PAC Newsletter
January, 2021
Volume 2, Issue 1
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Nichole Moore, Ed.S.
Director of Special Services
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HAPPY 2021!
We are excited about the NEW YEAR! There are so many things to look forward to in 2021. Tomorrow is a NEW day of HOPE and POSSIBILITITES! We look forward to our continued partnership with you! (Please watch the video below)
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STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
In our upcoming newsletters, we will highlight and recognize staff in the Special Services Department this school year. We look forward to sharing department accomplishments with you each month!
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Mindy is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Walled Lake. During Mindy's entire time in Walled Lake she has taught the Early Childhood Special Education classes. In addition to her teaching duties, she has also served as lead teacher for the Early Childhood Special Education team.
She attended Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Mindy has her Bachelors Degree from EMU in Early Childhood Education and Special Education with a concentration in Cognitive Impairments. She also has her Masters Degree also from EMU in Early Childhood Education. Mindy is also an adjunct lecturer at EMU and teaches an early childhood special education class to EMU undergraduate Early Childhood future teachers.
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As parents of children with IEPs we feel it is vitally important to share information, resources and opportunities related to Special Education services. Navigating special education is no easy task and our hope is that this monthly newsletter will keep you updated.
PAC Executive Committee
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PAC MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to increase awareness and current best practices in special education while working towards a larger voice, meaningful communication and more inclusive practices and parental involvement.
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Do you know an exceptional person who has supported the special needs community within Walled Lake Schools? Consider nominating them for a Shining Stars Award! Qualities include a positive attitude, dedication, dependability, self-motivation, helpfulness and more.
Nominees can be anyone within the special needs community: teacher, para, bus driver, aide, parent, volunteer, etc.
A panel of anonymous judges will select 2 top entries.
All nominations must be received on or before March 1, 2021.
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"One Year of Opportunity and Inclusion for All"
Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe
January 14-16th
Show your support for this inclusive business that employs and supports individuals with developmental disabilities.
Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe opened in December of 2019. It was started to create a place where people with and without disabilities can work in an inclusive and supportive environment. Employees receive training, onsite supports and a paycheck, while giving back to the community. Anastasia and Katie’s Coffee Shop & Cafe serves good, strong coffee, assorted non-coffee drinks, breakfast, lunch and baked goods. The coffee shop is an employment program of the nonprofit Mi Work Matters.
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Healing Complex Kids provides hope and healing to families that are trying to recover their complex (special needs) children from their diagnosis. They provide healing in the form of education and hope in the form of awareness. Visit their website or social platforms to find events and solutions to help your child. Healing Complex Kids wants parents, teachers, therapists, and medical practitioners to know that it is possible to greatly improve the cognitive and social abilities of children.
Order a FREE Resource Guide
The “Pathway to HOPE” resource guide is designed to help improve the quality of life for your child and your family. It’s FREE to the first 4,000 Oakland County residents and just $9.97 + $5.00 shipping and handling to those outside Oakland County. (when you put your Oakland county address in, the price automatically adjusts to $0). The resource guide contains articles that will walk you through the questions you are asking. This guide also contains lists of organizations that provide treatments and therapies, provide financial assistance, and help guide you on your recovery journey.
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Autism Alliance of Michigan is leading collaborative efforts across the state that will improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and other diagnoses through education, comprehensive services, community awareness, inclusion efforts, and coordinated advocacy. |
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Recently, Autism Alliance of Michigan and Ford Motor Company have teamed up to learn about the needs of the ASD community with respect to autos and transportation. Click on the link below for more information. |
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Through the current crisis Friendship Circle’s goal continues to be supporting children, adults, and families. They have joined together with other Friendship Circles to develop virtual programming, FC Goes Virtual, to engage and connect with one another during this isolating time. The virtual programming includes, live virtual concerts, virtual cooking classes, virtual lego competitions, virtual daily thought classes, virtual family yoga, and more online activities.
All programming is shared via a Friendship Circle Facebook group.
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MiABLE Disability Savings Program webinar
presented by Scott de Varona, Division Director
hosted by Michigan Department of Treasury in collaboration with Oakland Schools
Learn about this important disability savings program
Access code for viewing: GvCifNP4
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Epilepsy and Comorbid Mental Health and Emotional Health Issues
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
7-8pm
Join Michigan Alliance for Families and the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
Epilepsy is not a mental health disorder, but for many children and adolescents with epilepsy, mental health and behavioral issues do coexist. Learn about these common mental health issues, their frequency, how to recognize them and how they are treated.
• Types of Mental Health issues experienced by children with epilepsy, including ADHD, depression & suicide, anxiety
• Treatment and interventions, including pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, school based interventions, and social skills training
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Assistive Technology Experiences from Parents Like You
Thursday, January 21, 2021
12-1pm
Join Michigan Alliance for Families and Carolyn O'Hearn from Alt+Shift
Hear firsthand from other parents who have had positive experiences surrounding the Assistive Technology (AT) process.
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IEP Course: Explore Your Child's IEP with this four-week course
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
7-8:30pm
*Space is limited, registration closes 1/20/21
Join Michigan Alliance for Families for a four-week IEP Course
(2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24)
Learn to improve the quality of your contributions to your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and increase your effectiveness to address concerns using the IEP process. This four-week course includes a weekly follow-up call/email with a Parent Mentor.
• Special Education Laws, Rules, and Educational Needs
• Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
• Goals and Objectives, Progress Monitoring
• Supplementary Aids and Services, Special Education Services and Programs
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Rethinking Guardianship: Facilitating Lifelong Self-Determination
Thursday, February 4, 2021
6-8pm
Join Michigan Alliance for Families and Dan Hoyle from The Arc Michigan
This workshop covers guardianship from a historical perspective, strangers as guardians, and alternatives to guardianship.
• What are alternatives to guardianship?
• What is power of attorney?
• How can medical and financial decisions be handled?
• What is self-determination?
• What is supported decision making?
• How can we best support students as they transition to adulthood?
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Log On and Log In to Virtual Meetings with Special Mediation Services
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
11am-12pm
Join Michigan Alliance for Families and Special Education Mediation Services
Virtual meetings are probably here to stay and in this uncertain and ever-changing school year, communication between families and schools is even more important. Learn how to optimize the effectiveness of this new way of planning. This one hour session will help you be prepared for a productive virtual experience.
It will cover:
• Pre-meeting preparation
• Communication techniques for during the meeting
• Protecting confidentiality while online
• Managing the challenges of virtual meetings
• Follow up suggestions
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Family Matters - Michigan Department of Education
Family Matters provides parents and families with information about special education and other resources. Find useful information about Transitions (age of majority), Personal Curriculums, PBIS, FBAs, ABA, FAPE, IDEA and more! A great resource to utilize.
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Walled Lake Schools are lucky to have a parent and talented musician in the district.
Ms. Marlowe, of Swingset Mamas, works with the Special Services population providing music in fun and interactive ways.
Check out one of her many YouTube videos below
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Walled Lake has developed a Social Emotional Learning page where families can access resources and tools to help support the social and emotional growth of your child. Resources are organized by grade level and are constantly updated so be sure to check back often.
If you need additional resources please contact your child's classroom teacher, school counselor or administrator.
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Click on the links below to access the
newsletters of these organizations!
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For over 29 years Oakland Mediation Center (OMC) has provided conflict resolution and education services that are quite affordable and quickly empower community members, families, businesses, courts and schools to resolve conflict. OMC is an apolitical, non-profit, volunteer-based Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP) center whose volunteers represent and serve the community. |
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Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on special education issues, disability specific information and FREE webinars.
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Stay informed about our upcoming events! Click on the image to
access the Parent Advisory
Committee (PAC) website.
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