Family Connections
October 2023
A message from our Executive Director of Special Services, Dr. Staley
It has been an amazing first few weeks of school here in the Special Services Department. Thank you to everyone who came out to The Parent Resource Center Meet and Greet, Coffee Chats and Power Hours.. These are always great opportunities to show off what our department staff members have to offer and also get to know the wonderful families behind our great students. As we continue into the fall season, we will have a lot of upcoming important events. Please pay particular attention to our Calendar of Events listed at https://www.ccisd.net/specialservices. More events will be added as we continue to collaborate with you and find out what your needs are.
I also wanted to share this survey link. A component of the cyclical monitoring process is to gather stakeholder feedback about an LEA, both internal and external, on the provision of special education instruction and related services. During the initial cyclical monitoring conference with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), we reviewed this information. Attached is the link and information to the survey that can now be distributed to stakeholders.
Our number is 084910.
Stakeholder Survey English_2024.pdfStakeholder Survey Spanish 2024.pdf
Just a reminder that in order to grow a great partnership with our families that collaboration is key to that success! Make certain that open communication is continuous with your child’s teacher. Thanks for all that you do to help us grow and for your continued support! Remember that We Are Here For You!!!
As always, if we can be of service to you, please reach out via the link in the newsletter, by emailing sped@ccisd.net, or contacting us through our Parent Resource Center Specialist (Penny Sweeney) at 281-284-0751. We are here for you!
***The information provided in this newsletter is gathered from a variety of sources and is not sponsored by, nor affiliated with CCISD. The information is provided for your information and review.
If translation is needed for the Newsletter:
On the right-hand column under Accessibility, click on Translate and choose desired language.
Si se necesita traducción para el Boletín:
En la columna de la derecha, abajo en donde dice Accessibility, haga clic en Traducir y elija el idioma deseado
Dr. Michele Staley
CCISD Executive Director of Special Services
Coffee Chat & Power Hour
2024-2025
Coffee Chats: All sessions held on specified Thursday mornings: See below for topic and date
Time: 9 am-10 am
Please enter through the main front entrance and sign in at the front desk.
Follow signs to the Parent Resource Center Rm. 1038
Power Hour: All sessions held on Thursday evenings: See below for topic and date
Time: 5 pm-6 pm
Please park in the side parking area (Tennis Courts) and enter through the side entrance. These sessions will be held in the Parent Resource Center Rm. 1038.
Where:
CCISD Learner Support Center
2903 Falcon Pass
Houston, Texas 77062
Register at https://www.ccisd.net/specialservices#parent-resource-center
Coffee Chat: Instructional Resources
In this session we will discuss ways to support your emerging and developing reader through engaging word games and activities that can be done easily at home. Presenter: Chelsea Ferguson, Special Education Coaches/Resource Inclusion Content Experts
Thursday, Oct 10, 2024, 09:00 AM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA Parent Resource Center Rm. 1038
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Power Hour: Instructional Resources
Thursday, Oct 10, 2024, 05:00 PM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Please join me in welcoming our Guest Speaker Shonbay Jones. He is the Public Affairs Specialist for Social Security Administration. He will be sharing information about the importance of benefits for children with disabilities as well as what you need to know about supplemental security income when your child turns 18. Guest Speaker: Shonbay Jones (Public Affairs Specialist)
Thursday, Oct 17, 2024, 09:00 AM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA Parent Resource Center Rm, 1038
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Thursday, Oct 17, 2024, 05:00 PM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Understanding the Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE)
Understanding the Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE)
In this session, information will be provided about the purpose of an FIE, the different elements of an FIE, what occurs before and after an FIE is completed and the evaluation timeline.
Presenter: Priscilla Lu-Lorente, School Psychologist
Thursday, Oct 24, 2024, 09:00 AM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Understanding the Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE)
In this session information will be provided about the purpose of an FIE, the different elements of an FIE, what occurs before and after an FIE is completed and the evaluation timeline.
Presenter: Priscilla Lu-Lorente, School Psychologist
Thursday, Oct 24, 2024, 05:00 PM
2903 Falcon Pass, Houston, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Grants, Grants and More Grants.......
Grant Opportunities that are not affiliated with CCISD but you should take advantage of.......
Dyslexia News
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Everyone has something to say. For those who cannot speak, AAC gives them their voice.
In October we celebrate AAC Awareness Month. AAC stands for “Augmentative and Alternative Communication." This means helping someone communicate using any form of communication other than speech. Some students may use picture books or devices, such as tablets to communicate.
Are you looking for ways to celebrate AAC Awareness Month? Here are some things you can do:
Learn
- The CCISD Parent Resource Center is a great resource. You can learn more about AAC and strategies to support communication at home. Contact Penny Sweeney to learn more.
- Read a book about someone who uses AAC. Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius is an excellent read.
- Watch a video about someone who uses AAC. In this video, Carly Fleischmann describes her defining moment.
- PrAACtical AAC is a great website to learn about all things related to AAC.
- Build Community
- Join a social media group to chat with parents, therapists and other AAC users. Talking with Tech has a group on Facebook.
- Join CCISD SEPTA to meet other parents of students who use AAC.
- Explore
- Read adapted books such as Going on a Leaf Hunt, No, David!, A Leaf Blew In, and Little Blue Truck.
- Check out some fun monthly activities that encourage communication and AAC use for the year in the PRC Literacy Planner or the Saltillo Activity Calendar.
- Advocate
- If you have concerns about your child's communication abilities or are interested in investigating AAC to support communication, reach out to your child's speech pathologist to discuss this more.