September 20, 2017

Special Education Family Newsletter

Welcome to the Special Education Family Newsletter. Please share the SpEd Newsletter with others, and send comments to spedombuds@seattleschools.org.

 

If someone forwarded the Special Education Family Newsletter to you, sign up here.

 
News and Upcoming Events 
We are recruiting new members for the Special Education Advisory and Advocacy Council for 2017-18
Seattle Public Schools is seeking volunteers from our ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse communities to serve on the Special Education Advisory & Advocacy Council (SEAAC) for 2017-18.

The purpose of this committee is to advise Seattle Public Schools staff on issues of Special Education.

SEAAC includes up to 20 members who
  • Represent parents/guardians, staff, and community agency perspectives across the education system on behalf of students with a wide range of abilities on Special Education issues. 
  • Provide Seattle Public Schools with perspectives on special education programs including current operation and management, policies, proposed changes, future plans, and goals.

There will be five meetings during the 2017-18 school year. District staff schedules and facilitates the meetings. These are the dates of the meetings:

  • Tuesday, November 7, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 12, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 3, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 5, 6-7:30 p.m. 

A minimum of two-thirds of the members are parents or guardians of children with disabilities currently enrolled in a Special Education Program in Seattle Public Schools. SPS students, families, community members, staff, non-District community based organizations and representatives of higher learning institutions are encouraged to apply.

 

Interested individuals should submit an email that includes:

  • Why you wish to serve on SEAAC.
  • How your experience reflects the diversity of Seattle Public Schools students and staff.
  • If you are applying to represent an agency, civic group, college or university, or other community group, please describe your experience related to the education of children with disabilities.
  • If you are a Seattle Public Schools staff member, please tell us your school (or department) and your job role. If you provide direct services to students, please note grade level(s).

to spedombuds@seattleschools.org no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017.

For more information call 206-252-0794 
Workshops for Families and Professionals
For the third year, Seattle Public Schools is collaborating with Open Doors for Multicultural Families on the following three workshops for families and professionals:

November 15 (Wednesday), 6-8 p.m.
Topic: Positive Behavior Supports
                4800 S Henderson St, Seattle, WA 98118

December 6 (Wednesday), 6-8 p.m.
Topic: Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)
                and  Behavior  Intervention Plans (BIPs)
                4800 S Henderson St, Seattle, WA 98118

January 10 (Wednesday), 6-8 p.m.
Topic: Planning for Transition to Adulthood
                4800 S Henderson St, Seattle, WA 98118

All families are welcome to these workshops!

For more information contact spedombuds@seattleschools.org 206-252-0794

Join us for Seattle Public Schools Special Education Regional Meetings
The Special Education Department is hosting Regional Meetings for staff, families and the community. We will provide information about changes in special education in the department and in schools. We also want to hear from you!

November 1 (Wednesday), 6-7:30 p.m.
CENTRAL REGION
                400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

November 8 (Wednesday), 6-7:30 p.m.
SOUTHWEST REGION
Location: TBD

December 5 (Tuesday), 6-7:30 p.m.
NORTHWEST REGION
Location: TBD

January 16 (Tuesday), 6-7:30 p.m.
SOUTHEAST REGION
Location: TBD

January 23 (Tuesday), 6-7:30 p.m.
NORTHEAST REGION
Location: TBD
SPS Special Education Parent Partners

The Seattle Public Schools Special Education Parent Partners Program assists parents and guardians of students with an IEP (Individual Education Plan), to navigate SPS, the IEP process, and to access community resources. This program connects trained and experienced Parent Partners with parents and guardians who want support in their child's IEP and special education process. It is the goal of this program to foster an atmosphere of family/professional collaboration in special education in Seattle Public Schools.
  
To request the services of a Parent Partner or to get more information about the program, please contact: spedparentpartners@seattleschools.org or 206-252-0794.
  

SPS Special Education PTSA Meetings
The Seattle Special Education PTSA is made up of Seattle area parents, educators, friends, and students with disabilities.  We strive to be a racially, culturally, and socio-economically inclusive group that is representative of the students we serve.  We have regular meetings throughout the school year.  These meetings are often attended by SPS Special Education administrators (sharing new information and answering questions from parents and staff) and feature guest speakers from a variety of areas related to special education.  Please consider joining us.  See our website for more information:  http://seattlespecialeducationptsa.org/

All meetings are 7 - 9 PM in the auditorium at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, 2445 3rd Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98124
* Tuesday, Oct. 3
* Tuesday, Nov. 14
* Tuesday, Jan. 30
* Tuesday, March 20
* Tuesday, May 1
* Wednesday, June 13
Family Resources




The Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC) 









Easy access to information for all families in Seattle Public Schools
To ensure information is accessible for all families in Seattle Public Schools, the district has methods for community members to request communications assistance for district sponsored programs, events and activities. These services will be provided in an accessible format at no cost to the requester.
Special Education Contacts
Please visit our special education staff directory for contact information.
Anonymous Feedback Form
The Special Education Advisory and Advocacy Council (SEAAC) invites you to submit comments and concerns that you have about special education services in Seattle Public Schools. Special Education Anonymous Feedback Form

Seattle Public Schools Department of Special Education

2445 3rd Ave. S. Seattle 98134
206-252-0000