In the Know
Student Support Services Information and News
February 2023
A Note from Nadine
Happy February! We hope this edition of our In the Know finds you well. The Student Support Services Department would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and thank you for all that you do. Within the Waterford School District we feel privileged to be able to serve, educate and provide specialized services to your child. I want to assure you that our staff is committed and working hard to ensure your child receives outstanding services and supports. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform and engage you as parents of students with specialized needs as we know that you want the very best education for your child. We hope you find the information contained within this month's newsletter to be informative and worthwhile. If you have any topics that you would like covered in future newsletters, or if you know of someone who would like to receive the newsletter, please do not hesitate to reach out to let us know.
Sincerely,
Nadine Milostan
Transportation Tidbits
What month is the best for coffee? Feb-BREW-ary!
February is a short month and this issue of Transportation Tidbits will be short as well.
If your student has two different addresses for bus pick up or drop off, please provide a schedule to the transportation department. If a sub bus driver happens to cover a route and isn’t aware of a schedule variance for a student, we are not able to make last minute adjustments. You can email or fax us the schedule. Thank you!
Fax # 248-674-6378 or email: BlackT01@wsdmi.org
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.
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.
Basketball is a favorite sport among our athletes!
The Wildcat Basketball season is well underway! Their games have been simply awesome to watch! Their game on January 30th against the Kettering High School Captains ended in a blowout with a score of 83 to 38 in favor of the Wildcats!
Interested in checking out a practice or game?
Tentative schedule for the rest of the season:
February 6 - Practice at Kettering HS
February 7 - Game at Farmington HS
February 11 - Game at Grand Blanc
February 13 - Practice at Kettering HS
February 27 - Practice at Kettering HS
March 4 - Tournament at lake Orion
March 5 - Game at Brighton Legacy Center
For more information regarding practices, games and the tournament times and location, please contact Coach Monica Bandlow at: BandM01@wsdmi.org
Transition Tips
At no later than age 16 (earlier if needed), an additional section of the IEP is completed for each student. This section is called the Transition Plan. In short, the Transition Plan considers the student's interests, preferences, strengths and abilities and identifies the student's goals in training, education, employment, and, if appropriate, independent living skills. These transition goals are intended to be met after the completion of school services. These goals can be identified through interviews with and/or observations of the student, transition assessments completed by the student (and in some cases parent/caregiver and/or educator) and input from the rest of the IEP team (parents, school staff, community agency staff, etc.).
In the Transition Plan the IEP team also discusses and determines the most appropriate course of study (diploma or certificate of completion) that meets the student's needs and aligns with his or her post-secondary goals. From here, the IEP team creates a plan to address identified needs through applicable transition services and activities in the areas of instruction, community experiences, development of employment, other post school adult living objectives, acquisition of daily living skills, and functional vocational assessment. The IEP team will also determine who will be responsible for the services. Examples of responsible parties could be school district staff, the student, parent or guardian, community agency staff, etc. All transition related information will also be considered when completing other sections of the IEP (e.g., Annual Goals, Supplementary Aides and Services, etc.).
To look a little deeper into the Transition portion of the IEP, please join Matt Lumetta and Kristin Robinson for this month's virtual Transition Takeaway Tuesday on February 7th from 6:30-7:30. To RSVP and receive a link to this presentation, please contact Matt Lumetta, District Transition Coordinator at lumetm01@wsdmi.org or Kristin Robinson, Lifetracks Program Coordinator at
For more information regarding transition planning for your student be sure to check out the below document titled, "Transition Planning Fact Sheet" provided by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.
Waterford Fire Local 1335 Autism Fundraiser
Help support your Waterford Local 1335 in their quest to raise awareness for Autism. Get your gear to show your support for Autism Awareness month in April. Proceeds will benefit Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classrooms within the Waterford School District and the Pontiac School District. To purchase your gear, go online to https://wfdautism1335.itemorder.com/shop/home/
For additional information regarding the fundraiser, please contact Tim Green, Waterford Regional Fire Department at: TGreen@waterfordmi.gov
Waterford Leisure and Education Opportunities
The Waterford Township Parks and Recreation Department through its Board of Commissioners, staff, programs, services and facilities seeks to enhance the quality of life and the environment, to acquire, conserve, and protect natural resources, and to provide leisure time opportunities for the benefit of the citizens and families of Waterford Township. Check out the catalog below for many great 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 recognized in our next newsletter.
February SHOUT OUT to Alex Bolton and Jacob Wilton Paraprofessionals-Lifetracks Program
Both of these staff members go above and beyond for our students including spirit week, dances and after school activities. They both have a very positive attitude and are great role models for our students. Both Alex and Jacob are a great support for staff and students in our program during the day and after hours. These two make school fun for our students each and every day.
Early On Oakland Family Support Series
FREE Educational Workshops!
Register at: https://forms.gle/L92xHEr49pa3ubzr9
Date: Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 & Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 Time: 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
This workshop series will teach parents to become aware of their child's communication attempts, to respond effectively and to use strategies to help their child learn language. Parents play a critical role in children's speech and language development. Skills learned will not take any extra time or added pressure to parent's day, as communication occurs all day!
Other future workshops include:
Tantrums – Navigating Big Emotions – Feb. 9 @7:00pm
Tummy Time without Tears – Feb 23 @7pm
Read with Me from Birth to Three Series – Feb 27 – April 17@7:00pm
Stepanski Early Childhood Special Education Program
Our ECSE students, families, and staff visited the Peppa Pig World of Play for one of their community field trips in January. It was a fun, active time for all!
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 hour private lesson. Dates are Feb 4, 11 and 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
It's cold now, but summer days are not far away! Registration is open for Miracle League Baseball. Open to all abilities, ages 4 and up. Non-competitive teams play 10 weekend games. Teams available at Lake Orion (Friendship Park at Clarkston & Baldwin Roads) or Southfield (Southfield Civic Center). Register here: https://www.michiganmiracle.org/
Links to Previous In the Know Editions
Did you miss a previous edition of In the Know? You can check them out by clicking the following link:
https://www.smore.com/bmxqkp - October, 2022
https://www.smore.com/g1rpc - November, 2022
https://www.smore.com/jsp5q - December, 2022
https://www.smore.com/jsp5q - January, 2023
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/