The Friday FYI
April 12, 2024
Visit our website & Facebook page for the latest updates!
Visit the Hanover County Parent Teacher Resource Center website for the latest announcements about upcoming workshops & webinars and the links to register. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page, too!
Please note: If you have "early access" (before Friday) to the Friday FYI, please be sure to revisit this page after Friday morning at 7:30am when the Friday FYI is officially published! We will continue to update each edition until Friday morning when the link is distributed through HCPS Blackboard Connect. Thank you!
April is Autism Acceptance Month!
Visit these websites for more information and resources about Autism Acceptance Month:
Autism Society of Central Virginia Event to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month
AAM Virtual Film Screening and Q&A: "Life, Animated"
Bring the popcorn and join the ASCV Self-Advocate Council for a virtual screening and Q&A of "Life, Animated" on Monday, April 15th from 6:30-8:30 p.m! "Life, Animated" is an Oscar-nominated coming-of-age story about Owen Suskind (an Autistic young man) and his family, who overcame great challenges by turning Disney-animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship, and brotherhood. Following the film, there will be time for a Question & Answer period with Owen and his brother, Walter. Register HERE.
Parent Involvement Survey
Share your thoughts with the Virginia Department of Education on the 2023-2024 Parent Involvement Survey. The survey is now open!
PTRC Survey!
Share your thoughts with the Parent Teacher Resource Center! Click on the survey link to share your ideas for what resources, webinars, and workshops the PTRC should be planning for the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you!
Minds of All Kinds at the Science Museum of VA
Minds of All Kinds events offer a less crowded environment and hands-on activities designed to include children who prefer a sensory-friendly environment.
- Lights are dimmed and sounds are lowered.
- Audio description is available for giant screen films and astronomy shows.
- ASL interpreters are stationed throughout the Science Museum.
- Sensory tables and quiet rooms are available when you need a little more or a little less stimuli.
The Science Museum works with community partners to offer Minds of All Kinds free of charge. Registration is required to attend. Visit the Science Museum of VA website to reserve tickets for the April 19, 2024 event.
Invitation to Participate in Policymaking to Address Bullying
VDOE School Counseling Specialist, Sarah Bazemore, is seeking additional committee members as her team works on revising/rewriting the Model Policy to Address Bullying in Virginia’s Public Schools. This document provides information to assist local school boards in formulating policies to help prevent bullying and procedures to report, investigate and intervene when bullying behavior occurs.
There will be breakout groups for elementary, middle, and high school age groups.
If you are interested in participating or learning more, please click the link to register.
INVITATION LINK FOR STUDENT/CAREGIVER CONSTITUENT GROUP for the Revision of the Model Policy to Address Bullying in Virginia Public Schools
For Preschool & Elementary Families: Learn more about student-led IEPs!
Join us in-person (Atlee Public Library) or online (register to receive the link) on April 26th, from 12:00-1:00pm, for this workshop designed to share how even our youngest learners can grow their self-determination skills. Participants will learn about competence, autonomy, and relatedness and how these skills relate to self-determination. In addition, participants will complete a One-Pager, which is a tool students, families, and teachers can use to help students to have a voice in their IEP meetings! Register here.
Have you heard about the I'm Determined Project?
The I'm Determined Project started as a way to help students to build self-determination skills. The project is funded by the Virginia Department of Education, and provides tools, resources, and training to help youth learn and practice skills related to self-determination, including choice-making, goal setting, and self-advocacy. These skills can not only help students prepare for and participate in their IEP meetings, but they can empower students to build their Competence, Relatedness, and Autonomy (CAR) in other areas of their lives as well! Visit the I'm Determined page, and check out the following resources that you can use with students!
- Identify Strengths, Preferences, Interests, and Needs (SPIN) with the One-Pager
- Plan your action steps for having a good day with the Good Day Plan
- Choose a goal and set a path for success with the Goal Plan
Online Courses & Information
- PEATC's Virtual Family Engagement Summit is April 20, 2024, from 9:00am-4:00pm. This year's theme is "We're All on the Same Team." Visit the link for more information and to register.
- IEP University (open until April 22, 2024) is a self-paced, online course that provides families and professionals with information about the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process and on the IEP document itself, as well as suggestions for developing collaborative relationships between home and school. Click the link for more information and to register.
- SEAC Self-Paced Training (open until April 22, 2024) is for those who are interested in learning more about what the SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) membership entails, including roles and responsibilities. SEAC membership applications will open soon!
- PEATC's Spring Workshop Series begins on April 24, 2024, with "From Referral to Eligibility." Learn more about this workshop and the other workshops in the series by visiting the PEATC website.
Transition & Employment Courses & Information
- Real Work for Real Pay: From High School to Employment for Your Child with a Disability, a webinar presented by PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) on April 18 OR April 24, at 7:45pm. Visit the link for more information and for registration links for the webinars. Click the title link to register.
- May 1st is IPSE Day (Inclusive Post Secondary Education) Day! Visit the Think College website for more information.
- Transition Resources from Think College: Click the link for a list of free resources to help think about, plan for, and transition to life after high school. Learn about all of the ways you can help your student to #thinkcollege.
- Transition University is open now through April 28, 2024. This free, self-paced course provides families and professionals with information to help make transitions easier for students with disabilities. Information about decision-making options, transitioning to independent living, and connecting to community services will be shared
- Coming in May from PEATC: Let's Talk About Work, a virtual workshop. Choose to attend May 7 or May 16 from 6:30-7:30pm. Are you a student with a disability in middle or high school? Join us for this workshop to hear about getting a job in the community after you leave school. Maybe you want to work at Target, in a grocery store, or an office. Maybe you want to learn how to become a plumber. Having a disability shouldn't stop you from getting a job and earning a paycheck. You may just need a little extra help and we'll talk about how and where to get that help. Click the title link to register.
- The Center on Transition Innovations has several courses related to transition and employment that are now open. Many are self-paced. Some of the courses are designed for students, but staff are welcome to complete the courses as well. Topics include Fundamentals of Transition Planning, Get Ready for College, Get Ready for Independent Living, Get Ready for Your Career, and Work-Based Learning.
- PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) has developed a transition checklist for families. The Next Steps to Independence Checklist is subdivided into age groups, beginning with birth to 3 and ending with ages 18-22 years. It also includes important action steps for every age level. This is a great resource for families!
Summer Camp Information!
Many of these summer camps are NOW OPEN for registration! Take a look and find the best fit for your student!
- Virginia Family SPED Camp List (includes many camps out of our area and state)
- Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Summer Activities
- Camp Loud & Clear (for campers who are deaf & hard of hearing)
- Autism Society of Central Virginia
- Jacob's Chance (in partnership with Henrico Recreation & Parks)
- New Community School Saber Summer Spectacular
- VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
- Weinstein JCC Summer Camps (Voices Together is for students in K-8 on the autism spectrum)
- YMCA Summer Camps/ EveryBuddy Camp
- Soar365 Summer Camp
- Summer Camp at Maymont
- Very Special Camps (NOT local to Richmond, VA)
- Camp Free2BeMe (ages 14 and up, young adults with autism)
- Miracles in Motion (*registration is not yet open)
- Hanover Parks & Rec (ongoing programs)
- Science Museum of VA
Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program will provide (reimbursement) funds for caregivers to coordinate respite care for persons in their care with an identified disability. The caregiver hires, trains, and pays the respite provider to provide services and then receives reimbursement from the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program. Caregivers may apply to be reimbursed up to $595/year. Respite solutions can be traditional or non-traditional and can include activities like summer camp. Respite providers are chosen by the caregivers and may be individuals (skilled or unskilled) or agencies. Respite providers must be 18 years of age and may not live in the home. (Please note: Caregivers cannot be reimbursed until AFTER the respite is provided/student attends the summer camp, etc.) Find out more information, and the application link, on the Virginia Lifespan Respite Program website.
Local Activities & Programming
Autism Society of Central VA
The Autism Society of Central Virginia has reorganized their website, so you can find activities and events for your student's age group. Visit the ASCV Programming page, and click on the tab for your child's age to explore all of the wonderful things the ASCV has to offer!
Jacob's Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
Fun activities from the Children's Museum of Richmond
The Children’s Museum of Richmond is proud to present I See Me Play in RVA!, a free event for families on Sunday, April 28th from 10 am to 2 pm, held at City Stadium. This annual event is designed by the Children’s Museum to make play more accessible to the community by bringing one-of-a-kind learning experiences and exhibit components beyond its walls for everyone to enjoy. This event is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Register HERE.
Bug Squad, a hands-on exhibit exploring the unique abilities of bugs, is coming to the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s Downtown location from May 14 to August 25, 2024! The touring exhibit features talking animatronic members of the Bug Squad, bugs with their own superhero storyline that describes their super abilities and unique traits. The exhibit is a full sensory experience while providing plenty of active spaces to play. Highlights include the Spider Web Escape area with a slide, the Ant Colony Climber, and an opportunity to experience (virtually) what it’s like to fly like a dragonfly. Learn more on the CMOR website!
Save the Date for Disability Inclusion Day at The Diamond!
The Friendship Circle of Virginia is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Disability Inclusion Day at the Diamond. This event will be held on May 19th, 2024!
Accommodation options:
- Increased accessible seating (first come first serve)
- Sensory break bags
- Sensory Zone
- Kids field activities
- ASL services
- Audio Description Services
- Additional quiet space
- Sensory friendly gate
- Closed captioning
- Lower speaker volume
- Giveaway
- Dietary Restrictions
- Adult changing area
Contact the Parent Teacher Resource Center
HCPS Parent Teacher Resource Center
Email: hanoverprc@hcps.us
Website: https://www.hcps.us/departments/instruction/special_education/parent_resource_center
Phone: 804-365-4596
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HanoverParentResourceCenter