PAC Newsletter
April, 2021

Volume 2, Issue 4
Nichole Moore, Ed.S.
Director of Special Services
nicholemoore@wlcsd.org

Next week, May 3 - 7, 2021, is recognized as Staff Appreciation Week in Walled Lake Consolidated Schools!

Our dedicated teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals have worked diligently to ensure your child is successful and continues to demonstrate growth! Please help us celebrate are talented staff next week.

Please consider sending an email, writing a personal note and/or calling a Walled Lake Special Services staff member and show your appreciation.
WELCOME TO
WALLED LAKE!
CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: 
christalynwalker@wlcsd.org
Christalyn (Chris) Walker started her career in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools as an EI Self-Contained teacher. Mrs. Walker then moved into the General Education classroom. In her administrative position over the past 3 years, she served as Student Support Coordinator and focuses on developing and leading the buildings PBIS system; coordinated the 504 process; and was the co-chair of the MTSS committee. Mrs. Walker earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education – Emotional Impairments from Eastern Michigan University, a Master’s Degree from Marygrove College, and an Educational Specialists Degree in Leadership and Administration from Oakland University. 

We are pleased to welcome Chris Walker to the Walled Lake Special Services Administrative Team!
Special Services Department
BOARD PRESENTATION
On April 8, 2021, a presentation was shared with the Board Education focusing on current instructional initiatives and the department's response to the pandemic. Please click on the recording, presentation and/or image provided to access the shared information.

Please Note: Eligibility for the programs/services mentioned in the documents is based on data collection and recommendation by the IEP team. Teams will determine the impact and immediate need for summer programs and services. Service is not based on request.



April is Autism Awareness Month


April has widely been known as Autism Awareness Month in the U.S., as a way to empower people living with autism, along with their families.


As a district, Walled Lake has several classrooms designed to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that provide specially designed instruction for students’ needs. That said, not all students need this level of programming and so we utilize this month to provide learning opportunities to our students and wanted to share a few important points with you as well.
  • Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that not all people diagnosed with ASD will have the same needs.
  • Students with ASD are first and foremost students. Autism is only a part of who they are, just as wearing contacts or glasses is only a part of who I am.
  • Autism impacts a person's five senses. For example, your child may see a student communicating through a voice output device (like and iPad) because it is difficult for them to talk/communicate traditionally..
  • Visual supports are often helpful to students with Autism. Modeling or showing a picture to your friend with ASD can help them to understand what you are asking them to do.
  • Social Interactions may be more difficult for students with ASD. Friends can help students to feel more comfortable and teach valuable social skills by inviting them to play.
  • Some students with a disability may communicate in other ways than traditional speech. Some students may use pictures, technology devices, or sign language.
  • There is no cure for Autism, but families, school staff, and students can all help our students learn and communicate more effectively.
  • As always, remind students that all people are different in some way and these differences should be celebrated!

Help create a kinder world by making a commitment to kindness on the Autism Speaks website. Then share it with everyone!

A big thank you to those of you who submitted a nomination to recognize a Shining Star within Walled Lake Schools. We received over 50 nominations and are working hard to create something special for some very special people!
While it can be challenging at times to find the right camp here is a resource list of some of the camps available for children with special needs throughout the state of Michigan.
Helping with Handwriting - Continuing Skills for the Summer
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
7pm

Join Kids in Motion for this free, online workshop where they will cover: School Expectations, Grasps/Grips, Writing Development, Learning without Tears overview, Resources, Upcoming group class and more.

Registration Required
Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
10am

Join Michigan Alliance for Families for this free, online workshop

In times of COVID parent advocacy is important. This free online workshop explores skills parents can use to become more effective advocates for their child with a disability.
• Understand your child's disability
• Know the key players
• Know your rights and responsibilities
• Get organized
• Clear and effective communication
• Know how to resolve disputes
IEP: A Closer Look
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
10-11:30am

Join Michigan Alliance for Families for this free, online workshop

This free, online workshop takes a closer look at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. This workshop will help you:
• take a more in depth look at the core areas of the IEP
• prioritize your greatest concerns
• learn how to address those concerns through the IEP process
• improve your ability to have productive conversations

There will also be time set aside to ask questions.  Families with a child or young adult with an IEP or IFSP should attend.

Registration required
Family Matters - Michigan Department of Education

Family Matters provides parents and families with information about special education and other resources. Find useful information about Transitions (age of majority), Personal Curriculums, PBIS, FBAs, ABA, FAPE, IDEA and more!
A great resource to utilize.
Friendship Circle is thrilled to announce the addition of West Bloomfield’s own Dakota Bread Company. While everyone’s favorite challah recipe will remain unchanged, Friendship Circle has exciting plans in store. The bakery will run a training program for adults with special needs to teach them life skills including time management, organization, customer service and more – with the goal of trainees becoming employees in the future.

MiABLE Disability Savings Program webinar

presented by Scott de Varona, Division Director
hosted by Michigan Department of Treasury in collaboration with Oakland Schools


Learn about this important disability savings program

Access code for viewing: GvCifNP4
20th Annual Virtual START Conference
Fueling Engagement for Meaningful Outcomes
Monday, May 3rd


Keynote speakers:
Emily Rubin, Director, Communications Crossroads &
Gregory Hanley, CEO Behavioral Consulting

Learn ways to foster a child's social emotional development to fuel their learning and ways to address problem behavior, particularly for those with autism

Scholarships are still available!
Project SEARCH - Troy Beaumont Hospital


Project SEARCH Program is a unique, business led, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Project SEARCH is a one-year transition program that involves the collaboration of business partnerships, community agencies and education to assist students with disabilities in gaining specific job and employability skills. Project SEARCH is an internationally recognized program that was established in 1996 by at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Troy Beaumont Project SEARCH program started in September 2011. The cornerstone of Project SEARCH is total immersion in a large business. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, on-the-job training and support through internships or worksite rotations. The goal of Project SEARCH is competitive employment upon completion of the program
Walled Lake Schools are lucky to have a parent and talented musician in the district.

Ms. Marlowe, of Swingset Mamas, works with the Special Services population providing music in fun and interactive ways.

Check out one of her many YouTube videos below

The Walled Lake Adult Transitions Program publishes a monthly newsletter?

Their mission: WORKING towards ACCEPTANCE, VOCATIONAL APTITUDE, EMPOWERMENT and SELF-DETERMINATION.

In case you missed it here is the latest edition.

Walled Lake has developed a Social Emotional Learning page where families can access resources and tools to help support the social and emotional growth of your child. Resources are organized by grade level and are constantly updated so be sure to check back often.
If you need additional resources please contact your child's classroom teacher, school counselor or administrator.

Click on the links below to access the
newsletters of these organizations!
For over 29 years Oakland Mediation Center (OMC) has provided conflict resolution and education services that are quite affordable and quickly empower community members, families, businesses, courts and schools to resolve conflict. OMC is an apolitical, non-profit, volunteer-based Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP) center whose volunteers represent and serve the community.
Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on special education issues, disability specific information and FREE webinars.


As parents of children with IEPs we feel it is vitally important to share information, resources and opportunities related to Special Education services. Navigating special education is no easy task and our hope is that this monthly newsletter will keep you updated.

PAC Executive Committee
Cory Hensley - knackcor@yahoo.com
Aimee Page - aimee.page2@gmail.com
Denise Dunn - denisedunn@wlcsd.org
Emma Tryson - emma_tryson@yahoo.com
PAC MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to increase awareness and current best practices in special education while working towards a larger voice, meaningful communication and more inclusive practices and parental involvement.

We Are On Social Media!

Stay informed about our upcoming events! Click on the image to
access the Parent Advisory
Committee (PAC) website.