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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

Parent/Guardian Involvement

District staff collaborates closely with parents/guardians to meet the educational needs of students, particularly the parents/guardians of students with special needs. In addition to ongoing communication via email, telephone calls, journals, and meetings, staff members have participated in seminars, panels and parent workshops within the community to inform parents about special education and to encourage parental involvement at our schools. Parents also receive emailed information about upcoming parent trainings, support groups, conferences, and activities for their children on the autism spectrum. In order to increase staff understanding about families' experiences when they have children with special needs, parents have spoken at staff development sessions regarding their experiences and perspective.

The District is very proud of the long standing parent group, the Committee for Special Education (CSE) that functions in collaboration with the District. The CSE presents monthly, informative programs to parents about special education, gifted education, and student requiring 504 Service Agreements. Speakers for these programs include staff from the District, the Intermediate Unit, PaTTAN, PEN, local universities, parent advocacy groups, and other invited speakers. The CSE has donated books on disabilities to District schools, developed a Listserv for over 400 members, and created a parent education video and brochure. It publishes a highly informative monthly newsletter, maintains a website, and provides a list of resources for parents. The CSE also hosts a monthly "brown bag lunch" series for parents to meet informally to share ideas and experiences. The CSE has provided timely information to parents about upcoming events within the community and state for parents of special needs children.