Special Education PTA Liaison Herndon Elementary School Megan Ferguson

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 – 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