An education-focused,  mobile-friendly  newsletter where we write about local and federal special education topics. Every quarter, we bring you original content and current information on issues of importance to students in special ed.

June 2018 Edition

Helpful Tips for the Summer
Summer Nutrition
Contributed by Petri Brill, Advocate
School is finally out and summer has arrived! It's the season for flip flops, picnics, adventures, popsicles, and just kicking back and relaxing a bit. Summer is the time of year when parents realize how underpaid teachers actually are! For many, however, summer may not be totally carefree: 70.4% of students in Aurora Public Schools and 29% of students in Cherry Creek School District utilize the free or reduced cost lunch program.  
Top 10 Best Advocacy Practices
Contributed by Jeff Fernengel, Advocate
Advocacy is a team effort. Here are some simple yet empowering best practices that can really take your advocacy to the next level!
Recent Legislation May Allow Medical Marijuana Administration to School Children by School Personnel
Contributed by Hanni Raley, Assistant Executive Director
This year the Colorado Legislature passed and Governor Hickenlooper signed a bill that expands a 2017 bill allowing medical marijuana to be administered on school grounds by parents or caregivers. This year's addition allows school personnel to administer medical marijuana to a student with a medical marijuana registry card while at school. This bill, HB 18-1286 , is fresh off the Governor's desk, and here are some quick details about it to know:
Day Treatment: A Basic Overview
Contributed by Nancy Bowden, Beyond Advocacy Consultant
In Colorado, Day Treatment is for school aged children (3-21 yrs.) typically on an IEP and/or a Section 504 Plan who are in need of more intensive support with respect to their behavioral needs and/or their social and emotional needs while they continue to work on their academics. In other words, Day Treatment is designed to really focus on a child's challenging behaviors and/or their social and emotional needs that might be preventing the child from being fully available for academic learning.
The Arc of Aurora Awarded Grant to Interrupt the Special Education Pipeline to Prison in North Aurora
We are thrilled to announce that The Arc of Aurora, through THINK+change, will be continuing its work with many of you on transforming the special education pipeline to prison.  Our targeted outreach begins soon -- look for it!

NOTE:   Interrupting the Special Education Pipeline to Prison in North Aurora: A Model for Replication was made possible by a grant from the Transforming Safety community grants program.  Transforming Safety is a State-funded program administered by the Department of Local Affairs, with support from The Denver Foundation.  The program seeks to improve public safety by helping to build stronger communities in North Aurora and Southeast Colorado Springs.  For more information, please go to www.transformingsafety.org.
Erica Dennison, Special Projects' Manager
The Arc of Aurora | [email protected] | 720-213-1420 | www.thearcofaurora.org
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