CASE Banner
In This Issue
Parent Connections
Options College Fair
What Are SMART Goals?
iPads and iPods for Students with Special Needs?
Training on Autism Spectrum, Mood Disorders and Disability Awareness
Does the District Need to Make-Up Missed Therapy Sessions?
Quick Links

Internet Safety
Tips


 Are you concerned about the safety of your child as they explore the internet? What about cyberbullying?

Helpful resources from the Attorney General's Office on Safeguarding Children. 
Support Us 
Donate Button
Your support will help to defray operating costs.
(CASE is not a 501(c)3 organization.)
LogoEvanston Citizens for Appropriate Special Education (CASE) is a community advocacy organization working to improve the range, quality and accessibility of special education services in Evanston/Skokie District 65 and ETHS District 202. We also provide information and support for parents of children with special needs through Parent Connections meetings and our CASEline number.
Like us on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List
On the CASE
April 2012

 

Hello Evanston CASE members,

 

Spring came early this year and the kids are already squirming in their seats, dreaming of summer and ready to get outside and enjoy the weather.  

 

District 65 and District 202 are in the midst of spring IEP season. Make sure you are well-equipped to participate fully in your child's IEP meetings. If you have questions or concerns, we can help. Also, check out the article in this month's newsletter by Ruth Heitin, Ph.D., Educational Consultant. She writes about some very useful tools when determining if you child's IEP goals are meaningful and measureable.

 

Hoping you had a relaxing and fun spring break.

 

Warm regards,

 

Cari Levin, LCSW

Founding Director

 

REMINDER: Parent Connections Thursday, April 19th
CASE Banner

The Parent Connections meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19th from 7-9 p.m. at Boocoo Café, 1823 Church Street.  

 

The presenter this month is Liz Kantorski, Founder & Designer of Balance Boards & Beams.  

 

Liz will be doing an interactive presentation demonstrating the uses of her balance boards and discussing their applications for kids with mood, behavioral, learning and sensory disorders. This will be a fun and informative meeting.   Don't miss it!  

 

Please let us know if you're coming so Liz can plan for enough materials. Call us (847) 556-8676.


OPTIONS College Fair

Meet with representatives from schools and agencies which provide education, vocational, recreational, residential, financial, legal, and social resource services for post-high school.

 

DATE: April 19, 2012

TIME:  6:00 - 8:00 PM

LOCATION: College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus, Physical Education Center

 

Click here to download the brochure

 

Click her for more information about OPTIONS  

 

What are SMART Goals? by Dr. Ruth Heitin 

Creating an IEP with a team of people who are all there to design a good educational program for one unique child can be a pleasure. It can also be very productive. When the whole team has the same level of understanding about IEPs, it is even better.  

 

Sounds like crazy talk? Just ask those who have seen it happen. The big winner here is the child.

 

To read Dr. Heitin's article:  http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/goals.lesson.heitin.htm

iPads and iPods for Students with Special Needs
 A workshop for parents, teachers and anyone supporting students with special learning needs.
  • Learn how iPods and iPads can enhance student learning, participation and performance in school and home environments.
  • This session will be a full day session, offering hands-on, step-by-step and detailed training in the use of these devices for children who experience challenges with learning.  (beginner/intermediate level) - bring your iPads and iPods - we do not have iDevices for hands on, but will have laptops for the computer component of this workshop.
  • This workshop will NOT be just a look at lists of apps.  We will specifically look at implementation, specific use within school and home environments, handheld electronic tools and their impact for performance, participation and achievement for students of all ages and cognitive levels.
Date:  April 28, 2012
Time: 8:45am - 3pm  (45 minutes for lunch, lunch on your own, bring your lunch or there are places nearby)
Location: Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative
1304 Ronzheimer Ave.  St. Charles, IL 60174

Cost: $100 - Sign up here: http://customsolutions.us/training/

For more information, email Heather  muniz.heather@gmail.com

Training provided by Bridgette Nicholson
Occupational Therapist / Assistive Technology Consultant
Training on Autism Spectrum, Mood Disorders
and Disability Awareness for
Teachers and Education Professionals

Presented by Dr. Marrea Winnega, Dr. Sally Weinstein and Dr. Roberta Paikoff Holzmueller of the University of Illinois, Institute for Juvenile Reasearch.

 

When: April 30, 2012

Location: UIC Psychiatric Institute

Auditorium, First Floor

Address: 1601 W. Taylor Street

Chicago, Il, 60612

Time: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Does the District Need to Make-Up Therapy Sessions Missed During the School Year? 
Q: "Since we signed my daughter's IEP, she has missed 6 sessions of weekly OT. The therapist was absent for two of the sessions. She missed four sessions on 'Delayed Start Days.' Our district starts school 2 hours late on one day each month. Does the district need to make up these days"

A: The school needs to make up any missed time on items required in your daughter's IEP and/or provide a qualified substitute.
A regular ed student gets a substitute when the regular teacher is out for some reason. This absence could be for just a day or two or for an extended period of time. Why would the special ed student any different? They deserve the same requirement as the regular ed student.

Posted by Sharon Lutz on the Wrightslaw blog - 05/16/11

To read more: http://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/?p=5147