Parent Resource Center News
April 2023
What do we do?
- We provide various information sessions or workshops throughout the school year for families. We offer a wide range of topics such as how to help your child with homework, organizational skills for those with weak executive functioning skills, behavioral expectations, internet safety, mental health, and bullying.
- We provide free consultative services for families who may be experiencing problems with their child at home or at school. We sit with families and listen carefully to their concerns, and offer recommendations on how to best work with your child at home, or with your child's teacher or school to address school concerns. We work closely with families of children with special needs through the special education process so they can be an informed and active member of their child's special education team.
- We maintain a free lending library full of learning resources that reinforce elementary literacy and math skills, social skills, and early childhood education skills. We provide books, DVDs and brochures for parents and caretakers about behavior, emotions, special education topics, and various parenting topics. We also provide information on various community agencies that assist with financial needs, mental health, and the care of adults with disabilities.
Our library is open from 8-4pm, Monday through Friday. Parents are welcome to come in to check out resources, or contact us to send requested resources to your child's school. Visit our library catalog to see our growing collection of resources, books, and eBooks! https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/43326
_______________________
APRIL EVENTS
_______________________
Grandparents & Extended Family Raising Children Support Meeting
Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center staff hosts a monthly support and resource group for grandparents and relatives raising children. Meetings are from 10-11:30am.
Attend in-person or virtually!
In-Person:
Center for Family & Preschool Services
7409 Brock Road
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Virtual:
Google Meet (click to join meeting): https://meet.google.com/yom-dtfj-wxv
Join by phone: 513-843-1210‬ PIN: ‪329 709 766‬#
Thursday, Apr 27, 2023, 10:00 AM
7409 Brock Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA, USA
_______________________________________________________
Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting
An interpreter will be at the meeting to assist Spanish-speaking families. Attend in-person or virtually!
6:30pm social | 7pm Meeting
Center for Family & Preschool Services
7409 Brock Rd. Spotsylvania, VA 22553
OR
7 pm
Google Meet Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID
Phone Number
‪+1 234-320-0276‬ PIN: ‪473 362 858‬#
If you need assistance to enable you to participate in an event, call the Parent Resource Center at (540)582-7060.
Thursday, Apr 13, 2023, 06:30 PM
7409 Brock Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA, USA
_______________________
APRIL AWARENESS
_______________________
National Autism Awareness Month
National Autism Awareness Month raises awareness for autism and Asperger's syndrome during April. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationships with others. Check out the 2023 World Autism Month Resource Guide from Autism Speaks! Learn what you can do to support awareness for autism, which affects more than 80 million people worldwide.
_______________________
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month recognizes the importance of families, communities and service providers working together to strengthen households and individuals to prevent child abuse and neglect. Everyone plays an important role in supporting families to prevent child abuse and neglect. In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention. Why? Because by its very nature, the pinwheel connotes playfulness, joy, and childhood. It has come to serve as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children.
Click on the picture below for a printable copy of the pinwheel coloring sheet. Stop by the Parent Resource Center and pick up one of these coloring sheets while you're here. We'll even provide the blue and silver crayons!
Visit the Prevent Child Abuse America website for more ideas on how to spread awareness for Child Abuse Prevention! preventchildabuse.org/resources/pinwheels-for-prevention/
_______________________
National Stress Awareness Month
April is National Stress Awareness Month to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.
It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience and manage job stress, and know where to go for help. Visit the National Institutes of Health for more information. hr.nih.gov/working-nih/civil/national-stress-awareness-month
_______________________
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES
_______________________
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Fredericksburg Events
This month's activity, Spring Family Picnic at the Farm, is on April 2! Register at http://virginiadsa.org/events/. Direct questions to dzedd@virginiaadsa.org.
_______________________________________________________
April Well-Sibling Squad Meeting
The Well Sibling Squad (WSS) is a social support group for children ages 10-16 who have a sibling(s) with physical or mental health issues.
Please RSVP to Jocelyn Price at sibsquad2018@gmail.com.
Their next meeting will be on May 6, and will be the last meeting of the school year.
_______________________________________________________
Rappahannock Area YMCA’s Special Needs program
The Rappahannock Area YMCA’s Special Needs program gives individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability access to classes and activities that encourage self-sufficiency, socialization and staying active—all qualities that help them learn, grow, and thrive. Open gym, swimming, tennis, rhythm and drumming, and sensory-friendly classes and activities are offered both in-person and virtually at various locations.
Learn more at https://family-ymca.org/programs/special-needs/.
_______________________________________________________
PEATC's Digital Portfolio
_______________________________________________________
What is Transition Planning? What resources are available?
Transition planning for a student’s future begins as early as elementary school with career awareness and exploration activities. In Virginia, formal transition planning begins through the IEP process the year the student turns 14 and drives the development of the IEP.
The Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) has developed a comprehensive transition guide that helps break down transition in an easy to understand format, and gives families, staff and community members access to various local community and state agencies that assist individuals with transition.
Visit https://www.factfred.com/ to learn more!
_______________________________________________________
Spotsylvania County Public Schools Child Find Services
SCPS participates in an ongoing process of identifying and evaluating children ages birth to twenty-one who are suspected of having a disability.
Any child who is identified as having a disability and qualifies as in need of special education is entitled to a free, appropriate public education designed to meet his/her needs. Early identification assists parents, students and schools in the design of appropriate educational services. Referrals can be made by anyone concerned with the child's educational performance including the parent, child's teacher, community agency or a school official.
For additional information, contact:
Birth - age 2: PEID (Parent Education Infant Development)
(540)371-2712
Age 2 - 5 prior to entrance to kindergarten: Early Childhood Special Education Office
(540)582-7020
For school age children: Call your neighborhood school or
Office of Student Support Services (540)834-2500, extension 1005
_______________________
COMMUNITY NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES
_______________________
Grow & Giggle crafts, activities and fun for toddlers and preschoolers
To register: Visit page 6 of the Spotsylvania Parks & Recreation Winter Play-by-Play booklet: https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/DocumentCenter/View/23182/2023-Winter-Play-by-Play---Website?bidId=
_______________________________________________________
Frog Finders!
To register: Visit page 6 of the Spotsylvania Parks & Recreation Winter Play-by-Play booklet: https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/DocumentCenter/View/23182/2023-Winter-Play-by-Play---Website?bidId=
_______________________________________________________
Registration for YMCA spring break and summer camps are open now!
_______________________________________________________
Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation Upcoming Registrations
Kids' Fishing Derby - Registration begins April 17
Youth Fall Soccer, Fall Flag Football, Football, and Cheerleading - Registration begins May 8
Visit https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/parksandrec to register!
_______________________________________________________
Demco's April 2023 Activity Calendar
_______________________________________________________
_______________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR TITLE I SCHOOLS?
_______________________
_______________________
CONTACT US
_______________________
Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center
Monday-Friday
8am-4pm
Courtney Seely, Teacher Facilitator
Sandy Sprague, Parent Facilitator
Jordana Neylon, Administrative Assistant
Email: prc@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/prc
Location: 7409 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553, USA
Phone: 540-582-7060
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotsyprc
Twitter: @SCSPRC