Special Education Parent Newsletter
March 2021
Welcome to the Special Education Newsletter
Some new features that you will see within the new newsletter are:
- The ability to translate the newsletter to another language
- RSVP for FBISD trainings through the newsletter
- Active links to navigate to websites
We hope you have a wonderful Spring Break! We look forward to providing you with trainings and resources to equip you with knowledge and skills in order for you to make informed decisions that will further enable your child to succeed.
What to Expect when your Campus Pivots to Virtual Instruction?
When your child’s campus pivots to online learning you will be contacted by your child’s case manager. The case manager will provide you your child’s schedule during the pivot to online learning. Your child’s case manager will ensure that your child has all of their materials, resources, and devices needed for instruction during that time. They will also ensure you and your child have access to the Microsoft TEAMS meeting links and Schoology course, where your child will access the lessons and assignments for class. The case manager will assist in working with speech or related services to ensure that your child continues to receive services during online learning.
Students should follow their face-to-face schedules as they do each day. The student will need to log in to their scheduled classes via the provided Microsoft TEAMS links and participate as they would if they were in their class. If at any time, the student has a need (resources, materials or devices) please reach out to your child’s case manager and they will gather materials and work with the parent to identify a drop off location for those items.
Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES)
Resolving Special Education Issues with Your Child's School
Fort Bend ISD Dashboard for Positive COVID Cases
Fort Bend ISD provides the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the district. The overall number of positive cases is provided, as well as the breakdown by campus or department. This information is available on the FBISD webpage via the following link:
Travel Tips for Spring Break
Houston Sensory Friendly Activity Pass
From designated resting areas, sensory guides & sensory backpacks, these attractions are the perfect destination for everyone of all abilities -- and at a discounted price!
HCCC SPRING BREAK TO GO
HCCC Spring Break to Go Website
LOCATION
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
4848 Main St. (Map)
For the weeks before and during Spring Break, stop by HCCC to pick up a selection of free activity kits designed for families to explore craft together at home.
**Kits can be picked up March 11 – 13 and March 18 – 20 between 10 AM and 5 PM.**
Experiment with new materials, tools, and techniques with this three-pack of hands-on activities. Discover how to make paper-mache food in a three-day multi-step project, learn how to make a friendship bracelet using colorful threads and beads, and capture textures from nature in a clay ornament.
Spring Break To Go activity kits can be picked up and used by the whole family at home. Pick up will take place inside the building, at the front desk, during public hours. (Remember to wear a mask when entering the building.) Designed for ages 5+, kits will include materials and detailed instructions to guide you and your family through each activity. When you’ve completed your activities, share your projects with #craftwithhccc, or tag us at @crafthouston. We’ll share some of our favorites in our social media posts!
Note: Spring Break To Go kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Limit four kits per family.
Disability Rights Texas- Texas Winter Story Recovery Resources
Texas Winter Storm Recovery Resources
The Texas Winter Storm Recovery Resources includes information and resources designed to help Texans recover from the storm. Please feel to share this with others by sharing the web page URL: www.DRTx.org/WinterStorm2021 or by printing it and giving it to others.
Click the links below for more information.
TX CAN: Texas Complex Access Network
AWARENESS
We raise awareness of the human potential for every student, regardless of how their disability impacts them.
SUPPORT
We support educators and families by providing meaningful and appropriate tools.
EDUCATION
We empower teachers to provide high quality instruction and to best support their students with significant cognitive disabilities.
INCLUSION
We support inclusion because when students with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers, it benefits everyone.
TEA Parent Survey Announcement
TEA annually conducts a survey of parents, guardians, or educational surrogates who have a student receiving special education services. Required by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the survey measures the extent to which parents feel their school is facilitating parent involvement as a means to improve services and results for children receiving special education services. Gibson Consulting Group, Inc. (Gibson) is coordinating the survey effort in 2021 for the seventh year running.
This survey is an opportunity for parents to share their opinions with their schools, districts, and TEA. Results can be used to guide improvements to special education services and parent involvement. Greater parent participation leads to more reliable data for districts.
Not all parents of students receiving special education services are asked to complete a survey each year. Instead, we select a stratified, random sample of students from different districts, and from schools within those districts based on district size. Small districts will survey all of their special education students’ parents while large districts will survey a sample of families.
The survey window will be April 19 -May 28, 2021to meet OSEP’s reporting deadlines.
Compensatory Services Update
Fort Bend ISD is currently reviewing data of all students in special education to determine on an individual basis if compensatory services need to be considered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Campuses are currently reviewing student data and contacting parents as appropriate to schedule an ARD meeting to propose compensatory services. Additionally, parents also have a right to bring up concerns regarding compensatory needs with their child’s ARD committee even if the campus does not propose a compensatory plan. Parents should contact their Campus Compliance Coordinator (CCC) at the elementary level or ARD Facilitator at the secondary level if they would like to schedule an ARD to have further discussions regarding compensatory services.
Please see details in TEA documents below.
Upcoming Trainings
The Special Education Administration Team and SEPAC Members want to partner with parents raising a child with a disability in our district. Our vision is to connect you with resources and equip you with knowledge and skills in order for you to make informed decisions that will further enable your child to succeed.
When Behavior Impedes Student Learning: Behavioral Supports to Curtail Disruptive Behavior
Audience: Parents of students with disabilities exhibiting significant behavioral challenges in the classroom.
There is typically a reason why children misbehave. This session will focus on the ABC’s of behavior, the Antecedent, Behavior and Consequence and what the function of these behaviors are (Obtain or Avoid). Parents will learn strategies and interventions they can implement at home that will positively impact student behavior at school and help students to begin to take ownership of their own behavior.
Thursday, Mar 11, 2021, 06:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Community Resources that Support and Empower (Presented by Frantina Benson, LMSW)
Thursday, Mar 25, 2021, 06:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.