Special Services Connection
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Special Services Department
Fall 2021
Special Olympics Fall Festival - Parent Meeting
Please join us for a Fall Festival/Parent information meeting for GCISD Special Olympics at 6:30 pm on October 26, 2021, at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
Please register here if you plan on attending.
See flyer for additional details.
Exceptional Children's Committee- ECC
GCISD Parent Technology Academy
BUT THERE'S MORE!
If you've never explored the Parent Technology Academy Resource page, make sure to check it out!
- Past Parent Tech presentations
- Parent Tech video resources
- Parent Tech internet links
Parent Portal
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Parent Portal works best with the following Web Browsers: Chrome or Fire Fox. Internet Explorer does not display the reports correctly. The reports in the Parent Portal are not easily viewed on Cellular Phones.
1ST EMAIL
The first email that you receive from portal@eSped will contain the website link that you go to, to view the document. It also contains your user name.
2ND EMAIL
This email will immediately follow the 1st and it also has the website link. Your temporary password is found in this email.
ACCESSING THE DOCUMENT
To access the document, click on the website link and enter the username and password they have sent you.
After you have gotten logged in, be sure and change the password. Please choose something that you will remember, as this will become the password that you will need to use each time you receive an email.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
You may be sent documentation that says a signature is required. You will not be physically signing the documents. It will be an electronic signature and you will see a dialogue box that reads “ Clicking the ‘Commit’ button below will submit this document as an official electronically signed original. By clicking the ‘Commit’ button, you acknowledge and understand that your electronic signature on this document is legally binding to the same extent as a hand written ink signature on a paper document”.
You can review the documents before clicking the ‘Commit’ button.
DOCUMENTS THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE VIA PARENT PORTAL
- Notice of Meeting – please print, sign the signature page and return it prior to the meeting. It can be returned electronically with signature or returned to school.
- ARD and FIE/ASSESSMENT Documentation
- Consents to be printed, signed and returned
- Progress Reports
Coming Soon!
GCISD Special Services Website is Under Construction
One of our major focuses will be our Parent Resources page. It will contain articles, short educational videos, the newsletter, and other website resources!
Be on the lookout for changes throughout the year.
Community Resources
Coach to Communicate (C2C)
The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University would like to offer training at no cost to Texas parents and caregivers of children up to age 22 with core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents and caregivers will learn how to improve their child's communication skills. This service is provided by a grant project entitled Coach to Communicate (C2C), sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The training includes a 1-hour self-paced webinar that teaches behavioral strategies to increase communication use in children with ASD. Once complete, parents can choose to be paired with a coach for a more intensive 12-week training specific to their child’s communication needs (again, at no cost to parents). Coaching is offered in English and Spanish. To see training modules available, enroll at https://prep.catalog.instructure.com.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Grapevine Public Library
Fact: one in six individuals have a sensory need in the US today. These individuals are diverse and represent all age demographics. This includes those who experience: Autism, PTSD, Dementia, AD/HD, Anxiety, Down Syndrome, Parkinson's, and more.
Grapevine Public Library proudly partners with KultureCity on its sensory awareness initiative to improve its ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Their objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests with sensory needs. They strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying their library team with continuous training and by offering resources to their guests.
- Sensory Bags Available Here - Sensory Bags (with noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, and other resources) are available at the check-out desk. Check out their FAQs for more information about what guests can use while visiting the library.
- Weighted lap pads are also available.
- Quiet Zones, typically low-traffic areas of the Library, are designated in the library via special signage.
- Grapevine Public Library’s Social Story is available on their webpage
- Their trained staff is ready to make your experience at your sensory-inclusive Grapevine Public Library a great one!
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Special Needs Screenings
The sensory-friendly screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings. Adult tickets are available at before-noon price. Special Needs Screenings are shown at 12:00pm at all SMG locations.
Nov 6th - Ron's Gone Wrong (PG)
Nov 20th - Eternals (PG-13)
Dec 4th - Ghostbusters: Afterlife (PG-13)
December 12th - Disney's Encanto (PG)
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Sensory Sensitive Sundays
First Sunday of every month
9:00 am to 11:00 am
2755 E. Grapevine Mills Circle
Grapevine 972-874-8713
Recognizing that the Chuck E. experience can be very stimulating for any child but especially for kids with autism or other special needs, they've made it their mission to create a time to ensure everyone has a fun-filled visit.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
The ARC DFW: A Look Ahead Online Conference Series
The A Look Ahead Conference Series brings together expert speakers for training focused on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, the people who support them, and the community at large. Topics will vary quarterly. Conference participants will leave with information and resources they can use now and in the future.
November 13th, 9:30am - 1:00 pm
Breakout Sessions Explore:
- Best Practices
- Possibilities
- The importance of Early Planning
- Real life experiences of Individuals with Disabilities and their Families
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Dallas Children's Theater Sensory Friendly Performances
With the mission of inspiring young people to creative and productive lives through the art of the theater, DCT is now proud to be able to create a positive, fun atmosphere for families with sensory-friendly needs. A child with autism or some other sensory challenge who loves theater and the arts will be excited about this new program at DCT and, hopefully, with the transformational experience of theater, will be inspired to creatively contribute to the world and their community in their own way.
Dec 4th - Paddington Saves Christmas
Jan 22nd - Dragons Love Tacos
April 2nd - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Tim Tebouw Foundation: Night to Shine
Locally hosted by Compass Christian Church.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas
The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas supports individuals with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers in achieving the universally desired goals of self-fulfillment, pride in one's achievements, inclusion in the community, and reaching one's fullest potential through social and educational activities.
Our mission is to provide support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families through awareness and engagement, advocacy and outreach, education, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Check out their website for recurring events, such as the Get Moving Club and the Next Chapter Book Club, as well as individual and annually held events, such as self-advocate coffee & chat, new parent meet & greets, Step Up for Down Syndrome 5K & Walk, teen activities, and more!
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Grapevine Parks & Rec: Club All-Access
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Texas Parent to Parent: Conferences
TxP2P is planning on its 17th Annual Statewide Parent Conference in Austin during the summer of 2022.
Regional parent conferences are one-day events offering attendees a variety of breakout sessions, child care, and outstanding resource fairs. Regional Parent Conferences are currently offered in East Texas, South Texas, and the Panhandle.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
MHMR: My Health My Resources of Tarrant County
For over 50 years, MHMR has provided community-based services for youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health conditions, and substance use disorders, as well as babies and young children with developmental delays. MHMR employees use a person-centered approach to fulfill the mission: We Change Lives! Using innovative approaches, MHMR partners with community organizations to provide services and a hopeful future.
MHMR provides a wide variety of information and services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their families. Disability Services serves as the first point of contact for publicly funded IDD programs, whether the program is provided by a public agency or private entity. Additionally, some direct services are provided for those who are eligible.
If you have any questions, contact the ICARE Call Center at (817)335-2465.
www.MHMRtarrant.org contains resources and information as well.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
Partner's Resource Network
Partners Resource Network is a non-profit agency that operates the Texas statewide network of Parent Training and Information Centers.
Visit the events page of their website (www.prntexas.org) for upcoming webinars and the resources page for additional information.
** For informational purposes only. GCISD does not sponsor or endorse these programs **
GCISD Special Services Department
Email: special.education@gcisd.net
Website: https://www.gcisd.net/departments/special_services
Location: 3051 Ira East Woods Avenue, Grapevine, TX, USA
Phone: 817-251-5200