FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER
November 2024
Daylight Saving Time (Spoiler Alert! It has Nothing to do with Farmers)
Say "farewell" to Daylight Saving Time (and, yes, it's "Saving"--singular.) On November 3rd, 2 a.m. we Fell Back, and daylight now gets increasingly shorter. But--BONUS--we did get an extra hour of sleep!
The U.S. (sans Hawaii and Arizona) is one of only 70 countries that still use DST (less than 40% of the world.) Why? How did this start? And what is the connection of daylight saving time to Chris Martin of Coldplay? The notion that DST was created to help farmers is a myth. In fact, most farmers are against it. Read article..
How Schools Can Go the Extra Mile to Reduce Absenteeism
Do you have students who are frequently, if not chronically, absent? This EdSource article by Maria Paredes, published September 11, 2024, and re-shared by the U.S. Dept. of Education, includes strategies to partner with families and your school community to build stronger relationships. These bonds, which are critical to student success, foster improved student outcomes, such as better behavior and improved attendance. Read the article.
Youth Engagement? YES, Please!
Please view and share this engaging PaTTANpod on youth transitioning to adulthood. Hear the PaTTAN Youth Engagement Specialists, Natasha Fletcher, Hayley Penn, and Hunter Steinitz, discuss the importance of youth engagement, especially during the secondary transition process, and their role in supporting schools and young adults. View video here or click the image.
HELP SUPPORT CHILDREN IN EDUCATION
Pennsylvania is eager to support students, educators, and families in children's transition from early intervention to school-age special education. As a partner of FAMILIES TO THE MAX (F2MAX), Pennsylvania’s Statewide Network, PaTTAN is sharing a quick family survey to gain insights on how to enhance:
1. The process of transitioning services from preschool, early intervention to school-age
2. Efforts in engaging families in meaningful ways
Please share this short survey with all families who have children ages birth to 3, 3 to 5, and kindergarten through graduation, who receive special education services.
https://pattaneast.jotform.com/242694176444060
Thank you for your help in moving this work forward. If you have insights to share from an education professional's perspective, please email f2max@pattan.net. F2MAX and our collaborating organizations welcome your feedback!
FAMILIES to the MAX Learning Opportunities
Free, one-hour FAMILIES to the MAX Foundational Courses are being offered to families and professionals on topics such as Presuming Competence, Access to the General Education Curriculum, Maximizing Communication and Learning, Collaborating on School Teams, and Leading Change.
Patricia's Weinzapfel's Pointers on Communication
A Second Set of Eyes
Tone is so difficult to capture…especially in the written word. After you have composed a text, crafted an email, or put together a letter for families, have someone else read what you’ve written. Ask them how it sounds...and how it might come across to parents and caregivers. That way you can ensure that your tone conveys a sense of partnership and caring.
Take it one step further...
Start a Sounding Committee
Hear it from the experts! Assemble a test committee of parents and community members and ask them to help you with your communications. These committee members can look over your newsletters and emails, they can point out words they don’t understand, and they can tell you if the information you plan to share feels overwhelming.
Also...
Be a Thermostat, not a Thermometer
When it comes to challenging conversations with families, here’s a handy tip…be a thermostat, not a thermometer. In other words, if a parent comes in with strong emotions don’t let yourself get “heated up” like a thermometer to 89 or 90 degrees. Keep your cool. No matter what happens, be a thermostat and stay steady at 68 degrees.
If you’re “cool”, that will help calm down your parent so that together you can have a productive, meaningful conversation.
Patricia's Pointers are weekly emails with short, easy-to-use school-home communication tips. Image not part of Patricia Weinzapfel's Pointers.
Job-Alike Groups Hosting Networking & Learning Communities!
Join in the conversations and build connections!
2024-2025 school year Networking & Learning Opportunities have been carefully crafted to address current topics pertinent to Pennsylvania's special education personnel. Click on the flyer to find the networking series that best fits your needs.
PEAL Center's "A Young Person's Guide to Mental Health and Self-Care"
The December 3, 2024, online session will focus on:
- Research and evidence-based practices about youth mental health
- Self-care practice that prioritizes mental health
- Ideas for implementing mental health in an IEP and Transition Planning
Annual PDE Conference--Earlier Date, Same Great Experience!
Make plans now to attend this annual event--THE place to learn and engage with nationally recognized presenters, statewide peers, families, and educational consultants. See what your colleagues said about last year's conference. Learn more on the PaTTAN website.
