Special Education Parent Newsletter
October 2023
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!
October has come and gone, but we are forging ahead! We have closed out one grading period and have begun a new one! As we head toward the festivities of fall and the holiday celebrations, please know your Special Education support team is here to help you in any way we can! This newsletter is chock-full of great information and tips for our families.
Thank you all for your continued support!
Special Education Services Team
Fort Bend ISD
On November 7, exercise your right to vote! Please click here for information about the FBISD VATRE, Proposition A.
Getting the Support You Need: Who to Go to With Questions
1. Transportation:
Customer Care Contact
(281) 634-4077
transport.support@fortbendisd.com
Hodges Bend Transportation Center
(281) 634-1970
Lake Olympia Transportation Center
(281) 634-1930
2. Specific course, assignment, or learning resource: Teacher
3. Supports or accommodations: Teacher or Case Manager
4. Documentation (ARD/IEP, FIE): ARD Facilitator (MS, HS)/Campus Compliance Coordinator (ES)
5. Student Schedule: Counselor
6. Personal or Social Emotional Concern: Counselor
7. Special education procedural or programming questions: Programs Managers, Special Education Services
8. Parent Support Network: Campus SEPAC representatives*
District Events, Resources, and Trainings
2023-24 Parent Training Opportunities
Get Involved!
What is SEPAC?
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a support network where parents can ask questions, meet other parents on the special education journey, and learn about relevant issues in the state and district that pertain to educating students with disabilities. The mission of the FBISD SEPAC is to:
- Advocate for innovative and inclusive educational environments
- Advise Fort Bend ISD on programs, parent/teacher trainings, and policy related to special education, and
- Support and facilitate effective communication between parents, students, and the school district
The role of a SEPAC representative is to:
- Be a liaison between campus parents and the district
- Facilitate communication between campus parents, the SEPAC, and the district
- Share information from the SEPAC and the district to campus parents
- Gather feedback from campus parents and relay back to the SEPAC and the district
- Provide feedback to the SEPAC and to the district from an engaged parent perspective as to what is working and not working at your campus
If your campus has a SEPAC representative, your principal will be reaching out to you shortly to share their contact information.
We are still seeking parent representatives for the following campuses:
Elementary Schools:
Lynn Armstrong Elementary School
Barrington Place Elementary School @ Meadows-Grades K-2nd
Barrington Place Elementary School @ Lakeview-Grades 3rd-5th
Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School
Walter Moses Burton Elementary School
Cornerstone Elementary School
Rita Drabek Elementary School
Dulles Elementary School
Arizona Fleming Elementary School
Alyssa Ferguson Elementary School
Edgar Glover Elementary School
Lula Belle Goodman Elementary School
Mary Austin Holley Elementary School
E.A. Jones Elementary School
Barbara Jordan Elementary School
Lakeview Elementary School
Lantern Lane Elementary School
Donald Leonetti Elementary School
Malala Yousafzai Elementary School
Mission Bend-Glen Elementary School
Mission West Elementary School
Rosa Parks Elementary School
James Patterson Elementary School
Pecan Grove Elementary School
Quail Valley Elementary School
Ridgegate Elementary School
Ridgemont Elementary School
Scanlon Oaks Elementary School
Jan Schiff Elementary School
Settlers Way Elementary School
Sienna Crossing Elementary School
Sugar Mill Elementary School
Walker Station Elementary School
Middle Schools:
David Crockett Middle School
Macario Garcia Middle School
Lake Olympia Middle School
Missouri City Middle School
Sartartia Middle School
High Schools:
Stephen F. Austin High School
William P. Clements High School
L.V. Hightower High School
Ridge Point High School
Willowridge High School
If you are interested in applying to be a SEPAC representative for one of the campuses listed above, please complete the SEPAC Application Form 2023-2024.
If you have any questions about the SEPAC, please contact Sheri Maston, Director, Department of Special Education Services.
Special Populations and Academic Support in Higher Education
This will be a meeting for Senior parents of students receiving Special Education services as it relates to applying for higher academic education institutions. This could be beneficial for all parents of students who receive special education or Section 504 services.
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023, 06:00 PM
James Reese Career and Technical Center, University Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Special Education Department Website and Twitter
The Special Education Department website is a great place to start when you have a question or when you are seeking resources to assist your student. Our department website and its various pages are uniquely designed to provide information and keep parents updated on programs and services for students. Be sure to visit our website and bookmark it!
Follow us on Twitter too. You will find information about various events and trainings, our parent newsletter, and much more. Don't forget to tag us in your tweets and retweet our parent newsletters and trainings. Help us spread the word so we can reach out to all our parents.
Community Events, Resources, and Trainings
The resources and events shared in this section are for information purposes only. Fort Bend ISD does not recommend or endorse any activity or organization. Parents and families are encouraged to determine whether an activity or organization is appropriate for them, given their unique needs.
HB 3928 Dyslexia Q&A with TEA (Kristin McGuire)
SPEDTex, Partners Resource Network, and Region 10 Education Service Center will be hosting a statewide webinar for parents and educators.
Kristin McGuire, Senior Director of Special Populations Policy, Reporting, and Technical Assistance at the Texas Education Agency, will be joining the webinar to discuss House Bill 3928 related to dyslexia evaluation, identification, and instruction.
Register for the session here!
12:15pm in English
1:15pm in Spanish
For session information and questions, contact Sarah Untersee
Monday, Nov 6, 2023, 12:15 PM
Halloween Tips for Parents with Children on the Autism Spectrum
Diabetes Awareness Month
Share photos, stories, and more to bring awareness to Type 1 Diabetes! Visit TheDropSpotted to find out more!
International Stress Awareness Week
Visit The Stress Management Society to find information on resources, guides, and strategies to dealing with the stresses in life!
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Highlighting individuals and partners in our community who are using their stories, talents, and efforts to help people with epilepsy overcome the challenges that come with their diagnosis. Visit website here.
Hope for Three Autism Advocates Upcoming Events
Organizational Tools Available in Microsoft
Check out this video that discusses all of the task organization tools in the 365 suite:
New Transition Resource
The Next Steps to Independence Checklist provides a framework to develop skills for independence in adulthood for individuals with disabilities. Families might use this tool to reflect on their child’s achievements, consider any areas of concern, or collaborate with educators. Educators might use this tool to identify critical skills to address, adaptations to consider, or as an informal transition assessment for self-determination skills. Within each age group, you will see lists of activities and suggestions for teaching these critical skills and connecting with community partners.