Parent Tidbits
November/December Newsletter
Newsletter Contents
- Hot Topics - Share With Your Kids: The Dangers of Vaping
- Social-Emotional - How Special Needs Children Can Make Friends With Peers
- Special Education - Prior Written Notice
- FIEP - Benefits of a Facilitated IEP
- Homework Help - 7 Things to Do Before Reading (or Any Other) Homework
- Transition - Post-Secondary Transition Reminders
- Upcoming Parent Training - Pathways to Adulthood; My Rights as a Parent of a Child with a Disability; Connection Quest
Hot Topics
Share with Your Kids: The Dangers of Vaping
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has updated materials on vaping available on its websites, including information on the vaping epidemic and resources for parents:
The websites will be updated as information and resources continue to become available. We encourage you to share this information with your partners and stakeholders. For questions on vaping, please contact the DSHS Environmental Surveillance and Toxicology Branch at 512-776-7268 or 512-422-0925 or epitox@dshs.texas.gov. Visit our Adolescent Health “What’s New” webpage for more resources as well.
Developing Social Emotional Behavior
How Special Needs Children Can Make Friends With Peers
Smiling, greeting others and asking questions can help
By Ann Logsdon
Updated September 25, 2019
Students with learning disabilities often feel socially isolated and have difficulty making friends with peers. But special needs children should not have to feel hopeless about making friends. By developing key social skills, these children can acquire just as many friends as their typical classmates.
Why Special Needs Kids Struggle to Make Friends
Children with learning disabilities often find it challenging to make friends because they:
· Have low self-esteem;
· Worry about how (they think) others see them;
· Have difficulty with nonverbal reasoning and picking up on social cues such as body language or subtle meanings in everyday speech;
· Have limited interaction with typical peers if most of their classes are resource room classes;
· Choose not to participate in extracurricular activities as much as students without disabilities do and may have limited interests outside of school.
Students with learning disabilities may feel overwhelmed by the possibility of making friends. Parents can help children overcome fears and make friends using manageable steps.
Overcoming the Friendship Challenge
Parents can expose children to several strategies to help them make friends
- taking turns role-playing with strategies before school or social event
- be close by so children can consult them for reminders
- make plans to talk with children afterward to discuss how things went.
- stay positive and teach children that making friends is a skill that anyone can learn with practice.
Offering a Friendly Smile
Teach your child to smile in a friendly way to at least one new person every day.
- doesn't have to say anything or do anything else other than smile, even in passing
- if the other students do not smile back, have him simply keep moving on or look away
Greeting Peers
Teach your child to smile and greet others.
- assure your child that she doesn't need to talk beyond saying hello unless she feels comfortable doing so
Starting a Conversation
Teach your child to smile, greet others and comment.
- have him smile
- say hello
- make a comment to at least one new person each day
Asking Polite Questions
Teach your child the art of polite questioning. Asking others polite questions about themselves is a great way for your child to learn about them and look for common interests for building friendships.
Wrapping Up
Before long, your child's conversations with other students should begin to grow on their own. Consider having your child pick one or two friends to invite for a playdate. Check out some additional ways to further develop his friendships or to encourage shy children to participate in groups.
Article Sources
Mikami AY. The importance of friendship for youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2010;13(2):181-98. doi:10.1007/s10567-010-0067-y
Rubin KH, Coplan RJ, Bowker JC. Social withdrawal in childhood. Annu Rev Psychol. 2009;60:141–171. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163642
Cleveland Clinic. 5 Ways to Help Your Child With Autism Make Friends. Published March 17, 2015.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/making-friends-with-small-easy-steps-2162851
Special Education
Prior Written Notice
- before it proposes to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child or the free appropriate public education (FAPE) provided to your child.
- before the school refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child or the FAPE provided to your child.
- a description of the actions the school proposes or refuses to take;
- an explanation of why the school is proposing or refusing the action;
- a description of each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report the school used in deciding to propose or refuse the action; a statement that you have protections under the procedural safeguards of IDEA;
- an explanation of how to get a copy of this Notice of Procedural Safeguards;
- contact information for individuals or organizations that can help you in understanding IDEA;
- a description of other choices that your child’s ARD committee considered and the reasons why those choices were rejected;
- and a description of other reasons why the school proposes or refuses the action.
The notice must be written in language understandable to the general public and must be translated into your native language or other mode of communication, unless it clearly is not feasible to do so. If your native language or other mode of communication is not a written language, the school must translate the notice orally or by other means in your native language or other mode of communication so that you understand it.
The school must have written evidence that this has been done.
If, at any time after the school begins providing special education and related services to your child, you revoke your consent for services, the school must discontinue providing special education and related services to your child. Before discontinuing services, however, the school must give you prior written notice.
A parent of a child with a disability may elect to receive written notices by electronic mail, if the school makes such an option available.
Facilitated IEP
Benefits of a Facilitated IEP?
- The FIEP process is a voluntary, student-centered, nonadversarial dispute resolution process
- There is no charge to parents or student for participation in the FIEP process
- This process allows the participants to build and maintain collaborative working relationships
- A trained and impartial facilitator guides effective communication and listening
- A facilitator can clarify points of agreement and disagreement and provide opportunities for parties to reach mutual agreement on issues
- Agreed upon IEP documents are finalized without additional ARD meetings
- ARD committees can reach consensus without state involvement
Homework Help
7 Things to Do Before Reading (and Any Other) Homework
By Allison McDonald
Sidestep some of the challenges that you and your child might face with
homework by creating a more homework-friendly home.
1. Feed your child's tummy and brain. A full belly is important for learning. After
school, a full belly is important too, and not one filled only with sugary pantry items.
A hungry child, or one crashing from too much sugar, is not a child eager to do his or her homework without a struggle.
2. Allow lots of fresh air and play time first, but no screens. After a long day at school, many
children need time to unwind. I have found that by allowing a lot of play time but absolutely
zero screen time, my son will play more and get to his homework without struggle because
he's had a much-needed break from learning. Often my son will go straight for his homework
to get it out of the way, but on days when he doesn't, the only rule that is not negotiable
is zero screens before homework.
3. Have a designated place for all school things. No need for it to be fancy, the same spot by the door is perfect. Your child needs to be able to find the homework that needs to be done easily when it's time to get to work.
4. Have a designated place for doing homework. Create a spot that your child uses every day.
Have everything he might need within arm's reach so that when he's ready to sit down and do
homework he doesn't start wandering about and getting distracted by everything else that is
not homework-related.
5. Clear your schedule if possible. Be available when she is doing her homework. You may need to be right there next to your child helping -- or nearby in case an issue pops up -- but try
your best to be available to help if she needs it.
6. Stay calm so your child will too. If your child has hit a roadblock, attack the issue together as a team. If you are frustrated, that will make the situation worse. Homework is something many children have every day, and keeping the experience as pleasant as possible will help make this daily activity smooth sailing.
7. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep. Cranky kids are often tired or hungry. If you
have given your child a good healthy snack and he is still cranky, the next step is to take a
good look at his sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, school-aged children need at least 10 hours of sleep each night. Your child may need even more.
Transition
Post Secondary Transition Reminders
1. Check-in on transition assessment results for your child
2. Reminder: FASFA opened on October 1, 2019. Begin the process early if your child is going on to further their education after graduation
3. Connect with your district TWS-VR Counselor for training and work opportunities for your child
4. Schedule meetings with your child's counselor at school to review graduation plans and second-semester scheduling.
Upcoming Parent Training
Pathways to Adulthood
Facilitated by:
Cynda Green & Caroline Nelson
Hosted by ESC 2
Lunch will be provided
Pathways to Adulthood is a FREE one-day seminar that will provide families and professionals with the information and tools needed to plan for a young adult’s life after high school. It is open to families whose children have a disability, chronic illness or other special healthcare needs and the professionals who work with them.
Topics include:
Funding sources
• Legal issues: guardianship and alternatives, estate planning
• School transition services & maximizing remaining school years
• Medical transition
• Creative approach to work, home, and networks of support
Texas Parent to Parent
1805 Rutherford Lane Suite 201 Austin, Tx 78750
(866)896-6001 | info@txp2p.org| www.txp2p.org
Learn how to plan NOW for quality of life!
Register at www.txp2p.org
ESC 2 Registration https://www.escweb.net/tx_r2/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1512862
Friday, Nov 8, 2019, 09:30 AM
Education Service Center Region 2, North Water Street, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
My Rights as a Parent of a Child with a Disability
The focus of this workshop is to provide parents/guardians of a child with a disability, information about Special Education.
Topics will include:
- Referral and assessment processes
- Being a Team Member of the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Meeting
- Statewide Resources for Parents/Guardians
My Rights as a Parent of a Child with a Disability
November 12, 2019
Alice ISD Central Office/Board Room
2 Coyote Trail
Alice, Texas
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Click on Picture to Register
My Rights as a Parent of a Child with a Disability
November 19, 2019
Ingleside ISD Central Office
2684 San Angelo
Ingleside, Texas
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Click on Picture to Register
Connection Quest
- Make Connections to Area Services and Resources
- FREE for Participants
- Door Prizes
Connection Quest is a means for LEA's, Early Childhood Programs, and service agencies to connect with each other to better serve students and families in the region. Participants will be able to visit with various agencies and non-profit organizations offering resources for:
- Mental Health
- Medical
- Adult Education
- Early Childhood
- Special Populations
- Employment/Career
- Nutrition
- And More
The project is sponsored by the Education Service Center, Region 2 Community Outreach Programs.
Click on the picture below to register
Thursday, Nov 14, 2019, 04:00 PM
Education Service Center Region 2, North Water Street, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Texas Parent to Parent
Click on picture for more information.
SPEDTex
Click on picture for more information.
Partners Resource Network
Click on picture for more information.
Regional Parent & Family Engagement Conference
Region 2 Regional Parent & Family Engagement Conference
February 4, 2020
Solomon P. Ortiz Center
Contact your Federal Programs Director/ Coordinator at Your District
More information to come!
Upcoming Free Family Friendly Community Events
- King Ranch Activities Ranch Hand Breakfast, Christmas Carols, Light Up Downtown, and Christmas Tree Friday to Sunday, November 22-24, 2019 in Kingsville Texas
- 5th Annual Corpus Christi Hot Tamale Fest Saturday, November 23, 2019, 12:00 - 10:00 pm Downtown Corpus Christi, Texas
- Parade of Lights Portland Parade of Lights, Illuminated Christmas Parade Monday, December 2, 2019, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Portland Community Center, 2000 Billy G. Webb, Portland Texas
- Light Up the Park Friday, December 6, 2019, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at 2867 Avenue J, Ingleside, Texas
- 38th Annual Harbor Lights Festival Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Corpus Christi Waters Edge Park, Corpus Christi Texas
- HOLLY-DAYS at the Garden Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8, 2019 and December 14-15, 2019, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center 8545 S. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, Texas
A Message from Mari Garza
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School, Family, and Community Engagement (SFCE)
Email: maricela.garza@esc2.us
Website: https://pc.esc2.net/
Location: 209 North Water Street, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Phone: 361-561-8539