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MISSOURI PARENTS ACT E-NEWS

February 28, 2015

Taking a Stand: Effective Bullying Prevention

On February 19, 2015, a young Missouri boy with autism suffered a fractured skull and broke

n jaw after being beaten up by a classmate at school. The family of the boy has reported that their son had been being bullied by his classmate for a month prior to the violent attack. Sadly, this isn't an isolated

incident.

Boy with autism severely beaten at Liberty Middle School

Bullying of children with disabilities is significant, although very few studies with documentation exist. Of the studies conducted, all found that children with disabilities were two

to three times more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers. (Marshall, et al. 2009)

Research suggests that the best way to deal with bullying is through comprehensive programs that focus on changing the climate of a school and the social norms of the group. For more information, visit www.StopBullying.gov.

Parents have the opportunity to become effective advocates for their children. When doing so, it is important for parents to recognize and acknowledge that their reactions to the situation can impact the effectiveness of their advocacy for their child.

MPACT offers training for parents who are interested in learning more about bullying prevention and how to assist their school district in enhancing their anti-bullying efforts. To learn more.

References:

(2009). C. Marshall, E. Kendall, M. Banks & R. Gover (Eds.), Disabilities: Insights from across fields and around the world (Vol. 1-3). Westport, CT: Praeger Perspectives.

Sharing the Weight

Sharing The Weight is a non profit organization that makes and distributes weighted blankets to special needs children free of charge. Currently, there is an approximately wait time of six months to receive a blanket.

For parents who are interested in learning how to make a weighted blanket, Sharing the Weight is hosting a blanket making party in St. Louis on March 23, 2015. For more information.

Or visit, www.sharingtheweight.org for a weighted blanket making online tutorial.

Summer Explorations

Summer Educational Opportunities for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Missouri School for the Blind is offering Missouri students who are blind or visually impaired five (5) summer sessions focused on developing students' abilities to access Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Performing Arts or Activities of Daily Living with increased independence. Through Summer Explorations, MSB seeks to provide a non-traditional, high-quality, academic, and functional program designed to supplement the student's regular educational experience with an emphasis on the Expanded Core Curriculum for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Visit http://www.msb.dese.mo.gov/ for more information, including a schedule of events and the registration form. Parents may also contact Joy Waddell, Assistant Superintendent, at 314-776-4320 (ext. 1140) or joyce.waddell@msb.dese.mo.gov.

UPCOMING MPACT TRAININGS

Be Determined

Date: 03/17/2015

Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Southwest Center for Independent Living

2864 S. Neetleton, Springfield

Bullying Prevention What Parents Can Do

Date: 03/18/2015

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Knights of Columbus Developmental Center

3800 Park Ave, 2nd Floor, St. Louis

Disagreement Resolution Processes

Date: 03/04/2015

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Location: Special School District

12110 Clayton Road, Town & Country

The Art of Effective Advocacy

Date: 03/12/2015

Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Location: Children's TLC

3101 Main Street, Kansas City

Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Children's Needs

Date: 03/14/2015

Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Location: Sedalia Public Library

311 West 3rd, Sedalia

Steps to Success: Family Record Keeping

Date: 03/14/2015

Time: 10:30pm to 11:30pm

Location: Sedalia Public Library

311 West 3rd, Sedalia

Special Education Law

Date: 03/11/2015

Time: 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Location: Bolivar Public Library

1690 W Broadway St., Bolivar

Special Education Mediation

Date: 03/04/2015

Time: 8:00pm to 9:00pm

Location: Special School District

12110 Clayton Road, Town & Country

Understanding the IEP Process

Date: 3/04/2015

Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Location: Poplar Bluff Library 318 North Main Street, Poplar Bluff

Understanding the Evaluation Process

Date: 03/03/2015

Time: 5:00pm to 7:0pm

Location: BAILS

719 Teaco Road, Kennett

For a complete list of MPACT's trainings, including online trainings, visit our website.

MPACT
8301 State Line Road
Suite 204
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
(800) 743-7634 phone (tty)
(816) 531-4777 fax

info@ptimpact.org email

MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
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