Tennessee Helps…

Students with Disabilities Need Help (update II)

Another Update on this post…

Great News!!! Ms. Parker has let us know that there was an overwhelming POSITIVE response to this plea for Help and they are now fully staffed with Volunteer Parents! Should that change we will let you know asap!

I am so very happy to live in a place where our citizens care about our most precious citizens, our chiildren and how we pull together for those in need and am especially grateful to my fellow Tennesseans for their reaching out to support these most endearing and specail group of children!  THANK YOU! May God Richly Bless You and Yours!– Marilyn http://TeachThemToCare.org

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Just an update on this posting…

Please keep in mind (although this training date has passed by) that this is an On-Going Need here in the Metro Nashville Public School System.   The Metro Nashville Public School system is still looking for individuals to serve as surrogate parents for students with disabilities.

I went to this training and am working as volunteer in this service and I can promise you, that if you like being of service to your fellow humans at all, this is an excellent way to be of assistance… Indeed a most  “fulfilling, rewarding and challenging” volunteer service to be a  part of!

If you are interested in helping to fill this need please contact:

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools System
Department of Special Education
Mrs. Sarah Wilkins
Robertson Academy Itinerant Center
835 Robertson Academy Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37220

Office Number: 333-5064 ext. 1005.
Fax Number: 333-0169
E-mail Address: sarah.wilkins@mnps.org

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Dear Fellow Tennesseans,

On Friday I received this email from a teacher in Davidson County…

News from MNPS Public Information Office

Woody McMillin, Director Public Information MNPS Seeking Surrogate Parents

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 21, 2008) – Metro Nashville Public Schools is
looking for individuals to serve as surrogate parents for students with
disabilities. MNPS Special Education Director Kaye Rackard says the
service is “fulfilling, rewarding and challenging.”
“When a student with a disability does not have a parent, or if
the parent or a relative cannot be located, federal law requires the
appointment of a surrogate or acting parent to represent the student,”
Rackard says. “We’ve been fortunate to have many wonderful, caring
people come forward to help with this important service – but there’s
always a need for more.”
To serve as a surrogate parent, volunteers must agree to the
following:

* Be willing to attend no less than a three (3) hour training
session

* Be employed by an organization or business other than MNPS or
any other agency involved in the education or care of the student

* Be willing to represent the child throughout the special
education decision making process

* Be willing to become acquainted with the child’s educational
needs

* Respect the confidentiality of all records and information

* Monitor the child’s education program, services, and/or
placement

* Recommend appropriate changes in the services and/or placement
of the child

The date for the next training session will be conducted by
Julia Parker, consulting special education teacher, on Thursday, January
17, 2008. Training will be held at Old Cockrill Itinerant Support
Service Center from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
Reservations must be made so materials can be prepared for each
participant. For more information, and to make reservations, please
contact:

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools System
Department of Special Education
Mrs. Sarah Wilkins
Robertson Academy Itinerant Center
835 Robertson Academy Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37220

Office Number: 333-5064 ext. 1005.
Fax Number: 333-0169
E-mail Address: sarah.wilkins@mnps.org

Responses will be accepted through Tuesday, January 15, 2008.
Surrogate parents have no financial responsibility for the students they
represent. Surrogate parents and students have contact only in the
school setting.

Metro Nashville Public Schools provide a range of educational
opportunities to more than 75,000 students in Nashville and Davidson
County. The governing body for MNPS is the Metropolitan Nashville and
Davidson County Board of Public Education, a nine-member group elected
by residents of Metropolitan Nashville. For more information, please
visit www.mnps.org.

Also, please do not forget to contact Gov. Bredesen and request that he do future fund raising on much Needed “Special Education” or General Ed Programs that our children need and can benefit from.