Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and filled with gratitude as we embrace November. It’s the month that reminds us to be thankful, and as I reflect on this, I want to share how thankful I am for you. Your support and involvement in our school community make a significant difference in the lives of our students.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Family Workshop on October 25th! It was an amazing event, and we appreciate your participation and enthusiasm in learning together. Your involvement truly enriches our community!
As you know, we believe in a philosophy of continuous improvement in Leander ISD, always striving to be better than before. This mindset not only enhances our teaching practices but also empowers our students to take ownership of their learning journey. Personalized learning is at the heart of our approach, making education meaningful, relevant, and powerful for each student.
By tailoring learning experiences to individual needs, we cultivate an environment where every child can thrive, discover their passions, and achieve their goals. I am thankful to see how our students and educators are embodying the spirit of learning and growth in our classrooms!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We are grateful for the role you play in our school community, and we look forward to collaborating further to create the best possible environment for our students.
Warm regards,
Paige Collier, M.Ed.
Assistant Superintendent of Special Programs and Services, State and Federal Programs
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, October 25th, for our Fall Family Workshop Conference! It was a fantastic day filled with insightful sessions and engaging discussions aimed at empowering families. We invite you to explore our digital library, where you can access resources from the conference. Mark your calendars for our Spring Family Workshop Conference on Friday, May 2, 2025!
As the first long break approaches, here are some helpful tips to support your child during this special time:
- Maintain a Routine: Stick to consistent routines to provide structure and communicate any schedule changes in advance.
- Engage in Shared Activities: Plan fun family activities such as board games, reading, or movie nights.
- Share the Plan: Create an overview of the break activities and discuss it with your children to reduce anxiety.
- Pack Take-Along Activities: Prepare a backpack with your child's favorite activities and sensory tools for outings or visits.
- Assign Jobs: Give your child specific tasks during family gatherings to help focus their energy and reduce anxiety.
- Use Visual Supports: Design a holiday break schedule using engaging visual aids, such as checklists or "first-then" boards. Collaborate with your child to outline a fun schedule that includes their favorite activities and built-in breaks. You can create checklists of desired activities or use "first-then" boards to clarify what comes next. For inspiration, here's a short YouTube video on how to create your own visuals at home.
- Incorporate Social Stories: Prepare your child for holiday events with a personalized social story. Numerous customizable templates are available online to suit your family’s needs, or you can create your own social story using Google Docs! Once completed, you can easily print the stories or read them together on electronic devices. For inspiration, check out these examples of Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday Social Stories.
- Create Sensory Boxes: Engage your child with themed sensory activities to keep them entertained during the break.
Join Ashley Anderson, our Special Programs Parent Liaison, and Assistive Technology Specialist Cici Fritts as they explore Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness in this exciting first episode of Leander Collaborative Partners.
This podcast series aims to create an ongoing dialogue about supporting our Special Programs families and enriching educational experiences for all students. Together, we'll amplify voices and insights that empower families and encourage collaboration among key stakeholders on the journey to a meaningful future. Tune in to be part of this vital conversation!
Have questions or topics that you’d like to learn more about? Share them through our Collaborative Partners form! We’ll be answering your submissions in upcoming episodes of the Collaborative Partners podcast.
We’re excited to share some updates from the Special Programs Parent Advisory Council! Our committees are gearing up to enhance our organization’s goals and support our families. The By-Laws Committee, led by Desaray Granzow, will review our by-laws, while the Community Events Committee, led by Ashley Anderson, will plan fun and engaging events for our community. The Administration Awareness Committee, led by Laura Marques, is focused on addressing the needs of special education families. We’d love your help! We’re looking for volunteers for the By-Laws and Community Events Committees!
Evening with The PAC
Join us for an evening of fun and connection at Oz. Tap House, located at 10601 Ranch Rd 2222 Suite H, Austin, TX 78730! This is a wonderful opportunity for families to meet one another and make new friends. Kids are welcome to join in the fun! Mark your calendars for November 13th from 6 to 7 PM—we can't wait to see you there! Don't forget you can also add our Special Programs Community Calendar events to your own calendar with Apple iCal Format or Google Format.
Science
The National Science Teachers Association(NSTA) is a great resource for science learning at home for grades K-12. There are 'Daily Do' activities that can engage your student(s) in authentic, relevant science learning at home. NSTA has also provided some simple Tips for Busy Parents to help you explore science through everyday activities with your student.
Reading Nook
Reading with your child each day is a wonderful way to enhance their listening, thinking, and imaginative skills. It not only expands their vocabulary and fosters communication between you but also creates precious bonding moments. As you delve into the story together, engage your child by discussing the unfolding narrative. Here are some insightful questions to spark conversation:
What do you think this book will be about? What makes you think that?
Let’s pause every few pages to discuss what’s happening. For fiction, you might ask, “What do you think will happen next?” For nonfiction, try, “What do you think you’ll learn in the next section?” Encourage your child to explain their reasoning.
Explore the main character’s journey. Ask questions like: “What do you think (the character) will do next? Why?” or “Why do you think (the character) acted that way?” You can also ask, “What would you have done in their situation?” and “What do the character's actions reveal about them?”
Reflect on the ending. Did the book conclude as you expected? Why or why not?
Discuss the overall theme. What was the book primarily about? Did it align with your initial thoughts? How did your perspective change?
Consider the author’s intention. Why do you think the author wrote this book?
Identify the lessons learned. What message do you think the author wants us to take away from this story?
Share your thoughts. Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not?
Make personal connections. What does this book remind you of in your own life? Does it bring to mind any other books you’ve read?
Lastly, be sure to share your own reflections with your child. By doing so, you model the deep thinking that thoughtful readers engage in, enriching the reading experience for both of you.
