April Showers Bring May Flowers
MAY 01, 2024
In This Issue
- PTSO Happenings
- Upcoming: PTSO Events
- Summer Planning: It’s almost here!
- Spotlight: Adaptive Swing Addition
- Staff Recognition: Officer Mayhugh
- Help Us Help Them: Your chance to give feedback on your IEP or 504 meeting this year
- Resources and Links to Remember
Happenings
General Meeting on 4/17
A few things that were brought up we are now working on.
- How to get teens to 21 more involved and connected over the summer to next year.
- Camas Parks and Rec programs and classes for kids with disabilities.
- Space for siblings of kids with disabilities.
*If one of these topics interests you, please connect with us. We need your help to get them started. You can find a recording of the meeting on our Facebook page.
Meeting Handout
The PTSO met with district staff and collaborated with a select group to create a handout that will be given to families at IEP and 504 meetings. This will introduce our group as a resource for families and help guide you where to go for concerns or questions.
Meeting Handout
478KB ∙ PDF file
Introduction to CSD Special Education PTSO, common acronyms, meeting tips and contract flowchart for concerns or questions.
Camas Community Education Partnership
We met with Camas Community Education (CCE) in April to collaborate and discuss how to make CCE classes more inclusive and inviting to those with disabilities. CCE allows accommodations for students so they can attend. This is now apparent and clear on their website. To see their classes and camps, check it out HERE.
School Event Consult
We have been asked by various school’s PTAs to help make events more inclusive and include an appropriate break room. If you’d like to give us any feedback about your experience OR have an event at your school you think we could help with, please let us know!
CSD Special Education PTSO Events
Caregiver Support Group: A safe and confidential place for parents and caregivers to talk about what is going on in their lives. Guided by Tori Watrous, M. Ed., LMHC. Adults only please.
- May 20th 6:00pm-7:30pm
- June 10th 6:00pm-7:30pm
- July 8th 6:00pm-7:30pm
The Camas Public Library Upstairs Meeting Rooms.
Book Club: New York Times Bestsellers
Do you like to read and want to make some new friends? Read the book and then meet in person to discuss. April pick is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. We plan to meet next in early June. Thanks to those that attended the April meeting!
*If you’d like to join email Stacy at stacy@camasptso.org for more details.
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!
Micah’s Miles Meet Up: May 19th. Inclusive 2.62 running, walking or rolling experience. Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver. Registration fee $45.
End of the Year Party: May 30th 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Lacamas Lake Elementary 4825 North Shore Blvd, Camas.
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. For the whole family. Sensory friendly and in an inclusive environment. If you have any questions about this event please email us at team@camasptso.org.
*This is a FREE event and OPEN TO ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. RSVP HERE!
CSD Special Education PTSO Adaptive Station at Camtown Youth Festival: June 1st 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Dorothy Fox Elementary.
Camtown has inflatable games, food, entertainment, craft activities, petting zoo, open play activities, kids’ flea market and youth information vendors.
Our area will have sensory friendly adaptive play options in a quieter and calmer area. *We need your help at the Adaptive Station. To volunteer on the day of the event sign up HERE.
Our Summer Plans
Book MoBus partnership: 6 weeks of sensory play/fun activities
Virtual Educational Series in July and August:
- Peace Health NW Family Medicine – Childhood ADHD
- Special Education Teacher – From School to Home
- Special Needs Attorney Eva Luchini- Preparing for the future
Parent Support Group: July 8th, August TBD
Book Club: June and August meet ups
End of Summer/Back to School Park Meet Up in August: Fun time to reconnect before school starts.
Community Summer Programs
Summer is right around the corner. Check out these links for some fun summer classes and programs.
https://bestspecialneedscamps.com/best-washington-special-needs-camps.html#first-camp-listing
https://sonriseranchwa.com/camps
Spotlight
School Playgrounds
Have you noticed a new addition to your school playground? CSD now has an adaptive swing at every school. YAY!!!
Staff Recognition
This quarter we are presenting the Star Award to Officer Brent Mayhugh, who is a school resource officer with Camas Police Department. Many staff members have commented that he makes connecting with students a priority. It is reported that he visits every special education classroom when he visits a campus to give our students extra time to get familiar with police officers. Below are two accounts from families who have witnessed Officer Mayhughs ability to make connections with students.
“My daughter loves seeing Officer Mayhugh, I got a note from school saying that she saw him at lunch and pointed to the seat next to her and he sat with her for lunch. She loved it! He knows her by name and always offers a smile and kind word. He makes it a point to go into classrooms and interact with students.”
“My oldest child is a non-verbal middle school boy. One day, while dropping him off at school, I had the opportunity to see Officer Mayhugh interact with him. I don’t think that the Officer knew that a parent was watching but he said hello to my son by name while initiating a high five. My son said “Hi” as he gave him a high five and went on to class. It was a sweet interaction to observe. About a month later, at an event at another school, I met the Officer Mayhugh. He recalled my son’s name and expressed that he was a sweet boy and that he sure was a fast runner. The officer then told me that he visits my son’s classroom every time he comes to his school. He said that he usually gets to see that classroom while they are in gym class. He told me that he was participating one day and keeping up with my son was a real workout. I really appreciated that he took such time to get to know my kids.”
We recognize and thank Officer Mayhugh for taking the time to build relationships while also protecting and serving our children and community. We appreciate you Officer Mayhugh!
Resources
We are constantly using and recommending the below resources. Check out how they can support you and your family.
- 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. If you’re not sure where to find something, Peace NW will know where to go.
- Pave: PAVE provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities in Washington.
- 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!
- 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!
*****We Need Your Feedback*****
IEP or 504 Meeting Feedback Survey – A chance to provide anonymous feedback regarding your IEP/504 meeting experience. This information will be complied and shared with the district so that they can better support our students and their families.
Important Links
Facebook – Check for the latest updates and community info.
Website – Where you can find events, how to get involved, resources and much more
Volunteer Page – We need your help! It takes a village.
Get to Know You Questionnaire – A way to introduce yourself and get connected.
Become a Member
Join the Camas Special Education Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) and help us create inclusive and enriching events and opportunities for families of children with disabilities