Each year OPRFHS has two visitation days during which parents can visit and observe classrooms during the school day. This is a great opportunity to learn more about classes at the high school.

Some parents may worry that going to observe a classroom might make the teacher or students feel uncomfortable. But on visitation days there are many parents in the hallways and moving in and out of classrooms - having parents walk into a class is whatʼs expected and is taken in stride.

The days this year are:

• Tuesday, September 23, 2008 and
• Thursday, March 5, 2009.
  

This is an excellent opportunity for parents of students with IEPs to begin learning about the high school and the options that may be discussed at their child's 8th grade IEP meeting. Please note - most if not all IEPs are completed before the Spring visitation date so if you are an 8th grade parent we strongly encourage you to go to the September visitation day. Also, 7th and even 6th grade parents should also think about participating. It's never too early to start gathering information.

Some classes you might want to visit:

• Academic strategies - previously referred to as "resource room"
• REI classes - these are co-taught classes with one general education and one special education teacher.
• Any class you think your student might be taking.
  

If you contact the high school ahead of time the packet they mail you will include a schedule of all classes, a parking pass, and a lunch voucher (along with a map of the school!). Coffee, doughnuts, and administrators are generally available throughout the day in the Board Room (#213). You can come for an hour or two or for the whole day.

To sign up or ask questions, please contact Winnie Bowman at 434-3611 or wbowman@oprfhs.org.

Programs of Interest

Parent Network Night

Helping Hand Hosts Informational Program for Parents of Children with Disabilities

All parents of children with disabilities or delays are invited to attend this event and have the opportunity to hear first hand about this innovative way to teach motivation, language skills, and improve behavior. Dr. Daniels, founder of the Chicago Children’s Clinic, is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents.

Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1955 to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities and to help them to achieve their highest level of independence through quality programs and services.

If you are a parent of a child with disabilities and would like to attend this event, please RSVP by Tuesday, September 16^th to Carol Boyke at 708-352-3580 ext.383.

The mission of Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center is to assist persons with disabilities to achieve their highest level of independence through quality programs and services.

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The Arc of Illinois

Family to Family Health Information and Education Center

www.thearcofil.org/familytofamily familytofamily@thearcofil.org

708-560-6703 (voice) 866-931-1110(toll free for Illinois families)

“Sharing the Care”

Meeting for families of children and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 9:30am-3:00pm

Shriners Hospital for Children

2211 N. Oak Park Avenue

Chicago, IL 60707

Learn more about:

* DHS/DRS Home Services Program

* Inclusive Child Care *Special Recreation and Park District Programs*After-school Programs*Respite Care*other options

Call 708-206-1930 to register, fax to 708-206-1171 or register online at www.thearcofil.org/familytofamily

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Family Resource Center on Disabilities (http://www.frcd.org/events.html) Free seminars:

Saturday Mornings (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.- except holidays and special conferences);Rights Training Seminar In Spanish ONLY The Second Wednesday of each month 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The First Tuesday Morning of each month 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (except holidays)

Does Your Child Have Special Education Needs?

Do You Know Your Rights?

Do you need help in …

• Understanding your rights under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 (of the Rehab Act)?

• Obtaining appropriate special education services for your child?

• Accessing and understanding your child’s evaluation?

• Preparing for your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting/annual review?

• Accessing your child’s school records?

• Preparing for a mediation or due process hearing?

You can get the help you need at a free training seminar on Special Education Rights

You will get:

⇒ Information on special education rights for public and private schools
⇒ Step-by-step instruction on preparing for: evaluation, IEP meetings/annual reviews, access to student records, mediation, due process hearings, and other special education meetings
⇒ Basic training on negotiating with school districts for appropriate services
⇒ Free special education materials

Pre-registration is required for all seminars

Rights training seminar registration form

Name_________________________________ Address_______________________________

City____________________________ State__________ Zip_________________________

Day Phone ___________________ Evening Phone_______________ E-mail______________

Please indicate the date/time of seminar that you plan to attend and return to FRCD, or call the FRCD office.

Date________________ Time________am/pm______ Number of persons attending______

Please note: *Pre-registration and confirmation is required for all seminars. Confirmation must be made the day before.

*Special accommodations are available for persons with hearing impairments and visual impairments with two weeks’ notice. However, we cannot provide accommodations for children.

SEAstar Winners Announced

The Supported Education Association (SEA) of Oak Park-River Forest is pleased to announce the 2008 SEAstar Award winners. These annual awards recognize positive contributions to the education of students with special needs in Districts 97 and 200.

The twelve recipients of the 2008 SEAstar Awards are:

District 97

• Ms. Cristin Carter, Longfellow School
• Ms. Kathy Hayes, Lincoln School
• Ms. Phyllis Jones, Lincoln School
• Mr. Matthew Kuntz, Lincoln School
• Ms. Denise Matthews, Julian Middle School
• Ms. Andrea McGuin, Lincoln School
• Ms. Cheryl Sullivan, Irving School
• Ms. Karen Tokarz, Brooks Middle School
  

D200

• John Gann, Head Coach, OPRF Special Olympics Basketball team
• Meghan Kennedy, CITE Facilitator
• Daphne LeCesne, School Psychologist
• Joe Perenti, Resource Teacher
  

We are pleased that both the District 97 and District 200 Boards of Education are again collaborating with SEA so that we can present these awards during regular board meetings.

The D97 awards will be presented at the Wednesday, May 14, 2008 board meeting, at the D97 administration building, 970 W. Madison. The meeting will begin at 7:30 and the SEAstar awards will be presented during the special reports and recognition portion near the beginning of the meeting. After the presentation, there will be a short break for a cake and coffee reception. Attendees are free to leave the meeting after this reception if they choose. If you plan to attend the D97 meeting on May 14, please let Peggy Ebersole know at 708-524-9365 or pebersole5@sbcglobal.net. Due to the reception, the district needs some idea of how many people will be attending.


The D200 awards will be presented at the Thursday, May 22, 2008 D200 board meeting. This meeting begins at 7:30 and will be held at the high school, 201 N. Scoville in 2nd floor board room. Again, the awards presentation will be held near the beginning of the meeting.

Please plan to attend one or both meetings to support our SEAstar winners!