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Special Education PTA Liaison. Herndon Elementary School Megan Ferguson meganbferguson@aol.com. Description of my Role. Serve as a special education liaison between the PTA, the Herndon Staff, and parents Attend FCCPTA Special Education Committee meetings
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Special Education PTA Liaison Herndon Elementary School Megan Ferguson meganbferguson@aol.com
Description of my Role • Serve as a special education liaison between the PTA, the Herndon Staff, and parents • Attend FCCPTA Special Education Committee meetings • Provide resources to Herndon Special Education Parents • Report information on upcoming events or activities to the Herndon PTA • Attend relevant FCPS Parent/Teacher Special Education Workshops • Spearhead the development of an Acceptance Team within Herndon Elementary School • Team members: Assistant Principal, one or two general education teachers (including one “Specials” teacher), one special education teacher, one school counselor, PTA Special Education liaison, a parent • Assist in the support and expansion of existing Special Education Programs within Herndon Elementary School • Develop new programs within Herndon Elementary School designed to support acceptance of all learners
Buddy Program • Buddy Program • Expand existing program through promotion to the Special Education and General Education Population • Take a look at existing Buddy program and determine if there’s a need or desire to add to it and if doing so will improve the existing program • Potential Buddy Program adds: • Lunch or breakfast FUN programs to aide in improved social communication between the general education and special education population • Parental input and ideas for support they feel would benefit their child and all children at Herndon Elementary
Special Education Parents Group • Purpose: to support Herndon Elementary School parents who have differently abled learners • First step: ascertain what parents within the Herndon Elementary school community would like to see in the way of support • Meetings: quarterly meetings beginning in October • First meeting: Special Education at Herndon Elementary School and FCPS, Discussion of resources including the Parent Resource Center and FCPS Workshops • Second meeting: Roundtable Discussion • What can I do to help my child learn? • How can I support my child in the school environment? • How can I get my child to listen to and follow directions? How can I improve their behavior? • How can I help my child to be more independent at home? What resources are available for respite? • How can I improve playground relations between my child and other children? • Third meeting: Summer Opportunities for Students with Special Needs
Other Initiatives • Determine what FCPS FriendsWorks programs may be suitable for Herndon Elementary School • In class lessons: • Counselor and/or parent led lessons to all classes highlighting: • Students with disabilities can be fun and good friends • Students with disabilities want to be treated like everyone else • Many children learn in different ways • Have students create disability awareness posters • Create an “Acceptance Display” including photos of students in inclusive settings and awareness posters • Host lunch bunch for siblings of students with special needs • Promote playground inclusion within the existing playground schedule