Family Connections
A message from our Executive Director of Special Services, Dr. Staley
Greetings everyone!
I hope everyone had a fun yet relaxing Spring break. It was a little quick but I did enjoy the quality time with my family. I am hopeful that April will bring us warmer weather and more sunshine than rain. With that in mind, please continue to monitor your child’s attendance. It is important that every student be in school every day to learn and benefit from teacher expertise. If it is necessary for your child to be absent, a note is required within three days of his/her return in order for it to be an excused absence.
Don't forget to check out 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. 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
Occupational Therapist Month
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are highly trained healthcare professionals that evaluate and assist people of all ages that are having difficulty participating in meaningful activities (or “occupations”) that are needed to conduct their daily routines and live their life to the fullest. In the school setting, OTs support students ages 3 – 21 in a variety of ways including use of classroom materials, writing, self-regulation/sensory processing, self-care, and vocational/transition support. Occupational Therapy is a related service which means a student must qualify for an area of eligibility under IDEA or Section 504 to receive occupational therapy services.
· School-based OTs are great problem solvers! OT expertise includes analyzing activities and school environments through a functional lens with a goal of reducing the barriers to participation often through adaptations and/or modifications.
· School-based OTs believe in teamwork! Collaborating with families and school staff promotes student success and allows OTs to model strategies for others that will extend the benefits of OT intervention.
· School-based OTs follow evidence-based practices! For example, research demonstrates that students are more likely to reach success when they practice skills in the environment in which they occur, so services take place within the natural environments and routines of the school day.
To learn more about OT and/or get activity ideas:
Phonemic Awareness
As reading research progresses, and as understanding and interpretation of the research advances, educators and policymakers must periodically adjust or refine practices and policies. Now it is time to implement what accumulated evidence indicates regarding a key component of reading acquisition, phoneme awareness (also known as phonemic awareness).
https://dyslexiaida.org/building-phoneme-awareness-know-what-matters/
