Special Needs Parent Groups

Parent groups are vitally important partners in the education of our students with special needs.

PTSA Special Needs Group

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Special Needs Group is made up of parents in Lake Washington School District whose children receive special services and/or classroom support. The group meets every month except for December and June. Anyone is welcome to attend these informative meetings which provide opportunities to:

  • hear from speakers
  • learn about resources in the community
  • network with other parents
  • keep updated on district and PTSA issues affecting children with special needs

For more information and/or to be added to the e-mail list for this group, contact Julie Shalaby.

Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of each month except December and June

Next Meeting: Meeting dates for 2011 are: January 25; February 22; March 22; April 26 and May 24.

Time: 7 – 9:00 p.m.

LWSD Resource Center - 16250 NE 74th St - Redmond, WA 98052 (at Redmond Town Center) - (425) 936-1200

PTSA Special Needs Liaisons

Every campus in Lake Washington School District has a PTSA Special Needs Liaison. The liaison keeps the families of that school informed of the PTSA Special Needs Group’s upcoming monthly meetings. They can often answer a family’s questions about special education. To find out the name of your campus PTSA Special Needs Liaison, contact your school PTSA. If you would like to learn more about becoming a liaison, please contact Julie Shalaby.

For questions about special education preschool programs in the district, contact Mary Judd.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

The Parent Advisory Committee consists of parents who wish to collaborate with the special education administration on projects that will benefit all special needs students within the district. The PAC creates focus groups, each facilitated by a LWSD special education administrative staff member, that target and work on identified areas of interest. Contact Mary Geil to be added to the e-mail notification list.

PAC Inclusion Meeting Schedule: Dates, times and locations TBD

All meetings take place at the LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052 – in Redmond Town Center).

History of PTSA Special Needs Group

The Lake Washington School District Special Needs Committee (now known as Special Needs Group) first started in the late 1980’s when a group of parents came together to give a collective voice to their children’s needs. At this time, it was not uncommon for special needs children to be fully isolated in segregated schools, buildings and classrooms. The inclusion movement was just beginning and parents were determined to ensure all students were welcomed, valued and respected members of their school communities.

The Special Needs Committee formed and met monthly to educate parents on important topics. The vision was to enhance:

  • parental networking
  • parental empowerment
  • teacher support
  • teacher recognition of special needs
  • teacher general knowledge of special needs issues

The committee worked toward and obtained parent representation at each school in the district, as well as a seat on the PTSA Executive Committee, reporting monthly at PTSA meetings. The Special Needs Committee has grown to be a successful group of caring individuals committed to the well-being of special needs students in Lake Washington School District.

FOR INFORMATION ON SPECIAL NEEDS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.