SPED PAC Newsletter

To support students with special needs and their families to successfully navigate the support services offered by Knox County Schools and the surrounding community.

Email: advisorycounsel@knoxschools.org
Website: knoxschools.org/pac
Phone: 865-594-9582

As the school year comes to an end stress levels tend to go up as families deal with final exams, end of the year celebrations, and planning for the summer months. We tend to think of stress as being harmful to children, but can stress be helpful? Click on the link below to learn more about the various types of stress, both good and bad, and how to help children cope.

As children learn, they are developing executive function skills which include paying attention, planning, starting tasks, tracking, and coping skills. Since these skills can impact children's success at school, home, and in social situations - Click on the link below to learn more about what the experts say about the three areas of executive functioning skills.

The 2022 Gerber Baby is 7 month old from Edmond Oklahoma named Isa. (Which represents strength, courage, and perseverance.). She was born with a rare condition that can lead to incomplete or and abnormal leg. To learn more about Isa, click on the link below.

Dear families,

Knox County Schools has created a Summer Scholars Guide for grades K-8 that serves as a resource for families and

aims to minimize summer learning loss and promote preparation for the upcoming school year. Suggestions in the Scholars Guide are optional activities to help students maintain and expand their academic growth over the summer.

I encourage you to take advantage of this great resource, which may be found at www.knoxschools.org/scholarsguide. If you would like a printed copy, please let us know and we will provide you with one.

Summer Library Club is officially here! Read 30 hours by August 7 and earn terrific reading rewards. An array of special summer performances will keep patrons entertained all season!

Dive in Deep Summer Challenge, May 21-August 7

Our summer challenge is all about diving into a subject you want to know more about–by reading, researching, or exploring our collection!

Pick up a map at any library location to get started. Track your reading time on your map, online, or in the Beanstack Tracker app.

For every 5 hours you read, earn a sticker badge for your map. Aim for just 20 minutes a day and read (or listen to) anything you want! When you’ve read 30 hours, pick up your prize at any library location by August 7.

Rewards

Every summer library club participant earns a Read City USA reward. Kids and teens also earn a reward package of area treats and attractions. From pizza to ice cream, comic books to museum admissions, there’s a reward for everyone. Available June 15.

The Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) is excited to launch our annual contest for May is Mental Health Month.

Our theme this year focuses on the importance of having good selfcare strategies to maintain positive mental health. Whether you are struggling or in recovery, it's important to "plant the seeds for growth" to improve and maintain selfcare.

These last few years have been tough time for many people, us included, so we’re hoping that this contest can bring some inspiration and empowerment to people’s lives.

How to Enter:

1. Upload your own visual that represents your selfcare strategy and/or mental health growth goal(s)*
2. Enter your email address and photo description

*Visual can be a photo of a person, place, thing, drawing or favorite quote that helps you with your selfcare.

Winners:

Three (3) winners will be chosen by June 3, 2022. Each winner will receive a $100 cash prize.

• Most Votes (one winner)
• Staff Pick (two winners)

MyLife Day Services is an extension of Sertoma whose mission is to provide programs and services that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. The MyLife program was created to provide safe, supportive, and stimulating programs throughout the week to adults who have aged out of the school system and are waiting to receive state funded services or receive partial funding but desire additional support. We offer a flexible schedule with daily rates, structured daily activities, community inclusion opportunities and medical staff on-sight. Activities offered include pre-vocational skills, leisure education, volunteer opportunities, independent living skills and therapeutic arts.

For questions or more information about the program, contact

Nicole Lemon, Senior Director of Day Services at nicole@sertoma.com

or (865) 524-5555 ext. 223.

The program operates Mondays-Thursdays currently 8am-5pm.

Website: www.mylifedayservices.com