Focused on Special Education in Colorado's Cherry Creek and Aurora Public Schools!
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Welcome to The Arc of Aurora's Schoolhouse News, an education-focused, mobile-friendly monthly newsletter! If there is anything you would like us to cover next month, please email Kristen Blackwell at kblackwell@thearcofaurora.org. Happy reading! 
How Can I or an Advocate Visit My Son/Daughter's School?
Contributed by Kristin Lance, Advocate

The Arc of Aurora provides individual advocacy services to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who attend Aurora Public School District (APS) and parts of Cherry Creek School District (CCSD). Often times, parents or advocates need to observe a student to gain direct insight on how that student is accessing their academics.  Observing a student can help non-district IEP team members become more familiar with the student's educational environment.  However, confusion often occurs around who can observe and when.  While both districts seek to allow visitors the opportunity to observe, the following provides specific visitor policies for each district. ( Continue)

Is Home Schooling Right For You?
Contributed by Jenifer Woods, Advocate

There are many reasons why you may want to home school your child. This article will hopefully provide you with some answers to questions you have about home schooling. 
 
Home schooling in Colorado is deregulated, which means that the child's parent or guardian takes on the full responsibility of education. This means everything including getting the books, supplies, tests, keeping permanent records and anything else that is included in homeschooling is up to the parent or guardian. ( Continue )
It's Okay
Contributed by Nancy Bowden, Director of Individual Advocacy

So no one showed. It's okay [you tell yourself]. You really do not want to inconvenience anyone nor do you want to be a bother or burden anyone. It is okay, you understand everyone is busy; you get it. It's okay. 

It's okay that the ___________ (you fill in the absentee) did not show for your child's Annual IEP meeting, Triennial and/or Re-Evaluation meeting. It's okay. You can chat with them next week. You can fill them in on the Team's discussion about your child's strengths, needs, goals, supports, accommodations, fears and everyday struggles. It's okay. You got this.

Why? (Continue)

Bullying: How does it Impact Students with Disabilities?
Contributed by Hanni Raley, Director of Systems Advocacy

Bullying is not a harmless rite of childhood that everyone experiences. Research shows that bullying can negatively impact a child's access to education and lead to school avoidance and absenteeism, a decrease in grades, an inability to concentrate, loss of interest in academic achievement, and increased dropout rates.

Children with disabilities such as developmental, physical, intellectual, emotional, and sensory disabilities are at an increased risk of being bullied. Any number of factors - physical vulnerability, social skill challenges, or intolerant environments-may increase the risk. (Continue)
Kristen Blackwell, Administrative Assistant
The Arc of Aurora | kblackwell@thearcofaurora.org | 720-213-1420 | www.thearcofaurora.org
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