DCSEAC Newsletter
December - Events, District Information, News & Resources
From us at DCSEAC, may you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season!
DCSEAC News
Unified Programs - Don’t delay! January marks the start of Unified Basketball Season for DCSD middle & high schools!
You might ask…What exactly are Unified Programs (Unified Sports and Unified Clubs)? Unified Programs join students with and without special learning needs who want to get involved in a sport or club while creating friendships, building self-confidence and improving social skills*.
The annual kickoff rally for Unified Programs is an unforgettable event with cheers, excitement and enthusiasm shared by ALL students and teachers. It’s amazing to feel the sense of inclusion, and in turn, the school community shines. When a school is a champion for Unified Programs, the staff perceives their school community to have higher levels of:
respect for diversity
social and emotional security
social and civic learning.*
DCSEAC’s SSN Parent Support Group monthly meetings produced feedback that some Unified Programs are not as consistent as others within the district. As a result, DCSEAC has begun collaborations with DCSD on how to increase the consistency of Unified Sports from school to school and make them all strong programs! The goals include:
- Ensuring every student who is interested in participating in a Unified Program has the opportunity, no matter which DCSD middle or high school they attend
All parents are informed about Unified Programs and have the opportunity to encourage their student to be involved.
Is your student interested in participating, or would you like more information? Please contact your school’s learning specialist or SSN teacher for more information about Unified Sports and/or Unified Clubs.
Please contact Melina DePasse at melinalyn@gmail.com with general questions or comments.
*Results of research provided by Special Olympics Colorado.
- 2018-19 DCSEAC Shining Stars - What is a Shining Star? Shining Stars are DCSD staff member/s you choose to nominate for outstanding service. DCSEAC will begin collecting nominations in February of 2019 via the DCSEAC website…stay tuned for specific details in our February newsletter. We encourage families who have a student/s that receive Special Education programing to recognize someone who makes your child feel special every day. All nominees (and their principals) will receive a notification of their nomination/s, a Shining Star certificate, and recognition via district communications, school communications (where possible), and on the DCSEAC website/May newsletter. In addition, every staff member who is nominated will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 10 gift baskets ($100 in value sponsored by Developmental Pathways) as a thank you for their outstanding dedication.
DCSD News
WAHOO - The Douglas County Bond and MLO passed! For more information on how the funds will be used, please click here.
Welcome the district's new SSN Lead, Robin Carmack and Affective Needs Lead, Becky Bieshaar. Both Robin and Becky will support teachers and EA’s across the district with training, lesson plans, curriculum ideas, and assisting with IEPs. For a complete list of coordinators and directors in special education please click here.
DCSD's Special Education Task Force has a meeting Wednesday, December 12 from 5-7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Wilcox Building. This meeting is open to the public. For more information and to view survey results, please click here.
DCSEAC Support Groups - Upcoming Meetings
Need support? We're here to help! Please join us for our upcoming support group meetings that fit your needs. For more information and additional meeting dates, please click here.
SSN (Significant Special Needs) Support Group
10 - 11:30 am - Lone Tree Library, Event Hall Meeting Room
- Wednesday, December 5 - Annual Holiday Party
- Tuesday, January 8
Questions? Please contact Robin Evans or Melina DePasse.
Stronger Together - SED Families Support Group
6:30 - 8:00 pm - Lone Tree Library Study Room- Thursday, December 6
- Thursday, January 3
Questions? Please contact Sabrina West or Marisa Ala
Community Opportunities
DCSEAC partners with a number of organizations dedicated to helping those with special education needs in our community. Please see the below links for current offerings!
About DCSEAC
Email: info@DCSEAC.org
Website: www.DCSEAC.org
Phone: -