Partners for Success Monthly Update

It is hard to believe we say goodbye to 2022 at the end of this month! As you begin to set goals for the new year, please remember we are here to help by addressing any needs you may have regarding the special education process. Wishing you and your beautiful children a very merry holiday season and a happy (and healthy) New Year!

What is “Partners for Success”?

Partners for Success centers are available to parents as a resource and information center. Specifically, we provide information about community services, assist families in resolving concerns, and increase parental involvement in the special education decision making process.

Where is Partners for Success Located?

Roye-Williams Elementary School

201 Oakington Road, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.

410-273-5579

e-mail: partners.success@hcps.org.

Office hours are usually Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30-3:00, by appointment.

*Our center will be closed December 23rd through January 2nd.

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the IEP Clinic on November 15th! It was an incredible (and rainy!) evening. It was truly wonderful to see parents, special education staff, and community partners come together to support each other. Thank you to all the amazing parents for your questions, conversation, and support!

Special thanks to Executive Director of The Parents' Place of MD, Rene Averitt-Sanzone, for a wonderful presentation! A huge shout out to our community partners: Jeanne Erdley, President of SECAC, Angela Sittler, Family Support Manager of The Arc Northern Chesapeake, Laurie Rajala, Local Care Team coordinator, and Allison Robertson, HCC Student Development Specialist for Disability and Student Intervention Services. I truly value and appreciate your partnership!

Additional thanks to HCPS special education staff Colleen Sasdelli, Carie Sadowski, Peter Schlehr, Jeffrey Hoffman, April Kurth, Erin Kassauf, Kimberly Harner, Lee Edmonds, Therese Castelli, and Pamela Reed for your support with set-up, clean-up, and answering questions! You are all incredible! Lastly, thank you to Randy Geyer, principal of Harford Academy, and Fletcher Garfield for your technical assistance!

*If you were unable to attend but would like a copy of the presentation and/or an IEP Resource Bag, please contact Rachel Trovato at partners.success@hcps.org.

The holidays often call for family traditions and rituals. Life changes may even inspire us to create new ones! This year, check out some new family ritual ideas from @biglifejournal that your family may want to try out in order to build connection!

"Rituals allow families to slow down and connect. The best rituals also give children a sense of belonging and acceptance. You probably already have several family rituals of you own, without realizing it. But if you don’t have any yet, or want to create new ones, take a look below."

Follow @biglifejournal for more on raising resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids.

Please join the Special Education Citizen Advisory Committee (SECAC) in-person at Harford Academy (formerly John Archer) for holiday activities and community resources! All are welcome - children included! Click here to register!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1207814129409560

Click here to register or receive free recordings!

Upcoming Webinars include:

• Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Youth (December 14th)
• How to Combat Procrastination in the New Year (January 5th)

• Helping Students with ADHD Plan, Persist, and Achieve their Goals (January 24th)

Growing on the Spectrum Harford County is a local support group for families of children with autism in Harford County. The group meets the fourth Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 8pm at 1305 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood, MD 21040

Mission Statement:

At Growing On The Spectrum our goal is to provide autism families with the necessary resources to help their child on the spectrum. We believe every child is unique and families deserve to know all options and resources available to them. Above all else, we believe in creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed no matter where they are in their Autism journey. Click the picture below to learn information about the next monthly meet up!

Register here for events hosted by Pathfinders for Autism!

Highlights include:

Virtual Family Yoga

Virtual BINGO

Wise Avenue Train Garden

Baltimore City Fire Company 45 Train Garden

Open to: Maryland Students with disabilities in their last two years of high school

Cost: The forum is FREE for all of our participants

Date: June 26th to 28th 2023

Location: Towson University

Deadline to apply: March 3rd, 2023

Interviews: Danielle Bustos, Maryland Youth Leadership Coordinator will contact applicants about scheduling interviews.

About Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)

« Learn about assistive technology and how it can help gain independence

« Participate in the exploration-stations, living in a college dorm, and other social activities.

« Meet people with disabilities who serve various roles in the community.

« Learn about how to give a testimony in front of a committee.

« Meet alumni and other students from the state of Maryland.

« Meet Your State representatives.

For more information contact, Danielle Bustos at 240-898-2189/ dbustos@innow.org

or Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070/sminnick@innow.org

*See attachments below for application and additional information.

On December 10 from 5:00-8:00 p.m., children of all ages will enjoy touring our holiday halls filled with lights, making crafts in the Elves Workshop, a ride on our very own Polar Express, a beautiful Live Nativity and more! The visit wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the North Pole to see the big guy himself, Santa! No RSVP needed.

Join us on Saturday, 12/3 for our Paws & Read program, and read a book to our wonderful four-legged volunteer! To sign up, give us a call at the Jarrettsville Library at 410-692-7887

Click here for a list of ALL breakfasts with Santa in Harford County!

Brad Paulson's Light Show is officially open for its’ 10th year. From now until January 1st..

Pull up in your car and tune to 92.7 5:30-9:30 every night to check out the light show

Cedar Lane Holiday Light Show

Opening Night: Saturday December 3rd 2022, 5:30pm to 10:00pm.

The show will run Wed. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. evenings from 5:30pm to 10:00pm (pending weather - check their Facebook page for schedule changes)

"When you arrive, tune your car radio to 107.9 fm, back your car into a spot and experience a Magical Light show which includes two 22-foot Mega trees, dancing arches, multiple matrix screens/props, singing faces, water fountains, fog effects... all meticulously synchronized to your favorite classic and new Holiday music. On Opening night and on Saturday December 17th, you will also be joined by special characters including the very popular and very Mean one... Mr. Grinch! Don't forget before you leave to walk your family over to the Wonderland area for a great backdrop for all of your Holiday pictures!

Most importantly, The Cedar Lane Holiday Lightshow collects donations to support JDRF in their efforts in research to finding a cure for TYPE-1 diabetes, a disease that impacts so many, including the designer, Michael himself."

Time to Unplug and Connect with Nature!

Click below for upcoming family events at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon!

If you are searching for counseling for yourself or your child, Empowering Minds Resource Center (EMRC) is currently accepting referrals! You can learn more by clicking here. Below are events hosted by EMRC for existing clients only.

https://harfordmentalhealth.org/

This resource provides information regarding counseling and treatment for mental health and addiction. They also have a resource for youth and families.

Download the PDF below for the new HCPS Special Education Organization Chart. As a reminder, staff's email addresses are usually firstname.lastname@hcps.org.

Resources from the Parents' Place of MD:

• Looking for information about evaluations? "Your Child's Evaluation" from the Center for Parent Information and Resources is super helpful and easy to read!

• Read to learn the purpose of evaluation, who is involved in evaluation, deciding if your child is eligible, developing your child's education program, and more!

• Don't know where to start with requesting accommodations and/or modifications for your child's IEP plan? Check out this list of common requests in our handy resource.

• What is the 5 Day Rule and How Does It Effect Me?

Click here for information on Fallston MOPS/MomsNext. Come find your "mom tribe!"

The Sharing Table provides a free meal every Saturday to anyone in need. This meal provides nourishment for senior citizens, families with children, and anyone having a hard time making it through the month. There are no requirements and no qualifications. All in need of a good meal are welcome. Each family that visits the Sharing Table also receives a bag of groceries to take home.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Sharing-Table-497601243752813/