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

Both Special Education Directors smile at the camera in front of a grey background. Nicole wears a black cardigan and Trish wears a printed top.
Special Education Directors Nicole Fitch (left) and Trish Campbell (right) are excited for the school year
In-Tandem: Helping Students Thrive
The In-Tandem program was featured on the  district website for their important work in cultivating a school environment where kids feel safe and welcome at school!

Donna Guise Honored as Symetra "Hero in the Classroom"
Congratulations to Resource teacher  Donna Guise at Wedgwood Elementary, who was recognized as a Hero in the Classroom by Symetra and Seattle Seahawks. There was a school-wide assembly to recognize her and Wedgwood was awarded a $2000 grant for classroom supplies.  Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is a community program that recognizes 16 Puget Sound area teachers for outstanding leadership and  instructional skills during  the Seattle Seahawks season. Well done, Donna!

Ballard High School Student to Speak at TEDxYouth@Seattle Event on October 27, 2019
Jay Pierce is a sixteen-year-old student in Running Start at Bellevue College. He grew up in Seattle and has always had a passion for psychology and biology. Jay is autistic and has done a lot of research on autism. He has also been a presenter at the UW Health Conference to discuss synesthesia and a possible link to transgender people. He has a very personal and exciting perspective to share with the audience of TEDxYouth Seattle. He enjoys playing video games in his free time and was inspired to do this talk when he was talking to a colleague about neurodiversity. Way to show leadership, Jay!

Other District-Wide Highlights From the Beginning of School: 
  • On the first day of school, students at West Seattle ElementarySouth Shore K-8Bailey Gatzert Elementary, and many schools across the district were greeted like the stars they are with cheers and smiles.
  • For the fifth year running, local community members and community-based organizations led by people of color gathered to give high fives to all the students at Leschi Elementary to welcome them to school. The Rotary Club also presented the school with a "Buddy Bench" to support kids making inclusive friendships on the playground!
  • The Board approved an updated Dress Policy in support of school cultures in which all Seattle Public Schools students feel welcome and respected at school.
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
DeafThrive 2019 - THIS Saturday!
Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park
DeafThrive Day is a family-friendly festival that brings the Deaf community together to celebrate being Deaf, and to show Seattle that we are happy, healthy, and thriving!  The event will have speeches from leaders and ASL performances on stage.  Deaf organizations will have booths to share information about themselves to the community. Mobile greeters will walk around and share fun sign language words to the non-signing attendees.

First Special Education PTSA Meeting of the 2019 - 2020 School Year
The Seattle Special Education PTSA is made up of Seattle area parents, educators, friends, and students with disabilities. Their first general membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the JSCEE. For more information, visit the Special Education PTSA website

Special Olympics Washington Unified Schools Kick-Off - Friday, October 4, 2019
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Roosevelt High School: 1410 NE 66th St, Seattle, WA 98115
FREE back to school kick-off to bring the Greater Seattle K-12 students with and without intellectual disabilities together and inspire them to become active participants in making a difference within their school and community through Special Olympics Unified Sports and activities.

Register online by September 30! There is NO registration fee and lunch will be provided!

Students will:
  • Be educated on the value and talents of every human being
  • Interact with students from different schools
  • Participate in the Unified Sports Experience (3rd-12th Grade)
  • Kindergarten-2nd grade will participate in a Young Athletes Experience and a My 1st Sports Experience
  • Participate in a Passport to Inclusion
  • Have fun and make new friends!

Leadership Opportunities
We will be sharing information about leadership opportunities for the 2019-2020 school year over the next few weeks. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Emily Nitz-Ritter at spedcommunications@seattleschools.org.
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