What's Happening in ESE in November 2026
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11/4: Lunch & Learn Virtual Parent Training at 11:30 AM
11/11: Veterans Day- Teacher/Student Holiday
11/13: 2nd Grading Period Progress Reports
11/14: Studio Movie Grill Special Needs Screening "The Cat in the Hat" at 11:00 AM
11/17: Village Inn SPIRIT Night 4:00 PM-8:00 PM, 4571 13th St., St. Cloud, FL 34769
11/18: Empower Hour Virtual Parent Training at 2:00 PM
11/19: CHOICE Fair 5:00 PM-7:30 PM, Osceola Heritage Park
11/20: Tentative Early Release Day (Wednesday Schedule)
11/23-11/25: Teacher Non-Workday/Student Holiday
11/26: Thanksgiving- Teacher/Student Holiday
11/27: Teacher Non-Workday/Student Holiday
Upcoming December/January Dates
12/2: Lunch & Learn Virtual Parent Training at 11:30 AM
12/5: Studio Movie Grill Special Needs Screening "Hexed" at 11:00 AM
12/10: Big John's Rockin BBQ SPIRIT Night 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, 220 E. Monument Ave., Kissimmee, FL, 34741
12/16: Empower Hour Virtual Parent Training at 2:00 PM
12/18: Tentative Early Release Day (Wednesday Schedule)
12/21=12/31: Winter Break- Teacher/Student Holiday
1/1: Winter Breal- Teacher/Student Holiday
1/4: Classes Resume
1/7: End of the 2nd Grading Period
1/8: Teacher Workday/Student Holiday; Emergency Make-up Day
1/11: First Day of 3rd Grading Period
1/18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day- Teacher/Student Holiday
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Below you will find the complete list of trainings and workshops currently scheduled for the 2026-2027 school year. |
This training will guide parents through the essential tools and platforms that can support their child's learning journey. Participants will learn fundamental technology skills, including how to navigate educational websites, use communication apps, and stay connected with school activities and important information.
Families will also discover practical ways to use technology to strengthen their involvement and actively support their child's educational success.
✅ Learn about educational technology tools and platforms
✅ Gain confidence using school communication apps and resources
✅ Connect more effectively with your child's school
✅ Discover ways to support learning at home
📌 Register today:
📖 Learn more:
This training WILL be recorded!
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The School District of Osceola County Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department is excited to partner with local community agencies for the Books, Balls, & Blocks! developmental screening events. These free events provide developmental and behavioral screenings for children ages 1 month to 8 years old, along with valuable resources and information for families.
Members of the ESE Department will be in attendance at the following events:
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October 20 at Poinciana Library
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November 16 at Hart Memorial Library
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December 9 at Buenaventura Lakes Library
We encourage families, caregivers, and community members to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn more about child development and available supports. We hope to see a large number of families at these events as we work together to support the success of all children in our community! For additional event details, please see the attached flyer.
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Parenting with a Purpose is a practical, strengths-based presentation that helps caregivers support children and teens by turning big hopes for the future—like resilience, confidence, independence, and healthy relationships—into clear, teachable goals and everyday skills. It explains how meaningful personal/family development goals connect with evidence-based approaches such as ABA (defining and measuring the skill and supports) while emphasizing the difference between “enabling” and truly “supporting” growth. The presentation highlights core parenting strategies (growth mindset, emotional intelligence, curiosity, realistic expectations, and supportive environments), includes research-informed rationale for fostering independence early, and provides age-banded sample goals from early childhood through young adulthood—using simple, SMART-style language caregivers can apply at home to celebrate progress and learn from setbacks.
*This training is WILL be recorded
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Families of middle and high school students are invited to participate in The Road to Graduation, a free six-part virtual webinar series presented through a collaboration between Project 10: Transition Education Network and the Family Network on Disabilities (FND).
Beginning October 21, 2026, and continuing through March 17, 2027, these monthly Zoom sessions will provide valuable information to help families better understand Florida's graduation options, diploma pathways, transition planning, college and career readiness, accommodations, assessments, and available graduation resources.
Sessions will be held from 1:00–1:45 p.m. (EST) and are designed to help families make informed decisions as they support their student's journey toward graduation and postsecondary success.
Be sure to review the flyer for the complete session schedule and registration details.
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During the September 8, 2026, board meeting, the Osceola County School Board approved the following revision to the 2026-2027 academic calendar:
If the School District meets the minimum requirements in applicable state law for instructional minutes for students, then the School District shall provide the following adjustments:
• If up to two (2) Emergency Make-Up Days for the 2026-27 school year are not used, then the last student day shall adjust up to two (2) workdays earlier within the academic calendar (May 26, 2027, to May 24, 2027).
• Early Release Days (Wednesday Bell Schedule) on the last student days before Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks during the 2026-2027 school year (Friday, November 20, 2026; Friday, December 18, 2026; and Thursday, March 11, 2027).
The second revision is specific to Professional and Technical High School (PATHS), which operates on a unique 4x4 block schedule for purposes of alignment to course scheduling at the neighboring Osceola Technical College (OTECH). The Osceola County School Board approved a revision to the 2026-2027 Professional and Technical High School (PATHS) academic calendar as follows to ensure that required seat time would be met in the event for the need of emergency make-up days:
• End of Quarter 1 from Friday, October 9, 2026, to Wednesday, October 14, 2026 (two school days)
• End of Quarter 3 from Thursday, March 11, 2027, to Tuesday, March 23, 2027 (two school days)
These calendar changes have no impact on current teacher/student holidays, nor teacher workday dates.
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The Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) offers a helpful Program Roadmap designed to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and the families and caregivers who assist them. This guide provides a simple overview of key state programs and includes direct links to additional information, services, and next steps.
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The following link provides access to a number of organizations within our community that provide resources to families of students with disabilities.
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Assessing health care transition readiness is a key component of preparing adolescents and young adults for the move to adult-oriented health care. Using a standardized transition readiness assessment helps clinicians understand a young person’s skills, knowledge, and confidence in managing their own health care. These assessments support meaningful conversations about health priorities, identify areas where additional guidance is needed, and promote the gradual development of independence in areas such as scheduling appointments, managing medications, and communicating with providers.
Beginning in early adolescence and continuing through the transition period, readiness assessments allow clinicians, youth, and families to work together to develop and adjust care plans that support a successful transfer to adult care. Sharing transition readiness information with receiving adult clinicians ensures continuity, highlights areas where ongoing support may be needed, and helps adult providers tailor their approach during early visits.
Effective transition readiness tools are brief, age‑appropriate, easy to understand, and accessible in languages commonly used by the patient population. When used consistently, they play an important role in promoting smooth, coordinated transitions and supporting young adults as they take on greater responsibility for their health care.
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The C.A.S.E. program is looking for participants!! As long as the students are clients of Vocational Rehabilitation, there is no cost to them. VR will pay for everything. VR will also help the students find employment after they graduate from the program. Contact Sullymar Reices-Irazarry at 407-344-5080 or SCAN the QR code for more information. |
T-UP: Transition Education Unique Pathways @ oTECH is a comprehensive post-secondary transition program tailored for students with intellectual disabilities. This individualized program is designed to provide the technical skills, employability skills, and real-world experience necessary to prepare for integrated competitive employment in the student’s chosen career field. |
Did you know that Lighthouse Central Florida offers specialized programs and services for children and young adults living with blindness and vision loss? Through individualized support and real-world learning opportunities, Lighthouse Children's Services helps participants build the skills they need to thrive both in school and in everyday life.
Programs include:
*Early Intervention for children from birth to age 5, focusing on maximizing visual and developmental growth.
*Children's Program for school-age children, designed to foster independence through meaningful experiences and skill development.
*Transition Program for young adults ages 14-22, providing training and experiences to support successful transitions from high school to postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.
Available services include Activities of Daily Living, Orientation and Mobility, Adjustment to Blindness, Braille instruction, Assistive Technology, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Each child begins with a personalized assessment to identify the programs and supports that best meet their needs.
For more information or to connect a child with services, visit LighthouseCFL.org or contact the Client Experience Team at(407) 898-2483 Ext. 106 or ClientExperience@LighthouseCFL.org. |
My Digital Counselor is an official Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) vendor providing comprehensive vocational evaluation services for students and individuals with disabilities. We collaborate with agencies, schools, and service providers to support informed academic and career planning through accessible, person-centered evaluations.
We offer both virtual and in-person services and provide:
- Comprehensive vocational evaluations
- Functional, academic, and cognitive assessments
- Career exploration and goal clarification
- Clear, actionable reports to support education, VR services, and employment planning
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Looking for a therapist for your child or family? TherapyFind.org is America's biggest therapy directory: 3.3M+ verified providers across every discipline, all in one place. Search by city or ZIP, save your favorites, get reminders. Free for families — always.
For more information you can visit:
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Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program is providing no cost eye exams and glasses for children. Applications can be submitted on any internet enabled smart phone/tablet/computer using the following link: www.floridaheiken.org
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Did you know that The Osceola Library System offers FREE access to a host of different programs and resources and all you need is a valid library card (number) to enjoy. Visit Mango Languages | Osceola Library System to see the different options like Mango Languages. Mango Languages offers over 70 world language courses expertly designed to adapt to a diverse range of learning needs, styles, and backgrounds. Sign up for your free account at Log In | Mango Languages
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Looking for recreational and competitive sports opportunities for students with physical disabilities? Florida Rockets Adaptive Sports provides inclusive adaptive sports programs, including wheelchair basketball, for youth and individuals throughout Central Florida. Their programs focus on building confidence, leadership skills, friendships, and a strong sense of community through sport.
The organization is volunteer-led and works to make adaptive sports accessible and sustainable, creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities to play, compete, and belong.
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Families are invited to participate in two exciting events taking place during the Special Olympics Florida State Fall Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando this November.
Free Healthy Athletes Screenings Individuals with intellectual disabilities are invited to receive free health screenings through the Healthy Athletes program. Screenings include vision, hearing, dental, physical therapy, health promotion, and other wellness services. Participation in Special Olympics is not required to take advantage of these valuable health resources. Screenings will be available on November 13 from 10:30 AM-4:30 PM and November 14 from 9:00 AM-2:30 PM at ESPN Wide World of Sports located at 700 S. Victory Way, Orlando, FL 34747. [HA Fall Cl...pics Event | PDF]
Family Resource Row Families are also encouraged to attend the Resource Row on November 13 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Athletic Center. This free family event provides an opportunity to connect with community agencies, learn about available resources, and enjoy the excitement of the Fall Classic Opening Ceremony immediately afterward. [FALL CLASS...pics Event | PDF]
These events offer a wonderful opportunity for families to access valuable resources, connect with community partners, and celebrate the achievements of athletes throughout Florida. For additional information, please see the referenced flyers.
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Special Needs Screenings present movies in a sensory friendly with the lights up, the volume low, and moving around, talking, and even dancing in the aisles are welcome. Special Needs Screenings are shown on select Saturdays at 11:00am at all SMG locations unless noted otherwise. Tickets are available at the Box Office only as early as the Wednesday prior to these screenings. Tickets are free to all attendees and seating is first come, first served.
November's Special Need's Screening is:
November 14th- The Cat in the Hat
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