Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the days grow shorter and the crisp air signals the approach of winter, we are reminded of the importance of warmth, connection, and community. We are excited to bring you the November edition of In the Know, your trusted newsletter dedicated to supporting parents of children with specialized learning needs. This month, we focus on fostering meaningful connections and sharing insights to help you navigate the unique joys and challenges of this season.
In this edition, you’ll find a variety of resources, and expert tips, designed to empower you and your family. Additionally, we will highlight community events and workshops that are tailored to your needs, ensuring that you feel equipped and supported every step of the way.
We understand that the holiday season can bring a mix of excitement and challenges. Our goal is to provide guidance and encouragement, ensuring that you and your children can make the most of this special time.
Thank you for being an invaluable part of our community. We hope this edition of In the Know will be a helpful companion as we move through November and beyond.
Warm regards,
Nadine Milostan
Executive Director
As partners in your child's education, we want to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally. To help you understand the wide range of services and resources available to support your child’s educational journey, we encourage you to read the Student Support Services Handbook. This handbook is designed to provide you with essential information about the various programs, accommodations, and services offered within our district.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) encompasses a vital framework that empowers individuals to manage emotions, establish positive relationships, show empathy, set and achieve goals, and make responsible decisions. The narrative around SEL is one of nurturing a holistic approach to education and development, blending cognitive skills with emotional intelligence to cultivate well-rounded, resilient individuals capable of thriving both academically and personally.
The "Social Emotional Learning Concepts and Skills Fact Sheet," published by the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Special Education, is an informative guide that outlines the essential components of social-emotional learning (SEL). It highlights SEL as a critical developmental process where individuals—both children and adults—acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for effective communication, emotional regulation, decision-making, and relationship building across various environments, such as school, home, and the community. The fact sheet identifies key SEL concepts, such as self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, drawing on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework.
Each section of the document offers insights into fundamental SEL competencies, emphasizing practical skills like managing emotions, cultivating empathy, maintaining positive relationships, and making ethical and sound decisions. It also provides resources, including educational links and PBS videos, to deepen understanding and support the implementation of SEL practices. This fact sheet aims to foster awareness and support for developing these competencies, which are foundational to personal and social success.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) help students with all types of communication needs, including speech sound development, language, stuttering, social communication and using assistive technology to communicate. SLPs are part of special education teams in Waterford schools, providing services through an IEP (Individualized Education Program) to students from birth to 26. Skills with speech (the sounds we make when we speak) and language (understanding and expressing words, symbols and gestures to communicate) are important for a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. Disorders or delays in speech and/or language development can make it difficult for children to participate in school.
Literacy-rich environments are crucial for building a child's listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities. To support your child at home be sure to read to, with, and near your child and encourage them to read to, with, and near you. After repeated readings of a story, children have been shown to use more forms of language that they have been exposed to and they may respond more accurately to comprehension questions than they do after hearing a story just once. Find time to put screens and devices away to talk with your child, and talk with them throughout and about their daily activities. The more your child is exposed to new words and types of sentences, the more opportunities your child has to acquire new vocabulary, master speech sound production, and develop and use language.
Contact your school’s SLP or access the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s website at www.asha.org. Both are valuable resources for questions you may have about speech and language development.
On Sunday, October 20th, our Waterford Griffins Special Olympians participated in the Southeast Regional Poly Hockey Tournament in Saline, Michigan. There were a total of 32 teams in this tournament, with 4 teams in our division. The Griffins took the win in their first game with a score of 10-7. They played the Dexter Champions next and secured the championship with a last minute goal and final score of 4-3. We are proud of our athletes, coaches, and parent support.
As the fall sports are coming to an end we want to let everyone know that the winter Special Olympics sports for high school and Lifetracks students will begin in December. The Griffins will be participating in Basketball and Snowshoeing -Basketball will be on Mondays (starting December 2) - Snowshoeing will be on Tuesdays (starting December 3). Practices for both will be at Kettering High School right after school. If you are interested in participating or have questions please reach out to Coach Melissa Morse at AdamsM01@wsdmi.org or Coach Dawn Craft at 248.860.3502 to sign up.
There is a section of the IEP known as the Transition Plan. When your student is in preschool, through most of middle school, this section is often bypassed. However, when a student will be 16 years old during the IEP, the IEP team is must address and complete this section. In the Waterford School District, we usually start considering this section earlier than 16 years of age.
The following sections are found within the Transition Plan: Parental Rights and Age of Majority, the student's Postsecondary Goals or Vision, Course of Study, Secondary Transition Services, and Agency Representation.
The first section, Parental Rights and Age of Majority, is one of the shorter portions of the Transition Plan but probably one of the most impactful. This section reminds us that when a student turns 18, unless other plans are put in place by the family, parental rights will transfer to the student. This includes the right to invite a support person (i.e. parent, advocate, friend) to the IEP. If a student and their support circle believe the student will need continued support with decision making after turning 18, a legally designated representative can be appointed. There are different types and levels of support a person a person could receive via a legally designated representative. Please review the attached document for a brief overview of the different types of possible support for students who will be turning 18.
We hope you find this information helpful. We will continue to explore the sections of a student's Transition Plan in future editions of In the Know. In the meantime, feel free to contact Matt Lumetta, WSD Transition Coordinator, or Kristin Robinson, WSD Lifetracks Adult Transitions Program Coordinator via one of the methods below with any questions regarding transition.
Matt Lumetta
WSD Transition Coordinator
(947)-229-7703
Kristin Robinson
Waterford Lifetracks Adult Transitions Program Coordinator
(248) 682-8459
This year the week of November 11-15 marks the celebration of National School Psychology Week. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) uses this week to celebrate the important work school psychologists do in service to students, families, schools, and communities. In helping to create safe, healthy, and supportive environments, school psychologists promote students’ success academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Each year NASP selects a theme for the week with this year’s theme being “Spark Discovery.” In keeping with this theme, school psychologists seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. A big shout out to Michigan’s School Psychologists and psychologists working in Michigan schools, who spark discovery every day!
Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. We help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.
Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help them develop and learn.
Each Michigan Alliance staff member is a parent or family member of an individual with disabilities who has first-hand experience with the aspects of the special education system. Every staff member is trained in listening, communicating, and problem-solving.
Michigan Alliance for Families is our state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. We are a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative. The efforts of Michigan Alliance for Families align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help improve results for children with disabilities. Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help your child develop and learn. Also, check out our partner agencies and organizations.
Welcome to the official Easterseals MORC Miracle League of Michigan website. Our two locations are home to some of the most exciting baseball in the state. The City of Southfield is home to Michigan’s FIRST baseball field for children with any physical or cognitive disability, offering the true Major League experience. Our new field in Orion Township opened in 2019 to provide even more opportunities for these incredible athletes.
“The Miracle League” is a charitable organization that provides children and adults with disabilities an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. There is something about playing the game of baseball that lights up youngsters’ eyes, but for those with disabilities, that opportunity can often be a difficult first step. The Miracle League provides these individuals the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.
The North Oakland Miracle League field is an adapted baseball field located in Orion Twp, Michigan. Check it out at Friendship Park, 3380 Clarkston Rd, Orion Twp, MI 48362. The North Oakland Miracle League has expanded to offer additional opportunities throughout the year. Currently, we are nearing the end of the 2024 Fall Baseball season. However, check out the exciting upcoming opportunities for Miracle League Bowling and Ice Skating!
North Oakland Miracle League on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthOaklandMiracle/
Parenting Support, Developmental Screening, Free Preschool, Home Visitation, Child Care, Parenting Groups, & much more for ages birth to 5! Parenting can be hard. And when you need support, we're here. Call or text us today if you have any questions or concerns. We will connect you to resources in your area. Call or Text 844.456.5437
The OU Cares annual Holiday Party is open for registration! This event will fill up, act fast to secure a spot! Teens and adults with autism, over the age of 15, are welcome. The party will be held on Saturday, December 14th from 1:00-4:00 PM in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms on the campus of Oakland University. The cost is $15.00 per person.
The registration for this link can be completed by clicking on the below link:
Plan ahead. Check out these fun activities as the holiday season approaches!
Nov. 14-6:00-8:00-pm-Hoedown- Novi Civic Center- $10/person; $5/caregiver
Dec. 4- 6:00-8:00pm-Jingle Bell Ball- Waterford Oaks Activity Center - $12/person; $6/caregiver
Jan. 10- 6:00-8:00pm-New Year’s Celebration -Royal Oak Community Center- $12/person; $6/caregiver
Call 248-221-8040 for questions and to register
Great social media accounts for disability and education content
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MAF Parent Mentors of Oakland County
Website: https://www.waterford.k12.mi.us/our-district/administration-departments/student-support-services/
Location: 501 North Cass Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 682-3242
The Board of Education of the Waterford School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment.
The District’s Title IX Coordinators are:
Executive Director of Student Support Services and the Director of Safety, Security & Health
248.682.7800
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328