Get involved with your schools

Parents are busy - no doubt about it.

And parents of children with special needs are even busier, often with activities and needs that other parents could barely comprehend.

Join your parent-teacher organization (PTO) or whatever it is called at your child's school(s). Don't hang out at home on the nights when you could have a chance to interact with the school's principal and perhaps even other key administrators at the school.

A PTO should not be just a fundraiser (or, as some schools might call it - a "fun-raiser"). Get involved! Be involved, stay involved.

Have you ever attended a semi-monthly meeting of the District 200 School Board? These meetings rotate from one school to another through the District, and it's not for the purpose of avoiding you. These meetings come to your schools, so that it's convenient for you.

So, get off your duffs. Check out schedule at www.woodstockschools.org. Put some of these meetings on your evening schedule. Show up and meet your elected School Board members.

By the way, this is a good time to find out who is running for election to the School Board. Go to a Meet the Candidates meeting and speak with them. These meetings are for all parents.

Reading at Prairiewood Elementary

Yesterday I participated in District 200's Love-to-Read Week and spent most of a class period with a wonderful group of kids and teachers at Prairiewood Elementary School in Woodstock District 200.

When the teacher called me, she told me that the kids to whom I would be reading were in wheelchairs and were "Life Skills" students. That would not have been enough information for many readers, but it was for me, and I was ready, willing and able to share the time with students in Special Education.

I showed up with three of my own books and immediately realized I wouldn't use them. I was presented to the class, all of whom were seated on the floor of the classroom. A desk chair had been placed in front of them, but instead I chose to sit on the floor with them. Before I sat down, I asked if they knew what books could be used for. "For sitting on," and I put my books on the floor and sat on them!

I must have kept them entertained. They were a great audience. I think several grades were combined, and the three books I read were definitely for very young children, so I made sure that I turned the books with the pictures toward them.

I encourage everyone in Woodstock to participate in our schools. These students were, indeed, very special students, and the teachers and staff who work with them are among the most special. Often, the very best thing you can do is just show up. Be yourself. Be friendly. Hold up your end of the conversation. Make eye contact. Let them know you are glad to be in their presence.

And make sure that these special kids get included in all school activities.

Parent University Series

Families ETC (Families Empowered To Change), formerly known as the Parent Council of the Family CARE Project, will present its next program on February 28 (Saturday), 9:00AM-Noon.

"Putting the Individual in Every IEP." Presenter: Dr. Craig Minor, Asst. Professor, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Learn how to effectively prepare for and to participate in the IEP process to achieve better outcomes for your child.

And you might to mark ahead on your April 8 (Wednesday), 6:00-8:00PM calendar for a program on "Legislative Advocacy." The presenter will be Dawn Melchiorre, senior policy advocate, Voices4Kids.

Learn how to advocate for legislative change to positively affect the future for our children. A light dinner will be served at the April 8 meeting.

All meetings will be held at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, Ill. There is no charge for either program.

IEP Informational Program - Feb. 11

Coming up on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, is a presentation about Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and understanding IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This presentation is part of the Parent University Series, sponsored by Families ETC (Families Empowered to Change).

This will not be a dull, dreary, dry, boring program! Dr. Christy Chambers, former Superintendent of SEDOM, will keep you awake and interested in what you need to know to advocate effectively for your child in special education in any school in McHenry County (or elsewhere).

This program will be presented in the conference room of the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, Ill. For directions, just "mapquest" it or plug the address into your GPS.

Christy presented an informative program to students a year or two ago to help them master the art of self-advocacy. Come to this program and learn the laws. You'll be a better advocate for your child, when you yourself know what the laws for special education students are.

Arrive at 6:00PM. Enjoy a light supper. The program will begin at 6:30PM and will conclude by 8:00PM.