Parent Resources

The following are resources available to families of student with disabilities. Some of these services are available through your Parent Teacher Association Council (PTAC)/ Special Education Subcommittee (SES) School Representatives.

Parent Resources

Bi-Weekly District "Together We Can" Newsletter

On Monday, August 30, 2021, The Office of Special Education and Student Supports officially launched the department's newsletter, "Together We Can," named for its new mantra of action and inclusion. Please read the archived issues below, and feel free to subscribe by clicking on any past issue and clicking the orange "Follow" button.

Common Core Standards

CT Department of Developmental Services

CT Department of Education Resources

Free resources and support for people in need

IEP Parent Resources

Parents as Partners Handbook and Procedural Safeguards

Parent Presentations on the Bridging Process

Now is the time that we begin planning for the next school year and students start to get excited about moving up to the elementary, middle, or high school level. To support this transition, or "bridging," the Office of Special Education & Student Supports has started to hold meetings for families to share information about the process. The links to the PowerPoints and recording for the preschool, 5^th to 6^th grade, and 8^th to 9^th grade bridging presentations are below.

I look forward to working together and supporting you as we begin this process. - Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler

The 8^th – 9^th grade parent presentation on March 3, 2022 recording and PowerPoint
The 5^th to 6^th grade parent presentation on March 1, 2022 recording and PowerPoint
Preschool to Kindergarten parent presentation On February 23, 2022 recording

Special Education Procedures and Practices Manual

Staff Workshops

Thank you to all who attended and participated at this year's conference.

Conference Presentations

Keynote Speaker: in his presentation Dr. Brooks discussed a strength-based approach for working with and raising children and adolescents with special needs. He will describe (a) why some children with special needs have an easier time developing a positive self-image than others, (b) the importance of identifying and reinforcing each child and adolescent’s “islands of competence,” and (c) specific strategies that parents and teachers can use to nurture motivation, learning, self-discipline, caring, hope, and resilience in children and adolescents with special needs.

Dr. Robert Brooks: Nurturing Hope and Resilience in Children with Special Needs

Workshops

Trisha Cheney, Special Educational Teacher: Understanding Your Child's IEP

Taylor Carroll-Marino, M.S., NCSP & Lauren Regan, Special Education Teacher: Taking the Zones Home: How to Implement the Zones of Regulation in the Home Environment

Dr. Fabian Agiurgioaei Boie: Mindful Parenting: Cultivating Self- Regulation and Compassion with Your Children

Christopher Lovermi, Transition Coordinator and Celeste Vigliotti, Special Education Teacher, CAS Transition Planning 3.0

Theoni Stavrianopoulos, SLP: The Role of Speech Language Pathologist in the school

Genevieve Morales, SLP: Éxito para su Niño! Estrategias para ayudar sus hijos/hijas desarollar el lenguaje academico necesario para que sea exitoso en la escuela (Spanish)

Elizabeth Forger,BS , M.Ed-Special Ed: Establishing Routines at Home