Rochester PAC

10/08/2026

Here's a fun Halloween event coming up...

10/06/2026

✨Three BOE Seats Are Open—What Would You Ask the Candidates?

Warmly, RCS PAC Executive Board

09/29/2026

Tomorrow! Join us on Tuesday, 9/29 for our first meeting of the year! 😊

📣 Join Us for Our PAC Kickoff Meeting!

Tuesday, September 29 | Hart Middle School — Media Center

We're kicking off a new year of advocacy, collaboration, and community — and we'd love to see you there!

🤝 6:30 PM — Meet & Greet
Connect with PAC board members, Special Education administrators, and fellow parents.

📋 7:00 PM — Meeting Begins
We're excited to welcome RCS Superintendent Nicholas Russo as our special guest! The evening will also include updates from Special Education Administration, a look at PAC's priorities for the year, and an open discussion centered on this year's theme: Rooted in Inclusion.

🗳️ We'll also be sharing details about our upcoming October Board of Education Candidate Forum. PAC families and community members are invited to submit potential special education questions for the candidates in advance — link in comments!

Can’t meet in person- join us via Google Meet: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iis-uhii-hrx
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 574-635-5349‬ PIN: ‪264 385 759‬ #

We hope you'll join us as we begin another year of building a school community where every student belongs! 💚

09/24/2026

Join OUCARES on 10/21 to learn more about Gestalt Language Processing. More information below!

New FREE event, in partnership with Como Pediatric Communication Center!! 📣
October 21st, 6:00pm-7:00pm
RSVP:https://forms.gle/kJ4BLqvgNxHYiWsq8

Have you heard of Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) or wondered what echolalia really means? Join us for an informative presentation exploring how some individuals develop language through meaningful phrases, scripts, and echolalia.

Participants will learn how to recognize and better understand these unique forms of communication, while gaining practical strategies to support language development in ways that respect and honor each individual’s communication style.

09/23/2026

📣 Join Us for Our PAC Kickoff Meeting!

Tuesday, September 29 | Hart Middle School — Media Center

We're kicking off a new year of advocacy, collaboration, and community — and we'd love to see you there!

🤝 6:30 PM — Meet & Greet
Connect with PAC board members, Special Education administrators, and fellow parents.

📋 7:00 PM — Meeting Begins
We're excited to welcome RCS Superintendent Nicholas Russo as our special guest! The evening will also include updates from Special Education Administration, a look at PAC's priorities for the year, and an open discussion centered on this year's theme: Rooted in Inclusion.

🗳️ We'll also be sharing details about our upcoming October Board of Education Candidate Forum. PAC families and community members are invited to submit potential special education questions for the candidates in advance — link in comments!

Can’t meet in person- join us via Google Meet: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iis-uhii-hrx
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 574-635-5349‬ PIN: ‪264 385 759‬ #

We hope you'll join us as we begin another year of building a school community where every student belongs! 💚

09/22/2026

📣 Parents and caregivers: Your input matters! The Michigan Department of Education is accepting public comments on proposed changes to Michigan’s special education rules. Written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 16, 2026. Please review the proposed changes and make your voice heard!

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education is proposing changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).

🙋‍♂️Virtual public hearings will take place on the October 12 and 13.
🙋‍♀️On October 13 an in-person hearing will be held in Lansing.
🙋🏼Written comments about the proposed rules must be received by the MDE no later than 5PM on October 16, 2026.

The proposed changes to MARSE include:

-Updated language for adaptive behavior and defines electronic submission to include email, facsimile, or other department-approved electronic means
-Standardizes timeline wording of a written request for an initial evaluation
-Clarifies that the evaluation timelines to apply to any evaluation and that the 30-school-day evaluation timeline begins on the day after receipt of signed parental consent
-Updates initial evaluation timelines and notification standards
-Mandates written notice of a FAPE offer or ineligibility determination within 7 school days after an IEP meeting, including documented delivery date and mode
-Specifies FAPE implementation decisions for transfer students within 30 school days of enrollment
-Clarifies special education teacher endorsement details
-Deletes "Stay Put" in State Complaints, which previously allowed MDE to order a district to maintain a student's placement during the investigation
-Removes language allowing a State Complaint to be delayed while attempting informal resolution

🔗You can find the proposed changes, hearing date information, and public comment specifics at: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/spotlight/noticeofpublichearing2026-14ed

09/22/2026

📣 LRE Monitoring Is Coming to Oakland Schools

Rochester Community Schools is part of Oakland Schools ISD, which has been selected for the third cohort of Michigan’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Monitoring Process.

This will be a topic of discussion at our first PAC meeting on 9/29 so be sure to join us at Hart Middle School!

Michigan Department of Education has general supervision responsibilities to make sure that local districts are in compliance with Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements.

Schools must place students in the LRE. That means students must be placed in the general education setting to the greatest extent appropriate and receive supports and services as determined by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.

The LRE Monitoring Process is checking for local policies, procedures, and practices that are in compliance with the federal law IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

This process includes capturing parent feedback through Parent Engagement Questions.

Each ISD receives a Monitoring Report that details the positive practices being implemented as well as stating any areas of noncompliance, associated corrective action, and identified areas of system improvement needed to align practices with the requirements of IDEA.

The ISDs in the third cohort are: Marquette Alger RESA, Northwest Education Services, Oakland Schools ISD, Genesee ISD, Eaton RESA, Mecosta-Osceola ISD, Livingston ESA, Jackson County ISD, Kalamazoo RESA, and Department of Corrections.

More information at https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/lre-monitoring-process

Note- dates subject to check. Confirm details with your local ISD.

09/10/2026

📣 Free Virtual Info Session for Families!

Join **September 22 | 6:30–8:00 PM** to learn about sexuality education for individuals with developmental disabilities.

💡 Learn how education can be a safety tool, get tips for starting these conversations, and hear about an upcoming course.

💻 Free virtual event — registration required!

👉 Register here: [Registration Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAWRC27N8jNtAmQ6k8OtzcqhqeQNkKEco7p-dvq-Z7hVo1XA/viewform?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

A great resource for parents and caregivers! ❤️

09/09/2026

✨ Sparkle Grant Spotlight! ✨ We’re excited to showcase one of last spring’s RCS PAC Sparkle Grant winners, Kellie Conner, Job Coach at ATPS! 💙💛

Sparkle Grants encourage educators to think outside the box when it comes to supporting students. Sometimes the supplies, tools, or learning opportunities that make the biggest difference aren’t the most obvious ones! Thank you Kellie! ✨