 |
Thanks for following Schoolhouse News, 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.
August 2017 Edition
You're Back to School -- Things to Think About
|
In-School Health Care Plans, Policies, and YOU
By Hanni Raley, Director of Systems Advocacy
Academically, the focus on school/district accountability and inclusion of all students drives the work done within an IEP meeting (and implementation) to ensure equal access to grade-level content standards. Academic standards are the educational targets outlining what all students are expected to learn at each grade level. For students with disabilities, accommodations are provided during instruction and assessments to help promote equal access to grade-level content.
|
|
By Jeff Fernengel, Advocate
The lunchroom can present challenges for students with disabilities who require specific dietary needs. Food substitutions, menu modifications, and texture modifications are some of the most common accommodations on our lunch plates, and fortunately they are quite easy to obtain. So grab a spork and let's dig into how we can accommodate specific dietary needs in the school cafeteria!
|
Check Out What Nonacademic and Extracurricular Services and Supports Can Look Like
By Nancy Bowden, Director of Advocacy
We have talked a little bit in previous issues of Schoolhouse News about nonacademic and extracurricular services, so in this article we are going to look at some not-so-common needs for support that can arise in nonacademic and extracurricular situations.
"Nonacademic" refers to the parts of your child's school day that are not tied to the core subjects of reading, writing and math. Some examples of nonacademic school time where supports may be needed are recess, lunch, counseling services, health services, and school assemblies. "Extracurricular" situations where services may be needed include athletic team (football, lacrosse, basketball, etc.), and group and club participation, such as Chess Club, Debate Team, Drama Club, the school newspaper. Employment is also included within the extracurricular services arm of IDEA.
|
Eerrrrrrr...pushhhh! The Bus is here!
How Supports and Accommodations Can Help Get the Day Off to a Good Start, and Document the Need
By Nancy Bowden, Director of Advocacy
Hardly seems time, but back to school the kiddos must go! Most of us can recall the average bus ride to and from school as being very long, bumpy, noisy, chaotic, and at least 10 degrees above/below the temperature outside. Given that knowledge, a kiddo's ride to or from school can set the tone for the rest of his/her day. Let's look at a few ways to try and make the bus ride a positive experience with the addition of various supports and accommodations.
|
Membership with The Arc of Aurora: How You Can Help Us Help You
By Erica Dennison, Special Projects' Manager
Were you aware that The Arc of Aurora is a membership organization and accepts memberships from EVERYONE? When individuals sign up to be a member, this helps US help YOU. If you are a Contributing Member and give $30 or 2 hours of volunteer time annually, you help keep our doors open and enable our advocates to be there when needed. You know how your advocate is always a friendly call away or attends a challenging meeting at the school? Your Contributing Membership helps pay for that.
|
Want to stay updated? Click
here to make sure you receive all of our newsletters!
Want to become a member? Click
here to complete an online application!
See what's happening on our social sites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
