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September, 2017

Special Education Parent Newsletter 902 Rev RA Abercrombie, Conf. 9, Killeen, TX 76543 www.killeenisd.org >Departments>Parent Educator Corner (254) 336 - 6838

Dear Families - Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year. We are excited to welcome you back and anxious to meet our new parents.

In the special education monthly newsletter, you will find information on upcoming workshops, links to resources, a spotlight on what our kids are doing in the district, answers to frequently asked questions, and more! This month, we are proud to spotlight us as parent educators as well as our Special Olympics team. Did you know that you can participate with Special Olympics as a team member (ages 8 and up) and as a volunteer? For more information on becoming a member or volunteer, see our Spotlight on Special Olympics below. To access the parent educators online, please visit www.killeenisd.org. Under Departments, choose the Parent Educator tab. Here, you will find our contact information, district happenings, as well as current events and resources and so much more. As parent educators, we are excited to work alongside you, grow with you and become the very best team possible for your student’s success. Please contact us if we can help you in any way! Erin Mills & Jsanean Mark Parent Educators/ In-Home Training Evaluators

TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO START THIS YEAR OFF RIGHT

Communication makes all the difference in a successful academic year! Find a fun way to introduce your student to their classroom teachers and campus staff. Include information about your student that their campus can benefit from knowing: likes, dislikes, what makes them successful in the classroom, and what really is “that one thing that ruins their day?”, comforts, ticks, fixations, or interesting behaviors/indicators. Something else to include could be what their disability looks like to them – because we know every child is unique.

Not sure where to get started? Consider writing a letter from your child’s point of view. Consider a top-ten list, an all-about-me poster, a postcard, or just a handwritten letter from home to school. This information will be so valuable for your student’s teacher(s), for the campus, but mostly for your student’s smooth transition into this school year. KILLEEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION VISION STATEMENT Special Education within Killeen Independent School District will be known for its excellence in ensuring that students are prepared to be successful in their current and future endeavors. The program will be characterized by:

• A positive, supportive, and professional culture; • Collaboration among KISD staff, parents, students, and community; and • A full continuum of exemplary programs and services.

If you find yourself struggling to find answers to questions, please feel free to reach out to your campus teacher, to your campus administration, to your parent educators, and to the Special Education coordinators. We are here for you!

Upcoming Parent Workshops

LUNCH AND LEARNING

Wednesday, September 6th 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

KNOWING YOUR IEP Tuesday, September 12th

5:00 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, September 14th 9:30 – 10:30 AM

GETTING INVOLVED ON YOUR CAMPUS Tuesday, September 26th

5:00 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, September 28th 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

All workshops are held at the Jackson Professional Learning

Center (902 Rev RA Abercrombie, Killeen, TX 76543)

Conf. Room 9

All workshops are free of charge. Light refreshments will be served.

To ensure seating for all, we encourage you to call for reservations. (254)336-6838

*See page 2 for workshop details.

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Meet Your Parent Educators

Jsanean Mark My name is Jsanean Mark (pronounced Janine just say it with an emphasized French accent on the “J”). I am a parent educator for KISD, the proud daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, a mother to an amazing child, and have lived in Killeen off and on for more than 30 years. I received my education in KISD and around the world. I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology through Tarleton State University- Central Texas and continue working to obtain various licensures in different education facets including Autism and Behaviors. This year marks my 13th year in KISD, having had the privilege to teach in both general education and special education environments and I am thrilled to be of service to the families and students of KISD. Erin Mills Welcome to Killeen ISD or welcome back! My name is Erin Mills. I am a parent educator for our wonderful district! While I am not native to the area, I married a Harker Heights graduate; we have two beautiful children who make me happy and challenge me to grow in every aspect, all the time. I have an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services from the University of North Texas and earned my Masters in Special Education from the University of Texas. 2017-2018 starts my ninth year in Killeen ISD. I have spent my career serving in various capacities in both general education and special education. I am excited to use passions and knowledge to assist you and your students this school year! SPOTLIGHT ON – SPECIAL OLYMPICS During the 2016-2017 school year, Special Olympics had the opportunity to attend state tournaments for both Bowling and Track and Field. The Killeen ISD Special Olympics Bowling team took 19 students to state. While all students receive placement, 10 of our 19 competitors took home First, Second, or Third place statewide. Congratulations, participants! The 2017-2018 Special Olympics bowling season begins with its first practice September 11, 2017! Killeen ISD Special Olympics is open to KISD students ages 8 years and older with an intellectual disability and/or a closely related disability with functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills. We provide sports training and athletic competitions in the areas of bowling in the fall and track & field in the spring. For more information on participating or volunteering, please go to: WWW.KILLEENISD.ORG-DEPARTMENTS- SPECIAL EDUCATION- SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Join us for American Sign Language classes! Classes are held every Thursday, beginning September 4, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:30. All classes are held at the Jackson Professional Learning Center (902 Rev. RA Abercrombie, Killeen, TX 76543) Room 12. Classes are directed by Ms. Kary Poorman. Classes are free and open to everyone from birth to adult! Share the news. For questions, please call or email Erin Mills at (254)336-6864 or erin.mills@killeenisd.org.

Parent Resource Room

The Parent Resource Room is located inside the Jackson Professional Learning Center (Conference Room 9). Within the Parent Resource Room, we have a library of resources that can be checked out and computers for you to research or create resources for your student. We provide multiple monthly classes for parents and families, as well as will create personalized/individualized meetings to accommodate your specific needs. New to the Parent Resource Room this year, will be a Lunch and Learning hour – where you can bring your lunch and sit with us and ask general questions, collaborate and network with other parents as well as get answers to specific questions you have regarding your student’s IEP. Below, you can find information on our two September workshops. Knowing your IEP: We know that ARD meetings are FULL of information, and often, there is not enough time to fully digest everything within your student’s IEP. This workshop will help you understand your student’s detailed IEP, page by page! Getting Involved On Your Campus: This workshop will help you learn new ways to be a stakeholder in your student’s inclusion on campus as well as practice your positive communication in all situations!