Integrated
Technology Services held its second
annual Chatterbox Fun Fair on Saturday,
May 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kings
Glen Elementary School in Springfield.
This Fun Fair was designed for students
in preschool through fourth grade who
use picture symbols or speech output
devices to communicate. This Fun Fair
will be one of the features next week
beginning May 26 on the program, Solving
the Puzzle Together, hosted
by Alice Farling on the FCPS Channel
Red Apple 21. It may be viewed at 10:30
am, 2:30 pm, and 7:30* pm. (*It will
not on at 7:30 on Tuesday or Wednesday).
Nearly
200 students and their families attended
this year’s Chatterbox, featuring
traditional fun fair games and activities
especially adapted for students with
limited verbal skills. The students
used communication boards with picture
symbols and communication devices
to produce a verbal message. The
message area of the communication
device is pushed so the child can
communicate his/her needs. Students
and their families had an opportunity
to explore various communication
devices and to talk with other children
and families who use technology or
picture boards to enhance communication.
A
helicopter and a K-9 team from the
Fairfax County Police Department
presented demonstrations and the
Fairfax County Fire Department arrived
with a fire truck for the children
to explore. Other entertainment included
a performance by Biggo, a professional
clown, a performance from a therapeutic
dance troop formed for children with
special needs called DanceAbilities,
and a visit from Ronald McDonald.
For
more information on Chatterbox Fun
Fair, visit the web site
http://www.fcps.edu/DSSSE/its/Chatterbox/
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