The Friday FYI
January 12, 2024
Visit our website & Facebook page for the latest updates!
Visit the Hanover County Parent Teacher Resource Center website for the latest announcements about upcoming workshops & webinars and the links to register. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page, too!
Please note: If you have "early access" (before Friday) to the Friday FYI, please be sure to revisit this page after Friday morning at 7:30am when the Friday FYI is officially published! We will continue to update each edition until Friday morning when the link is distributed through HCPS Blackboard Connect. Thank you!
Upcoming Workshops & Events
New Routines for a New Year
January 24, 2024, from 5:30-7:00pm at the Atlee Community Library: The Hanover Parent Teacher Resource Center will be presenting an in-person workshop on New Routines for a New Year: Executive Functioning--What are executive functions? What strategies and tools support students' development of these functions of their brains? How can parents support students at home? Click the link above to register.
Next Steps Transition Conference & Resource Fair (for ALL ages)
The HCPS Special Education Team will present the Next Steps Transition Conference and Resource Fair on March 2, 2024, at Hanover High School. Choose from a menu of breakout sessions to attend between 9:00am and noon (three 50-minute sessions will be offered), and plan to visit the resource fair with representatives from community agencies and organizations between sessions or until 1:00pm. See the flyer below for a list of those already committed to attend and present!
More AAC in 2024
- February 29th: Virtual Q&A (Google Meet), 12:00-1:00pm: Send us your questions and register here. A link will be sent one week before the event to those who register.
- March 28th: Adults only field trip to the grocery store. Meet up at the Rutland Kroger at 10:30am, and practice using AAC as we grocery shop!
- May 9th: Ideas for Summer Fun. Location & time TBD.
Let us know what else you would like to learn. Contact the Hanover Parent Teacher Resource Center at hanoverprc@hcps.us or use the Q&A link above to send us your ideas!
Local Activities & Programming
Friendship Circle of Virginia
The January 2024 Birthday Circle will be at the Science Museum of Virginia (in partnership with the Virginia Down Syndrome Association) on January 21, 2024, from 2:00-3:30pm. Friendship Circle of Virginia hosts monthly birthday circle events. Visit their website to learn more.
Weinstein JCC Winter/Spring Activity Guide
The Weinstein JCC Winter/Spring Activity Guide is available. Their annual summer camp guide will be available on their website on January 22, 2024.
Virginia Kindness Week
Virginia Kindness Week is February 11-17, 2024. Visit VDOE's GoOpenVA website for more information and resources.
Parent Power Hour
The Technical Assistance Center for Children who are deaf & hard of hearing will be hosting a virtual Q&A, Parent Power Hour, on January 24, 2024, at 12:00pm. Register HERE.
This week's ASL video is "Financial Literacy for Kids."
Visit the TAC-DHH website for more resources.
Student Townhall
The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired will host a virtual student townhall on January 23, 2024, at 6:30pm. Join DBVI for an exciting 2024 program overview. Learn about the in-person and virtual opportunities that will be held for your student. Whether they are interested in career exploration, technology or college prep, DBVI has something for everyone. Register HERE.
Virtual Tour of the Virginia Special Education Connection website
The Virginia Family Special Education website is filled with information and resources for families of students with disabilities in the state of Virginia. You can visit their website at https://vafamilysped.org/. If you'd like a virtual tour of the site and how to find all of the resources, check out this video.
Autism Society of Central VA
The Autism Society of Central Virginia has reorganized their website, so you can find activities and events for your student's age group. Visit the ASCV Programming page, and click on the tab for your child's age to explore all of the wonderful things the ASCV has to offer!
Jacob's Chance
Visit the Jacob's Chance website for more information about their winter recreation activities, including basketball and Taekwondo. Jacob's Chance has a variety of other events & activities throughout the year, including social gatherings for various ages, family events, and more!
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association has January events listed on their calendar page. Visit their website to learn more!
Winter Courses from PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center)
Visit the PEATC website to learn more and to register for these upcoming courses:
- IEP University: This online, self-paced, FREE course will be open from January 8-29, 2024.
- Early Childhood Academy: Online, self-paced, and FREE! This course will be open from January 19-February 23, 2024. This course is for families of young children (birth through age 6) with disabilities or developmental delays.
- Transition University will be open February 24-April 28, 2024. This free, self-paced course provides families and professionals with information to help make transitions easier for students with disabilities. Information about decision-making options, transitioning to independent living, and connecting to community services will be shared.
- Winter Special Education Workshop Series (a series of 5 live, virtual courses: From Referral to Eligibility, Anatomy of an IEP, Measurable IEP Goals, Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings, and Dispute Resolution Options in VA). The first class in the series, From Referral to Eligibility, is January 24th.
Preschool Resources
Supporting Your Preschooler's Behavior
Visit Understood.org for six tips for talking to your toddler after a tantrum or meltdown.
If you would like more information, visit their new podcast, "What Now? A Parent's Guide to Tantrums and Meltdowns."
I'm Determined Summit
The 2024 IMD Youth and Family Summit applications are available!
The Summit will be at the Festival Conference & Student Center at James Madison University on June 11-13, 2024. This event is designed for students who are 14-18 years old, and 50 students will be accepted to attend. Apply today!
https://www.imdetermined.org/event/2024-youth-family-summit/
Transition Resources
Visit the PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) website Transition to Adulthood page for resources related to transition. You can also check out their latest Transition Newsletter, Waze to Adulthood, for information related to the topic "It's Never Too Early to Prepare for Exiting High School!"
These two checklists, from Independent Futures that Work can help students and their families plan and prepare for the future!
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) Meeting & Training
Now is a great time to learn more about what a SEAC is and does. We will be looking for new members to fill open positions on the SEAC beginning in March of 2024!
If you are interested in learning more about the SEAC, our Special Education Advisory Committee, you can learn more through these workshops offered by PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center):
- Self-paced online SEAC Training: This course is open from January 3-January 31
- LIVE Zoom training on January 27, 2023, from 8:00-11:30am.
The next HCPS SEAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2023, at 6:30pm. The SEAC meets in the School Board Office boardroom. Visitors are welcome to visit and listen to subcommittee meetings.
Miss Hanover Abilities Pageant
Registration is now open on the Hanover Community Support Services website for the Miss Hanover Abilities Pageant (age 13 and up) and the Junior Miss Hanover Abilities Pageant (ages 6-12).
The 2024 Miss and Junior Hanover Abilities Pageant will be held on March 9, 2024 at Mechanicsville High School at 6:00 PM! Applications for contestants and sponsors are available below as well as contestant qualifications.
You are eligible if you:
- Have a developmental disability and
- Live in Caroline, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent and Richmond City
Inclusion Project for students ages 14-22
Contact the Parent Teacher Resource Center
HCPS Parent Teacher Resource Center
Email: hanoverprc@hcps.us
Website: https://www.hcps.us/departments/instruction/special_education/parent_resource_center
Phone: 804-365-4596
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HanoverParentResourceCenter