In This Issue
- Big Al’s Family Night Recap
- Upcoming: PTSO and District Events
- Sports and Easter: Inclusive and Sensory Friendly
- Spotlight: Mom’s Talk Autism / Micah’s Miles
- Resources: Most Recommended
- CSD Staff Recognition: Nominations Open
- IEP or 504 Meeting Feedback: Survey Link
- Become a Member and Volunteer: We Need You!
Big Al’s Family Night
We had so much fun! A BIG THANK YOU TO BIG AL’S for donating this event. If you attended, please complete the short survey HERE so that we can ensure we are providing inclusive, meaningful and fun events.
CSD Special Education PTSO Events
Book Club: New book every 2 months.
Do you like to read and want to make some new friends? We are starting a book club in March. Read the book and then we meet in person to discuss. If you’re interested, email Stacy at stacy@camasptso.org for more details.
Parent Support Group: A safe and confidential place for parents to talk about what is going on in their lives. Guided by Tori Watrous, M. Ed., LMHC. Adults only please.
- March 26th: Effective Communication with special needs kids
- April 9th: Emotionally Navigating IEPs / 504s
- May 13th: TBD (Time Change!! 6pm-7:30pm)
7:00-8:00 pm The Camas Public Library Upstairs Meeting Rooms.
Visit with the Easter Bunny: March 24th 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Bookish 335 NE 5th Ave.
A chance to visit with the Easter Bunny in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Camas Plant and Garden Fair: Find our booth downtown Camas. Saturday, May 11th 9am – 4pm
We will be selling cookies and other goods at our booth to raise money for the PTSO. This money directly funds our End of the Year Party. Sign up HERE to help!
End of the Year Party: STAY TUNED
This is the biggest event we have all year and you wont want to miss it! We will have Columbia Play Project, Kona Ice, Camas first responders, face paint, quiet stations, Bluey, community resource booth, food and drink and more.
This is a FREE event and open TO ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
CSD Special Education PTSO sensory station at Camtown Youth Festival: June 1st 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Dorothy Fox Elementary.
Inflatable games, food, entertainment, craft activities, petting zoo, open play activities, adaptive play area, kids’ flea market and youth information vendors.
CSD District Events
All-Student Wellness Program: Hear about upcoming events hosted by the Camas School District, featured resources such as transitioning to different levels of school, and links to watch, listen to, and read to help you and your family survive…and thrive!
- Mental Health: Natural Therapies to Support Attention and Mental Health for Kids, Teens & Adults. March 5th 6-7 pm.
Inclusive Community SPORTS
Klineline Fishing Derby: Special Needs Day Friday, April 12th. All kids day Saturday, April 13th. 1112 NE 117th St, Vancouver, WA
Klineline Kids Fishing Nonprofit organization seeks to create the stewards of our future fisheries by introducing the youth of our community to the joys and thrills of fishing as both an individual and family activity, while also becoming more aware of our amazing outdoor environment and natural resources. CLICK HERE to register.
Vega Gym: SENSORY FRIENDLY FAMILY GYM 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month @ 11:30 am-12:30 pm. 840 NW 10th Ave, Camas, WA 98607
- For children and teens ages 3-18 who are autistic or have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Participants must be accompanied by parent or caregiver at all times.
- Takes place at the 10th Ave. location.
- $10 per participant (includes parent/caregiver).
- Please refrain from wearing any fragranced products.Goal: to provide a quiet, safe, inclusive space for participants and their families to explore the gym on their own terms.
Love Serving Autism at Vancouver Tennis Center: Sessions on Fridays. Ages 5-18
The Love Serving Autism classes teach children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities communication and life skills for functional independence on and off the courts. The participants engage in hand-eye coordination activities to improve motor coordination, stroke production drills to improve gross motor skills, and social interaction/word-of-the-day activities to improve communication and life skills. The lesson plans are progressive, with the participants continuing to learn new skills each week. Program Cost: $90 plus tax. You can register HERE.
Vancouver Tennis Center Visually Impaired Tennis Program: Feb 29th 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm. Ages 10 and up.
Open house to introduce Murray Elbourn, CEO at Amerability & Board of Director at USBTA, and the NEW Visually Impaired Program that will launch on Monday, April 15th, 2024.
Blind Low Vision Tennis has adaptations like audible sound ball, slightly smaller court and 2 and 3 bounces instead of one.
Special Olympics: Winter, Spring, Fall sports
Special Olympics Washington is the leader in sports, inclusive health, and community building, empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities to be valued on and off the playing field.
Little League Challenger Division: Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. If an individual can participate in the traditional Little League Baseball or Softball program with reasonable accommodations they should do so. The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. The Senior League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 15 and above (no maximum age). To learn more, contact Camas LL Nick Kralj, prez@camasll.com, 503.830.8166.
Sensory Friendly EASTER Community Events
Where Is Bunny Sensory Bunny. March 17th. Vancouver Mall. Registration required.
Special Celebrations Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 15815 NE 18th St. Vancouver
Special Celebrations Egg Hunt is for all ages and abilities! Multiple fields to help keep our event sensory sensitive, place eggs at varying heights for all celebrators to participate and offer a candy exchange for celebrators with food allergies. March 30th 2024 Grounds open at 11:00 Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 11:30.
Adaptive Egg Stroll: Sunday, March 31st 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Avenue in Camas
A section of the Egg Scramble that is geared to those with disabilities. If you have questions about accommodations, please contact Krista at 360-834-5307. All abilities. Free.
Spotlight
One of our members, Tash Dillmon (far left), is one of the founding women who started Mom’s Talk Autism. Mom’s Talk Autism is a podcast for parents raising children with special needs.
This is a great place for any parent new or seasoned in their child’s diagnosis journey. With many great perspectives from each of these moms to that of professionals in all realms surrounding disability.
These four women set out to create a space that they wish they’d had in the beginning. A place of reference for specialists, and guidance, but mostly a place to be seen and heard no matter where you are at in this journey. A place of community. Instagram: @momstalkautism
You can listen to the podcasts HERE.
Micah’s Miles: May 19th. Inclusive 2.62 running, walking or rolling experience. Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver
“Micah’s Miles is focused on helping build inclusive communities where everyone is welcomed for the unique value and perspective they bring. Micah’s sister Mackenzie wrote two children’s books Micah the Mighty Marathoner and Micah the Mighty Marathoner and His Friends to help share Micah’s story. The power of a story can open hearts and minds to the amazing gifts we all have, and the magic that happens when we come together as a community.
Micah’s Miles has contributed more than $70,000 to great causes and has made over twenty presentations to schools and community organizations. Their current mission is to put these books in every elementary school starting with Micah’s home state of Washington.”
Micah and his family are a huge presence within Camas School District. Let’s support the good work they are doing! You can donate HERE.
CSD Staff Recognition
It’s that time again to nominate a district employee to be recognized for the outstanding work they are doing. We want to acknowledge that they are seen, appreciated and encouraged to keep up the good work. This can be anyone who works within the district. The chosen nominee will receive a hand delivered custom Special Education PTSO coffee mug and coffee gift card. Email us at team@camasptso to nominate someone today!
Resources
We are constantly using and recommending the below resources. Check out how they can support you and your family.
- Camas School District Resource Center: The FCRC seeks to offer a sense of community and an abundance of resources so we can fulfill our common goal as a school district for ALL students to thrive. If you need ANY type of support, this is a great place to check out!
- Peace NW: Their mission is to enhance community for individuals of all abilities. On their website you can find resources, informational and fun events and get help.
- Pave: PAVE provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities in Washington.
IEP or 504 Meeting Feedback
Would you like to provide anonymous meeting feedback regarding your IEP/504 meeting experience? What worked and what didn’t? We will continue to get data from this survey throughout the year to share with the district.
Important links
Become a Member and Volunteer
We need your help! Join our Camas Special Education Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) as a volunteer and help us create inclusive and enriching events and opportunities for families of children with disabilities