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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, Virginia, 24153

Parent Involvement Survey The Virginia Department of Education is conducting its annual Parent Involvement Survey. It is a short survey with only sixteen questions. The City of Salem Schools requests that each parent or guardian who has a child receiving special education services complete the survey. This anonymous survey evaluates if schools facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities. Both English and Spanish versions are available on-line using the web address below, or on the school website. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ ParentInvolvement Survey2011 Printed copies are available at the School Board Office if you would like a paper copy. Please call 389-0130 or stop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to pick one up.

Community Options Expand for Early Childhood Special Education Services Salem

preschool

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provided to children beginning at two years of age who have at least a 25% delay in one or more of the areas of personalsocial, adaptive, motor, communication, or cognitive abilities. Once a child is determined eligible, a continuum of service is considered by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team, which the parent or guardian is an important part. This spectrum of services includes the center-based program at East Salem Elementary School, and a community option for children who can be supported successfully in a typical preschool environment. The community option has been in place for over five years, but has expanded to a large enough number being served in the community where this school year one of the East Salem preschool teachers works exclusively with the community preschools. Dr. Randy Jennings, Supervisor of Special Education for Salem City Schools, stated that the School System is providing a “continuum of service, with students in the community being served in the most natural environment. This is a partnership with local preschools and Total Action Against Poverty (TAP)-Head Start. The School System provides supplementary aids and services to support that environment.” continued on page 2

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Preschool Options Expand, from page 1

Ms. Terri Lewis has been the teacher for the community program this year. Depending on the level of need of the student and what is written in the student’s IEP, her visit to the preschool may consist of providing direct one-on-one instruction for the student, consulting with the preschool teacher, and providing tools such as visual or social schedules. Ms. Lewis also shares training materials with the staff, and works with the teacher to assist with problem solving. Regardless of where the services are

East Salem Preschool Staff (from left) Sharon Levesque, Sherry Basham, Mandy Culley, Beth Pokorski, Terri Lewis, Nikki Rampino

provided, the staff of the Salem preschool program work hard to prepare children for kindergarten, the next step in their educational journey. Childhood

For

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information Education

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Autism Corner

Early

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Salem City Schools, please contact Dr. Jennings at the School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, by phone, (540) 3890130 or email, [email protected].

Fall Parent Workshops Moved to Evening

You spoke and we listened! Three Parent and Community Training sessions will be offered during the 2012-2013 school year from 7-8 p.m. at the School Board Office. The first one will be coordinated by Ms. Paige Callahan, School Psychologist, who will be inviting a panel of local experts on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This will be held on Thursday, September 20 at 7 p.m. To receive an electronic reminder of this meeting, please send your email to Ms. Pat Macdonald, [email protected].

An overview of Salem’s recently formed Autism Team was given in the fall Parent to Parent newsletter. Since that time, the Autism Team has presented Autism 101 to staff at all six Salem schools during faculty meetings and to many of the school bus drivers as well who transport children using handicapped accessible buses. Autism 101 provides an overview of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and information on some of the unique needs of individuals who have the disability. The Autism Team also encouraged Salem School System employees to wear blue on April 2 to increase awareness of autism in honor of April being Autism Awareness Month. For more information on the Autism Team, please contact Ms. Paige Callahan, Chair, at (540) 389-0130 or by email to [email protected].

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Parent Fair Sponsored by Salem City Schools Special Education Department

Essentials for Parents and Guardians who have a child with a disability Location: Salem School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, Salem This event is free but a reservation is requested to Ms. Caren Saunders, 389-0130.

Agenda 8:30 a.m., Welcome, Dr. Randy Jennings, Supervisor of Special Education 9:00 a.M., Special Education Process, Ms. Pat Macdonald, Parent Resource Center 10:00 a.m., Special Olympics, Ms. Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director 11:00 a.m., Disability Decisions, Ms. Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez, Social Security Administration Disability Determination Services (noon-1 p.m. Lunch break on your own. You are welcome to bring a bagged lunch and use the meeting area to eat and visit with other participants) 1 p.m., Estate Planning and Trusts, Ms. Ann Green, Attorney 2 p.m., Medicaid Waivers, Ms. Deborah Breedlove, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare 3 p.m., What Does the School Nurse Need to Know about your child?, Dr. Colleen Kraft, Pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics, VT Carilion Medical School There will also be exhibitor tables from blue Ridge Independent Living Center, Care Connection for Children, Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke, goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Special Families of the Roanoke Valley, National Counseling Group

Please reserve your place by contacting Ms. Caren Saunders, (540) 389-0130, [email protected] Please leave your name, phone number, and email, if available, so that we can send you a confirmation.

Bring a Friend! This event is free. 3

Parent Resource Center City of Salem Schools 510 South College Ave. Salem, VA 24153

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

Return Service Requested

Free Parent Fair 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the School Board Office. Please see page 3 for more details.

Topics include Social Security Income, Estate Planning and Trusts, Medicaid Waivers, What the School Nurse Needs to Know, Special Olympics, Understanding the Special Education Process

Contact Ms. Caren Saunders, 389-0130, or email [email protected]. All are welcome ~ bring a friend!