• Over the past six weeks, school leaders (principals and assistant principals) have participated in trainings on strengthening the partnerships between schools and families.

• An interdepartmental Dyslexia Work Group is meeting monthly and is reviewing screeners and interventions.

• Hannah Brown-Marzynski has come on board as a Family Experience Specialist. She is collaborating with department leadership to develop a multi-year plan to educate, engage, and support families at their students' schools.

• The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Meeting has been rescheduled for February 10, 2020, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The agenda includes introduction of the new Chief of Student Support Services and new staff who are supporting DHH services, an update on the development of a day school, and updates on supports for existing services for students.

• Special Education Director Nicole Fitch collaborates monthly with the Special Education PTSA Executive Board to discuss strengths and needs for services in SPS.

• Special Education staff are collaborating with the department of College and Career Readiness to understand how to best support students given the new OSPI Graduation Pathways offered by the state.

• Central office leadership recently attended a workshop by Christopher Chatmon, one of the authors of "We Dare Say Love," the Founder and CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland, and the Deputy Chief of Equity at Oakland Unified School District.

Winter Weather Transportation Information

Thanks to the advocacy of our community members, families of students receiving specialized transportation will no longer be asked to fill out an "opt-in" form to be assigned a snow route. Snow routes have been created for all SPS yellow bus student transportation, including general education and special education. All students who use district-provided yellow bus transportation will receive a route notification letter.  Read more about winter weather transportation . 

Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund (DDETF)

The DDETF is a supplemental special needs trust program established in 1999 by the Washington State Legislature. The program enables individuals with developmental disabilities, or their families and friends, to set aside funds for future use without affecting their eligibility for government services and benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

 

Funds may be used for many services not covered by other benefits, including recreation, therapy, clothing and transportation. The Department of Commerce administers the DDETF through a contract with The Arc of Washington State, who acts as the Trust Manager. For more information, visit http://ddetf.wa.gov/ or call 888-754-8798 ext. 1.

Washington State's ABLE Savings Plan allows people with various types of disabilities and their families to save for future expenses without losing their state and federal benefits. The program launched in July 2018. Funds may be used for qualified expenses that improve health, independence, and/or quality of life for the beneficiary.

 

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.