MFISD special services transition fair March 22
A transition fair for students with special education or 504 needs is March 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Marble Falls High School, 2101 Mustang Drive. The event is hosted by the Marble Falls Independent School District’s Special Services department.
“The transition fair is an opportunity for families of students served under Section 504 or special education to meet with service providers and school staff regarding transitioning from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or high school and beyond,” said Dr. Shana Bunch-Fancher, executive director of Special Services.
Sponsored by the MFISD Special Education Parent Advisory Council, the fair was born from a survey conducted in the fall of 2022. Parents asked for information on how to best prepare for student life transitions.
“No matter what the student needs, this is an opportunity to connect to services as a preparation for the day the bus stops coming,” Bunch-Fancher said. “In MFISD, we provide a complete continuum of supports to guide students to fulfilling their potential.”
Community partners such as Bluebonnet Trails, Texas Workforce Commission, and Community Resource Centers of Texas will be present at the event to showcase post-graduation opportunities for students.
“Our hope is that this transition fair will assist with planning for their student’s future,” Bunch-Fancher said. “There are some very good resources that require the family be on quite lengthy waiting lists, sometimes up to 10-15 years. The time is now — no matter the age of the student.”
The transition fair will also help parents with younger students learn how to handle change in their child’s life.
“Even moving from elementary school, where the student is primarily in a small self-contained room, to the middle school, where the student will have to navigate a large campus each hour, can have some challenges,” Bunch-Fancher said. “Planning is the key to success. We want to make that process as seamless as possible by providing families as much information as possible in advance.”
MFISD staffers will also provide their expertise at the fair. Campus counselors will answer questions regarding schedules, and staff from the Career and Technical Education department will be available to discuss options for career pathways in high school.
Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which guarantees certain rights to people with disabilities. The law provides protections to students and requires school districts to accommodate Section 504 students by giving them equal access to the same educational resources available to non-disabled students.
For more information, contact the district’s Special Services department at 830-693-4357.
