Welcome to the Pleasanton PTA Council Special Needs Committee
The Pleasanton PTA Council Special Needs Committee (SNC) is made up of dedicated parent volunteers committed to making a difference in the lives of our special needs students and their families. Committee members include PUSD administrators from Special Education and PBIS as well as Parent Liaison. Our goal is to foster and maintain positive relationships between parents and PUSD, and spread awareness as well as acceptance of ALL abilities within our community.
SNC sponsors free evening speaker events with well-known local authorities on topics such as learning and behavioral challenges, anxiety in children and teens, ADHD, understanding the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 processes, and building blocks to a successful collaboration between parents and schools. We also sponsor the Ability Awareness Week program with participating schools throughout the district. Students learn about the challenges a child with special needs faces on a daily basis, and learn how to ACCEPT–UNDERSTAND–SUPPORT everyone and their differences.
SNC defines “special needs” as a term that applies to children who are gifted learners, any child with a learning or processing difference, physical disability, cognitive delay, speech & language delay, behavioral challenges, social or emotional difficulty, and those with food allergies.
 Disclaimer: PUSD or the PTA Council does not necessarily endorse or sponsor the content of any written or electronic material displayed on this site. Parents and guardians are responsible for determining the potential merits of the information provided.If you would like to provide feedback regarding these listings, please email Belle Musfeldt, Communications.
Click on the Live Images & Flyers Posted
Updated 5-28-19
 Our May Newsletter is Out! Check It Out!  To read the rest of the article, click on the document image.
  EMPOWERING ASIAN FAMILY CONFERENCE 2019
Registration Deadline on Friday, May 24!!!
Download Flyer & Registration Form
 
SELPA MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD NOMINEES
      The Livermore Special Needs Parent Group is made up of parents and guardians in the Livermore area whose children have various special needs. It was established by parents, for parents. Our group has monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except for December, June, July, and August) from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Address and meeting topics listed below.
Livermore Valley Tennis Club
2000 Arroyo Road
Livermore, CA 94550
WorkAbilityI is a PUSD Sponsored Progam
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 WorkAbilityI is a PUSD Sponsored Progam
Click on the Image Below to Access the Full Newsletter
       ASD Reading offers unique instruction methods not found in other programs:
 Summer Program FAQs, click anywhere
on the ESY document.
For more information, Click Here.
 Click anywhere on flyer to be directed to the full article.
 For more information, Click Here.
To download PDF, click anywhere on the form.
 A school nurse emailed...
Thirteen percent of students have food allergies. That's about two kids per class - not a small problem!
Concerns about episodic conditions such as allergies, anaphylaxis, asthma, epilepsy, do not have "one size fits all" solutions. Does your school have an appropriate plan in place to meet your child's unique needs? In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate learn about the school's responsibility to provide your child with an education tailored to her unique needs. You'll find information, articles, and caselaw relating to episodic conditions.    To download the flyer in pdf, click anywhere on the document image.
SNC Receives PUSD Champion of Change Award
10-23-18
 SNC executive team in the bottom row from left to right: Rashmi Prasad-Chair, Belle Musfeldt-Communications, Michele Plunge-Events,
Regina Stoop-Ability Awareness
Cary Fucada-Treasurer, Linda Fazzio-Membership
An Update from The
Director of Special Education
To download the full document, click on the document image below.
 
SNC needs your help! We still have some positions open for the school representatives listed below. We'd love to have you, so come and join us and make a difference in the lives of our special needs families!
School Representative
Hearst Elementary Mohr Elementary Harvest Park Middle Village High
If you wish to be a representative for your school, please complete the Membership Form or contact Linda Fazzio if you have questions.
 The Key to Improving How IEP Teams Support Children’s Social and Emotional Needs by Mona Delahooke, Ph.D.
Click on the image to be directed to the article.
     There’s a Big Difference Between “Bad Behavior” and “Sensory Overload”
      PUSD Facilitated
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Training for District Staff
Two half-day IEP Facilitated Stakeholder Trainings were offered on Tuesday, August 21st. The Kottinger training room was filled both sessions with teachers, administrators, district leaders, psychologist, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and other support staff. Dr. Joyce Little, from www.Key2Ed.com presented on the rationale and process of a Facilitated IEP; how to be an effective participant and team member; how to set a meeting up for success from the onset; roles and responsibilities of all team members; preventative measures; effective communication strategies; as well as, pre-and post-meeting success strategies. A survey is being conducted of attendees for more specific feedback; however, initial responses from many staff leaving the training were positive with some staff seeking additional more in-depth training.
Deej
'Every child deserves the chance to achieve literacy and become fully educated. Competence must be presumed. Whenever possible, autistic children should be included in regular classes and not, as DJ has put it, in "segregated classes of easy lessons."'
“Deej is the best film on autism I’ve ever seen. So much of DJ’s experience resonates deeply with me; it feels authentic from start to finish. Deej is an important film for anyone who wants to understand autistic lives.”
Brent White
Brent White
Adult Transition Program Director,
Ala Costa Centers, Berkeley, CA
   Ryan's Poem
Just because I have Autism, please don’t stereotype me.
I have Autism and that makes me different.
It does not make me stupid.
It does not make me weird.
Because I have Autism, I have Superpowers.
I can memorize TV and movie lines.
I can remember lots of things like the name of every kid at my Middle School.
I have great eyesight.
I can tell the difference between a Cessna and Beechcraft airplane
when they are high in the sky.
I can also tell the difference just by hearing the engine.
Autism makes it hard for me to keep track of things like homework.
It makes it hard for me to talk to other kids and
sometimes I don’t know what to say.
I am a regular guy who wants to make friends.
I am just a regular guy who has Autism.
 To learn more, click anywhere on the program flyer.
 | Contact the Special Needs Committee:
SNC Events Please check back often as we will be adding new events when they are confirmed! August 20 General Meeting Kottinger Room September 5 Welcome Back Families of Students with IEPs and 504 Plans September 13 General Meeting Bernal Room September 24-28 Donlon Elementary Ability Awareness Week October 3 (New!) IEPs and 504s–The Basics and Beyond October 11 General Meeting District Board Room November 5-9 Vintage Hills Elementary Ability Awareness Week November (New Date & Time!) General Meeting 9:30-11:30 a.m. Kottinger Room December 5 (New!) SNC FREE Parent Event Sibling Panel December 13 General Meeting Kottinger Room January 10 General Meeting Kottinger Room January 23 (New!) Do You Have Concerns About ESY? Seeking Parent Feedback & Suggestions January 28-February 1 (New!) Walnut Grove Elementary Ability Awareness Week February 14 General Meeting Kottinger Room February 20 (New!) SNC FREE Parent Event Las Positas College Disabled Student Programs & Services February 21 (New!) SNC FREE Parent Event for March 13 (New!) Pleasanton Middle School Ability Awareness Week March 13 (New!) SNC FREE Parent Event Financial Planning for Families of Students with Special Needs March 14 General Meeting Kottinger Room April 9 (Tuesday) General Meeting Kottinger Room April 22-26 (New!) Hearst Elementary School Ability Awareness Week May 9 Celebrate a Great Year! Bernal Room May Special Ed Staff Appreciation Month (New!) Join SNC!  Stay Connected!  Sign up below to receive current news and events information from SNC, your school, the District and SELPA.
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