ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT
New School Year:
3 Ways to Reset a Student’s IEP and an Opportunity to Enrich Our Schools BY BETSY GRANT ISD PTSA Special Education Network Chairperson special-education@issaquahptsa.org
A new school year is upon us. Hopefully, the summer break provided students and their families with a chance to refresh their energy and face the new school year with renewed enthusiasm. For all students, the new school year is an opportunity to establish new relationships with teachers and staff and set a positive tone for the upcoming year. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the new school year is a good time to re-examine targets and re-establish the support needed to provide the student with the best environment to succeed. Here are three suggestions for parents/caregivers of students with an IEP to do near the beginning of the school year: 1 – Check in with your case manager to refresh each other on the goals set in the student’s IEP and the plan to achieve them. 2 – Ask the student’s case manager how any support services or accommodations in the IEP will be implemented for the school year. 3 – If you believe modifications need to be made ahead of your student’s annual review meeting, ask for a meeting with your case manager (and possibly the IEP team) to discuss the suggested change and the process for changing the IEP. Beyond our individual students, there are many opportunities for parents, caregivers, and students to join together to enrich their school community and advocate for thoughtful changes through PTSA. You can support those efforts by joining one or more of the 27 PTAs/PTSAs across the Issaquah School District - https://www.isd411.org/get-involved/ ptsa.
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Parent Connect Conference Join local experts and other parents on Saturday, October 14, from 9 AM-12 PM for Parent Connect, an interactive conference on youth mental health & wellbeing. Parent Connect is FREE to attend for Issaquah School District parents and caregivers. The conference offers breakout topics that families may face with their child now or in the future. There will be English and Spanish sessions. Attendees will come away from this event with insights, connections to other parents & caregivers, and a better understanding of the resources available in our community. Check-in opens at 8:45 AM. Conference starts at 9 AM. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. Registration preferred, but not required. REGISTER NOW: https://isfdn.org/events/foundation-events/parent-connect/
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