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
School Choice + Open Enrollment Results
We are pleased to share that the Special Education department, in collaboration with Admissions, now processes School Choice applications using an improved, more equitable process. This change supports the approximately 20% of students receiving intensive special education services who wish to apply to Option Schools and/or schools outside of their Attendance Area. This is our second year using this new process. The data and family experiences have confirmed that it has helped eliminate historic barriers to School Choice for all of our students with IEPs. We are excited to make these changes routine procedure and to continue to develop service locations, systems, and delivery that increases equity for all of our students.
 
This year, nearly half of the students receiving intensive services who used the School Choice process were assigned to their first choice school. More received an assignment to a second choice. This is a rate of assignment that is comparable to students who do not have IEPs.

SEAAC Members Discuss the Importance of Language
Thanks to the members who attended our last meeting and contributed to a rich and interesting conversation regarding the language we want our colleagues, district partners, and community members to use when talking about the students and families we serve. Everyone's willingness to engage thoughtfully in a dialogue about the power of language in representing identity and experience was much appreciated. Thank you! The next meeting in May we will be discussing
data trends and the importance of representation. 

The Promoting Participation: Physical Activity Fair held on Saturday, March 23 was a major success! Students, family members, volunteers, and community partners met in the gym at Eckstein Middle School to participate in a number of fun activities and get connected with community resources. Students and families visited activity stations with modified materials so that all students could engage and enjoy. We know that physical activity and inclusiveness play a critical role in student and family health, both physical and emotional. This "first of its kind" event provided a chance for the community to support its members and demonstrate everyone's right to participate and belong. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who worked together to make this event happen!  


Got Good News?
Know of wonderful work happening in Special Education that needs to be celebrated? Share successes and stories with the Special Education Communications Specialist at  spedcommunications@seattleschools.org.
Upcoming Events
QRKCON 2019
May 4 + 5, 11:30am - 4:30pm - Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave Seattle, WA, 98122

The Aspiring Youth program has been providing social skills groups, summer camps and other services to Seattle area families for nearly 15 years. We feel fortunate to work in an environment of dedicated providers and incredible families and we want to celebrate this community!

This May 4 and May 5, at Seattle's Washington Hall, we will be holding QRKCON, a first of its kind gaming and media arts convention specifically targeted to the neurodiverse community. The QRKCON convention is inclusive and sensory friendly. We have a range of exciting exhibitors, from table top games to video games, from Virtual Reality demos to the mobile Tinker Tank from Pacific Science Center.

Learn more at  QRKCON.com or email
 


SEAAC Meeting
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.

Seattle Public Schools Special Education staff is excited to invite: D/HH youth, their families and the D/HH community for a gathering!

The purpose of this meeting is to:
  1. Provide updates from district staff, CDHL and community partners
  2. Continue to provide opportunities for input and ideas to grow stronger services for D/HH students in Seattle Public Schools
  3. Meet other families & community members with shared interest
  4. Learn about and share resources available in the community.
Supervised children's activities, light snacks, and ASL Interpreters will be provided. 

Questions or interpreting/language needs? Contact us: Michael Dickneite at 206-252-0332,  msdickneite@seattleschools.org or Emily Nitz-Ritter at 206-252-0842,  spedcommunications@seattleschools.org

SEAAC Meeting 
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) Room 2750
2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134
Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.
Leadership Opportunities
We are currently accepting applications for School-based Parent LiaisonsLearn 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 PTSAThis 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.
Access to Information for 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