Consider This...
Things to Consider in February 2021 from RTSC
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In this Month:
- February Articles
- Useful Tips and Resources
- Upcoming Federation Events
Click titles for full articles
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News and information about education, research, and support for SESPs; adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers; and child welfare and education professionals helping children with trauma and other special needs get the most from their education. |
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Attend the upcoming Annual Virtual Visions of Community Conference.
SESPs Discounts are available.
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By Mary-Beth Landy, Sr. Trainer, Recruitment and Support Specialist for RTSC
I’m sure that with all of the snow lately, it doesn’t feel like spring is right around the corner, but one sure sign of spring is the Federation’s annual Visions of Community Conference! Yes, folks, it is that time of the year when we are diligently working to compile presenters far and wide, to give you the most up to date information on children with special needs and support for their caregivers. And this year’s conference proves to be another winner. Looking for more information on how to support your child or the children that your serve? We’ve got you covered. This year we have Dr. Rosemarie Allen, who has served as a leader in early childhood education for nearly 40 years, offering our keynote presentation titled “Ensuring Your Child is Honored, Valued, and Connected!” We are offering over 40 workshops in multiple language tracks over the course of several days, a chance to meet the commissioners of the state’s agencies serving our children, as well as our Youth Forum for the older children. Although the conference is virtual this year, we are holding networking opportunities throughout the conference as we know that community and “seeing while being seen” is a big part of the conference. So, take advantage of all that the conference has to offer. Registration is still open.
If you are a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP) or have ever thought of becoming one, please join us for a networking meet-up at 3:45, after the last presentation. I look forward to seeing you all!
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Ten months ago, when the pandemic first hit and schools went remote, no one really had concrete ideas as to how to handle many things, let alone attendance issues. Now that many schools are still remote or at least hybrid, districts are looking at things like attendance. And what does that mean anyway? Do we mean just logging on, or are we looking at the level of engagement? The Center for Reinventing Public Education studied 106 districts across the country to see how each district is dealing with the growing issue of attendance and accountability.
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Although 2020 was a challenging year in many ways, it also produced some important results in studies throughout the country. Youki Terada and Stephen Merrill review the top 10 studies, reviewing everything from the effects of a decrease in coal-emission on attendance, to how important it is for students to learn and use handwriting as it activates more areas of the brain than typing does.
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Over the last year many people, teachers, politicians, and parents have been debating the remote vs. in-person learning models. The effectiveness of the models, the ability to engage the students, and the capacity for learning, have all been debated. But what about the students? The Gallup poll surveyed 1,000 high school students throughout the state and ask them about the experiences over this past year. The Boston Globe’s The Great Divide looked at the disparities in academics in general but now compounded by the pandemic.
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“Research As we progress through the new year, it’s never too late to look at goal setting for the remainder of the academic year, especially in terms of the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) that many students are missing in their remote education. Jessica Hanna, an Occupational Therapist at Neuropsychological & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA), breaks down the multiple skills into daily activities, even remotely.
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Being a teen has always been hard but being a teen during the pandemic has brought even more challenges to it. We are finding ourselves and the kids constantly in Zoom or Google Meets meetings. But what does it mean, nowadays, to be “in a meeting”? Being logged in? Having your camera on, or not? Listening while multitasking? “Joining a Zoom or Google Meet offers one the ability to listen, watch and take the information presented without offering anything of yourself – no one has to see you, hear you, know where you are, or know what you are doing,” says Dr. Yvonne Asher. But are our kids missing out by doing so?
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Useful Tools, Media and Resources |
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I am sure that you have heard the old adage…” what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger!” Or my favorite statement of Mother Theresa’s “God wouldn’t give me more than I can handle…I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much!” Well, that is another way to say resilience. The ability to bounce back from traumatic or difficult situations is a more formal definition of resilience. But knowing what it is, is only the beginning. Now how do we increase or develop more resilience, a skill that I believe is very much needed in our times? PsychCentral lays out some specific strategies to help with that process.
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Is this TISConversations with Heather Forbes, Heather speaks with Jim Sporleder, the principal from Lincoln High School in Walla Walla Washington, which was the subject of the documentary Paper Tigers. “Jim shares stories of how he changed from a traditional to a heart-centered leadership approach as the principle.” Listen to the 36-minute podcast on Spotify of this inspiring story.
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These last few weeks since the event in the U.S. Capital, as well as the impeachment trial this week, has left many adults feeling shaken. With all the media coverage and the images that we are flooded with on a daily basis, it’s no wonder. But imagine what it must be like for the children who have seen or heard about these events. How do they handle the feeling that might arise for them? Child Mind Institute offers some advice and steps to take about helping the youth deal with what they know. These are good steps to help kids of different ages with any difficult topic.
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“Teens and adults were experiencing mental illness at rising rates even before the COVID-19 pandemic presented its own set of challenges” according to Mental Health America (MHA). It seems that we are not alone in the trying times that we live in. With that comes the need for multiple arenas of help, therapy is the most recommended. But not everyone is ready for that step right now, or they may be looking for additional supports. Well, low and behold, the podcast! Here is a list of some of the best podcasts dealing with mental health issues.
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Upcoming Federation Events |
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RTSC February Webinar
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 12:30pm-1:00pm
Join us for an open conversation with two Education Coordinators in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) area offices.
Katie Ollman and Janet Duncan will talk about their roles, their relationships with Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs), and answer questions that you have regarding the education of students in DCF custody.
Be sure to submit questions for Janet and Katie when you register.
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Thursday, March 11, 2021 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
Are you a Special Education Surrogate Parent, PCTI trained Parent Consultant or SEPAC Officer? If so, register for an upcoming Networking Series for All.
This series will provide us with the space to dive deeper into each aspect of the IEP, starting with page #1.
This series will be facilitated by FCSN staff with support from Jennie Dunkley, a recent SESP, veteran Special Education Consultant and Advocate, and founder of JDK Communications: Special Education Consulting.
IEP Page 1: Vision Statement
What is the vision for this student? Consider the next 1 to 5 year period when developing this statement. Beginning no later than age 14, the statement should be based on the student’s preferences and interests and should include desired outcomes in adult living, post-secondary and working environments.
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Free Upcoming Online Orientations
Tuesday, February 16, 1:00 pm
Monday, February 22, 9:00 am
Wednesday, March 03, 12:30 pm
Saturday, March 13, 11:00 am
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For more information on becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent
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Federation for Children with Special Needs
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