The Connection

It looks as if fall weather is finally upon us! In this newsletter you'll find a fun, family, fall activity at Moore Farms, information about a new TIES (Together Including Every Student) program that is rolling out at all 3 high schools, a parent training by Family Connection SC on SC Home & Community Based Waivers, and even more great information!!

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

Join Family Connection SC for an interactive virtual parent training to learn what Home and Community Based Waivers are, who they are for, managed by, the services that they may cover, wait lists, and the process for obtaining and keeping a waiver/services.

When: Wed, October 26, 2022,

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT

Register at this link!

Waivers can be a significant help to students that may have ongoing needs into adulthood, and may provide an array of services that aren't eligible through just Medicaid. If you have heard about waivers, but aren't sure what they are or how to get on a waiting list, then this would be a great parent training for you!

If you have questions, please contact Erika Chapman at echapman@fsd1.org or 843-292-1008.

October is International AAC Awareness Month. The goal is to raise awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using communication devices.

What is AAC? AAC is all the ways we communicate our feelings or ideas without talking.

Deanna Torres and the Assistive Technology Team do an outstanding job making sure our students that require assistive and adaptive communication devices have what they need to be able to learn in our schools.

Watch the short video below to learn more about AAC and what it looks like. Could your child benefit from using an AAC communication device?

Together Including Every Student (TIES), developed in 1997 by two parents of children who have disabilities, promotes the participation of students and young adults who have developmental disabilities in inclusive, organized extracurricular and community activities through the support of trained student volunteers.

TIES promotes belonging and participation for high school studetns who have disabilities by matching 9th-12th grade volunteers up with F1S students who have developmental disabilities to share an activity together. After completing an application form and a training program, peer volunteers are paired with participants based on mutual interests, personal attributes and availability.

We are rolling out the TIES program in all 3 of our high schools this year. So if you have a student in grades 9th-12th grade with an IEP, that would like to participate in a club, event or activity but might need support, you should have them apply to be a part of TIES! Once a student applies, and is accepted we work with the student and parent to develop an Individual Support Plan. We then match the student up with an activity and a peer volunteer.

If your student would like to participate, please have them apply here:

F1S TIES Participation Application

To learn a bit more about TIES watch the video below!

Come join us on Tuesday, November 1st from 10am - 1pm for the Programs for Exceptional Children Transition Fair. Learn from experts and agency representatives the steps that students, parents and teachers need to take in order to prepare students with IEPs for post-secondary education and employment.

Exceptional Education High School students with IEPs and their parents are invited to attend! The Transition Fair will be held in the Yellow Jacket Room at the McClenaghan Building at 500 South Dargan Street.

Parents please look for permission slips coming home with your students. They must have a parent-signed permission slip to attend. Contact your student's teacher for a permission slip!

For more information you can contact the Office of Transition at 843-673-5776 or christine.worlock@fsd1.org.

Looking for a fun, family Halloween activity?

The BOOtanical Garden will come alive on Saturday, October 29! Get the whole family together and put on your best costumes for an enchanted Halloween afternoon at Moore Farms Botanical Garden. Trick-or-treating through the garden, with fall themed games, crafts, and even carnivorous plants … there’s something fun for everyone! Experience the bewitchingly beautiful garden like never before, while the little ones enjoy a BOOtastic time.

When: Saturday, Oct. 29th

2:00pm-5:00pm

Where: Moore Farms Botanical Garden
100 New Zion Road
Lake City, SC 29560

Tickets:

- Free admission for newborns/infants under 1yr of age

- $5 admission fee for children 1yr - 12yrs

- $10 admission fee for youth/adults 13yrs+ (including parents/guardians)

Register for tickets here: BOOtanical Garden 2022

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of October? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161