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Parent to Parent A Publication of the Parent Resource Center Patricia Macdonald, Coordinator (540) 389-0130  [email protected] https://sites.google.com/a/salem.k12.va.us/scsdiv/special-education/parent-resource-center School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, Salem, VA 24153 Coordinator Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30-11:50 a.m.

New Teacher to Special Education Staff: Ms. Shahida Persad Technology assisted in recruiting one of Salem’s new hires this school year, Ms. Shahida Persad, a Special Education Teacher at West Salem Elementary School. She was looking to move to Southwest Virginia from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to be closer to her fiancé, who is working towards a Doctorate’s degree at Virginia Tech. Impressed by what she saw on Salem City Schools’ website, she applied to Salem with hopes that she would be hired. Mrs. Trula Byington, Principal at West Salem, said that Ms. Persad’s application caught her eye because she has nine years of teaching experience, holds a Master’s Degree in Cross Categorical certification, and has taught children with many different types of disabilities. Mrs. Byington said that they liked Ms. Persad’s résumé so much that they interviewed her over the phone and via Skype because she was not able to travel from Wisconsin on the day they were interviewing candidates. Ms. Persad’s trek to Southwest Virginia coincided with the evening the derecho hit, the wind forcing her truck full of possessions to the side of the road and then blocking the entrance to her new home with a downed powerline. Despite the initial challenges, she has settled into work at West Salem and has found all the teachers and staff most welcoming, and has especially appreciated the mentorship of the other special education teachers at the school. She spends the majority of her day working continued on page 2

Salem Celebrates Disability History and Awareness Month Youth with disabilities from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities’ Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) produced public service announcements in recognition of October as Disability History and Awareness Month in the state of Virginia. Two of these presentations ran on Salem’s public access Channel 18 during October, thanks to the assistance of Mr. Mike Stevens, Director of Communications for Salem. Sharing information on the contributions of people with disabilities helps “create a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and equal opportunities for all,” as stated by the YLF. Also during October, parents on the Salem Special Education Advisory Committee decorated and delivered candy bars to Salem’s special education teachers and staff thanking them for recognizing each child’s ability on behalf of all parents within the school system.

PARENT TO PARENT

FALL 2012

New Teacher, from page 1

collaboratively with the fourth and fifth grade regular education teachers to assist students who have learning disabilities, both in their homeroom classes and with some small group instruction in her classroom. In addition to helping students do their best academically, she teaches skills to foster independence and master self-advocacy. I asked Ms. Persad what advice that she could give parents on helping make their child’s education successful. She said that it is important for parents to talk to the teacher if they have any questions or concerns about their child’s progress. She noted that contacting the teacher as soon as any problems arise will give the opportunity to work on a solution right away. She emphasized students who receive special education services have to work harder and parents can be proud of the grades their children receive when they are studying hard, even if the grade received is an average grade.

From front to back, left to right: Debbie Coker, School Psychologist, Melinda Terry, Special Education Teacher, Paige Callahan, School Psychologist, Jessica Smith, FNP, Nurse Practitioner for City of Salem

Presentation about Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Well Received

Welcome Ms. Persad and all the new hires to the School System.

An expert panel consisting of Ms. Debbie Coker, School Psychologist, Ms. Melinda Terry, Special Education Teacher, Ms. Jessica Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner with the Salem Employee Health and Wellness Clinic, moderated by Ms. Paige Callahan, School Psychologist, shared practical information that could be put right to use by the parents, staff, and community members that attended the presentation on September 20. If you were unable to attend but would like a copy of the handout that Ms. Smith distributed that evening, please contact the Parent Resource Center and we will get a copy to you.

Parent Fair a Success The Parent Fair held on Friday, July 27 at the School Board Office was a success, with information shared from many different agencies and providers in the community. If you were not able to attend but would like the contact information from the speakers and exhibitors who were there that day, please contact the Parent Resource Center and we will get the information to you. Plans are underway for the next Parent Fair and we are looking for suggestions on what will be helpful to our parents and guardians. Please contact Pat Macdonald, Parent Resource Center Coordinator, with your ideas to 389-0130 or [email protected].

Two more presentations are scheduled for this school year. Please see the back cover for more details. Hope you can join us.

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PARENT TO PARENT

FALL 2012

The Autism Corner By Melinda Terry, Special Education Teacher at South Salem Elementary The Salem Autism Team is hard at work this school year. The team is comprised of individuals from our central administrative office, as well as members from the elementary schools, middle school, and high school. Members come from several professional walks, including administration, specialists, and teaching staff. Having members from many disciplines provides the opportunity for the team to collaborate individual experiences and strengths. The team is diligently working to fulfill its mission statement: Our mission is to be proactive in supporting students with autism through evidence-based educational instruction and increasing autism awareness for administrators, faculty and staff, family members, and the community. Part of this process includes use of evidence-based practices, as well as communication of these practices to the schools in our division. Discussions during team meetings include general information pertinent to providing the best education for students with autism, as well as increasing awareness and understanding for all educators and staff members who work with students with autism. With this goal in mind, the Autism Team is sponsoring BCBA trainings in order to assist in the process of providing appropriate instruction for our students with autism. Kate Masincup is providing these trainings in order to help make the most of instructional time. More information is to come regarding this training! As we continue our endeavor, we hope to be a valuable resource for our educational community in the City of Salem. For more information on the Salem Autism Team, please contact Ms. Terry by phone at 387-2478, or by email, [email protected].

New Lending Library Additions We are happy to announce that we have added seventeen new titles to our Lending Library!

Contact us today to let us know how to get the resources you would like to you. Stop by, call, email, or check our webpage to get a complete listing of resources. We are here to help you help your child.

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Parent Resource Center 510 South College Avenue Salem, VA 24153

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID SALEM, VA Permit No. 109 Return Service Requested

Please join us for these free, informal and informative presentations. The Learning Disabled Child: Characteristics, Identification, and Strategies for Success Presented by Ms. Carol Brittain and Ms. Robin Pillis, Special Education Teachers, Salem City Schools Time and Place: Thursday, November 15 from 7-8 pm, School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, Salem

All are welcome and no reservations are needed. These events are sponsored by the Parent Resource Center. Please contact us with any questions (389-0130, [email protected]).

How to Talk So Schools Will Listen (and Listen So Schools Will Talk) Presented by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center from Falls Church, VA Time and Place: Thursday, January 17 from 7-8 pm, School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, Salem