We've almost made it! We're all looking forward to not setting our alarm clocks, watching our favorite Christmas movies and enjoying time with loved ones!

In this edition, of The Connection, you'll find some tips and encouragement on ways to not only make memories, but help manage what can be an overwhelming time for many of our students with exceptional needs. Lots of great information, for both December during the school holiday and January, as we come back together.

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

• Have a decoration free zone
• Reduce the amount of gifts given at one time
• Leave events early if necessary
• Plan ahead and allow extra time for transitions
• Let go of expectations of perfection
• Limit your guests
• Schedule down-time

Sometimes our holidays may need to look a little different than normal. Maybe loved ones aren't close by this year, or finances are tight, or our circumstances just cause the way we celebrate to look different. This article shares some creative ways to make the holidays memorable, even when you are experiencing a challenging season.

To read the entire article and discover some ways to make the holidays memorable (including the fun Christmas Light Scavengar Hunt below), go here.

Don't you love when your house smells like all things cozy and Christmas?

Sara Blooms shares 10 easy Christmas Simmer Pot recipes here.

Join us on January 9, 2024 from 6pm-8pm for the Florence 1 Schools 2024-2025 Project SEARCH Family Information Night!

Project Search is an F1S post-secondary program for non-diploma track students who are between the ages of 18-20. Please join us for a family meeting to find out if Project SEARCH is a good fit for your student.

F1S Project SEARCH partners with Mcleod Health and Raldex Hospitality. The Information Night will be held at the McClenaghan Adult Education Building at 500 S Dargan Street in Florence, SC.

Learn more about F1S Project SEARCH here at this link.

For more information, please contact Kandee Shelor, Transition Coordinator at 843-292-1005.

Erika Chapman is the Florence One Schools Parent Liaison for our Program for Exceptional Children. Erika serves as a liaison between teachers, parents, students, support staff and the community regarding educational programs, services and student issues in areas of Programs for Exceptional Children.

You will receive our PEC parent newsletter, The Connection, twice a month. It's full of helpful information, announcements and the dates for all upcoming parent training events. Erika can help parents/guardians to connect to resources both within and outside of the district; as well as get connected to agencies like DDSN, fill out paperwork for Medicaid and understand your child's IEP.

The Parent Liaison website also has lots of helpful resources for families. On the website you can find all past PEC newsletters and helpful webinars on Understanding Your Child's IEP and All About Resources in the Florence area. Check it out!

Please feel free to reach out to Erika if she can assist you in any way! Her email is echapman@fsd1.or and her phone number is 843-292-1008.

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of December? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161