Dist. 214 offers special-needs planning sessions

Parents of students with special needs are invited to a two-part informational workshop series during the current second semester, presented by District 214’s Student Services Department and Parent Advisory Council, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board Parent and Educator Partnership.

Both sessions will be held 6:30-8 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

The first session, “Special Education Services: More Than Just a Placement,” is set Tuesday, Feb. 28. It will address how students’ needs and goals drive their Individualized Educational Plan, and more specifically, how the IEP affects placement decisions.

The second session, “Using Backwards Transition Planning to Prepare for Your Student’s Future,” is Monday, April 9. This workshop will focus on looking at long-term goals for students with special needs, and planning “backward,” so that the right support systems (educationally, through social services, and others) are in place when they are needed.

There is no admission fee for either session and materials will be provided at the workshops. Parents need not have a student enrolled in a District 214 school to attend.

Preregistration is encouraged at www.d214.org/educational_services/parent_workshops.aspx. For information, contact Karen Schwartzwald at (847) 718-6583, or StudentServices@d214.org.