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Volume 1 | Issue 110.4.2017
*Items in red are clickable links / What’s News inSEAC
“Dyslexia
is not a disease or an identifiable physical condition, but a
learning style.”
-Bette Fetter, Founder & CEO of Young Rembrandts
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Updates on things that matter to those who care the most – You!
SEAC News
SEAC welcomes Dr. Carol Williams-Nickelson as its Chair for 2017-2018. Also new in the mix is Leanne Kidwell, Educator, at Parent Resource Services. Dr. Suzanne Jimenez returns for her second year as Director, LCPS Office of Special Education. Dr. Jimenez reported that LCPS is participating in the VDOE pilot program to provide“a facilitated IEP process wherein local school divisions and parents can seek assistance from an impartial facilitator to lead IEP meetings in cases where relationships have become strained… additional information on the mediation or facilitated IEP processes, contact Arthur Stewart, ODRAS' Mediation Coordinator, via email, at , or via telephone at (804) 786-0711.”1 Similar to the statewide mediation process, the intention of this program is to provide assistance to the IEP team when they are feeling stuck in the IEP process in order to reestablish communication through the use of a facilitator. Visit this link to the VDOE websitefor more information! Dr. Jimez also announced the addition of CCI and Salamander Resorts to Transition Services for 18 to 22-year-old students.An Update on Dyslexia Interventions and Next Steps October 4, 2017 Presentation
The featured presentation by Jennifer M. Sassano, M.S.nEd., IDA-SLT, Supervisor of Instructional Facilitators for Specialized Reading, LCPS Department of Pupil Services reviewed the progress on training teachers in the 3 levels of specialized reading instruction being provided in the school setting, what training has occurred at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels, identifying an instructional match, progress monitoring within a program and with curriculum based measures, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in specialized reading in the Division.Annie Owens, Lead Diagnostician, LCPS Department of Diagnostic and Prevention Services presented on diagnostic frameworks that have been put in place to identify characteristics of Dyslexia, reviewed early identification assessments, and development of a reading intervention grid to aid in the identification of an instructional match for an identified student.
Think RBMS is a Great School?
You Bet it is!
As part of the Dyslexia Interventions program, middle school ELA (English Language Arts) teachers are able to voluntarily participate in training for Specialized Reading Instructionusing the program Language! Live. RBMS currently has 2 ELA (English Language Arts) teachers using the program in self-contained ELA classes who have been trained and are sharing their knowledge with others in the building. LCPS currently has 54 teachers trained in the Language! Liveprogram, with new participants signing up daily.Helpful Links:
Dyslexia Awareness Information
Diagnostic and Prevention Services
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Have you Heard?
Parent Resource Services has a lot of … well, RESOURCES!
One of the greatest resources for parents in Loudoun County is PRS. Assistance for individual needs of students and for parents; tools include a lending library on multiple topics, both a parent and educator perspective for consultation, and many monthly workshops. Check out the PRS websiteand find a great workshop to attend from the calendar of events listed on the home page.Autism
Announced at the April 5, 2017 SEAC meeting, LCPS was selected to take part in the VCU Autism Center for Excellence (ACE) three-year grant project (The VCU Technical Assistive Grant) which is designed to improve services to students with autism. The ACE website is a multi-dimensional tool offering resources and training for parents, educators, paraprofessionals and administration, the VCU ACE is accessible to all.PRS hosted a workshop on Autism Services and Resources in LCPS in September. Dr. Joy Engstrom, Supervisor For Autism; Jamilah Anderson, Autism Program Specialist (Elementary); and Lucy Cora Nazario, Autism Program Specialist (Secondary). The team shared different resources and support for staff, administration and parents to accommodate and modify curriculums for students with Autism. Please contact Dr. Engstrom for more information.
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Upcoming Events
Mental Health & Wellness Symposium Navigating the Path to Student Wellness Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ann Masten, Author of Ordinary Magic Saturday, October 14th , 8:00 AM-12:30 PM, Riverside High School Free to parents, educators and community members.CII for Parents, Tues, October 24th, 6:30-8:30 PM, CLICK HERE for details
Medicaid Waiver Changes are Coming! Are you ready?Thursday, October 19 at 10:30 am at the Cascades Library, Presented by Hannah Manila, LSW Medicaid programs Coordinator with ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECN), RSVP o ensure space.
Next SEAC Meeting is November 1, 2017, Business meeting 6:00-7:00 pm Understanding the LCPS Budget Process: Advocating for the Necessary Funding to Support Special Education at 7:00pm.
Access Community Lecture Series
Addressing Problem Behaviors: A Successful Team Approach
Dr. Jane Barbinwas the keynote speaker for the first Access Community Lecture Series this year. She discussed functional behavioral assessment (FBAs) and creating the best Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for your child by working collaboratively with your child’s school team.Access Community Lecture Series are free events open to the public, held monthly on the first Monday of each month.
Next month: Dr. Joni Johnston will present “Super Powers Activate! Embracing ADHD and Autism” on Monday, Nov. 6 @ 7:30PM. McClean Bible Church, Tysons, Community Room B.