Special Education Family Newsletter
FEBRUARY 2022
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
CMS students learned about Dr. Mae Jemison and made paper rockets.
CISD SPECIAL SERVICES NEWS
Congratulations to Ms. Casandra Flores!
Sibshop
Monday, February 21
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Crowley Middle School
The siblings who attend our Sibshops are a great bunch of kids! They have fun playing games and really connecting when talking about having a brother or sister with special needs. If you have a child (age 8-14) who might be interested, register here: https://tinyurl.com/y3dwe42w
grupo para padres de habla hispana
lunes, 28 de febrero de 2022
1:30-2:30 pm
Por favor planee asistir a nuestro grupo para padres de habla hispana cuyos hijos asisten al Programa de Educación Especial de Crowley ISD y les gustaría conocerse y apoyarse mutuamente. Hilda Ccoa estará al frente del grupo. Puede unirse a la reunión en persona o virtualmente a través de ZOOM.
En persona: June W. Davis escuela
6301 Rockrose Trail
Fort Worth, TX 76123
O haga clic para unirse virtualmente:
https://crowley-k12-tx-us.zoom.us/j/84778983312
Meeting ID: 847 7898 3312
ART SHOWCASE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
What is this?
An Art exhibit showcasing artwork done by CISD Special Education students. Artwork may be created at home or school, and is to be a student’s independent interpretation of displayable art (E.g., painting, drawing, photography, sculpture). We understand that some children may require some minimal assistance. Artwork may be no larger than 13” by 19”.
Who can submit artwork?
You and your child! If your child enjoys creating art, we’d like to showcase their work! You and your child are encouraged to attend the Creative Hands Art Showcase to represent their artwork.
When & Where?
The Creative Hands Art Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 5th, 2022, at the Bill R. Johnson CTE Center. Mark your calendar!
How?
Please submit artwork between January 24th and February 24th to your child’s special education teacher or case manager. Be sure to attach an entry label to the back of each art piece with the following information:
Title of Art (optional) __________________________
Child’s Name _______________________________
Child’s Age _________________________________
School _____________________________________
Your child may submit no more than 4 art pieces. However, it may be necessary to limit the number of pieces displayed at the show due to space.
Questions? Want to help?
Contact Donna at 817-297-5319 or donna.heim@crowley.k12.tx.us
Self-Determination
Transition to life after high school begins as soon as your child starts school, if not before. Everything we do as parents and educators is to prepare our children for their future. An extremely important building block in that process is developing self-determination in each child. The below information on Self-Determination is provided by Texas Project First.
Self-Determination
Self-Determination is a broad term that describes an individual’s right to make choices about their own lives, to have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else, and to speak and advocate for themselves. Self-Determination is not the same as self-advocacy, although the two go hand-in-hand. For more information on self-advocacy, click here. The right to self-determination is not dependent on age or disability. Children obviously need guidance in making choices for themselves, but need practice and experience with decision-making nonetheless. Many people with disabilities may need the assistance of those who know and care about them to truly live a self-determined life, but they can and should have the same opportunities for decision-making as any other person without a disability.
What Parents Need to Know
5 principles of self-determination
1. Freedom: The freedom to make basic choices in one’s life. Even very young children can and should practice making choices. For example:
Your 3-year-old makes a choice between 2 kinds of cereal for breakfast, 2 different choices of toys to play with, or 2 choices of bedtime stories.
Your 8-year-old chooses between several types of food options (particularly at a restaurant!), ways to spend his/her free time, or friends with whom he/she prefers to spend time.
Your 13-year-old is included in the decision-making process of scheduling elective classes at junior high, or extracurricular activities in which to become involved.
Your 17-year-old is included in the decision-making process regarding his/her transition from high school to the adult world.
2. Authority: Control over one’s life, particularly one’s finances. There are many ways to assist a person with a disability to manage their own finances, or participate in the management of their money. For example:
Wells Fargo banking has created a free interactive money management educational program, designed to meet the needs of a variety of abilities and ages. Find it at: http://www.handsonbanking.org/
There are a variety of technologies available to assist with money management, even for those who have limited math skills. One example: http://www.readingmadeez.com/products/TalkingCheckbook.html
3. Support: Organizing the people who support you to live your life, in a way that makes sense for you. Many people with disabilities need support from others to do the things that are important to/for them. Allowing the individual to have as much control as possible over who provides the support and how they provide it is crucial to self-determination.
4. Responsibility: With freedom and authority comes responsibility. Don’t let your child’s disability stand in the way of taking responsibility in ways that make sense for him/her! Disability should never be an excuse.
5. Confirmation: Proof of your importance, the role you play in the lives of others. When we realize that we matter, our lives take on a whole new meaning and significance. Your child needs it as much as you do!
Before you leap to the conclusion that self-determination is an impossible concept for your child, we encourage you to learn more. Self-determination will (and should!) look different for every individual. Self-determination is an unending destination, with many baby steps in the journey. Self-determination begins at birth and, with support and opportunity, can carry your child to a more self-determined life as an adult with a disability.
Additional Resources:
Webinar: "Self Determination: A Family Affair"
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS
BYA Buddy Ball - Spring Season
BYA Buddy Ball is a sports program for players aged 4 years old and up with any special need that makes for a better option than the standard leagues. BYA Buddy Ball is for special needs children only and is completely free. Our objective is to teach sportsmanship, cooperation and optimism in an athletic environment of encouragement and achievement. We play a six-game spring and four-game fall baseball schedule at Chisenhall Park in Burleson. Games last two innings, which works out to around 45 minutes and we bat both lineups completely each inning. There are no practices, but parents are strongly encouraged to work on basic skills with their children at home.
Players receive a uniform shirt with no cost to parents. Players, however, should bring their own fielding gloves and batting helmets, if possible. An inexpensive helmet can be purchased for around $10 at local athletic stores. We use an eleven-inch Incredi-ball and a tee for the batters who need it. Each player has a buddy (usually a parent, sibling or friend) to accompany him or her while at bat and in the field. Register here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeQfRbKttDwWT.../viewform
News from State Outreach Center
State Outreach Center offers opportunities to connect to helpful services and resources. As Texas’ most trusted resource in deaf education, we are committed to supporting children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
Discovery Retreat is one of SOC’s flagship programs. Coming soon for high school students: a weekend experience in career exploration. Recommendation letters are due this month. Also, for students to enjoy, a VEX Robotics tournament coming up in March. Get a team together and join the fun!
Working hard behind the scenes, we are excited for the return of these three popular SOC flagship summer programs: Summer Camps and Programs for students, Family Weekend Retreat for families, Communication Skills Workshop for parents and professionals. Watch for registration opening soon.
Another option for families and professionals is the next Mental Health Symposium, returning to an in-person format this time, where experts in the field of mental health, specifically for youth, will share current resources and trends. Join us for this informative program coming up in April.
PHOTO GALLERY
Celebrating Miss Lauren's birthday -CHS helper from Education & Training Program
Pushing the Lunch Cart
Snacktime
Cursive Writing Takes Practice!
After writing a "How To" on making hot chocolate, Ms. Bruce's students got to put it into practice :) YUM!
"Best Hot Chocolate EVER!"
Service Project - cleaning up the school grounds
Partner Pair-Share
It's Book Fair Time!
Yummy Science Lesson
Social Time with Peers
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Ms. DeSantiago's students say, "Yes!"
Crowley ISD Special Education
Email: donna.heim@crowley.k12.tx.us
Website: https://www.crowleyisdtx.org/Domain/115
Location: 512 Peach Street, Crowley, TX, USA
Phone: 817.297.5300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CISDspecialeducation