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Special Education Blog
Apr 30, 2010
Posted in: Blog
Posted by Nancy Hall, Director of Special Services, MSAD #72
The warm weather we have had this past month has been a gift. April always seems like such a busy month to me. With the longer days I finally feel like I have the energy again to tackle the piles on my desk. The State has added some new reports for districts to complete, so any extra time I imagined has been claimed. Therefore, I will keep this month's blog short.
Our school teams have begun to meet with parents for our transition meetings. I always enjoy meeting with new families to learn more about their children, their hopes for their children as they start kindergarten, and to begin to build that special relationship. I would encourage parents and preschool teams to ask questions about any concerns you have. If you feel the school should come for a visit to the preschool to learn more about the special needs of your child, please make that request. Learning more about your child helps everyone.
At one of our recent parent trainings, we talked about the different opportunities districts provide for parents and children to visit schools in the coming months. I know in SAD 72, we just had an after school visitation. One more visit is scheduled at each of our three elementary schools, and I believe our incoming kindergarteners will spend a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon at school. I would encourage you to make sure your child has a time set for that date. Soon after that visitation a special Parents' Night is being scheduled at each school. In speaking with our kindergarten teachers, they said that because parents of children with an IEP attend the transition meetings, they frequently do not attend the Parents' Night. If you are able to attend this presentation, I would strongly encourage you to do so. At this presentation, you will be presented with valuable information about your new elementary school, the day-to-day schedule, breakfast and lunch information, and special classes such as art, music and PE. You will learn helpful tidbits about the backpacks that work best for children, bus information, and that sneakers with black soles will not be allowed on the gym floors...all the information that is helpful before children actually start school in September. So watch for Kindergarten Registration information and information on the next Kindergarten Visitation and Parents' Information Night. It will be most helpful!