Special Services Parent Newsletter
April 2021
Sibshop Happenings
April 10th is National Siblings Day - a day when we honor the special bond that brothers and sisters share. Our Sibshops especially celebrate siblings who are growing up with a brother or sister who has a disability. Hooray for our SIBS!
CISD Sibshop
Monday, April 12
6:30-8:30 pm
Crowley Middle School - 3800 W. Risinger Road
SIBSHOP is for your typically developing child, age 8-14. Limited space available, so please register asap! Register here.Super SIB Saturday at the Movies
Saturday, April 17
3:30-6:00 pm
AMC Hulen 10 Contact Donna
Reunión para Padres de Educación Especial
Lunes, 26 de abril, 1:30-2:30 pm
Aquí tiene la oportunidad de conversar en español con otros padres: ¿Qué ha funcionado mejor para su familia? ¿Le gustaría escuchar y compartir algunos consejos sobre cómo enfrentar un desafío que esté ocurriendo? Esta reunión es un foro informal para apoyarse y animarse unos a otros. Venga a compartir su sabiduría, obtenga consejos útiles y simplemente disfrute un poco de tiempo con otros adultos en estos tiempos desafiantes. Regístrese aquí para asegurarse de recibir la invitación de zoom.
Who Are School Psychologists/Licensed Specialists in School Psychology?
We are here to help your child achieve their best.
School psychologists, or Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP; as they are known in Texas), help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. We have specialized training in both education and mental health and know how to identify and lower barriers to learning. These barriers can include developmental or learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, teaching styles, school or classroom climate, problems at home or with friends, substance or alcohol abuse, violence, and mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Our goal is to collaborate with parents, school staff, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments so that all students can learn.
What School Psychologists/LSSPs Do
School psychologists/LSSPs work with students individually and in groups as well as address school- and district-wide issues such as bullying prevention and positive behavioral supports. We use many different approaches, but generally provide these core services:
Prevention
- Design programs for children at risk of failing at school.
- Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
- Develop programs to make schools safer and more effective learning environments.
- Provide crisis prevention and preparedness information and training.
- Collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving mental and physical health.
- Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to promote healthy school environments.
Consultation
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
- Help others understand child development and mental health and how they affect learning and behavior.
- Strengthen working relationships between teachers, parents, and service providers in the community.
Evaluation
- Evaluate eligibility for special services.
- Assess academic skills and aptitude for learning.
- Determine social-emotional development and mental health status.
- Evaluate learning environments.
Intervention
- Provide psychological counseling to help resolve interpersonal or family problems that interfere with school performance.
- Work directly with children and their families to help resolve problems in adjustment and learning.
- Provide training in social skills and anger management.
- Help families and schools manage crises such as death, illness, or community trauma.
Research and Planning
- Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs.
- Identify and implement programs and strategies to improve schools.
- Use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions
Adapted from: “What Is a School Psychologist,” Andrea Canter, Helping Children at Home and School II: Handouts for Families and Educators, NASP, 2004
Levels of Support Through Medicaid Waivers
Do you have 5 minutes to learn more about the supports offered with Medicaid waiver programs? The April Transition Fast Facts video is "Levels of Support Through Medicaid Waivers". Click on the video below.
Future videos:
May - Guardianship 101
June - Texas Workforce
Deer Creek & Crowley H.S. Pen Pals
Students in Deer Creek Elementary’ s Deaf Education program met over Zoom with deaf students at Crowley High School to begin their unit on letter writing! Ms. Price's 4th and 5th grade class met with Ms. Bennett's 10th and 11th graders and got to learn a little bit more about each other before they started their writing unit. What a great way for our younger kids to get to know the older kids in our Deaf Education program! Way to go!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS
Parent Resource Network - April PACT Project Newsletter
Self-Care for Kids: 6 Ways to Self-Regulate
Self-care isn’t something most kids think about. But just like the adults in their lives, kids can get stressed. In fact, with the pandemic, some kids are more anxious than ever. They don’t always have strategies to help them self-regulate.
Self-regulation is about having ways to calm down in the face of stress and anxiety. It’s a skill that develops over time and with practice. And being able to soothe yourself is an important step to being more resilient.
Click here to learn six activities kids can use to self-regulate (without needing adults to do it with them or for them).
Drawing for a 'Door Prize'
Moving From Strength: Special Needs Caregivers by Mara Boughton
In her Forward, Mara writes, "Life doesn't stop when you have a child with special needs. You would think that when something like this occurs, the whole world would accommodate you by slowing everything else down to give you time to acclimate, get your feet under you, and give things a whirl.
Nope."
You may also want to check out Mara's blog, Living the Special Needs Life
PHOTO GALLERY
It's Autism Awareness Month - go Blue
Ms. Symonds' Students are Focused on Learning
Ms. Keys' Students Create Erupting Volcanos in Science Class
Language Arts in Mrs. Coleman's room
Sensory Time in Ms. DeSantiago's Class with Moon Sand, Putty and Play Do
Special Educators Go Blue for AU (Autism Awareness Month)
CISD Special Services
Email: donna.heim@crowley.k12.tx.us
Website: https://www.crowleyisdtx.org/Domain/115
Location: 512 Peach Street, Crowley, 76036
Phone: 817.297.5300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CISDspecialeducation/