Bridges4Kids News Digest

National News	*top*
When Fear is Part of School http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/14788803.htm Violence and harassment keep students at home, or trying to transfer out. Fear of going to school because of violence and harassment touches students across the country in urban, suburban and rural districts. Nationally, 6 percent of 14,000 high school students said they missed at least one day of school in the previous month because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school, according to a survey released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is up from 5.4 percent in the last survey in 2003. Dropping the Dropout Rate http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/NEWS05/606180598/1008/NEWS06 Freshmen-only schools are working. When Alexandria Ward sat with 683 other freshmen packing the bleachers at Detroit's Southeastern High School last August, it wasn't just her first day of school -- it was Day One of an experiment to see if more ninth-graders could make it to 10th grade without dropping out or failing. Bridges4Kids Book Review: Winners for Life: A Teenager's Guide to Success Using the Proven Power of Goal Setting http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/WinnersForLife6-06.html Winners for Life is a shining star in a seemingly dark world facing today's teenagers. This 86-page book sends a powerful message to today's youth: set goals and you will succeed! Bridges4Kids Featured Resource: The Girls and Boys Town National Resource and Training Center (NRTC) http://www.girlsandboystown.org/nrtc An organization providing professional training programs to youth-care professionals and organizations worldwide. From school safety and reading programs to parent education and family intervention programs, we assess, develop and implement specialized training in child and family services, education, juvenile justice and behavioral health. Prescription Drugs Find Place in Teen Culture http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060613/1a_cover13.art.htm 'Pharm parties' reflect new world of drug abuse — and introduce a dangerous misperception: Pharmaceuticals are ‘safer'. When a teenager in Jan Sigerson's office mentioned a “pharm party” in February, Sigerson thought the youth was talking about a keg party out on a farm. Getting Mad About Schools http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060600517.html I have spent a lot of time in the worst schools. What strikes me is how little anger is ever expressed about the mediocre lessons, low standards and decrepit conditions that characterize such places. When I ask good teachers why more is not being done, it can't be helped, they say. Getting mad won't do any good. But when Mike Feinberg became angry and did something outrageous, it did make a difference and after several other such episodes -- he and his young and energetic staff had produced the greatest gains for low-income students anywhere in Houston, or the country for that matter. Eye-catching System Helps Students Read http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/14804225.htm Dozens of Miami-Dade schools are diagnosing reading problems by using infrared goggles that chart how students' eyes move. "I know how to read; I know how to pronounce everything," said Rhiannon Chavez, who failed to graduate last month from Michael Krop Senior High in Northeast Miami-Dade because she has not passed the state's reading exam. "The problem is that when I finished, I wouldn't know what I just read." Rhiannon and dozens of her classmates are now enrolled in a program known as Reading Plus, which uses infrared goggles and customized software to track their eyes and train their brains. The same program is being used in many of Miami-Dade's lowest-performing schools -- as well as a handful in Broward and Palm Beach counties -- and administrators are crediting it with impressive gains. With Help, Kids Keep Reading After Age 8 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06166/698449-298.stm Some 92 percent of children enjoy reading books for fun, but their reading time takes a steep dive after age 8. The main cause: They can't find books they like and parents aren't helping them with book selection as much as they did when the kids were small. GA Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy (PDF) http://www.bridges4kids.org/states/Ferst.pdf
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)	*top*
Agency to Examine 'No Child' Loophole http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2006/06/13/agency_to_examine_no_child_loophole/ Under pressure from lawmakers, the Bush administration outlined plans to examine why some states are excluding huge numbers of children when reporting test scores under the No Child Left Behind Act. The review comes after The Associated Press reported in April that nearly 2 million students were not being counted when schools reported yearly progress by racial groups. For more information on No Child Left Behind, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/ESEA.html
Parenting/Parental Involvement	*top*
Parenting Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/192/default.html The passage from childhood to adulthood is a passage for families as well as individuals. As young people with disabilities move from their teen to adult years, they and their families experience many growing pains in common with all families at that stage of life. In addition, there are often milestones, questions, concerns, needs, and challenges unique to individuals with disabilities and their families. In this issue of Impact we explore strategies for families of teens and young adults with disabilities to consider in navigating the transition years with their young person, and share stories of those who are in the middle of it or have come out the other side. For more information on Parenting, Siblings, Adoption and Foster Care, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Parenting.html
Early Childhood	*top*
ECE Newsletter: Ten Favorite Activities & Resources for Summer http://www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org/articles/6-06/ECE6-06.htm Welcome to Early Childhood Newsletter's "Summer Session." During June and July, I will share some of my favorite "anytime activities" from newsletters published in prior years as well as some of the best online Web resources I've found for early childhood educators. I hope you'll find here some fun ideas and useful resources for engaging your students. ECE Newsletter: More Favorite "Anytime" Activities and Resources http://www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org/articles/6-06/ECE6-06b.htm Welcome to Early Childhood Newsletter's "Summer Session." During June and July, I will share some of my favorite "anytime activities" from newsletters published in prior years as well as some of the best online Web resources I've found for early childhood educators. I hope you'll find here some fun ideas and useful resources for engaging your students. Commentary: Investing in Young Minds is Good Business http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060608/OPINION01/606080772/1202/NEWS12 From the moment of birth to the time our children enter the formal years of schooling, their tiny brains are like sponges soaking up knowledge. This scientific fact should make every sensible person take pause and ask, why do we not begin the formal investment in education until a child is five or six years of age? Does Your Baby Weigh Over 500 lbs? (PDF) http://www.sarnet.org/lib/ACIP-ad.pdf According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a person must weigh over 500 pounds to "safely" process the amount of mercury still present in certain vaccines, including flu shots. And yet, these shots are recommended for pregnant women and infants.....To view the entire PDF ad that was featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, click the image. MI Michigan Revised Child Care Center Rules Take Effect on 12/07/06 http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/rules.asp?type=Number&id=40005101&subId=2003-039+HS&subCat=Revision+Text Revisions to Michigan’s Child Care Center Rules were filed with the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, on Friday, June 9. The rules will take effect on December 7, 2006. Please note, this version of the new rules contains "strike-throughs" of the old language that was deleted, shows new language in bold-face, and shows language retained from the old rules in non-bold-face. A “clean copy” of the revised rules will become available at a later date. MI Download the Key Player Packet for Spring 2006 (PDF) http://www.arcmi.org/Spring2006KeyPlayerPacket.pdf This issue includes: What’s Happening at FIE, Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information and Education Center, Parent to Parent SW Michigan, Early Hearing Detection Intervention Program, Parent Voice in Public Policy, Different Kinds of Libraries, Child Care/Potty Training, Child Care Expulsion Prevention Project (CCEP), Early On Timelines, Vision and Hearing Screenings, SICC Meeting Information, State Board Meetings, State Board of Education, and Resources and Information. For more information on Early Childhood issues, visit www.EarlyChildhoodMichigan.org
Michigan News	*top*
Bridges4Kids Parent Resource Guide (PDF) http://www.bridges4kids.org/B4KResourceGuide4-06.pdf Find help for a child in Michigan at all ages and stages, including websites, hotlines, disability organizations and more. Social Studies Content Expectations on Hold http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/news6-06.html#top Social studies high school content expectations will not be in place in the fall as originally planned as a variety of difficulties and controversies put the draft expectations back to a study committee. Michigan Education Board Calls for Bullying Bills http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/news6-06.html#2 A model anti-bullying policy is still under development, but the State Board of Education officially called on the Legislature to force districts to adopt a policy. Panel OK's Single Gender Schooling http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/news6-06.html#3 Legislation that would allow the Detroit Public Schools to open two single gender schools this fall won divided approval by the House Education Committee on Wednesday. Michigan Senate Passes Single Gender School Bill http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/news6-06.html#4 The drive to allow single-gender schools in Michigan started down the expressway Thursday when the Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill letting all school districts open all-boy or all-girl schools. Michigan Gov Likes Same-Sex Schools http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/news6-06.html#5 Put Gov. Granholm down as a supporter of segregating boys from girls in an academic setting because she favors "the things that cause children to learn better." Michigan Child Welfare Source Book The Child Advocacy Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School has just updated the Michigan Child Welfare Law Source Book. The Source Book is a helpful and convenient compilation of statute, court rules and related materials relating to child protection and juvenile delinquency cases. It contains the Child Protection Law, Juvenile Code, Juvenile Court Rules, Indian Child Welfare Act, Guardianship of Minors provisions of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, etc. To obtain a copy of the Source Book, please send a check for $35 to: The Child Advocacy Law Clinic, 625 S. State Street, 313 Legal Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215. Two Important Programs from the Michigan Food and Nutrition Program The Summer Food Service Program (PDF) http://www.bridges4kids.org/SFSPStateFlyer.pdf This program offers free nutritious meals to children 18 years and younger. The Food Stamp Helpline (PDF) http://www.bridges4kids.org/FoodFlyer.pdf A confidential statewide helpline to help people learn more about food stamps. We answer callers' questions about the program rules, estimate how much a caller would receive if he/she applied for food stamps, and refer callers who need additional legal help to the appropriate legal services office. We are able to serve Spanish-speaking callers. Services for Hospitalized or Terminally Ill Children (A-Z) A Helping Hand for a Child in Need in East Michigan (PDF) http://www.bridges4kids.org/pdf/wingsofmercymi.pdf One of the most difficult challenges a parent can face is the diagnosis of a severely ill child. What can make this life altering situation worse is the helplessness of the unknown, will my child recover and where is the best medical treatment available. Wings of Mercy East Michigan, a non-profit charity, is assisting families with ill children by flying – for free– these young patients to medical facilities for treatment. For more listings, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Disabilities/SvcTerm.html
Disability News	*top*
Bridges4Kids Magazine Review: Autism Asperger's Digest Magazine http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/6-06/aamag6-06.html A publication of Future Horizons, Inc. featuring original articles and material from sources around the world. Each issue covers the latest people, products, research, news & viewpoints emerging in the autism field. NEA Publishes New Guide for Educators on ASD: The Puzzle of Autism (PDF) http://www.nea.org/specialed/images/autismpuzzle.pdf The National Education Association (NEA) recently published a 38-page guide entitled The Puzzle of Autism. It explains the common features of autism and suggests effective classroom strategies for improving communication, sensory, social and behavioral skills. Horses Provide Therapy for Students with Disabilities http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060531/COMMUNITIES32/605310352/1203/NEWS01 The Matheny School in Peapack, N.J., has launched a 10-week therapeutic riding program to strengthen the muscles of its students with special needs and boost their confidence. Research, while limited, suggests riding therapy improves children's gross motor functions, with the gains persisting after the riding ends. For more information on Disabilities, Disorders and Diseases, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Disabilities.html
Special Education Issues	*top*
Coming Soon? IDEA 2004 Regulations Under Review http://www.wrightslaw.com/news/06/idea.regs.0608.htm The U. S. Department of Education sent the IDEA 2004 regulations to the Office of Management and Budget. The review by OMB is usually the last step before federal regulations are published. Why are the federal regulations so important? What changes did Congress make in IDEA 2004? What are burning questions do the regulations need to answer? DC Special Education Tuition a Growing Drain on D.C. Schools http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/04/AR2006060400973.html The District of Columbia spent $118 million last year on the tuition of special education students attending private schools. Although the 2,283 students sent to private facilities represent 4 percent of the system's enrollment, they are consuming 15 percent of its budget. Mainstreaming students with special needs requires teacher training and support staff that D.C. public schools have not been able to provide. That has led many parents to seek enrollment in specialized private schools, where their children will be more isolated but are likely to receive far better services, children's advocates say. How to Use a Parent IEP Attachment http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.attach.bonnell.htm Until recently, I had great difficulty getting districts to take parent attachments seriously. Recently, I was told that the district could not attach such a document to the IEP! I turned to Prior Notice in the Procedural Safeguards section of the statute. Prior Notice specifies that requests made by the parent must be accepted or rejected , and that the IEP team must list the reasons for accepting or rejecting the proposal. Monday Bulletin on Services to Youth Focus on Transition (PDF 6/06) http://www.bridges4kids.org/monupd292.pdf For more information on Special Education, IEPs and Section 504, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Rules.html
Ask the Attorney/Advocate	*top*
Bridges4Kids Exclusive: Ask the Attorney with John Brower Visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/AA.html for dozens of John's previously posted Q&As.
Upcoming National Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week, along with events taking place this week. To view a complete calendar of National events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html CT Get Creative About Respite! WHEN: Monday, June 26, 2006 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Waterbury WARC, 1929 E. Main St., Waterbury, CT DESCRIPTION: Get Creative about Respite! will feature Joy Liebeskind, CT Life-Span Respite Coalition (CLRC), Statewide Coordinator. One free book on “Get Creative about Respite” will be given to each participant. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joy Liebeskind, CT Life-Span, contact Alice B. Buttwell, Alicemmbb@aol.com, (860) 350-6025 - CT Family Support Network or Linda Ladden, Linda.Ladden@sbcglobal.net, (203) 809-9010 for more information. Autism Academy Frontier Extension WHEN: Thursday, July 20th and Friday, July 21st from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. WHERE: Toward Independence, 81 East Main Street, Xenia, Ohio 45385 DESCRIPTION: This is a two day session of intense training for staff working with individuals with autism. The sessions will be taught by Janise Cline and Dustin Watkins from Bittersweet Farms. COST: Cost is $195.00 and an additional $45.00 if the participants wish to purchase the manual. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, contact Mike Noe, Coordinator of Autism Services Ardmore Inc. at (330) 535-2601 ext 3333 or email MNoe@ardmoreinc.org.
Upcoming Michigan Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week, along with events taking place this week. To view a complete calendar of Michigan events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html Promoting Oral Health for Children with Special Health Care Needs Community Forums WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday, June 27, Wayne; Thursday, June 29, Charlevoix; Tuesday, July 18, Saginaw; and Thursday, July 20, Grand Rapids. All forums will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. DESCRIPTION: There are significant barriers to good oral health for many children, even more so for children with special health care needs. The forums will give participants the opportunity to comment on barriers and develop strategies for improving oral health. Your participation in the forums will lead to development of an Action Plan that will be added to the State Oral Health Plan and build strategies to leverage resources to address the common oral health needs for children with special health care needs. Travel and child care reimbursement for parents with children with special health care needs is available. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, download the information sheet and registration form (PDF) or contact Dr. Sheila at Semlersemlers@michigan.gov or call 517-335-8388. Family-to-Family Health Information Center's Health Resource Support Parent Training WHEN/WHERE: June 29, 2006 in Marquette DESCRIPTION: This training provides resources and information on health care and public health insurance to persons who serve as “support parents” to fellow parents of children with special needs. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To Register for training in your area, or for further information, contact Lisa Cook-Gordon at 1-800-359-3722. Download the brochure (PDF). Accessing Healthcare Coverage for Mental Health Services for Your Child and Is your Teen Ready for Adult Life? WHEN/WHERE: Mt Pleasant July 18, Pontiac August 9, and Bad Axe August 16. DESCRIPTION: The Association for Children’s Mental Health will be providing 4 free regional trainings as a part of the Real Choices Family to Family Health & Education Center Project on both Accessing Healthcare Coverage for Mental Health Services for Your Child and Is your Teen Ready for Adult Life? FOR MORE INFORMATION: To Register for training in your area, or for further information, contact Terri Henrizi on the ACMH Parent Line at 888-226-4543. Download the brochure (PDF). Braille Beats Fine Arts Program Summer 2006 Designed for students with Visual Impairments EVENTS/DATES/LOCATIONS: Summer Residential Program: July 20 to July 29, 2006 at Lion’s Bear Lake Camp, Just North of Lapeer MI (3409 North Five Lakes Rd Lapeer MI 48446); Celebration Recital & Art Exhibit July 29, 2006 for friends and family; Art Exhibition at the Plymouth Arts Council September 2005 (date to be announced); Holiday Caroling at The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village—includes BRAILLE BEATS Family and Friends. December date to be announced. DESCRIPTION: The Beat Goes On…Experiential skill development, field trips, etc. based on interests and skills of the summer program attendees. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Download the flyer (PDF) or contact Susan Gardner at 248-684-2796 or braillebeats@yahoo.com or Brunhilde Merk-Adam at 248-627-2260 or bkmabma@worldnet.att.net.
Bridges4Kids NewsDigest Staff Deborah Canja Chief Executive Officer deb@bridges4kids.org Jackie Igafo-Te'o Director of Information Technology & Information Systems jackie@bridges4kids.org Bella Djordjevski Resource Assistant news@bridges4kids.org