SHAKER LIFE | FALL 2017 49
“The mission applies to
all students, regardless of
their station in life
and where they stand
in terms of ability.”
- Holly Palda
District Parent Mentor
Resources for Parents
The School District and Shaker’s
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
provide several supports for parents of
children with disabilities.
Holly Palda, the District’s parent
mentor, is available to help parents
through the Individualized Education
Plan process and to serve as a
facilitator between parents and the
District at a student’s education plan
meetings. She estimates that each year,
she assists approximately 200 families
by answering questions and attending
education plan meetings. She also
distributes an electronic newsletter
to those parents. Contact Palda at
palda_h@shaker.org or 216-295-4372.
The PTO also offers a Special
Education Parent Group, which meets
monthly and is open to any District
parent. The group often invites guest
speakers from the District to address
special education issues and to answer
questions that parents may have.
For more information about the PTO
Special Education Parent Group,
contact India Isaac-Curtis,
curtisptos@gmail.com, 216-456-4512.
Last year, parent Jennifer Osborne
founded the Autism Support Group.
“We wanted a support group to help
process and encourage open discussions
about how we handle the challenges
of having a child on the spectrum,”
she says. Email Osborne to learn more
about the Autism Support Group,
jenniferosborne101@gmail.com.
Nathan Levin walks with
his signature charm
ahead of his father, Mark.
Nathan, 21, is among
the District’s 790 special
education students.