Public schools’ resources for meeting the needs of children with learning disabilities continue to come under pressure. As reported recently in the Madison Metropolitan School District’s referendum “fact sheet,” for example, 157 full-time equivalent positions in special education have been cut in the district since 1993. To elicit input from the public on their experiences with and concerns regarding special education in Wisconsin, the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Education’s Council on Special Education held its “Public Forum on Special Education” on November 17. Principal Steve Lien attended the forum, and had this to report in the November 19, 2008 edition of the Walbridge Communique:

I would like to thank the parents who attended Monday evening’s forum held by the State Superintendent’s Council on Special Education. Chan Stroman, Lisa Krugner-Higby, Mitch Tyler and Board Director Lynn Broderick spoke to the Council on behalf of Walbridge. By the time the forum was over, the Council was well aware of our school’s effectiveness in the education of learning disabled students. In fact, we were congratulated for “having the correct educational model for our students.” Our parents also gave the Council the task of finding ways to seek equitable funding between public and private schools who serve special needs students.

Dinner together is an excellent opportunity to not only be together but also to help children develop their way with words. Informal conversation means verbal interaction, which will certainly help your child increase oral language skills. More formal conversations at the dinner table like discussing the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet or sharing the merits of community volunteer service will greatly improve language development and critical thinking skills.

Dinner together shouldn’t be just at Thanksgiving. Make it a family ritual!

From Principal Steve Lien, Walbridge Communique, November 5, 2008 edition.