Noticeboard


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THE OFFICE

The office at the Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury is currently manned some mornings. During these times we aim to provide information via our helpline which offers both general and specific advice to individuals.

We run a library during office opening times. It provides a range of interesting and useful information for teachers, students of SpLD training courses, parents and children. We also have some information videos available for hire.
*It is advisable to ring before coming to the office to avoid finding us closed.

Tribute to Monica Gane(Jan08)
Monica, with her late husband Philip, was one of the founding members of Shropshire Dyslexia Association started in the early 1980s. She worked tirelessly for the association as tutor, committee member, helpliner, befriender and supporter of umpteen events. Through her generosity of time and expertise, many dyslexic children and families have been helped. Monica’s gentle and good humoured approach belied her quiet drive.
Monica was a unique honorary member of SDA and her contributions and friendship will be deeply missed by the association and all who knew her.

Thank you, Thank you to Carol Goodhew(Jan08)
The SDA wish to say an enormous thank you to Carol Goodhew, who has handed over the administration of the Shrewsbury Workshop and stepped down from our committee.
Carol has run the workshop for approximateley 9 years, ensuring that many dyslexic children received tuition, advice and friendship from qualified staff who really understand what it is like to be a dyslexic in school. Many pupils have gone on to be very successful.
Carol has worked tirelessly to provide support for so many families in Shropshire and we hope the workshop continues to offer the same level of care and attention that she bestowed.

Letter from the Chairlady, December 2007

Dear Member

Thank you for your continued support last year. I hope that the events and literature sent out have proved interesting and useful to you. The volunteers who gave their time and effort have been invaluable.

Following our meeting with our local MP Daniel Kawczynski, we have achieved a positive outcome. I have recently received the following correspondence:

"For your information we are looking into funding at the present time. Daniel has also written to the secretary of state for school children and families looking for testing for dyslexia to be compulsory at primary school.When we have a response I will let you know."

"Daniel has also asked for a meeting with the minister to try to obtain extra funding for Shropshire schools part of which could be used towards extra support for children with dyslexia."

His office has supplied us with a number at county to whom we can refer and that is Jan Lane, Head of Behavioural Support and Inclusion tel. 01743 264323.

I hope you feel that the SDA is a worthwhile charity and will continue to support it. Attempts are made to deliver a programme which addresses the needs of dyslexic children, adults and their families, and professionals who help dyslexics. There are reduced rates at events for members and the AGM is free for members.

Our next big event, arranged jointly with PATOSS, is taking place at Oswestry School. The guest speaker will be David Crystal, the internationally renowned linguist. The price for this event will be £5 members and £10 non-members. It will take place on Monday 17th March 2008. Further details will appear in the January SDA Newsletter.

Subscriptions pay for affiliation to the British Dyslexia Association which includes payment for their three times yearly `Contact' magazine. You will receive at the same time a copy of the SDA Newsletter with local information. The subscription also pays for the office in the Roy Fletcher Centre plus stationery and telephone calls.

The 2008 subscriptions due in January are:
Families / individuals £20
Schools £35
Concessions £10

Subscriptions are half price if joining takes place from June to December.

Please send the enclosed form with your subscription to arrive during January so that the next 2008 Newsletter and Contact magazine can be sent to you. These will include further details of forthcoming events.

We are at present investigating obtaining funding from various bodies and have a very pro-active member spearheading the campaign, but any further thoughts or help on this direction would be appreciated. Also if you would like to join the committee or have any ideas for future events etc please contact me I will be more than happy to hear from you.

I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Yours sincerely

Beverley Brown Chairlady SDA

MA in special education, Diploma in Dyslexia (D.I.), SpLD APC (patoss), Cert Ed., AMBDA



Church Stretton Workshop
Is your child struggling with reading and spelling at school? Lacking Confidence? Shropshire Dyslexia Association is offering hourly 1 to 1 tuition with specialist teachers on Mondays starting 17th September 4.30pm to 7.30pm at the Mayfair Centre in Church Stretton. Vacancies are still available after 5.30pm.
For further details, contact Beverley or Joy via 01743 231205, or pick up a leaflet at the Mayfair Centre and C. S. Library

Helpliners and Befrienders Wanted!
Are you interested and knowledgeable in SEN and Dyslexia. Could you give a few hours a week to help dyslexic people of all ages, but particularly parents (often at their wits end!).
Training available, please contact Roy Fletcher Centre.

Calling all SpLD tutors!
Would you relish the prospect of giving 1:1 tuition to dyslexic children in a non-school situation?
Would you like to receive pay for this rewarding work?
Would you enjoy regular informal sharing of teaching ideas and techniques with other tutors?
Would you appreciate the availability on site of SpLD specific resources?
Would you spend, when necessary, half an hour with a family to consider the request of parents who wish their child to receive dyslexia tuition?
Could you spare about 30 Saturday mornings a year?
Would you be prepared to liaise with a parent who has offered to deal with the Workshop finances?
If so, you may be just the person to enable the Shrewsbury Dyslexia Workshop to continue.
Please contact Roy Fletcher Centre a.s.a.p.via 01743 231205

Feedback

The SDA would be interested to hear from our members as to what type of talks, events and training you would like us to arrange for both parents, teachers and teaching assistants.

Calling All Parents/Carers(Jan08)

Parents Survey on Dyslexia
Calling all parents. If you have a child who has Specific Learning Difficulties, including dyslexia, please consider filling out our Parents Survey. Simply go to the Homepage of the BDA website at
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk. Please be assured that the survey does not ask you to give any personal details and is therefore completely anonymous. The results will help provide statistics and evidence to persuade Government to take the needs of dyslexic children in the UK seriously. Thank you.

Helpful people to contact:
Parent Partnership Service
www.parentpartnership-shropshireandtelford.org.uk

Who we are:
The Parent Partnership Service provides independent information and support for parents and carers of children with special educational needs living in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The following people can help you (Monday -Thursday):
Referral line 01952 211434 9.30 am - 4.00 pm
Charlie Fogg - South Shropshire, Shifnal & Albrighton
Debbie Gibbon - Shrewsbury
Julie Collins - Telford
Alex Hiam - Oswestry, Ellesmere, North Shropshire, Market Drayton & Newport

What we do:
We can help you with information and support regarding your child’s education. You can contact us by telephone and if necessary, we can arrange to meet with you to discuss issues regarding your child’s education.
Parent Partnership Officers can also accompany you to meetings about your child’s education with school and the Education Authority. We can help you to prepare for meetings, write letters and complete reports.

We can also provide you with information on other voluntary agencies which may be able to help you.

Petition(Jan08)

Xtraordinary People are spearheading the "No to Failure" campaign, in partnership with the BDA, Dyslexia
Action and Patoss. If you have a story to tell, as a parent or relative of a dyslexic child, why not e-mail us or sign our petition? The petition is to campaign for dyslexia trained specialist teachers in schools throughout the country to assess and support pupils who are dyslexic or have other Specific Learning Difficulties.
You can do this by going to our website at www.xtraordinarypeople.com and click on Our News.
Thank you.

Local Education Authority Contact(Jan08)

The SDA has been trying to find a helpful person to contact within the Local Education Authority, so that concerned parents can have direct contact to discuss their situation. At the time of printing, you can call:
Jane Lane
Head of Behaviour Support and Inclusion
Also:
Jayne Corns
Education Advisory Service
Please contact the Roy Fletcher Centre for current telephone and email details.
Beverley Brown and Joy Armstrong had a recent meeting with Jayne to discuss the SDA’s concerns on dealing with dyslexia in schools and also to update her on the many calls we receive on our helpline, regarding parent worries. Jayne confirmed that she was happy to hear from our members regarding the educational support available to children in schools.