Special Education Parent Newsletter
August 2023
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to our new and returning families!
We hope you had a restful summer break. Our staff were happy and excited to welcome our students back to school last week.
As we begin our new school year, please know that the district special education team as well as staff on our campuses are always here to support parents with any questions you may have. We have compiled a list of frequently discussed topics below and who you can reach out to for support. You will also find a wonderful article on strategies for a smooth transition into the new school year as well as other resources that you may find useful throughout the year.
You will continue to receive this newsletter monthly on the parent email address listed for your student in Skyward. Please use it as a resource for district-wide and community programming and events.
We look forward to a wonderful school year.
Special Education Services Team
Fort Bend ISD
Getting the Support You Need: Who to Go to With Questions
1. Transportation:
Customer Care Contact
(281) 634-4077
transport.support@fortbendisd.com
Hodges Bend Transportation Center
(281) 634-1970
Lake Olympia Transportation Center
(281) 634-1930
2. Specific course, assignment, or learning resource: Teacher
3. Supports or accommodations: Teacher or Case Manager
4. Documentation (ARD/IEP, FIE): ARD Facilitator (MS, HS)/Campus Compliance Coordinator (ES)
5. Student Schedule: Counselor
6. Personal or Social Emotional Concern: Counselor
7. Special education procedural or programming questions: Programs Managers, Special Education Services
8. Parent Support Network: Campus SEPAC representatives*
*Please be on the lookout for an email from your campus principal with information on how to contact your campus SEPAC representatives.
Strategies for a Successful Back-to-School
Get Involved!
What is SEPAC?
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a support network where parents can ask questions, meet other parents on the special education journey, and learn about relevant issues in the state and district that pertain to educating students with disabilities. The mission of the FBISD SEPAC is to:
- Advocate for innovative and inclusive educational environments
- Advise Fort Bend ISD on programs, parent/teacher trainings, and policy related to special education, and
- Support and facilitate effective communication between parents, students, and the school district
The role of a SEPAC representative is to:
- Be a liaison between campus parents and the district
- Facilitate communication between campus parents, the SEPAC, and the district
- Share information from the SEPAC and the district to campus parents
- Gather feedback from campus parents and relay back to the SEPAC and the district
- Provide feedback to the SEPAC and to the district from an engaged parent perspective as to what is working and not working at your campus
If your campus has a SEPAC representative, your principal will be reaching out to you shortly to share their contact information.
We are still seeking parent representatives for the following campuses:
Elementary Schools:
Lynn Armstrong Elementary School
Barrington Place Elementary School @ Meadows-Grades K-2nd
Barrington Place Elementary School @ Lakeview-Grades 3rd-5th
Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School
Walter Moses Burton Elementary School
Colony Meadows Elementary
Cornerstone Elementary School
Rita Drabek Elementary School
Dulles Elementary School
Arizona Fleming Elementary School
Alyssa Ferguson Elementary School
Edgar Glover Elementary School
Lula Belle Goodman Elementary School
Mary Austin Holley Elementary School
E.A. Jones Elementary School
Barbara Jordan Elementary School
Lakeview Elementary School
Lantern Lane Elementary School
Donald Leonetti Elementary School
Lexington Creek Elementary School
Carolyn and Vernon Madden Elementary School
Malala Yousafzai Elementary School
Mission Bend-Glen Elementary School
Mission West Elementary School
Oakland Elementary School
Rosa Parks Elementary School
James Patterson Elementary School
Pecan Grove Elementary School
Quail Valley Elementary School
Ridgegate Elementary School
Ridgemont Elementary School
Scanlon Oaks Elementary School
Jan Schiff Elementary School
Settlers Way Elementary School
Sienna Crossing Elementary School
Sugar Mill Elementary School
Walker Station Elementary School
Middle Schools:
James Bowie Middle School
David Crockett Middle School
Dulles Middle School
Macario Garcia Middle School
Lake Olympia Middle School
Missouri City Middle School
Sartartia Middle School
Ronald Thornton Middle School
High Schools:
Stephen F. Austin High School
George Bush High School
William P. Clements High School
L.V. Hightower High School
Ridge Point High School
If you are interested in applying to be a SEPAC representative for one of the campuses listed above, please complete the SEPAC Application Form 2023-2024.
If you have any questions about the SEPAC, please contact Amruta Kulkarni, Program Manager, Department of Special Education Services.
District Events, Resources, and Trainings
October Parent Learning Opportunity
Dyslexia Parent Night presented by the Student Support Services Team
Audience: Parents who have children being evaluated for or receiving Dyslexia Services in FBISD
This informative and supportive event provides parents with valuable insights, resources, and strategies to better understand and support their students with dyslexia and literacy needs. The evening will include presentations from dyslexia teachers, interactive activities, and opportunities for parents to connect with each other and share their experiences. This event aims to empower parents with knowledge and tools to help their students thrive academically and emotionally.
October 19, 2023, 5:30-7 pm
In person Meeting:
James Reese Career and Technical Center
12300 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Weekly Emails
If you would like to receive weekly emails from us about community events and resources, please fill out the opt-in form to be added to our weekly mailing list. All parents will always continue to receive this monthly parent newsletter; however, we often receive information about events after the newsletter has been published and mailed to parents. We understand that not everyone would like to receive an additional weekly email, so the opt-in form lets us know your preference. You only need to complete the form if you would like to opt-in. If you do not wish to opt-in at this time, no action is needed on your part. The form will remain open for submissions and you can opt-in at any time.
Special Education Department Website and Twitter
The Special Education Department website is a great place to start when you have a question or when you are seeking resources to assist your student. Our department website and its various pages are uniquely designed to provide information and keep parents updated on programs and services for students. Be sure to visit our website and bookmark it!
Follow us on Twitter too. You will find information about various events and trainings, our parent newsletter, and much more. Don't forget to tag us in your tweets and retweet our parent newsletters and trainings. Help us spread the word so we can reach out to all our parents.
Community Events, Resources, and Trainings
The resources and events shared in this section are for information purposes only. Fort Bend ISD does not recommend or endorse any activity or organization. Parents and families are encouraged to determine whether an activity or organization is appropriate for them, given their unique needs.
Consolidated Planning Group Webinars
Consolidated Planning Group invites you to learn with us as we partner with amazing people who support our families and their concerns for the future.
DATE/TIME: Wed., August 16, 2023, at 12:00 noon
TITLE/DESCRIPTION: 8 Steps to Consider When Raising a Child with Special Needs - A Presentation by Special Needs Attorney Leona Filis
Raising a child with special needs requires careful planning for the future. During this webinar, we will hear from Special Needs Attorney Leona Filis as she shares the top eight steps needed to prepare properly for the future of your family. These eight steps include a discussion of:
1. Interest Lists for Medicaid Waiver Programs
2. DID evaluation
3. Special Needs Trust
4. 529A account
5. Life insurance and disability insurance
6. Will, POA, and Medical POA
7. Talk to your child’s school about Section 504 and Special Education
8. Guardianship or the least restrictive alternative
Join this webinar to learn how to plan for your future properly!
PARTNER: Down Syndrome Academy
SPEAKER: Special Needs Attorney Leona Filis
ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 858 5037 3204
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CsfQ6z-4SyKdSVohx943vQ
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DATE/TIME: Wed., August 23, 2023, at 12:00 noon
TITLE/DESCRIPTION: Children with Special Needs and Divorce: What a Texas Parent Needs to Know with Family Law Attorney Mike Day and Special Needs Divorce Coach Mary Ann Hughes
Divorce and child support are legally complex and emotionally challenging issues on their own. When these issues involve children with special needs, parents must be even more mindful to ensure that their children are protected. If these special considerations are not appropriately addressed, it could be disastrous for the children with special needs.
Join this webinar as Board Certified Family Law Attorney Mike Day addresses how parents can best protect their children with special needs in the midst of litigating a divorce or child support dispute.
In addition, Mary Ann Hughes, Special Needs Divorce Coach and founder of Special Family Transitions, will share tips on being proactive and organized in divorce, to better deal with the overwhelming issues of special needs divorce and more effectively advocate for yourself and your child with a disability.
PARTNER: Partners Resource Network - PEN
SPEAKERS: Special Needs Attorney Mike Day and Mary Ann Hughes, Special Needs Divorce Coach and founder of Special Family Transitions
ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 898 0994 3802
REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/Disability-Divorce-Texas
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DATE/TIME: Tues., Aug. 29, 2023, at 12:00 noon
TITLE/DESCRIPTION: Top 5 Legal Documents Needed for Special Needs Planning
Special needs require a special lawyer. For a family with a disabled child, estate planning requires special planning to ensure that the disabled child’s needs are met without jeopardizing government benefits. Join Special Needs Attorney Christina Lesher as she discusses the top five Special Needs Documents needed to prepare properly for the future of your family.
- Will or Revocable Trust (or both)
- 3rd party Supplemental Needs Trust
- 1st party Supplemental Needs Trust
- Documents for incapacity
- Beneficiary designation updates
Join us as Special Needs Christina Lesher explains how to successfully plan for your future.
SPEAKER: Special Needs Attorney Christina Lesher
PARTNER: Partners Resource Network (PACT)
ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 859 8968 9030
REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/legaldocs0815
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DATE/TIME: Tues., August 29, 2023, at 6:30 pm
TITLE/DESCRIPTION: Helping Your Student Choose and Use the Right Planner for Them
One of the biggest challenges for academic success is the timely turn-in of assignments. Your student can be better equipped for academic success with the right planner!
Join Certified Professional Organizer Ellen Delap to learn about the benefits of using a planner and how a planner assists executive function challenges. Ellen will also share information on choosing a planner or capture tool with your student that suits their strengths and learning modalities. Bonus: Learn why families need a commonly shared planner too!
SPEAKER: Ellen Delap, Certified Professional Organizer Ellen Delap, Owner of Professional-Organizer.com
ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 839 4065 5429
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9ERW3WP3QpORQ0lrtYCGmw
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DATE/TIME: Wed., August 30, 2023, at 12:00 noon
TITLE/DESCRIPTION: Ready, Set Go! Appropriate Planning for Returning to School and Finding Academic Success
Shemica Allen from Personalized Learning Solutions will share tips for success as you anticipate school this fall. Specifically, you will learn about the IEP/ARD or 504 meeting (before, during, and after)! Also, you will learn how to prepare a Parent Vision Statement to keep you focused so you can successfully advocate for your child during all school meetings.
SPEAKER: Shemica Allen - Personalized Learning Solutions
ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 883 5490 7852
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YrcxsrUzTsykLNPLSXueQA
Organizational Tools Available in Microsoft
Check out this video that discusses all of the task organization tools in the 365 suite:
New Transition Resource
The Next Steps to Independence Checklist provides a framework to develop skills for independence in adulthood for individuals with disabilities. Families might use this tool to reflect on their child’s achievements, consider any areas of concern, or collaborate with educators. Educators might use this tool to identify critical skills to address, adaptations to consider, or as an informal transition assessment for self-determination skills. Within each age group, you will see lists of activities and suggestions for teaching these critical skills and connecting with community partners.