Special Services Department

National Special Education Day is the anniversary of when the first federal special education law was signed. We want to thank all of the MLSD staff members who work with our students with disabilities to ensure they have equal opportunities for success at school!

We don't say it enough how awesome our MLSD team is. Our Transportation Department has gone above and beyond at finding unique ways to provide transportation to all of our students. We appreciate their creativity and perseverance to find a way when it seems sometimes impossible. Thank you for all you do for our students and district!

This month’s Special Services Superhero nominations are in. Our staff continue to amaze us with how awesome they are. Like last month, not all of our nominees will receive a shoutout in the newsletter, but they will receive personal recognition from SEPAC.

REMEMBER! - Keep the nominations coming (nomination form linked below). We love hearing how staff is making a difference in our student's lives!

Mrs. Warkentin was nominated for her kindness and patience to everyone she interacts with. She makes each child feel special and appreciated, proving she is an awesome addition to our district!

Ms. Paula Turner was nominated for being the best SLP around! She has made an amazing impact on the nominee’s child by making her feel loved and not any different from her peers for attending speech each week. She is diligent in updating parents about progress and they are noticing improvements in their student’s speech and annunciation already due to her way of making speech fun and engaging!

Is there someone who has helped in your child’s education, going above and beyond to see your child for who they really are? Has someone gone the extra mile to include your child and brighten their day?

You and your child can nominate them for the monthly Special Services Superhero! Fill out this NOMINATION FORM and a Superhero will be featured in our newsletter.

Weighted Blankets and even Weighted Vests can be essential to help regulate some of our student's needs. These can not only be used in the school setting, but also at home. Check out this resource below from our OT/PT team to help determine if a weighted blanket would be appropriate for your child.

Last newsletter we introduced you to our amazing School Psychologist team. They are essential members of our student's IEP and 504 teams, as well as the schools they work at. Check out this resource below to see what all they do for our kids.

The mission of the Moses Lake School District SEPAC is to facilitate collaboration between students, parents, staff, the Board of Education, and the community at large. The SEPAC will promote training and resources, inclusive practices, understanding of, respect for, and support of all children with special needs in our community.

Whether you have a student on an IEP or 504, or just want to learn more about the process, we encourage all parents to attend and get involved.

Are you looking for an opportunity to connect with other parents of children with special needs? Come join the parent officers of the SEPAC January 8th, 4:30-6:00 for an informal gathering at the Learning Services Center building. This is drop in, so come whenever you can. This is an opportunity to ask questions of other parents and find needed support.

A flyer will follow with further details or contact SEPAC at MLSDSEPAC@gmail.com.

A local Special Education Parent Advisory Council, or SEPAC (sea-pack) is a district-level, parent-driven group that provides input to the local school district on system-level challenges in special education. As we look at our systems as a whole, we want to hear from you! To provide input please email: sepac@mlsd161.org. Emails will not be able to be reviewed if they contain school, staff or student-identifying information. Emails will not be replied to individually, you will receive an automated response. All emails will be reviewed and action taken by the SEPAC.

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, WASA (Washington Association of School Administrators) is partnering with the Mercer Island School District to present a showing of the film This is Not About Me followed by a forum with the film’s star Jordyn Zimmerman and Mercer Island High School graduate Grant Blasko. Both are young adults with Autism who use AAC to communicate.

The film tells Jordyn's story of dreaming of becoming a teacher. She started out eager to learn at school, but she was soon separated from other children. Unable to communicate, teachers thought she was also unable to understand or learn. Year after year, her behavior worsened. She was retained and placed in seclusion. Jordyn found herself caught in a system that unintentionally turned her life into a living nightmare. Finally, at the age of 18, with the help of educators who see her differently, she manages to turn her fate and flourish.

The viewing will be a virtual on December 7th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Register here (link) to join in!