SPED Parent Newsletter
December 2021
About Us
The parent resource room is located inside the Jackson Professional Learning Center (Conference Room 9).
Within the parent resource room, we have a library of resources that can be checked out and computers for you to research or create resources for your student.
We provide multiple monthly classes for parents and families, in addition to personalized/individualized meetings to accommodate your specific needs.
Ruth Roberts and Jsanean Mark
KISD Special Education Parent Educators
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Killeen ISD Special Olympics is open to Killeen ISD students ages 8 years and older with an intellectual disability and/or a closely related disability with functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills. We provide sports training and athletic competitions in the areas of bowling and in track & field through Special Olympics of Texas. Students are not only given continued opportunities to improve physical fitness but are provided equal opportunities to build lifelong friendships with fellow athletes in our school district. We are always looking for volunteer coaches to help us help our students and to grow our program. For more information, please visit www.killeenisd.org/special_education and click on the Special Olympics tab on the right.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRACK AND FIELD SEASON IS COMING SOON
Actively enrolled Killeen ISD students ages 8 years old to 21 years old with an intellectual disability and/or a closely related disability with functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills may join. To register for the upcoming Track and Field Season, please click on the Special Olympics Registration link and complete the registration form in its entirety.
All student who want to participate in Special Olympics must have the official Special Olympics medical form completed. To download your copy of the medical form, please click the SOTX medical Form link. School Physicals cannot be substituted for the required medical form.
More Information concerning the schedule of practices and athletic events will be distributed in in January 2022 for those who have registered to participate.
All registrations and medical forms must be returned no later than January 28, 2022.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Killeen ISD Special Education Department hosts a bi-annual parent and community advisory committee, comprised of parents, community members, and Killeen ISD Staff, coming together to discuss Special Education. PCAC is designed to provide updates and information concerning recent changes and processes in Special Education, to spotlight positivity and growth in Special Education, and to allow for constructive collaborative experiences as we come together to support our Special Education Community in Killeen ISD.
Parents and Community members who may be interested in participating in this advisory committee, please email jsanean.mark@killeenisd.org or ruth.roberts@killeenisd.org to be considered for the committee.
Upcoming Events in the Community
A Holiday Message from Your Special Education Parent Educators
Dear Parents,
Happy Holidays! As we come to an end of a successful semester and the holiday season is right around the corner, I wanted to send warm wishes to all of you. I hope that everyone has a fantastic break, and it has been a pleasure serving as one of your parent educators so far this school year. I cannot believe the school year is halfway over with, but I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the school year has in store for us. The holiday season can become very busy while enjoying our family and friends, but please remember self-care is very important and to take some time for yourself. Parenting a child with special needs is not the easiest, but I find that when I take time and care of myself, I am a better parent and can be 100% for my child. I hope everyone has lots of fun and creates many holiday memories over the upcoming break.
Kindly,
Ruth Roberts
Special Education Parent Educator
Killeen ISD
Dear Parents,
As the holiday season falls upon us, it is my hope and prayer that you are reminded of JOY. We are a community with the common thread of being parents of exceptional children... dealing with an exceptional world... during an exceptional time. The road we travel is not an easy one. It is wrought with trials and tribulations that can be stressful and overwhelming, fueling emotions within us that can be just as stressful and overwhelming as the events that have created them. Regardless, I hope and pray, despite the negatives life can bring, you don’t forget the positives of life as well. I am reminded each and every day, through the conversations and interactions I have with you, of the joy you have in your children. Because the holiday season can add to our stress levels, as we are busy with decorating, cooking, shopping, and a whole lot more, I challenge you to take a little time each day this holiday break to just focus on the joy your child brings to your world. Whether going on a walk, baking in the kitchen, or watching a holiday movie, take an hour each day, with each child, and make that time all about them. You don’t have to spend money to have a good time. Treasure the memories you make doing the little everyday things. Those special moments, big or small, will be the ones you will cherish and remember year after year.
Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, and Feliz Navidad!
Jsanean R. Mark
Special Education Parent Educator
Killeen ISD