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 Beth Angelo.

Meetings:	Fourth Tuesday of each month except December and June
Next Meeting:	Tuesday, September 23rd: This will be a two-part meeting and a great way to start the new school year! A representative from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will talk briefly about eligibility requirements and how/why to get connected to DDD services. Our LWSD special education administrative staff will introduce themselves and give updates on what is happening in our district for students who have special needs.
Time:	7 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:	LWSD Resource Center 16250 NE 74th St Redmond, WA 98052 (at Redmond Town Center) (425) 702-3200

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 Beth Angelo.

For questions about special eucation 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 Karen Bell to be added to the e-mail notification list.

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.