October is national Disability Awareness Month, and the Williamsburg-James City County School division’s special education department is celebrating with a series of community events.
The series kicks off at Hornsby Middle School on Oct. 14 with “Transition Considerations.”
This special presentation from Michelle Lytton, WJCC’s transition specialist, will address the unique challenges students with disabilities face when moving from middle to high school.
Parents with children approaching this milestone can turn out for helpful information about how to making the switch as smoothly as possible and navigate the special education offerings at the high school level.
This lecture will take place in Hornsby Middle School’s media center from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14.
The second event in the series is an “Introduction into the ARC,” with The ARC of Greater Williamsburg’s Executive Director Pam McGregor.
The ARC is a local organization dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and physical disabilities once they age out of the services provided to them through the public school system, which extend through age 22.
As parents and students face this momentous transition, McGregor will make them aware of the numerous services offered through the ARC, including monthly events and activities to provide continued education, social stimulation and health-related initiatives.
The lecture is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Warhill High School in room 1138.
The final Disability Awareness Month community event is “Parent Advocacy 101: Collaborating with Schools for Your Child’s Success” at D.J. Montague Elementary School room 225.
This program is for parents of students with disabilities who are just beginning to navigate the special education system.
Virginia Department of Education Coordinator of Complaints and Family Involvement Hank Millward will cover all the need-to-know information about how to work with the school system to give their children the best possible educational experience.
This lecture will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
For more information about the WJCC school system’s department of special education, click here.
