FCCPTA Special Education Committee

February 6, 2008

 In Attendance:

Sheree Brown Kaplan, Scott Campbell, Karen Downs, Margaret Fisher, Darlene Greenwood, Gail Holloman, Louise Keast,  Joan Rizek, Kathy Webster

 Parent Resource Center Gail Holloman introduced herself as the new PRC director and parent veteran of the special education system. She had thirteen years experience as a special education teacher and in the Assistive Technology department of FCPS.

The PRC is now part of the Department of Communication and Community Outreach under Assistant Superintendent Barbara Hunter.  The department also includes the Office of Community Relations, Family Services and Business Relations. The new structure gives the PRC better access to resources including Keep In Touch.

The PRC has two recurring workshops: every first Friday at Dunn Loring, and every second Thursday at either Dunn Loring or Aldrin. The staff members are publishing a one page monthly newsletter, available on their web site. They put on collaborative workshops with other FCPS departments and with community agencies

The annual special education parent conference is being replaced with three conferences for parents in general. As before, different organizations will set up display tables, but this year volunteer organizations are not being invited. However, the ACSD will have a table, and other nonprofit organizations may request that the ACSD display their literature.

 Chair Announcements:

Sheree Brown Kaplan has agreed to be Vice Chairperson of our committee and then take over as chairperson and ACSD representative in June.

We are seeking a lead for Cluster VI and a committee secretary to take minutes and maintain “The List” of special education PTA representatives. Anyone interested should contact Margaret.

 Cluster Lead reports:

Louise has been attempting to contact PTAs to identify which have special education representatives. Sheree described the big success of Carolyn Edner’s transition meeting for parents at Carson MS. She suggested that other parents organize similar meetings within their pyramids or Clusters and ask a staff member to use the power point presentation provided by the Office of Special Education.

FCCPTA Public Comment on the Proposed VDOE regulations: The final version is posted on the FCCPTA web site. Please distribute widely and contact the VDOE.

Next Meeting:

 Thursday, April 17

We will invite some of our state legislators to tell us about their work on behalf of students with disabilities.