference Logo

2019 Special Education Conference

FCPS will hold its 14th Annual Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015. 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 (POG) attributes.

Self-Determined Student Strand

Career and Transition Services has teamed up with “I’m Determined”, Region 4 staff to conduct a Self-Determined Student Strand at the 14th Annual Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The location of this year's conference is Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Road, VA 22015. This four-hour session will be led by “I’m Determined” youth leaders. It is for FCPS students, ages 14-22, with disabilities and will emphasize learning and understanding of what self-determination is and why it is important to possess and implement these skills on a daily basis. For additional information go to the Self-Determined Student Strand website.


Vision 2019

Career and Transition Services and Northern VA Community College (NOVA) are offering an opportunity for students with disabilities interested in NOVA to learn about available options.  Vision 2019 will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 4-6 p.m., at the NOVA Annandale Campus. The orientation will include presentations from Disability Services and Counseling Services, a mock NOVA classroom experience for students, and a current student panel Q&A session. NOVA Annandale Campus is located at 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003. For more information students and/or parents should contact their school’s Employment and Transition Services Representative (ETR).


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) devices. Participants will learn basic programming and maintenance of the devices, as well as integration ideas. These sessions are open to both staff 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:

  • April 2, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Virginia Hills
  • April 8, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Proloquo2Go App – Virginia Hills
  • April 10, 2019, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., PRC Devices – Lanier Middle School
  • April 23, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Lanier Middle School

Extended School Year (ESY) 2019

2019 SUMMER ESY direct, class-based services will be July 1-26, 2019. July 4 and 5 will be student holidays. Site information, feeder lists, and bell schedules are now posted on the Extended School Year website


 

Especially for Staff Members

Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) Binder Turn-in

All completed VAAP Collection of Evidence (COE) are due to the Test Distribution Center (TDC) on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, so they may be prepared for scoring the following week.


Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) Scoring Event

VAAP scorer training dates for selected scorers: 

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

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

Extended School Year (ESY) Job Opportunities

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


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

During the month of April, 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/

  • Brigance Workshop – Course #SS-33337
  • Connecting Math Concepts – Course #SS-33247
  • Corrective Reading Comprehension – Course #SS-478987
  • Corrective Reading Decoding – Course #SS-33308
  • Reading Mastery – Course #SS-33249
  • Mandt – Course #SS-25097
  • Mandt Recertification – Course #SS-25098
  • MTSS/RI Coaching for Elementary Schools: Behavior/Wellness – Course #SS-60196

Department of Special Services

Teresa L. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Irene Meier, Director, Office of Special Education Instruction