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January 10, 2024 | Issue 112 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

Fostering Meaningful Parent-School Communication in 2024

Schools are required to engage parents in regular, two-way communication that is meaningful and related to academic learning and other school activities. There is power in collaborative partnerships between schools and parents that enhance the educational journey of students. Families should be informed about their child's progress, achievements, and challenges. Schools can accomplish this by sharing updates on curriculum, upcoming events, and important milestones. Families can share their thoughts, questions, and suggestions, as their involvement plays a crucial role in shaping the overall school experience. Together, schools and families can create rich learning environments that foster academic growth and a sense of community.

To support this communication, The U.S. Department of Education has released I HAVE A QUESTION ... What Parents and Caregivers Can Ask and Do to Help Children Thrive at School: A Parent Checklist. To view and download this helpful parent/caregiver resource, click here.

Resources

January

START-EPSD Program Newsletter is Now Available

Check out the latest START-EPSD program newsletter to find helpful resources and their upcoming events for this month!

To download the newsletter and access the live links, click here.

Protect Me With 3+ Student Poster and Video Contest

The annual Protect Me With 3+ poster and video contest is a collaboration between the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health. New Jersey students in grades 5-12 are invited to create a poster or video to raise awareness of vaccine importance.

These students are invited to design one 8.5”x11” poster (by hand or digitally) or create a one 30-second video to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination against immunizations in protecting adolescents from COVID-19, Flu, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY), and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap).

Submit art by February 16, 2024 for a chance to win a $50–$175 Visa® gift card. Submissions entered before January 12, 2024 are eligible for a $20 early bird prize.

For more details and to enter, click here.

Upcoming Events

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.

Highlighted Event This Week

Student-Led IEPs:

A Path to Success

Thursday, January 25, 2024

7 - 8 pm EST

Online

When students are involved in their IEP meetings they engage in self-determination and can practice decision-making skills.

Young people are experts in their lives. Encouraging students to use their voice early helps to build self-advocacy skills. When students are involved in their IEP meetings they engage in self-determination and can practice different decision-making methods in a safe environment.

Learn how parents and schools can work together to build these skills in youth/young adults with disabilities.

To register, click here.