Special Education Family Newsletter

The Special Education Family Newsletter serves to connect families with important information, deadlines, announcements, and current stories that illustrate the work of the Special Education department at Seattle Public Schools. If you have suggestions for how to improve these newsletters, please contact Emily Nitz-Ritter (Special Education Communications Specialist) at spedcommunications@seattleschools.org.  
Announcements + Updates
Open Registration for Little League Challenger Division
Our Washington District 8 Challenger Division was started in 1991 by Gary and Bev Newsome to give children with intellectual and physical disabilities a chance to play ball. Today, the program flourishes with six teams totaling almost 100 players throughout the greater Seattle area. The program is supported by the 12 Little Leagues making up Washington District 8, as well as
the Seattle Mariners, who continue to create special memories for these players.

Registration for our 2019 Little League Challenger season is now open at www.llwadistrict8.org. Our 2019 WA District 8 Challenger season will start with practices in mid-April. Games will run twice per week from May 1st through mid-June, culminating in an end-of-the season jamboree held at Northshore Athletic Fields (NAF) in Woodinville.

For questions regarding this year's program, please contact: Bev Newsome, (360) 805-0181, bevnew42@outlook.com.

Door-to-door Special Education Transportation During Adverse Weather
Families of students who qualify for transportation accommodations in their IEPs ("door-to-door" transportation) have been contacted regarding the disruption in their transportation services during the recent inclement weather. Families who were impacted were contacted via email and can also access the letter on the  Special Education Department website. If you have questions regarding transportation for students receiving special education transportation during adverse weather conditions, please contact Rob Vander Stoep at  ravanderstoe@seattleschools.org.
Upcoming Events

SEAAC Meeting
Tuesday, March 5th 6:00 - 8:00pm
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare will be provided.

Promoting Participation: Inclusive Physical Activity Fair
Saturday, March 23rd, 3:30-6:30pm - Eckstein Middle School
A FREE event that provides an opportunity for the community to come together and support the inclusive physical activity engagement of students and families from Seattle Public Schools. Representatives from various community organizations will be present and activity stations will be universal for participation of all abilities. Students can sign up for spring/summer camps and enjoy a couple hours of FUN participation in physical activity. Each participant will get a "passport book" upon check in. The book contains an area to collect a stamp from every activity or booth they visit. Collecting a qualifying number of stamps earns a ticket into the raffle drawing.

Promoting Participation provides opportunities for students, families, and community organizations to come together to be active and provide access to inclusive physical activity resources. 

SEAAC Meeting
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare will be provided.
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare will be provided.
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare will be provided.
Leadership Opportunities
We are currently accepting applications for School-based Parent Liaisons.  Learn more and apply!  We are no longer recruiting members for Parent Partners or SEAAC at this time. If you are interested in either of those roles for the 2019 - 2020 school year, please let us know.

Special Education PTSA:  This group provides organization and advocacy under the bylaws of Washington State PTSA. If you have any questions or want to become a member, email president.seattlespedptsa@gmail.com.
Special Education Contacts
If you have questions, please visit our special education staff directory for up-to-date contact information.
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.

Seattle Public Schools Department of Special Education

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