In the Know
Student Support Services Information and News
April 2023
Welcome Spring!
Dear WSD Families and Caregivers,
I hope you and your family are doing well! It is always in April when I take a deep breath of air that really feels like spring. You know the air that I am talking about. With that breath, I let go of winter and embrace the promise of the coming summer months!
As a special recognition within this month's edition, we want to ensure we recognize and celebrate that April is Autism Awareness Month. National Autism Awareness Month raises awareness for Autism. Throughout the month of April, it is time to come together in unity to foster support , share stories and stand together to make a world of difference where everyone with autism can reach their full potential. The Student Support Services Department honors the contributions of the individuals who have autism spectrum disorder.
Lastly, we hope you will find the information that has been included to be helpful. As you read our newsletter and if there is an area of interest that you would like to see included in the coming months, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know. We are committed to making our newsletters a source of information that you feel would benefit you and your student, we would love to hear from you!
Touring The IEP Process
The IEP journey started with the Present Level Of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance Statement (PLAAFP) which informed the Goals and Objectives along with Supplementary Aids and Services. Now it is time to answer the question…Where will all of this occur?
Federal special education law, IDEA, requires placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for each child, a setting that is based on the child’s IEP. Students must be taught alongside their typically developing peers as much as possible. This speaks to inclusion in school. However, this quote reminds families of a broader inclusion definition.
Inclusion is part of a much larger picture than just placement in the regular class within school. It is being included in life and participating using one’s abilities in day-to-day activities as a member of the community. It is being a part of what everyone else is, and being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs. Inclusion can occur in schools, churches, playgrounds, work, and in recreation. —Kids Together, Inc.
What settings are considered when deciding LRE? The regular classroom in the school the student would attend if not disabled is the first placement option considered for each student before a more restrictive placement is considered. Placement must be discussed every year. When the IEP team (which includes the parents) decides where a child will be educated, it must ask what extra supports can be provided so the child can stay in the regular education classroom. Regular class placement may not be appropriate for every student with an IEP. This photo shows the range of placement options that school districts make available to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities.
Learn more about inclusion and least restrictive environment from Michigan Alliance For Families by reading their LRE and Placement Overview. Don't forget to watch the below recorded video all about inclusion in the least restrictive environment!
Book Recommendations
Often as a parent of a child with special needs, we don’t know where to look for help. Here are some books that have helped other parents and students along their journey.
Books For Adults Supporting Students:
- Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope, by Deborah Reber
- Smart But Scattered Kids, by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare.
- The Explosive Child. By, Dr. Ross Greene
- Helping Your Anxious Child, by Ronald Rapee, Ann Wignall, Susan Spence, Vanessa Cobham, and Heidi Lyneham
Books For Students
- Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, by, Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López
- Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to Making and Keeping Friends, by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Christine McLaughlin
- Cartwheels: Finding Your Special Kind of Smart, by Tracy S Peterson
- Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome, by Karen Young
- Cassidy and the Mixed Up Numbers, by Dezi Shepperd
- Putting on the Brakes: Understanding and Taking Control of Your ADD or ADHD, By Patricia O. Quinn
- Attention Girls!: A Guide to Learn All About Your ADHD, by Patricia O. Quinn
Spring Sports for Special Olympics
The below is the current schedule for Track/Field and Volleyball. As more teams begin their season, look for more Meets and Volleyball games to be added to the schedule.
Track Meets
April 15 at Kettering 10:00 am
May 6 Oakland County Meet at Lakeland
May 31, June 1, June 2 State Games in Mount Pleasant
Volleyball Games
April 29 at Flint 9:00 am
Track/Field is already in session , the team practices Monday after school at Kettering High School.
Volleyball will begin on April 5th. If your child/student is in middle, high or the Lifetracks Program and you are interested in learning more about the upcoming athletic season, please contact Coach Monica Bandlow at: BandlM01@wsdmi.org
Transition Tips
As Mrs. Milostan stated, spring is in the air which means summer is not far behind! Often we hear that our families of students with IEPs are looking for ways to keep their student engaged and active throughout the summer, especially with like-aged peers. Join us for our virtual Transition Takeaway Tuesday on April 18th as we share information regarding summer camps and community resources for students of all ages with IEPs. We will also discuss possible funding sources for these activities.
To RSVP and receive a link to this presentation, please contact Matt Lumetta, District Transition Coordinator at lumetm01@wsdmi.org or 947-229-7703 or Kristin Robinson, Lifetracks Program Coordinator at ashlek02@wsdmi.org or 248-673-4549.
If you are unable to join us for this month's Transition Takeaway Tuesday, or if you would like to begin reviewing some of the available summer activities, please take a look at the following sections of this newsletter. As always, you can reach out to either one of us with any questions or concerns you might have.
The Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Scholarships for Students and Camperships
Scholarship Opportunity
The Michigan Council for Exceptional Children created the Scholarship Program in 2001. This scholarship program is intended to provide support for educational/training opportunities when students are no longer eligible for Special Education via an Individualized Education Plan, Non-public Service Plan, and Section 504 programs and services provided by public education (i.e., graduation or reaching 26 years of age). Awards can be granted up to $1,500 and would support anything including: transportation, special equipment, tutoring, and tuition. These funds are intended to augment, not replace funds available through other agencies. Complete applications must be submitted by May 21, 2023. For questions, please email them to: mcec@michigancec.org
Campership Opportunity
The deadline to apply for camperships is April 15, 2023 and that application can be found here.
This is an opportunity for students to apply for funding (up to $250) to attend a summer camp in Michigan (exceptions are made for specialized camps not in Michigan). These camperships are open to students who are Michigan residents, with an active Michigan IEP, and would otherwise not have an opportunity for a summer camp experience. Transportation and financial arrangements are the responsibility of the family.
North Oakland Miracle League Summer Ball Registration
It is hard to believe it is almost time for baseball! Registration for the North Oakland Miracle League is now open! Open to all abilities, ages 4 and up. Non-competitive teams play 10 weekend games. Please see the linked flyer regarding how to register your child for the team. For more information, visit https://www.michiganmiracle.org/ or contact: Christy Knight at: cknight@eastersealsmorc.org
Summer Camp Opportunities
- Oakland County Parks: Offers a variety of adaptive recreation opportunities. They have a certified therapeutic recreation specialist that coordinates programs for individuals with disabilities and provides training to staff and volunteers to assist individuals during general recreation programs. Below is a link to their adaptive rec schedule for the county dances and other events. https://www.oakgov.com/parks/recreation/adaptive-recreation/Pages/default.aspx
- From Website: A free Vehicle Permit will be provided to individuals of any age who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability-Find more info on this and how your students can apply, and what they would need: https://www.oakgov.com/parks/shop/Pages/Free-AVP.aspx
- OUCARES:
- Summer 2023 Teen Life Skills Camp Ages 15-18 Years Dates:
Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
Session 2: July 10 - July 21- 2 weeks
Summer Camp Application
Cost: $750 for each two week session. *$390 for session 4
Limited Scholarships Available
- Living and Learning Enrichment Center-Summer Camps:
- Tamarack Camps-Special Needs Summer inclusion Programs:
- SCAMP:
- Clarkston: https://www.clarkstonscamp.org/
- West Bloomfield: https://www.bloomfieldscamp.com/summer-camp-location.html
- Another resource to find other camps for individuals with special needs in Michigan:
- Skyline Camp and Retreat:
- Friendship Circle: Summer camp information should be coming soon!
- Waterford Parks and Recreation Flash’s Friendship Club:
Early On Oakland Family Support Series
Check out these FREE Educational Workshops for parents of toddlers and preschoolers!
Click on the links to register.
Talking with Children about Body Safety – April 5th @ 7pm, virtual
Connecting through PLAY – April 11th @ 6:30pm, in-person at Apollo Early Childhood Center
Sweet Dreams Healthy Sleep for Infants, Toddlers and Their Families– April 13th @ 6:30pm, in-person at Waterford Public Library
Helping your Toddler Talk Series – April 19th and May 3rd @ 7pm, virtual
Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders – April 26th @6pm, in-person at Oak Park Public Library
Tantrums – Navigating Big Emotions – May 4th @ 7pm, in-person at Novi Public Library (registration opens 4/4/23 at 10am)
Toilet Training Basics – May 11th @ 6:30pm, virtual with Farmington Community Library
Read with Me from Birth to Three – May 1st @ 7pm, virtual – this is a 7-week series
It Takes A Village Shout Out
Each month families and students will have the opportunity to give a shout out to the people that partner with them to reach their greatest achievements! Simply use the below form to let people know they shine. Each month a Shout Out will be recognized in our next newsletter.
SHOUT OUT TO: Mr. Long - Guest Teacher
“My son loves gaining knowledge, no matter how silly of a fun fact it is. Mr. long takes the time to listen to him and to help him learn about things that he's interested in, outside of things being taught in the classroom. He loves to then share those fun facts with others.”
Michigan Adaptive Sports next Adventure at iFLY
Come join Michigan Adaptive Sports next Adventure at iFLY – indoor skydiving https://www.iflyworld.com/programs/all-abilities
April 23, 2023
Two sessions 9 am and 12 PM
Limited number of slots
• $71.49/per flight participant - $0/cost per spectator!
• Extra flight staff to accommodate
• Digital photo & video for each participant
• Personalized flight certificate of achievement
• Complete gear rental (suit, goggles, helmet, shoes, earplugs)
• Pre-flight training video and class with your instructor
• High flying instructor demonstration after your flight session
To reserve your spot contact Kathy De Baker 586-772-8213 or kdebaker@aol.com
Payment must be received by check before April 5,2023. Send check to
Michigan Adaptive Sports
23158 Doremus
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080.
We will be having a pot luck lunch so please come and join us.
Community Calendar
A bounty of activities and learning opportunities are taking place across the community, this month and beyond. Here are a few highlights!
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
Links to Previous In the Know Editions
Did you miss a previous edition of In the Know? You can check them out by clicking the following link:
https://www.smore.com/bmxqkp - October, 2022
https://www.smore.com/g1rpc - November, 2022
https://www.smore.com/jsp5q - December, 2022
https://www.smore.com/jsp5q - January, 2023
https://www.smore.com/vzuj1 - February, 2023
https://www.smore.com/qpjw8 - March, 2023
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Waterford School District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is made up of parents of children with disabilities. The PAC meets on a regular basis with the Executive Director of the Student Support Services Department to discuss, give feedback and advice on the special education programs and services with the district. The purpose statement of the PAC is, "Collectively grow a family and school partnership that fosters mutual capacity, involvement, communication, relationship, and collaboration around students with disabilities." The members of the PAC work hard to stay knowledgeable about changes and issues in special education.
Contact Us
Nadine M. Milostan, Executive Director
Website: https://www.waterford.k12.mi.us/our-district/administration-departments/student-support-services/
Location: 501 North Cass Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 682-3242
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSDStudentSupportServices/