Grandmother Turns Tables, Uses Day to Show Appreciation

One determined and thankful grandmother has declared May 17 as Exceptional Children’s Teachers Day at Fayette Middle.

Life circumstances have left Rachel Pittman the responsibility of raising her grandson, Derek. Although Pittman’s situation is similar to that of many grandparents today, hers is a bit more complicated because Derek has a disability and requires special education.

“This is all new to me. I want to do my best for Derek, but I need guidance in meeting his needs,” she said.
Pittman sings the praises of the Exceptional Children’s staff at Fayette Middle who work with both her and Derek to ensure that he excels to the best of his ability. Now that she is rearing her grandson, Pittman is learning quickly how to help him both emotionally and intellectually. She credits the school’s teachers and paraprofessionals for advising her on procedures and activities she can do at home to help with his education and growth.

“Not only are they teaching him, they are teaching me. They have spent hours answering my questions, giving me advice and showing me exactly what I need to do to help him. I am so grateful,” she said.
Pittman wanted to show her appreciation to the staff for all that they have given her and Derek. She had hoped to find a special day dedicated to honoring Exceptional Children’s teachers, but finding none, she took it upon herself to create one.

On the very day the staff planned to host a Mothers and Grandmothers Appreciation Tea, Pittman decided she would turn the tables and declare it a day to honor the staff instead. In the middle of the staff serving finger foods and tea to mothers and students, Pittman made her presentation.

“You have helped me so much; I wanted to honor you today. Thank you for all of the help you have given me. Thank you for all that you do for these kids. You deserve a special day of thanks,” she told the staff.
Pittman, with Derek’s help, handed out gift boxes and appreciation certificates. She also baked and decorated a cake in their honor.

Derek was as excited about thanking his teachers as was his grandmother. It was a monumental week for him, he was one of the torch runners for the Georgia Summer Olympic games “Flame of Hope” torch relay that came through Fayetteville on May 18.

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Fayette Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

For the eighth year in a row since the award’s inception, the school system’s Exceptional Children’s Program has been recognized for excellence in the education of students with disabilities by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Pacesetter Award, which was presented at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education (GCASE), marks the school system as a leader in the state for outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Fayette is the only school system in Georgia to have received the award eight consecutive years.

The award distinguishes excellence in six areas of achievement: decreasing the number of students who drop out, achieving a higher percentage of graduates with regular education diplomas, educating students in the least restrictive environment, transitioning students to their desired postsecondary outcomes, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed state achievement standards and reducing the gap in achievement between students with disabilities and their general education peers.

Director Chris Horton oversees Fayette’s Exceptional Children’s Program.

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Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Fayette County Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

For the eighth year in a row since the award’s inception, the school system’s Exceptional Children’s Program has been recognized for excellence in the education of students with disabilities by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Pacesetter Award, which was presented at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education (GCASE), marks the school system as a leader in the state for outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Fayette is the only school system in Georgia to have received the award eight consecutive years.

The award distinguishes excellence in six areas of achievement: decreasing the number of students who drop out, achieving a higher percentage of graduates with regular education diplomas, educating students in the least restrictive environment, transitioning students to their desired postsecondary outcomes, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed state achievement standards and reducing the gap in achievement between students with disabilities and their general education peers.

Director Chris Horton oversees Fayette’s Exceptional Children’s Program.

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Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Transition Fair for Fayette and Coweta County Students with Disabilities January 13

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a time of anticipation, excitement, confusion and anxiety for students of all backgrounds and abilities. These emotions are often amplified for families of students with disabilities.

Special education students and their families sometimes face challenges in identifying resources in the community that can help them meet their needs and achieve their goals after graduation. That is why the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department and Exceptional Ops are hosting a Transition Fair called Building Alliances at McIntosh High on January 13 from 7-9 p.m.

Admission to the fair is free and open to students with disabilities and their families from both Coweta and Fayette counties.

The purpose of the fair is to provide information about services that are available in the community. Coweta and Fayette organizations that provide services for students with disabilities, whether they are still in school or transitioning out, will be on hand to discuss the assistance they offer and how they can help meet the various needs of disabled students and adults. Support and advocacy groups, employment preparation, vocational rehabilitation, supported living agencies, tutoring and recreation are a few examples of the services that will be exhibited.

All attendees will receive a booklet listing service providers in the area. For more information about the fair, contact the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department, 770-460-1309.

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Fayette County Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

For the sixth year in a row since the award’s inception, the school system’s Exceptional Children’s program has been recognized for excellence in the education of students with disabilities by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Pacesetter Award, which was presented at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education (GCASE), marks the school system as a leader in the state for outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Fayette is the only school system in Georgia to have received the award six consecutive years.

The award distinguishes excellence in six areas of achievement: decreasing the number of students who drop out, achieving a higher percentage of graduates with regular education diplomas, educating students in the least restrictive environment, transitioning students to their desired postsecondary outcomes, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed state achievement standards and reducing the gap in achievement between students with disabilities and their general education peers.

Director Chris Horton oversees Fayette’s Exceptional Children’s program.

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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
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