LCISD PAC Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2024 (Edition 3 out of 3)
"Happy Summer!" From The LCISD Parent Advisory Committee
The School Year is Almost Over...
IN THIS SPRING/SUMMER EDITION:
- Ideas for Summer FUN!
- Summer Camps
- Parent Resources
- Local Events
- May Celebrations!
What Is The LCISD PAC?
The Lapeer County Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of educators and parents representing our local school districts whose primary focus is to stay informed regarding Special Education plans and changes, current trends in Special Education at the County, State, and Federal level, and if needed, to assist and promote partnerships among parents and educators that benefit students with disabilities.
The PAC takes an active role in the development of the Lapeer County Special Education Mandatory Plan, a document which describes the delivery of special education services in Lapeer County. The PAC provides workshops and speakers from the county and Statewide programs which can richly serve not only the parents of children with special needs, but in many instances the individual with the disability.
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A Special "Thank You" & Best Wishes To One Of Our Long Time PAC Reps
Dawn Wedemeyer, is a lifelong resident and graduate of Almont. She and her husband Pete have been raising three wonderful children, twin boys Jarod and Jacob and a daughter Anna. Jarod was diagnosed with "Non-verbal Autism" at the age of 15 months old. This year he is graduating with his Certificate of Completion from the LCISD Education & Technology Center Program. In addition to being a mother, Dawn is also a special education teacher who's worked in both Almont and Imlay City. As Jarod graduates, and Dawn's PAC term comes to an end after 6 years, we'd like to say "Thank YOU!" As a volunteer position, the Parent Advisory Committee appreciates all the time you've dedicated and knowledge you've shared over the years. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
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🍧 FAMILY Summer FUN Ideas 😎
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University of Detroit Mercy
We are once again sponsoring a Basketball Camp for Players with Special Needs (age 10 and above) at Calihan Hall on Thursday, June 20 from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Campers will participate in supervised, fun drills and will be provided with refreshments and camp t-shirts.
Please help us to get the word out about this fun event and distribute the attached registration form to interested students and/or to appropriate staff members.
Registration can also be completed online at http://www.detroittitans.com/SpecialNeedsCamp .
The fee for participation is $15 per camper. Families who need financial assistance can inquire about camp sponsorship at (313) 585-4786.
Deadline for registration is Tuesday, June 18.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me by phone, text or e-mail.
Thank you and Go Titans!
Jim Rutkowski
CELL: (248) 330-6408
E-MAIL: jim.rutkowski@gmail.com
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Special Needs Day
The Eastern Michigan State Fair will once again open its gates to people with special needs. This year’s special needs day will be Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 10:00am-noon with a lunch to follow.
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Summer Camps
Camps For Kids With Unique Needs
Below are links to several camps that offer a wide range of services for individuals with disabilities. Just click the link to check out each camps website. Please know the links to the various resources are provided as a convenience, Lapeer County Intermediate School District does not specifically endorse any particular camp or resource.
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Parent Resources
Michigan Department of Education Low Incidence Outreach
May MDE Low Incidence Outreach Newsletter
MDELIO will be offering a variety of great educational events and camps for families this summer!
MDE-LIO provides consultation, guidance, training, and resources to families and educational teams serving students who are Blind or Visually Impaired and/or Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Our services include:
- Workshops and events for families and educators
- Braille, large print, and digital books for students
- American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Federal Quota products and textbooks
- Professional development materials and guides for educators
Michigan Alliance For Families
May MAF Newsletter
Greetings!
May brings celebrations and events in schools — concerts and plays, awards ceremonies, proms, and graduation.
This time of year can be challenging when your child has tried their best and never receives recognition.
Celebrate your child anyway, for whatever individuality or kindness that makes them unique. Rejoice in all the accomplishments of this year, even if they may look a little different.
Kanika Littleton
Director, Michigan Alliance for Families
Other Parent Friendly Agency Resources
Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF)
Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS)
Disability Rights Michigan
Disability Rights Michigan Website
MDE Office of Special Education
Family Matters
Dispute Resolution Options
Family to Family
Family Voices
ARC
Michigan Department of State I Voted Sticker Contest for Students
"I VOTED"
The Michigan Department of State is proud to announce the first “I Voted” sticker contest. All students in Michigan schools are encouraged to apply. There will be separate entry categories for elementary/middle school (K-8), and high school (9-12), as well as a general entry category for all Michiganders.
Entries are due by Sunday, June 30, 2024. Finalists will be selected via online voting open to the public throughout July.
Winners will be announced in August and will receive special recognition from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Full contest rules are available at Michigan.gov/IVotedSticker.
Anyone with questions should contact Bobby Gwizdz at GwizdzR@Michigan.gov or (517) 335-3162.
Meet Up and Eat Up!
2024 Summer Food Service Program Offers Free Meal Options for Children
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will again offer free and nutritious summer meal options for children ages 18 and under from low-income families with its popular Meet Up and Eat Up Summer Food Service program.
In addition, the MDE Rural Non-Congregate Summer Food Service Program is available for children living in rural areas where no congregate meal service is available.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these programs are great ways for kids to continue eating healthy meals during summer break.
To find a Summer Food Service Program site in their community, people can visit the Meet Up and Eat Up locator map at www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup.
All information, including meal service times and serving dates, will be available once school is out for summer recess.
The locator map website is updated regularly throughout the summer months.
For details on the MDE Summer Food Service Programs, visit www.michigan.gov/sfsp or contact MDE at mde-sfsp@michigan.gov.
Additional information can be found on the USDA’s SUN (SUmmer Nutrition) website.
Save the Date: Special Populations Conference 2024
Special Populations Conference Registration Opens In August
The 2024 Special Populations Conference will be held October 15-16, 2024, in East Lansing, with a preconference on October 14, 2024.
Registration opens in August.
The save-the-date flyer is posted on the Office of Educational Supports Special Populations webpage.
For additional questions or information, please contact the conference planning committee at OESSpecialPops@michigan.gov.
Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet
Pathfinder
Pathfinder helps promote The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training has relaunched Pathfinder, a career exploration and planning tool, to help increase the number of residents with high-quality, in-demand degrees and credentials by providing information to students to make informed choices about educational and career options.
Local Events
The Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County
You are Invited to Cheers for Children on June 7th!
The Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County invites you to our largest and most important fundraiser of the year—Cheers for Children! On Friday, June 7th, starting at 6:00 PM at the Metamora Golf & Country Club, over 250 community members, leaders, professionals, and supporters will come together to raise awareness and crucial funds for child victims of abuse.
This unique event features a delicious strolling dinner, live entertainment, a silent auction, and exciting raffles. Your attendance and support are vital to our mission to reduce the trauma children endure during the investigation and intervention of child sexual and physical abuse.
We are the only non-profit in our community coordinating child protection staff, law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, medical experts, family advocates, and mental health clinicians under one roof. This collaborative effort allows us to offer no-cost prevention services, forensic interviews, medical examinations, crisis screenings, counseling services, and court preparation/support to children and families. Before our Center, families had to navigate a complex network of services alone, often requiring children to relive their trauma multiple times. Now, they can share their experience once, in a safe and supportive environment.
Tickets are $75 and include beer and wine, a delicious dinner, and a fantastic program. Join us and be a part of this meaningful cause. All proceeds directly benefit the children and families we serve.
Together, we can make a difference. We look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets are $75
Lots To Celebrate In May!
Teacher Appreciation Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
The Lapeer County ISD Does Not Endorse Any One Particular Resources Listed Above.
The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, marital or family status, genetic information, height, weight, military status, ancestry, or any other statutorily protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”) in its programs, activities, or employment. The following individuals have been designated by the Board of Education to serve as the District’s” Compliance Officers” (also known as “Civil Rights Coordinators”) to handle inquiries regarding the District’s nondiscrimination, prohibition against discrimination based on disability, and anti-harassment policies: Michelle Proulx, Director of Special Education (student-related) or Ann M. Schwieman, Director of Administrative Services and Personnel (staff-related); Address (for mailing purposes only): Lapeer County ISD Administration Building, 1175 S. Lapeer Rd., Lapeer, MI 48446; Phone (to speak to or schedule an appointment with a Compliance Officer): (810) 664-5917; Email Addresses: mproulx@lapeerisd.org or aschwieman@lapeerisd.org.
Have A FUN & SAFE Summer!
Theresa Frakes, LCISD
Email: tfrakes@lapeerisd.orgWebsite: https://www.lapeerisd.org/