Special Education Update - December 2019

December 2019

Especially for Parents

December Workshops at the Parent Resource Center (PRC)

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 view additional information on upcoming workshops and register for workshops online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center/workshops-parents-educators-and-community.

The Parent Resource Center will be closed Monday, December 23, 2019, through Friday, January 3, 2020.

  • Zones of Regulation
    Rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, the Zones of Regulation is a framework that uses four colors to help students identify their feelings and level of alertness and provides strategies to support emotional regulation. By understanding how to notice their body’s signals, detect triggers, read social context, and consider how their behaviors impact those around them, students learn improved emotional control, sensory regulation, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. Presented by Emily Habermeyer and Paula Augenstein, FCPS School Counselors.


    Participants will:

    • Learn about the four Zones, corresponding feelings and visuals to reinforce this language at home.
    • Explore calming and alerting strategies to teach children how to become aware of and manage their emotions.
    • Discuss individual needs in a collaborate group setting.

    Thursday, December 5, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

    Register for Zones of Regulation

  • Raising Children with High Self-Esteem in a High-Pressure Culture We all want our children to feel good about themselves and meet their full potential. But how can we raise children with healthy self-esteem when they compare themselves to others and believe they aren’t doing or being enough…no matter how successful they are? Presented by Parenting Specialist, Rachel Bailey, M.A., CPDPE.


    Participants will learn:

    • Where self-esteem comes from.
    • Practical strategies to help children improve self-esteem.
    • Why some strategies we usually use to improve self-esteem may backfire.
    • 3 simple actions used to improve your child’s self-esteem today and in the future.

    Friday, December 6, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

    Register for Raising Children with High Self-Esteem in a High-Pressure Culture

  • Twice Exceptional Students: What Parents Need to Know Twice exceptional (2e) learners have exceptional strengths and exceptional learning challenges. Please join us to learn what FCPS is doing to provide schools and families with insight and guidance to support the identification, instruction, and social-emotional wellness of 2e students. Presented by Beth Baldwin, FCPS Advanced Academics Specialist, and Dawn Azennar, FCPS Curriculum Resource Teacher.


    During this workshop, you will have an opportunity to:

    • Learn about the joys and challenges of twice exceptionality.
    • Review newly published FCPS resources created to support families and schools.
    • Talk to other parents of 2e learners.

    Friday, December 13, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

    Register for Twice Exceptional Students: What Parents Need to Know

Lending Library

The Parent Resource Center Lending Library contains over 7,000 books, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children including those with learning challenges, mental health concerns, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about our lending library at https://www.fcps.edu/node/31312

Books available for checkout:

  1. All About IEPs: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About IEPs
  2. Depression: A Teen’s Guide to Survive and Thrive
  3. Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions through Everyday Transitions: Small Changes – Big Challenges
  4. Helping Students Overcome Depression and Anxiety: A Practical Guide
  5. I Miss You!: A Military Kid’s Book About Deployment
  6. Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care
  7. Reparenting the Child Who Hurts: A Guide to Healing Developmental Trauma and Attachments
  8. The Bilingual Book of Rhymes, Songs, Stories, and Fingerplays: El libro bilingue de rimas, canciones, cuentos, y juegos
  9. The Dyslexia Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers
  10. The Dyslexia Help Handbook for Parents: Your Guide to Overcoming Dyslexia Including Tools You Can Use for Learning Empowerment

About The Parent Resource Center (PRC)

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. For more information please visit the PRC website at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center.


Assistive Technology Services (ATS)

During the 2019-20 school year, 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. December sessions will include the following topics:

  • December 3, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Virginia Hills Center
  • December 8, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Proloquo2Go App – Leis Center
  • December 10, 2019, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., PRC Devices – Lanier Middle School
  • December 18, 2019, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Leis Center

Extended School Year (ESY)

Save the Date: 2020 ESY direct, class-based service dates will be June 20 – July 24, 2020. More information regarding site locations and bell schedules will be coming soon.


Especially for Staff Members

Assistive Technology Services (ATS)

  • AAC Beyond the Classroom
    Can your students communicate with a first responder if they need to? Can they successfully have an exchange with a store clerk? This TOPS group will collaborate with each other to review existing resources and create new materials that can be implemented and adapted in a classroom setting, as well as shared with families for use at home. Whether it is an emergency situation, a trip to the doctor, or a weekend family outing, the end goal is to offer teachers and families additional resources to help assist AAC students with their communication needs in a functional, independent way across their community.

    Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Instructional Program Support Center, Room 200.

    To register, please click on this link https://FCPS.sumtotal.host/core/pillarRedirect?relyingParty=LM&url=app%2fmanagement%2fLMS_ActDetails.aspx%3fActivityId%3d173053%26UserMode%3d0 and log onto MyPDE.

Career and Transition Services

Transition Tip Tuesday: The Employment and Transition Representative’s (ETR) role. 

As part of an initiative this school year, Career and Transition Services (CTS) will provide monthly mini trainings for special education staff in the high schools. On the first Tuesday of each month, CTS will deliver targeted and relevant information to school staff regarding effective transition planning. For December, the topic focus is on the role of the ETR in coordinating transition services, how to determine when ETR hours should be added to a student’s IEP, and the many ways that the ETR can support students, parents, and educators.

ESY and Assessment

As the holidays are approaching, please remember that typically occurring breaks in the school year are a great opportunity to collect data for Extended School Year (ESY) discussions during IEP meetings. A Specialist from ESY and Assessment would be glad to schedule a time to speak to school teams about ESY criteria and goal writing.

  • The ESY and Assessment program will be offering a training, Extended School Year (ESY): Navigating the Guidelines and Procedures for Schools, on January 28, 2020. Sign up on MyPDE – Course #44022.
  • The ESY and Assessment program will be offering the final training in the series, The Virginia Alternate Assessment (VAAP): Putting it all Together, on January 28, 2020. This training will focus on compiling the collection of evidence (COE). Sign up on MyPDE – Course #44021.

Save the Date: 2020 ESY direct, class-based service dates will be June 20 – July 24, 2020. More information for staff regarding start dates and job opportunities will be coming soon.

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

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

  • Classroom Wide Practices that Support Effective Instruction – Course #SS-29101
  • Corrective Reading: Corrective Reading Decoding/Corrective Reading Comprehension – Course #SS-27050
  • Fundations Level 1 – Course #SS-27003
  • Fundations Level 2 – Course #SS-27003
  • Providing Resource Services in the Natural Environment – Course #SS-22096
  • Read Well K-3 – Course #SS-27077
  • Transmath – Course #SS-27087
  • Using the Data Matrix to Monitor Child Progress in Early Childhood Class based Settings – Course #SS-33296
  • VMATH – Course #SS-25056

Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email RequestIT@fcps.edu with questions.


Department of Special Services

Teresa L. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Michael Bloom, Director, Office of Special Education Instruction