Clarkston PAC
(Special Education Parent Advisory Committee)
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
- A warm, enthusiastic welcome to STACEY THEOPHELIS - the new Executive Director of Student Support Services! Check out the introduction in the section below.
- Link for Oakland County Health Emergency Order for Control of Pandemic: https://www.oakgov.com/covid/healthorders/Health%20Order%208.24.21%20face%20covering%202021-01.pdf
- Link for the most recent return to school update from Superintendent Ryan: https://www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/news/news-details/~board/district/post/from-the-superintendent-updated-return-to-school-guidance
- We look forward to re-engaging with the PAC community this year with meetings, speakers, and a presentation from our partners at Michigan Alliance for Families.
- All Michigan Alliance for Families workshops will be virtual through December 2021.
- This month we have a dedicated in-depth section for Transition to Adulthood. If your student is at/near the age of 16, these topics and resources are for you.
Find the CAMPFIRE S'MORES - then you have read everything!
Message from the New Executive Director
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:
My name is Stacey Theophelis and I am honored and thrilled to be named the Executive Director of Clarkston Community Schools.
I am a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Audiology and Speech Sciences as well as graduate of Wayne State University with my M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology. Upon completion of my degrees, I also obtained my teaching certificate with the State of Michigan. I then began my career in 2001 with Birmingham Public Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist at both elementary and secondary levels. After 11 years, I became the Child Find Coordinator and birth-3 SLP for the District. After completing my education through Grand Valley State University in Special Education Administration and obtaining my Principal Certification, I moved into the role of a Special Education Administrator with Birmingham Public Schools. Most recently, I was a Special Education Administrator with Novi Community School District.
Personally, I currently reside in Commerce Township with my husband, Peter, our two sons, George (12) and Nicholas (11), and our Golden Retriever named Bella.
I thank my predecessor, Ms. Kathy Christopher, for her career of dedication to the families and students in Clarkston. In the spirit of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, I am honored that the baton has now been passed as we continue to move forward together as a community of parents, educators, and staff in support of the learning and growth of all students.
Sincerely,
Stacey Theophelis
STANDARD MONTHLY REMINDERS
Each section has new additions as well as the standard "go-to" buttons that are helpful to have at your fingertips every month.
Quick link to Student Support Services Page on CCS Website:
https://www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/departments/student-support-services
Quick link to the public Google Drive from Oakland Schools, Students with Disabilities:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bYDH58wAasv6r1hljHtJ8BCuOdjWD5k3?usp=gmail
If you need further support or guidance beyond what is offered in this newsletter and links, please contact us anytime at mailto:clarkstonpac@gmail.com
TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
ON MY OWN MICHIGAN (from photo above)
After nearly two years of intensive planning and preparation, we're thrilled to launch Independence Prep, an overnight immersive independent living experience for high school students with developmental disabilities.
Our first session of Independence Prep will be held this Fall, with enrollment ending September 17th.
Each session consists of three parts:
* an orientation session for students and their families to help them get comfortable with and prepare for their weekend away
* an all-inclusive two-night independent living experience for students that includes:
* all meals + snacks
* comfortable bedrooms with private en-suite bathrooms
* group skill-building activities covering topics like healthy habits, meal planning, living with others and healthy relationships
* group social activities like s'mores by the campfire, movie + snacks in the pavilion and yard games
* free time for students to decompress and recharge
* assigned at-home exercises to reinforce the weekend's learning
* a gift bag full of self-care items to make the stay away from home easier
* COVID-19 mitigation measures, including required vaccination, wellness screenings and masking
* a recap session for students and their families to help them debrief their experience and meet young adults who have successfully made the transition to independent living
There are four easy ways to learn more about Independence Prep:
* visit our website<https://onmyownofmi.org/our-programs/independence-prep/>
* RSVP to attend an upcoming virtual open house<https://onmyownofmi.org/virtual-open-houses/>
* RSVP to attend our free summer picnic on Saturday, August 21st<https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i9enuwf9oUaJiiUFi0pOmRwWzfhZY4pOjAUf1_Vo7aZUOFE3M1RIVU4xSlhFWExLT1ZGWVo2UzVTWC4u>
* contact our Independent Living Program Manager Rachel Newbill at rachel@onmyownofmi.org<mailto:rachel@onmyownofmi.org>
Finally, students who apply for Independence Prep by August 31st will receive an early-bird discount of $50 off their Independence Prep tuition. Applications can be submitted on our website.<https://onmyownofmi.org/independence-prep-application/>
VIRTUAL LEARNING & TECH SUPPORT RESOURCES
Tech Toolbox Ideas from Oakland Schools
Peer 2 Peer Resources:
More tech tools and resources from Oakland Schools can be found in the all-access public Google Drive for Students with Disabilities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bYDH58wAasv6r1hljHtJ8BCuOdjWD5k3?usp=gmail
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Virtual Workshops from MI Alliance for Families
September 2021
September 9 Foster Care Stakeholders Meeting: Agencies, Organizations, Professionals 10-11:30am or 3-4:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/fcsp99
September 21 IEP: A Closer Look, 10-11:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4ytzy6fa
September 27 Transition from School to Adulthood for Foster Care Families with Chesley Giertz 6:30-8:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/jpjaez2a
September 30 Special Education Evaluation and Eligibility with Michelle Driscoll 10-11am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/rhjrhztc
October 2021
October 6 & 20, November 3 Strategies for Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home- a three part series in partnership with MiMTSS. 6:30-8pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/SupportStrategies
Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive event updates. We do have a large selection of previously recorded presentations available for viewing at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/webinar
GENERAL HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
WEBINARS AND PODCASTS
We’re dedicated to shaping a world where millions of people who learn and think differently can thrive at home, at school, and at work."
UNITED STATES OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
CLARKSTON PAC IS ON FACEBOOK
Clarkston PAC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clarkston-PAC-165604537104134/
Oakland Special Education Parent Resource Network Group in Facebook
Action Calendar: Altruistic August 2021
"Altruism is vital for the human race to survive and thrive; and each of our lives is supported by countless kind acts from other people. Yet in our world today, so much is directing us to think only about ourselves - and we often forget the happiness that comes by caring for others. We want to change that. This August Action for Happiness asking everyone to take one kind act per day. Let's create a wave of kindness to spread around the world."
For more keys to happier living, head over to the http://www.actionforhappiness.org/ website. Look below the calendar to download their PDF guide "Ten Keys to Happier Living".