2024-2025 Special Education Group Co-Chairs: Srishti Arora (she/her) and Lilach Geppert-Shapira (she/her) — SpecialEducation {at} LWPTSA.net
The LWPTSA Council Special Education Group (SEG) aims to connect and support families in the LWSD community with students who receive special services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Accommodations Plan, or Individualized Health Plan (IHP).
We host monthly meetings that start with time for families to connect with one another, followed by a formal presentation on topics relevant to the SEG community and an opportunity for member questions and input. We also support families and local PTA special education chairs through a lending library, information about resources available in our community, and updates on news relevant to the special education community.
About LWSD Special Services
Lake Washington School District’s Special Services Department comprises three specific areas that support students: Special Education, 504 and Health Services. The focus of the department is to provide students with disabilities or health-related challenges the tools and resources they need to benefit from their educational program.
Learn more at: https://www.lwsd.org/programs-and-services/special-services
Please note that LWSD and LWPTSA Council are separate entities working in partnership.
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group Meetings*
Special Education Group (SEG) meetings in 2023-2024 will be held in person at the LWSD Resource Center Board Room (16250 NE 74th St., Redmond WA 98052). An unstructured family networking time will be held from 6:30 to 7 pm, offering an opportunity for members to connect with one another. The formal portion of the meeting will begin at 7 pm.
* If you require an interpreter or child care during our meetings, please contact specialservices {at} LWSD.org at least 3 business days prior to the meeting with your child’s name and age, so that arrangements can be made for you.
- Tuesday, October 15, 2024 — Assistive Technology: Empowering Education (Bring your student’s laptop)
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- No December meeting
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025
- Tuesday, February 18, 2025
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Contact Information
To receive information and updates about the Special Education Group, please subscribe to our Special Education Group mailing list. Information, including meeting topics, will also be included in the LWPTSA newsletters, Weekly Waves and Currents. You can sign up to receive these newsletters at: https://www.lwptsa.net/newsletters/.
If you have any questions, please reach out to specialeducation {at} lwptsa.net, and one of our SEG co-chairs will respond to you directly.
Information about Special Education Group events will also be posted on the LWPTSA Council website calendar and social media accounts, including our SEG Facebook Group page.
Latest News & Updates
- New & International Families — We Have an Event to Welcome You!
- Spotlight: What Does Inclusion Look Like for Your PTA?
- Apply for a National PTA Jan Harp Domene Diversity & Inclusion Award
- 2023 Welcome Event for New & International Families in LWSD
- Special Education Resource Fair
Special Education Resources and Links
- 504 – A Parent & Educator Guide (OSPI)
- 504 – Office of Civil Rights FAQ (US Department of Education)
- The Arc of King County
- Benefits of Parent Involvement
- Bookshare
- Headstrong Nation
- Know Your Rights: A Guide for Young People With Disabilities in Washington
- National Center for Learning Disabilities
- WA Office of the Education Ombudsman
- Roots of Inclusion
- Special Education Students and Parents! Know Your Rights: School Discipline
- Understood: For Learning Differences and Attention Issues
- What to Do When Your Child With Disabilities Turns 18
- Wright’s Law
LWPTSA SEG Materials
- 2021-2022 SEG Survey Report (PDF)
- Local SEG Chairperson Training Presentation Slides (2022-23 Version) (PDF)
- January 2023 SEG Meeting Slides: “Guardianship, Wills and Special Needs Trusts” (PDF) From Jones & Ibrahim, PLLC
- February 2023 SEG Meeting Slides: Legislative Basics (PPTX) From the Arc of King County
- May 2023 SEG Meeting Slides: Best Buddies Program (PDF)
- February 2024 SEG Meeting Slides: Meeting Agenda; Local PTA Presentation (PDF)
- March 2024 SEG Meeting: Self-Efficacy Handout and Intrinsic Motivation Slides (PDFs)
- May 2024 SEG Meeting: Navigating IEPs & Evaluations: Empowering Parents for Educations Success (PDF) from Roots of Inclusion
Questions? Contact SpecialEducation {at} LWPTSA.net.