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Ongoing Virtual Training
Ongoing Virtual Training
WPS and Wellesley SEPAC are part of the MassPAC network at the Federation of Children with Special Needs (FCSN), which gives families and educators access to a monthly series of virtual workshops on special education rights and other important topics. Basic rights workshops will be offered each week throughout the year, and you can attend as many as you want as part of our MassPAC membership! To register for one of these virtual presentations, please visit the link below. Check back often as they are constantly scheduling more trainings.
Bullying Prevention
Bullying Prevention
What does this look like for students with disabilities?
What does this look like for students with disabilities?
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) defines bullying as: "The repeated use of a written, verbal or electronic expression or physical act or gesture of any combination thereof, directed at a target."
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) defines bullying as: "The repeated use of a written, verbal or electronic expression or physical act or gesture of any combination thereof, directed at a target."
Protection for Students with Disabilities
Protection for Students with Disabilities
Did you know that your student's IEP has a section dedicated to bullying? The Team should discuss whether your child could be seen as an aggressor or a victim. If either are true, the IEP should include accommodations and/or modification to help support your student.
Regardless of whether or not your student is being bullied because of their disability, the school must act on reports of bullying to ensure your child is receiving a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
What to do if your child is being bullied
What to do if your child is being bullied
Convene a Team meeting and discuss ways in which the IEP can better protect your child from bullying
Ask the school about their preventative measures to stop bullying.
Ask the school about their policies for addressing these incidents with both the victim and the aggressor
File a complaint with the Problem Resolution System (PRS).
Seek help from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
Tips from an Advocate
Tips from an Advocate
Consider the whole school and the IEP - What policies are in place at the whole school level and what policies are in place specifically in the IEP
Consider what this looks like in a structured setting like a classroom and an unstructured setting like recess
Make sure you have accommodations promoting effective communication and self-advocacy skills
Put everything in writing, always! Follow up phone calls with emails, keep dated records, etc.
Consider Adding the Following to Your Student's IEP:
Consider Adding the Following to Your Student's IEP:
Specific goals around self-advocacy, communication, and social skills
The use of age appropriate social stories to guide instruction
Accommodations that allow the student to access safe spaces, transition early, etc.
Clear language around support during unstructured times (e.g., lunch, recess, bus transportation, etc.)
Counseling services
Thank you to Lucy Verhave of Verhave Education for providing the graphic and content regarding bullying prevention.
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