Parent Resources
Forget Me Not Documentary Screening
Join us for this FREE screening and a panel discussion following featuring the producers/parents, local educators, and agency representatives. This documentary intimately follows a family’s journey to have their son with Down Syndrome included. Forget Me Not offers a look at what a truly inclusive education can look like and how it can lead to a more inclusive society so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Registration is required!
When: March 20, 2024 from 6:00-8:30 PM
Where: Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Drive, Grand Rapids
Educators seeking SCECHs or CEs should register at: bit.ly/KentISD_ForgetMeNot
Parents and those not seeking credits should register at: bit.ly/KentISD_ForgetMeNot2
Kent ISD is proud to provide special education services and materials to not only our schools and educators, but also directly to the family members and caregivers. Below are links to documents, events and other websites and resources that you may find helpful.
A Parent's Guide to Navigating the IEP Process
The Kent ISD Special Education department, in collaboration with the Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE), has developed this guide to make the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process more manageable and user friendly for parents. This guide should be used in conjunction with the Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards and other resources from Kent ISD and the Michigan Department of Education. Click here for a Spanish version of the parent guide.
A Parent's Guide to Navigating Section 504
The Kent ISD Special Education Department, in collaboration with a countywide Section 504 Committee, has developed this guide to make the Section 504 process more manageable and user friendly for parents.
This document provides an overview of the Section 504 evaluation and eligibility process. Click here for the Spanish version of A Parent's Guide to Navigating Section 504.
Here Comes the Bus
Here Comes the Bus: A School Bus Tracking App for Families
GPS school bus tracking technology is available to all parents and guardians of Kent ISD special education students who ride Dean Transportation buses. This free service provides families with the ability to track the location of their students’ buses in real-time, either on a computer or a mobile device. Participation is optional.
Tracking Features:
- Shows the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map
- Gives scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
- Provides push and email notifications when the bus is near
App Intro Video
Sign Up Instructions for Parents:
- Download the "Here Comes the Bus" app or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the "Sign Up" button.
- Enter school code 29983 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm."
- Complete the "User Profile" box.
- Under "My Students" click "Add." Enter your child's last name (up to 14 characters including a hyphen or a space) and student ID number.
- Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin.
MiPSE Parent Portal
We are excited to announce that we now offer online access to MiPSE (Michigan PowerSchool Special Education) to view your child’s finalized educational documents. Click here to view the brochure for more information.