Special Education Update - January 2020

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/06/2020 01:00 PM EST

January 2020

Especially for Parents

January 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.

  • Mind in the Making Series
    At this workshop you will learn the research behind the Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Learn strategies for improving these skills, the importance of them in children’s lives, and activities to promote these evidence-based executive functioning skills.
    *Registration includes attendance at all sessions, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
    • Session 1: Introduction – January 16, 2020
    • Session 2: Focus and Self-Control – January 23, 2020
    • Session 3: Perspective Taking – January 30, 2020
    • Session 4: Communicating – February 6, 2020
    • Session 5: Making Connections – February 13, 2020
    • Session 6: Critical Thinking – February 20, 2020
    • Session 7: Taking on Challenges – February 27, 2020
    • Session 8: Self-Directed, Engaged Learning – March 5, 2020
    Register for the Mind in the Making Series

  • Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Treatment, and Research Update
    Join Dr. Lisa M. Cullins, attending physician in the Emotion and Development Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health for this highly informative workshop. She will provide current research on:
    • Diagnostic criteria.
    • Signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder as manifested in children and adolescents.
    • Treatment options, resources, and collaborations.
    Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
    Register for Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Treatment, and Research Update

  • Calm Conversations with Your Adolescent
    As parents of adolescents, we can often find ourselves in the throes of emotion and reactivity; we can say or do things that escalate the situation.
    Join Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional in this important workshop to learn tools to take yourself off of the emotional roller coaster and engage in ways that are helpful and supportive.
    • Explore ways to set boundaries that foster loving and safe communication.
    • Learn strategies to feel connected and calm rather than frazzled and overwhelmed.
    Friday, January 24, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
    Register for Calm Conversations with Your Adolescent

  • Sibshops
    An exciting workshop for brothers and sisters of children with special needs!
    *Registration must be completed separately for each session.
    • Session 2: Tuesday, January 28, 2020. This session will be held at Gums Springs Community Center and Providence Community Center.
    • Session 3: Saturday, March 21, 2020.
    Register for Sibshops

  • Portrait of an ADHD Graduate: Overcoming Obstacles While Optimizing Strengths
    This session focuses on ways parents can prepare students diagnosed with ADHD to be successful in the 21st Century workforce.
    Topics will include:
    • Identifying and building on existing strengths.
    • Strategies for developing executive functioning skills.
    • Ways to cultivate emotional intelligence.
    Presented by Patrick M. Hudak, PCC, BCC, Certified ADHD/Executive Function Coach at PathFinder Coaching & Tutoring LLC, President-Elect, CHADD Board of Directors.
    Friday, January 31, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
    Register for Portrait of an ADHD Graduate: Overcoming Obstacles While Optimizing Strengths

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:

  • How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years, by Julie Ross
  • Straight Talk for Kids: 10 Secrets to Get the Power & Freedom You Want, by Kirk Martin
  • 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Guide, by Christine Fonseca
  • Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid’s Guide to Managing Anxiety, by Dawn Huebner
  • Back to Front and Upside Down, by Claire Alexander
  • The BugaBees: Friends with Food Allergies, by Amy Recob
  • Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, by Kelly Bennett
  • Upside Down Magic: Sticks & Stones, by Sarah Mylnowski

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. January sessions will include the following topics:

  • January 7, 2020, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Virginia Hills Center
  • January 13, 2020, 9 a.m.-noon, Proloquo2Go App – Virginia Hills Center
  • January 14, 2020, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., PRC Devices – Lanier Middle School
  • January 21, 2020, 9 a.m.-noon, Words for Life App – Leis Center

Career and Transition Services

Transition IEP Workshop: Postsecondary Planning in Middle and High School  

Join FCPS Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about the importance of the IEP Transition Plan for effective postsecondary planning in middle and high school. At each location, there will be a panel of CTS staff members, school counselors, procedural support liaisons, and parents to answer questions about what you should look for, questions to ask the school team, questions to ask your child, and what role the IEP plays in increasing self-advocacy. You can register and find more information at: https://www.fcps.edu/node/28019

Thursday, January 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.

Workshop offered at the following locations:

Heritage Center
Conference Rooms A & B
7611 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003

Northwest Center
Conference Room 600A
1850 Cameron Glen Drive
Reston, VA 20190

South County Government Center
Conference Rooms A & B
8350 Richmond Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22309

Extended School Year (ESY)

Save the Date: 2020 ESY direct, class-based service dates will be June 29 – July 24, 2020. More information regarding site locations and bell schedules will be coming soon.

Especially for Staff Members

Assistive Technology Services (ATS)

ESY and Assessment

The ESY and Assessment program will be offering two trainings on January 28, 2020:

  • Extended School Year (ESY): Navigating the Guidelines and Procedures for Schools. Sign up on MyPDE – Course #44022.
  • The Virginia Alternate Assessment (VAAP): Putting it all Together. 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 29 – 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 January, 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/

  • A Framework for Adapting Fiction and Non-fiction Texts for Students who Receive Category B Services – Course #SS-33294
  • Brigance: Administration and Application – Course #SS-33326
  • Building Independence – Course #SS-33275
  • Building Literacy Skills for Learners at the Pre-Symbolic Stage at the Secondary School Level – Course #SS-33293
  • Connecting Math Concepts – Course #SS-33247
  • Corrective Reading Decoding & Comprehension – Course #SS-27050
  • Early Childhood January County-Wide Staff Development – Course #SS-22077
  • Elementary Category B ABA Hands-On Refresher – Course #SS-33296
  • Extended School Year (ESY): Navigating the Guidelines and Procedures for Schools – Course #SS-44021
  • Fundations Level 1 – Course #SS-27003
  • Fundations Level 2 – Course #SS-27003
  • Providing Resource Services in the Natural Environment – Course #SS-22096
  • Reading Mastery – Course #SS-33249
  • Read Well K-3 – Course #SS-27077
  • Transmath – Course #SS-27087
  • Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP): Putting It All Together – Course #SS-44022
  • VMATH – Course #SS-25056

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Department of Special Services

Teresa L. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Michael Bloom, Director, Office of Special Education Instruction