In the Know
Student Support Services Information and News
January 2023
A Note from Nadine
Dear Parents and/or Guardians:
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful, safe and healthy holiday season! In 2022, we continued to be filled with gratitude and appreciation for all of the supports that you provided to our teachers and support staff as they worked tirelessly to provide exceptional educational services to your student. It is hard to believe that we are already back and that the second semester of the school year is just around the corner. As you read this month's newsletter, please know that we have chosen topic that were selected from the parent survey that many of you completed last summer. If there is an area of interest that you would like us to consider for future newsletters, please do not hesitate to contact our office to let us know. We value and appreciate your feedback and input.
Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year!
Sincerely,
Nadine Milostan
Transportation Tidbits
What do you get if you cross a wizard and a blizzard?
A cold spell!
FAQ: Why do the bus stop times vary so much for my student?
Our special needs routes have very few students so times can vary greatly if we are missing students. General education routes typically still go to every bus stop as there is usually more than one student per stop. The buses on the special education routes will bypass stops of missing students, which will make the route shorter and the bus can arrive earlier both in the morning and the afternoon.
FAQ: Why does my student’s bus seem to frequently run late?
Sometimes a student is running late to the bus in the morning, or there may not be anyone to receive a student in the afternoon. Our drivers to their best to keep to a schedule so please inform the transportation department if your student won’t need the bus for any given period of time. Happy New Year! 248-674-2692
Touring The IEP Process
Now that we have toured the Present Level Of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance Statement (PLAAFP), the next stop is Goals and Objectives. Goals are created based on the strengths and weaknesses that were identified in the PLAAFP. This is why the PLAAFP is so important! The Goals are also important because they inform what supports and services will be provided so that the student can reach their goals.
IEP goals are the specific skills or behaviors that the student will master in one year's time. Basically, what will they work on over the next year both academically and functionally? Learn more about Goals and Objectives from Michigan Alliance For Families by reading their Goals & Objectives Overview or watching the below recorded video.
Transition Tips
Happy New Year! We hope everyone found time to do something that makes them happy during our break from school.
This past Tuesday, January 10th, we hosted Jessica Widzinski from Oakland County Health Network at our virtual Transition Takeaway Tuesday meeting. Jessica spoke about the various services individuals with disabilities might receive once they are approved for services through OCHN, and the agencies that might provide those services. As a follow-up to this presentation, we encourage you to attend the Virtual Resource Fair being held by Oakland Schools the evening of Wednesday January 25th. Twelve community agencies that provide services to individuals will be on hand to share what they have to offer and to answer questions. Please use this link to view the flyer and register for the event: https://rb.gy/fcfwp7 .
Our next virtual Transition Takeaway Tuesday will take place on February 7th. We will use this time to identify the importance and purpose of a transition IEP and focus on this specific section of the IEP. We welcome parents of students of all ages but especially encourage parents of middle schoolers through adult transition age to join us. To RSVP and receive the link for this meeting, please contact either Matt Lumetta or Kristin Robinson via one of the contact methods below.
Finally, we would like to provide you with an additional resource to explore at your leisure. This is a series of workshops through Michigan Alliance for Families that provide information about the very important topic of guardianship options for your child:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lyH4LmBhOvuaat0IR1_cZQ8f0SGIuS2wQkK19M1AS3s/edit?usp=sharing
We look forward to seeing many of you at our virtual presentation next month. Until then, take care and feel free to reach out to either of us with any transition related questions.
Warmly,
Matt Lumetta, District Transition Coordinator- (248) 674-4143 or lumetm01@wsdmi.org
Kristin Robinson, Program Coordinator, Waterford Lifetracks Adult Transition Program
(248) 682-8459 or ashlek02@wsdmi.org
Community Based Resources
Michigan Dyslexia Handbook: A Guide to Accelerating Learner Outcomes in Literacy is designed to help educators and district and school leaders develop a shared understanding of best practices to prevent reading difficulties associated with dyslexia. As parents we are key partners with educators to support best practices around reading. To inform your understanding of dyslexia, click the "MDE-Dyslexia Handbook document below.
OUCARES Winter Program Opportunities
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 highlighted.
SHOUT OUT TO: Vanessa Zachary and Alissa Scolaro!!
"She works in the office, my son has multiple medical conditions and he misses a lot of school. Ms. Vanessa goes out of her way to make sure my son has the tools he needs and to make sure that he is ok. Even with missing so much school she asks if she can help. Not many office personal do that. It’s always the teachers but she does and she loves all the students at Pierce Middle School."
"Alissa goes above and beyond every time she is with my child for PT. She is always willing to help, give advice, her communication is untouchable. She is simply amazing."
The Arc of Oakland County 2023 Dove Awards
For 52 years, The Arc of Oakland County has honored individuals, companies, agencies, residential settings, technicians, teachers, employers, and volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Awards are presented in several categories at the Annual Dove Awards Program. Please consider nominating someone to be recognized by filling out the 2023 Dove Awards Nomination Form attached. The nomination form can also be found on the Arc's website at Dove Awards Program | The Arc of Oakland County MI (thearcoakland.org).
All nominations are due to The Arc office by Friday, February 3, 2023. The Selection Committee will meet the following week and the award recipients will be notified shortly thereafter. Nominations may be sent by mail (1641 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084) or email to Lisa Fuhr/Fundraising Manager; The Arc of Oakland County at lfuhr@thearcoakland.org.
Nurse's Toolbox for Parenting a Child with Chronic Pain
Research estimates that up to one-third of children and adolescents experience some form of chronic painExternal link:open_in_new, which can interrupt their schooling, extracurricular activities and other parts of daily life. Although it may be difficult for children to work through pain to maintain their routines, parents and educators can help teach young children and teens coping mechanisms that they can draw on to manage their pain, stay in school and remain engaged with their social lives.
Follow this link to access the Nurse's Toolbox and learn strategies to help support your child.
Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
Stepanski Early Childhood Center is excited to announce that the State funded GSRP (Preschool) is allowing us to accept more children for the remainder of this school year into our GSRP (preschool) classrooms.
Your child must have turned age 4 by December 1, 2022 to be eligible for GSRP.
If you are interested in GSRP for the 2022-2023 school year, CALL 248-666-9593 TODAY!
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
Michigan Adaptive Sports participant registration is now open for skiing/snowboarding lessons for 2023 at Pine Knob in Clarkston. Rates are $75 per session and include lift ticket, any necessary equipment and a 2.5 hr private lesson. Dates are Jan 7, 21, 28 and Feb 4, 11, 25. Please contact Kathy @ 586-772-8213 to register. Let it snow! michiganadaptivesports.com
The Family Center is hosting a free Virtual Parent Mentor Training Feb 14 - 16, 2023 at 9:00 am EST on Microsoft Teams. The training will cover parent-to-parent support, communication skills, listening techniques and community resources. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-parent-mentor-training-tickets-412880214837 or contact contact Ayanna Eggleston by email egglestona@michigan.gov with any questions.
Also from the Family Center, a Virtual Parent Connect Call on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm EST. The topic for this call is The Busy Family’s Guide to School. Was it a stressful first half of the school year for your family? Would you like to have the resources to better assist your child in navigating through school and life? Then you are not going to want to miss out on this Parent Connect Call with Nelida from EdNavigator for parents and caregivers. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parent-connect-call-the-busy-familys-guide-to-school-tickets-412871729457
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