The Friday FYI
March 15, 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!
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:
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. At least 5.3 million Americans live with a traumatic-brain injury-related disability. That's one in every 60 people. And every one of them has a story to tell.
Find information and resources at the links below:
- DisAbility Law Center of Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Resources & Supports
- Brain Injury Association of America
- About Brain Injury
- 5 Fast Facts
VDOE Workshop Transition Milestones in Education
Register for this workshop HERE.
Rock Your Socks next Thursday, March 21st!
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!
Upcoming activities & events
Preschool Workshop Series: March 27, 2024
Share your ideas!
Click the link to share your ideas for PTRC workshops for the 2024-2025 school year! PTRC 2024-2025
Self-Determination for Preschool and Elementary School
Join us in-person (Atlee Public Library) on online (register to receive the link) on April 26th, from 12:00-1:00pm, 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.
Interesting Articles & Links
Check out the links below for a variety of articles on issues related to disability & special education
- 12 Schoolwork Shortcuts for Kids who Hate Homework, from ADDitude Magazine
- The Endeavor Spring 2024 Magazine, from DeafChildren.org
- The Transition Planning Process, from Center on Transition Innovations
- Picture Schedules for Daily Routines (downloads), from Understood.org
- Get Organized with Backpack Checklists (downloads), from Understood.org.
Family Reading Month
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.
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!
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
- Soar365 Summer Camp
- Summer Camp at Maymont
- 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
- Science Museum of VA
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!
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