Sometimes special needs students get overlooked, or left out of school events that recognize special achievements. A new committee is looking to change that.
Clarkston Sparkle awards will recognize special education students and their helpers in a special ceremony for the first time in 2016.
Clarkston Community Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee is led by Heather Roeser, a local resident and active volunteer in the community.
Sparkle Awards will recognize individuals and groups who support students with Individualized Education Plans in CCS, Roeser said.
“We want to recognize persons or groups that shows extraordinary service to our students with IEPs,? she said.
Every nominee will be recognized and receive an award at the Special Education Appreciation Evening Ceremony in March. There will be various categories of special recognitions.
“If you have a special needs student, one of our goals is also to share information and
resources,? parent and committee member Hilary Kuebler explained. ‘Our biggest goal is to build awareness. Just because a special needs student has an IEP does not mean they should not be recognized for their special gifts and talents.?
Anyone may nominate an individual or group who has provided service to CCS students with IEPs this school year.
Nominees can include teachers, para educators, and anyone else who has made a difference.
“We want to recognize anyone from a student peer to a custodian,? Roeser said. ‘We want to recognize a board member to school administrator to a bus driver to a counselor.?
‘We want the community to know that we are here to help special needs students, including those with emotional disabilities,? said Cindy Coe, representing Independence Elementary.
There are two types of nomination forms, for single and group nominees.
The committee, composed of parents of children with special needs, will work to recognize students and helpers, and also provide information.
Parents will work in conjunction with schools to provide information, but because of medical privacy laws, schools cannot give information about students. Parents must provide information about their students if they need information or wish to be included in Clarkston Sparkle.
“We are building a database of information and would like to communicate with parents of children with disabilities,? Roeser said. ‘If parents wish to give us their contact details, we will forward helpful information. We want to support parents of students with special needs.?
Roeser said Clarkston Sparkle is inspired by a special education awards ceremony in Rochester that presents Sparkle Awards at an annual Special Education Awards Ceremony, held for the past 24 years.
“We are excited to add Clarkston Sparkle to Clarkston,? said Mary Herzenstiel, a Clarkston Junior High Schools representative for the group.
The group is looking for volunteers outside the area to look over nominations after they are received.
Nominations can be handwritten or typed and are due by Feb. 26, 2016. All nominees will receive a Sparkle Award and be recognized at the Appreciation evening.
For more information, or for nomination forms email ccssparkleawards@gmail.com.