November Newsletter 2023

Isamar Grenier is our second Partners for Success Coordinator with FCPS. Isamar is originally from Utah where she worked as a Community Liaison at a local secondary school. Isamar moved to Frederick, Maryland in March 2023 where she worked at Hillcrest Elementary School as their Community Liaison. Isamar is bilingual and passionate about connecting the Hispanic community to local resources and understanding the special education process. When Isamar is not hard at work, she enjoys dancing at a local dance studio and spending time with her husband. If you would like to reach Isamar, please email her at Isamar.Grenier@fcps.org.

For those that celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday, it can be a stressful time. Whether you are hosting a gathering or going to someone else's home, challenges may arise with your child. Here are some tips from experts in self-advocacy and behavior on how to cope and prepare yourself and your child for the holiday. Click here to read

What is the difference between Partners for Success and The Office of the Ombuds?

While both services are dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve educational success, there are different ways Partners for Success and The Office of the Ombuds can help.

• The Ombuds is a neutral person designated by the Board of Education to aid in providing options of resolution for an overall FCPS concern or Issue. Example: Bullying, policy concern, other school based concerns.
• Partners for Success is designed to guide individuals and families through the special education process by working together to problem solve, connecting to community resources and hosting trainings and events that reflect the needs of FCPS special education families.

Partners for Success and The Ombuds work collaboratively frequently to tackle questions and concerns.

Sabrina Nail is the Ombuds for FCPS,. To find out more information, click here

The ACT Team is offering more trainings on assistive technology for those who have students that use it.

• December 1st is virtual for LAMP, TouchChat and the Read and Write extension

Sign up here

Frederick County Parks & Rec adaptive CO-ED Basketball league for 15+ yrs. Click here to learn about it.

The Frederick County Parks and Rec Winter Recreater registrations open November 15th! Click here to learn more.

View Pathfinders for Autisms November Calendar here.

View FCPL November event calendar here.

The next SECAC meeting is on November 27th 6pm-8pm. This is the last 2023 meeting.

Public comment will be open at the beginning of the meeting.

If you are unable to attend, you can submit public comment to secacinformation@gmail.com

Contact

Rachel Spicer-Special Education Family &Community Involvement Liaison/Partners for Success Family Support

Rachel.Spicer@fcps.org or 240-236-8744

or

Isamar Grenier-Special Education Family &Community Involvement Liaison/Partners for Success Family Support

Isamar.Grenier@fcps.org (Phone number tbd)

For the Partners for Success pre-recorder webinars and upcoming events, visit

https://www.fcps.org/special-education/partners-for-success

To get news quickly concerning all the great workshops offered by Partners for Success follow us on Facebook

http://facebook.com/FCPSPartners4Success

Sign up for Special Education News on Find Out First:

Go to https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/login_form.aspx?app=0

When signing up, make sure you request Special Education under News; or if updating your account, under Subscriptions.