The Friday FYI
March 8, 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!
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Next Steps Transition Conference & Resource Fair last weekend! We had over 40 volunteers from HCPS and community agencies and organizations available to help families and staff access important information related to transition at every age level! Thank you to each one who invested in the day to help pave the way for our students' next steps!
National Social Workers Week
Cheers to the unsung heroes of education! This School Social Work Week, let's take a moment to acknowledge the rich history of the profession. From humble beginnings addressing truancy, school social workers have evolved into champions of students' well-being. Here's to the past, present, and future of making a positive difference in the lives of our youth! #ImpactInTheMaking #PearlsOfWisdom
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2024 is “A World of Opportunities” – we’re celebrating people and working together to remove obstacles. Our goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed. Join us in making a world where all kinds of people have the chance to thrive.
Learn more at these websites:
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Trisomy Awareness Month and World Down Syndrome Day
In 2023, the Virginia House Joint Resolution 510 designated March as Trisomy Awareness Month in Virginia.
Rock Your Socks on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2024! On March 21st every year, people all over the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, fun, silly socks. The date is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome, and socks were chosen because the Ds chromosomes look like mismatched socks! On March 21, 2024, Virginia Down Syndrome Association will join businesses, schools, and organizations everywhere to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by rocking our socks! Anyone can participate!
This year's theme is "End the Stereotypes." Visit the link above to learn more!
Family Reading Month
The Virginia Department of Education is excited to celebrate Family Reading Month in March. Join the Virginia Department of Education & Virginia PTA for a Reading Together. A webinar designed for families to learn about best practices in reading instruction, the event also covers how families can support their student through all stages of learning to read and improving reading comprehension.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 13th from 7-8pm. Registration is required to participate and is open to the public. Register here.
The Virginia PTA has generously provided Family Reading Night Activities to use during this month of celebration.
- Host Bedtime Stories
- Have a Reading Camp-Out in the gym
- Select guest readers
- Ask readers to dress as a book character
- Play Reading Bingo with prizes
- Set-up a Literacy Escape Room
- Host a Literacy Scavenger Hunt
- Host a Community Book Swap
- Host a poetry slam or spoken word contest
- Host a StoryWalk: Print book pages & mount on yard-signs around the school
- Set-up an Illustrator’s corner for students to illustrate a book-scene
- Start a Little Free Library (or host a Swap Book Shelf in school)
- National PTA Family Reading Event Toolkit
Additional resources such as printable materials, infographics, videos and more can be found within the Virginia PTA Reading Toolkit.
Adapted Books Online Library
The Sherlock Center has a library of adapted books where you can find guides for reading and activities, symbol-supported books, and slide shows to support students when reading the books. You can find the library here.
Upcoming activities & events
Preschool Workshop Series: March 27, 2024
AAC Field Trip
The AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Team is going to the grocery store! Join us on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 10:30am to learn more about how to use AAC in the community with your student. Register here. Information about where to meet will be sent to those who pre-register.
Self-Determination for Preschool and Elementary School
Join us in-person (Atlee Public Library) on online (register to receive the link) for this workshop designed to share how even our youngest learners can grow their self-determination skills. Participants will learn about competence, autonomy, and relatedness and how these skills relate to self-determination. In addition, participants will complete a One-Pager, which is a tool students, families, and teachers can use to help students to have a voice in their IEP meetings! Register here.
SEAC Membership Applications will open in March
SEAC Training from PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) & VDOE (Virginia Department of Education) coming in March!
- PEATC, in collaboration with the VDOE, is offering an online, self-paced SEAC training session aimed at helping members and other interested participants understand the role of the local SEAC in Virginia and build a more effective and efficient advisory committee. A certificate of completion will be provided for all who complete the training.
- PEATC, in collaboration with the VDOE, is offering a live online, SEAC training session aimed at helping members and other interested participants understand the role of the local SEAC in Virginia and build a more effective and efficient advisory committee. A certificate of completion will be provided for all who complete the training.
New Transition Resource from PEATC
PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) has developed a transition checklist for families. The Next Steps to Independence Checklist is subdivided into age groups, beginning with birth to 3 and ending with ages 18-22 years. It also includes important action steps for every age level. This is a great resource for families!
Online Courses & Webinars
- IEP University is open through March 25th. This free, self-paced course provides families with information about the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process, the roles and responsibilities of those who participate in IEPs, and ways to develop collaborative relationships.
- Transition University is open now through 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.
- March 19, 2024, 6:00 pm: The Spectrum of Decision-Making Options in Virginia: Supported Decision-Making to Guardianship and Everything in Between. Join DBHDS (Department of Behavioral Health & Human Services) to learn more about the decision-making options available to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Virginia. Learn the difference between capacity, competency, and consent, as well as how people can get help making decisions from the least restrictive options (i.e. supported decision-making) to the most restrictive options (i.e. legal guardianship). REGISTER HERE
Summer Camp Information!
It's rainy and cold today, so I am thinking about summer! Many of these summer camps are NOW OPEN for registration! Take a look and find the best fit for your student!
New Community School Saber Summer Spectacular
VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Weinstein JCC Summer Camps (Voices Together is for students in K-8 on the autism spectrum)
YMCA Summer Camps/ EveryBuddy Camp
Very Special Camps (NOT local to Richmond, VA)
Camp Free2BeMe (ages 14 and up, young adults with autism)
Autism Society of Central Virginia (*registration is not yet open)
Miracles in Motion (*registration is not yet open)
Hanover Parks & Rec (ongoing programs): Be sure to click the Therapeutic Recreation tab
Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program will provide (reimbursement) funds for caregivers to coordinate respite care for persons in their care with an identified disability. The caregiver hires, trains, and pays the respite provider to provide services and then receives reimbursement from the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program. Caregivers may apply to be reimbursed up to $595/year. Respite solutions can be traditional or non-traditional and can include activities like summer camp. Respite providers are chosen by the caregivers and may be individuals (skilled or unskilled) or agencies. Respite providers must be 18 years of age and may not live in the home. (Please note: Caregivers cannot be reimbursed until AFTER the respite is provided/student attends the summer camp, etc.) Find out more information, and the application link, on the Virginia Lifespan Respite Program website.
Local Activities & Programming & Spring at the YMCA
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
Broom Ball, Bowling, and Basketball! Visit the Jacob's Chance website for more information about their programs, including social groups and athletics.
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association has March events listed on their calendar page. Visit their website to learn more!
Using AT (Assistive Technology) Resources at home
Visit the Step Up AT website for resources on using AT (Assistive Technology) at home to support early literacy and to learn more about ways to engage young children in reading. There are other video resources on AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication), Writing Tools, and tools for students with vision or hearing impairments.
VIDEO Resource from the VA Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education has posted a series of videos designed to help families understand the special education process from start to finish. Videos are less than 3 minutes long and cover all phases of the special education process from Identification to Eligibility to Individualized Education Programs. Visit the Virginia SPED Family website or the PTRC IEP & Family Resource Guide page to find the links to all of the videos!
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