We had a really big turnout at tonight's meeting. It was nice to see some old and new faces with us this evening.
Thank you to Cindy Figures and Sandy Uusitalo for the very informative presentation on the Individualized Education Program and the Parent Advisory Committee. Just a reminder that I will post the next PAC meeting when I receive it.
A huge thank you to the Americorps workers Tori, and Angela, and my family friend, Enneesa for helping us out with childcare. Without the help of Americorps and our friends many parents wouldn't be able to attend meetings.
Our next meeting is scheduled for March 16th. A detailed flier will be following in a couple of weeks. Until then, mark in your calendars that for the March meeting there will be two slots. There will be a luncheon from 12:30p-3 and then another slot from 5p-8. More details soon! :)
Cheers!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
February 16th, I.E.P Night!
For the February group meeting, we will be welcoming Sandy Uusitalo and Cindy Figures. Both ladies will be covering the new Individualized Education Program (I.E.P). They will also be discussing the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), and how we as parents can get involved and/or seek assistance from the PAC. Below you can read a little about our presenters.
Sandy is the Coordinator of Monitoring and Compliance at the Copper Country Intermediate School District. This is Sandy's sixth year at the CCISD. Her role includes assisting local districts to understand and complete special education monitoring activities required by the State. Michigan's system for this is called the Continuous Improvement and Monitoring System (CIMS). She provides training to help local district staff develop quality and compliant I.E.P's and meet other requirements of the IDEA and Michigan's Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE). Other duties include serving as CCISD-PAC liaison, investigating formal special education complaints, and overseeing state assessment ordering/return, etc., for the CCISD Learning Center programs.
Some of you may know Cindy Figures from her work at Portage Health. What you may not know is that she is the Parent Advisory Committee Chairperson, and she is in her fifth year in this position. She began her work with the PAC in 2002. Cindy has a 14 year old son living with Down Syndrome, which is how she became involved with the PAC. Only parents of diverse children that are in the public school system can participate in the PAC.
If you have questions about the new format of the I.E.P, you're seeking information about how to better help your child(ren) in the school system, or you're looking to acquire more information for future use, then you will want to come hear these ladies speak.
The meeting will be held February 16th, 2011 at the BHK Houghton Center in the conference room on the first floor from 6-8. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by February 15th, 2011 to ensure we have enough materials on hand. If you plan to utilize the childcare, let me know how many children will need care when you RSVP.
Sandy is the Coordinator of Monitoring and Compliance at the Copper Country Intermediate School District. This is Sandy's sixth year at the CCISD. Her role includes assisting local districts to understand and complete special education monitoring activities required by the State. Michigan's system for this is called the Continuous Improvement and Monitoring System (CIMS). She provides training to help local district staff develop quality and compliant I.E.P's and meet other requirements of the IDEA and Michigan's Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE). Other duties include serving as CCISD-PAC liaison, investigating formal special education complaints, and overseeing state assessment ordering/return, etc., for the CCISD Learning Center programs.
Some of you may know Cindy Figures from her work at Portage Health. What you may not know is that she is the Parent Advisory Committee Chairperson, and she is in her fifth year in this position. She began her work with the PAC in 2002. Cindy has a 14 year old son living with Down Syndrome, which is how she became involved with the PAC. Only parents of diverse children that are in the public school system can participate in the PAC.
If you have questions about the new format of the I.E.P, you're seeking information about how to better help your child(ren) in the school system, or you're looking to acquire more information for future use, then you will want to come hear these ladies speak.
The meeting will be held February 16th, 2011 at the BHK Houghton Center in the conference room on the first floor from 6-8. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by February 15th, 2011 to ensure we have enough materials on hand. If you plan to utilize the childcare, let me know how many children will need care when you RSVP.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
January 19th, 2011 Meeting Wrap-Up
I want to thank Keweenaw Krayons and the Michigan Alliance for Families for sponsoring last nights Family Art Therapy Workshop. The children and parents had a great time. There was a lot of creative sculptures made by the children using modeling clay. Later music was played and children were asked to "draw the music". It was a lot of fun and a great night!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 19th, 2011 Meeting Update
The Channel 6 News crew will be coming to the meeting tomorrow evening (Wednesday 19th) and interviewing willing parents and filming some of the children during the workshop (with parental or guardian consent). This matter will be addressed tomorrow evening before the meeting begins. No one is being forced or expected to take part in the news event, so please do not let it be a deterrent. We will set the conference room up accordingly to meet the needs of everyone.
I'm going to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the Parent Support Group is hosting this event, and as always, the meetings are a safe place for people to come. The news cast will respect and honor this.
I think that Channel 6 coming is a great opportunity. However, I do realize that not everyone may wish to expose themselves in this fashion. I can't stress enough that this will be respected. Again, please still come and enjoy the evening and all the activities that are planned.
Lisa Kahnke (MAF Regional Parent Mentor) has asked me to mention that even if you haven't registered for the workshop, all are welcome! Registration was merely to get an idea of how many people to plan for to ensure enough materials would be provided. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
This is going to be a great family night, especially for the kids! Spread the word and join us tomorrow night from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center on the first floor in the conference room.
Cheers!!
I'm going to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the Parent Support Group is hosting this event, and as always, the meetings are a safe place for people to come. The news cast will respect and honor this.
I think that Channel 6 coming is a great opportunity. However, I do realize that not everyone may wish to expose themselves in this fashion. I can't stress enough that this will be respected. Again, please still come and enjoy the evening and all the activities that are planned.
Lisa Kahnke (MAF Regional Parent Mentor) has asked me to mention that even if you haven't registered for the workshop, all are welcome! Registration was merely to get an idea of how many people to plan for to ensure enough materials would be provided. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
This is going to be a great family night, especially for the kids! Spread the word and join us tomorrow night from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center on the first floor in the conference room.
Cheers!!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 19th, 2011 Meeting
It's our first meeting of the new year! I'm excited to announce that the support is hosting a collaboration between Michigan Alliance for Families and Keweenaw Krayons. Below are the details for the evening.
All parents of children who are living with unique physical, emotional, and/or learning diversities and their siblings are welcome.The workshop is for children so there is no childcare. Parents are responsible for their own children during the meeting.
Cheers!
What: Art Night for Families at the Parent-to-Parent Support Group Meeting
When: January 19th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00
Where: BHK Houghton Center - First floor conference room
Please RSVP by January 18th to Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
Preregistration is required for the event. This is a free workshop and refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP by January 18th to Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
Preregistration is required for the event. This is a free workshop and refreshments will be provided.
All parents of children who are living with unique physical, emotional, and/or learning diversities and their siblings are welcome.The workshop is for children so there is no childcare. Parents are responsible for their own children during the meeting.
Cheers!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 15th, Meeting Wrap-Up
We had a wonderful meeting lastnight. We didn't have a speaker, instead we had a quiet session of parents sharing. There was a lot of wonderful, helpful, and productive conversation through the evening.
Our next meeting will be held on January 19th, 2011 from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center.
I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday.
Cheers!
Our next meeting will be held on January 19th, 2011 from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center.
I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday.
Cheers!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Clarification
I have had a couple of emails this week asking what it means when I type "general public" on the fliers. I'm referring to individuals that are curious about our group for one reason or another, but they do not have any relationship with a neurodiverse child/individual.
Parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbors, etc., are all welcome to attend all of our meetings, so long as their intentions are for a neurodiverse child/individual.
I hope that this helps.
Cheers!
Parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbors, etc., are all welcome to attend all of our meetings, so long as their intentions are for a neurodiverse child/individual.
I hope that this helps.
Cheers!
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