PTSA Special Needs Group
The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Special Needs Group is made up of parents in Lake Washington School District whose children receive special services and/or classroom support. The group meets every month except for December and June. Anyone is welcome to attend these informative meetings which provide opportunities to:

• hear from speakers
• learn about resources in the community
• network with other parents
• keep updated on district and PTSA issues affecting children with special needs

For more information and/or to be added to the e-mail list for this group, contact Beth Angelo.

Meetings:	Fourth Tuesday of each month except December and June
Next Meeting:	Tuesday, May 27th: Transition Planning - The earlier you start thinking about transition planning the better! Help your child plan for a successful transition based on their strengths, preferences and interests. Learn more about the pathways that your child might follow and how you can incorporate transition planning into your child’s IEP. By law, transition planning must begin by age 16, but it can start any time and should be at the core of planning for junior and senior high students. Even if you have a younger child, you can still benefit from hearing this information as it can shape your elementary school plans and help you to think about your child’s future. Paul Vine, LWSD Director of Special Education, Richard Haines, LWSD Transition Academy and Vickie Fitzpatrick, LWSD Program Specialist, will present information about the transition process, including: Tips on what you can do now to get ready for tomorrow IEP components Pathways to graduation and post-secondary activities Info on the Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) and the Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) 18-21 year old Transition Academy information High school 18-21 year old programs WASL/WAAS info School to Work program
Time:	7 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:	LWSD Resource Center 16250 NE 74th St Redmond, WA 98052 (at Redmond Town Center) (425) 702-3200

PTSA Special Needs liaisons
Every campus in Lake Washington School District has a PTSA Special Needs Liaison. The liaison keeps the families of that school informed of the PTSA Special Needs Group's monthly meetings and district updates on issues affecting families who have special needs children. The liaison can often answer a family's questions. To find out who your campus PTSA Special Needs Liaison is, contact your school PTSA. If you would like to be a liaison, please contact Beth Angelo.

For questions about special eucation preschool programs in the district, contact Mary Judd.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Parent Advisory Committee consists of parents who wish to offer advice to the district and/or to partner with the administration on projects that will benefit students with special needs. PAC meetings are held regularly at the Resource Center. Contact Karen Bell to be added to the e-mail notification list.

History of PTSA Special Needs Group
The Lake Washington School District Special Needs Committee (now known as Special Needs Group) first started in the late 1980’s when a group of parents came together to give a collective voice to their children’s needs. At this time, it was not uncommon for special needs children to be fully isolated in segregated schools, buildings and classrooms. The inclusion movement was just beginning and parents were determined to ensure all students were welcomed, valued and respected members of their school communities.

The Special Needs Committee formed and met monthly to educate parents on important topics. The vision was to enhance:

• parental networking
• parental empowerment
• teacher support
• teacher recognition of special needs
• teacher general knowledge of special needs issues

The committee worked toward and obtained parent representation at each school in the district, as well as a seat on the PTSA Executive Committee, reporting monthly at PTSA meetings. The Special Needs Committee has grown to be a successful group of caring individuals committed to the well-being of special needs students in Lake Washington School District.