SPARK - Supporting Parents Raising Kids With IEPs & 504 Plans

SPARK - Supporting Parents Raising Kids With IEPs & 504 Plans Resources for parents that have a child with an IEP/504 plan in Dane County. Group for parents of kids with IEPs and 504 plans to share support & resources.

Dear SPARK Families,We hope everyone had a great spring break!We can’t wait to see you and your kiddos next week!On Wedn...
04/03/2026

Dear SPARK Families,
We hope everyone had a great spring break!

We can’t wait to see you and your kiddos next week!

On Wednesday, April 15th we’re hosting a super fun Family Night Out at
Spare Time Entertainment
658 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53719

Mark your calendars:
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Come hungry, come happy, and bring the whole family! We’ll all grab a table together and order whatever sounds yummy from the menu (just a heads-up: everyone orders and pays for their own food and drinks). That way everyone gets exactly what they’re craving!

Wednesday’s are half price arcade night there, so you’ll get twice the games for your money — perfect for the kids (and the kids-at-heart )!

This is our last family meetup of the year before our annual picnic on Friday, May 29th — we’d love for you to join us for that too!

No RSVP needed—just show up, have fun, and let’s fill the place with SPARK energy!

We’re really looking forward to meeting more families and seeing familiar faces too!

Warmly,
Co-coordinators Reed and Lindsay Shingledecker

Dear SPARK Families,We're excited to invite you to our next event on Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30pm at Kromrey Middl...
01/24/2026

Dear SPARK Families,

We're excited to invite you to our next event on Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30pm at Kromrey Middle School (7009 Donna Dr, Middleton, WI 53562).

We'll be joined by Connie Persike, a Speech Language Pathologist, Educational Consultant, and Founder of Supportable Solutions, who will be presenting on Co-Regulation: The Power of Connection When Supporting Children.

If you've ever wondered why your child's challenging behaviors often emerge during moments of stress, or how you can help them navigate those overwhelming moments more effectively, this session is for you. Connie will explore how connection and calm, responsive presence can make a real difference when our kids are struggling.

New this time: We're offering a Zoom option! Whether you join us in person or virtually, you'll be able to ask questions during the Q&A portion. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to join our mailing list and receive the link.

We hope to see you there—either in the room or on screen.

📚 Calling All Parents & Educators! 📚Are you parenting or teaching a child who struggles with flexibility, frustration to...
01/06/2026

📚 Calling All Parents & Educators! 📚
Are you parenting or teaching a child who struggles with flexibility, frustration tolerance, or problem-solving? You're not alone, and we're here to help!
Join us for a FREE online book study of "The Explosive Child" by Dr. Ross Greene—a game-changing approach that shifts from traditional discipline to collaborative problem-solving. This isn't about punishment or rewards; it's about understanding the "why" behind challenging behaviors and teaching the skills kids need to succeed.
What You'll Learn:
✨ How to identify the lagging skills behind explosive episodes
✨ Collaborative strategies that actually work
✨ Tools to solve problems WITH your child, not just react to behaviors
When: Thursday evenings
📅 January 15, 22 & February 5, 2026
⏰ 6:00-7:30 PM via Zoom
Heidi and I are excited to facilitate these sessions and learn alongside you. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or care provider—if you work with kids who have IEPs or face behavioral challenges, this book study will give you practical tools you can use immediately.
👉 Registration required (link in comments)
📖 Book not included—check your local library!
🎥 Sessions are NOT recorded, so plan to attend live
Let's build understanding together and give our kids the support they truly need! 💙
Questions? Contact [email protected] or 262-787-9500 x9564

SPARK Families – You’re Invited to a Super Fun Night Out!  Food, Arcade Games & Good Vibes   Wednesday, December 10th6:3...
12/03/2025

SPARK Families – You’re Invited to a Super Fun Night Out!
Food, Arcade Games & Good Vibes

Wednesday, December 10th

6:30 – 7:30 pm

Spare Time Entertainment
658 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53719

Bring the whole family (all ages welcome ) and come hang out with other SPARK families who totally “get it”!

Here’s the plan:
We’ll grab tables together and everyone orders whatever sounds yummy from the menu (just a quick note: each family pays for their own food & drinks – that way everybody gets exactly what they’re craving!)

We scored discounted arcade cards for the kids (and kids-at-heart ) so the little ones can go wild on the games without breaking the bank! We’ve missed seeing your smiling faces lately – let’s fill the place with SPARK energy, laugh a ton, make new friends, and remind each other we’ve got an amazing community right here. No RSVP needed – just show up, have fun, and let’s make it a night to remember! We can’t wait to meet more families and see all our familiar faces too! See you there!

Reed & Lindsay Shingledecker
SPARK Co-coordinators

Upcoming SPARK Event!Get ready for an exciting evening with SPARK (Supporting Parents Raising Kids with IEPs and 504 Pla...
11/05/2025

Upcoming SPARK Event!
Get ready for an exciting evening with SPARK (Supporting Parents Raising Kids with IEPs and 504 Plans)! Join us on Wednesday, November 12th at Kromery Middle School (7009 Donna Dr), Room 510, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with MCPASD district representatives and school coordinators in a lively, guided conversation. This is your chance to ask questions, share ideas, and make your voice heard!
SPARK is thrilled to partner with MCPASD to empower parents and enhance the educational journey for our kids with IEPs and 504 Plans. Our mission? To bring parents together, connect you with district staff, and provide access to awesome resources through fun, engaging events and social opportunities.
Don’t miss out! Join our vibrant community on our page for the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/sparkmcp
We can’t wait to see you there for an evening full of connection and inspiration!

Reed and Lindsay Shingledecker
Co-Coordinators of SPARK

¡Prepárense para una noche súper emocionante con SPARK (Apoyando a Padres que Crian Niños con Planes IEP y 504)! Los invitamos el miércoles 12 de noviembre a la Escuela Secundaria Kromery (7009 Donna Dr), en el salón 510, de 6:30 a 7:30 de la noche para una oportunidad única de platicar cara a cara con representantes del distrito MCPASD y encargados de casos en una conversación guiada y bien chida. ¡Es el momento perfecto para hacer preguntas, compartir ideas y que se escuche tu voz!
SPARK está encantado de trabajar de la mano con MCPASD para apoyar a los papás y mejorar la experiencia educativa de nuestros pequeños con planes IEP y 504. ¿Nuestra misión? Unir a los padres, conectar con el personal del distrito y ofrecer recursos padrísimos a través de eventos educativos y sociales bien divertidos.
¡No se lo pierdan! Únanse a nuestra comunidad bien activa en nuestra página de Facebook para estar al tanto de todo: https://www.facebook.com/sparkmcp
¡Estamos ansiosos por verlos ahí en una noche llena de conexión e inspiración!
Reed y Lindsay Shingledecker
Coordinadores de SPARK

Hello SPARK community! We've got some stuff locked down and some stuff still to be determined for our '25/'26 school yea...
09/25/2025

Hello SPARK community! We've got some stuff locked down and some stuff still to be determined for our '25/'26 school year. We'll kick things off in a couple of weeks at Capital Brewery on 10/8 at 6:30 pm. We're still trying to think of fun places for the parent social meetups in December and April. If you have any suggestions, please let us know. It's been at Pasqual's and Grape Water Wine Bar before. We'll post updates for each event as we get closer to them. Hope to see some new faces this year.

PSA - We have moved the 1st event which is the Parent's Night Out to the 8th. Capital Brewery was not available on the 7th. Apologies for any confusion.

10/8 - Parent Social at Capital Brewery 6:30pm
11/12 - Informational Conversation with Reps at Kromery Middle School 6:30pm
12/10 - Parent Social Location TBD
2/11 - Informational Conversation with Reps at Kromery Middle School 6:30pm
4/15 - Parent Social Location TBD
6/2-4 - Family Picnic at Lakeview Park

Please welcome our two new SPARK Co-Coordinators, Lindsay and Reed Shingledecker!!!  “Lindsay and I are thrilled to step...
09/25/2025

Please welcome our two new SPARK Co-Coordinators, Lindsay and Reed Shingledecker!!!

“Lindsay and I are thrilled to step into the co-coordinator roles for Spark, a wonderful group dedicated to supporting parents of children with IEPs and 504 plans in the Middleton Cross Plains School District. Having moved to Wisconsin four years ago, we’ve fallen in love with the area’s charm and sense of community, especially as we navigate parenthood with our son, who just started Kindergarten with an IEP, and our energetic 3.5-year-old. We’re passionate about fostering connections among parents through Spark’s events, creating a space where families can share experiences and support one another. In our spare time, we cherish exploring Wisconsin’s beautiful landscapes and making lasting memories with our family, grateful every day for the vibrant community we now call home.” ~Reed Shingledecker

Share your child’s story! Speak up for Special Education funding!
06/11/2025

Share your child’s story! Speak up for Special Education funding!

As we wrap up the 2024-2025 school year and look to the future, openings for two SPARK Coordinators are available for th...
05/19/2025

As we wrap up the 2024-2025 school year and look to the future, openings for two SPARK Coordinators are available for the 2025-2026 school year.

SPARK supports parents of students with IEPs and 504 plans with six events throughout the school year. This typically includes three social gatherings, two educational opportunities, and the end of the year family picnic.

Please contact us if you are interested in this paid stipend position. We look forward to helping new leadership with a smooth transition and continued success with SPARK!

Molly Tack & Barb Kautz-Wittwer
SPARK Co-Coordinators
[email protected]

Come join us for fellowship at the Grape 🍇 Water tonight!
04/23/2025

Come join us for fellowship at the Grape 🍇 Water tonight!

Cheering on the Middleton Highschool Adaptive Floor Hockey Team!!!🏒🥅  Join us at the Middleton Nitty Gritty at 6:30 pm t...
02/26/2025

Cheering on the Middleton Highschool Adaptive Floor Hockey Team!!!🏒🥅 Join us at the Middleton Nitty Gritty at 6:30 pm tonight 2.26.25 in celebration!!!

Address

Middleton, WI
53562

Telephone

+16082252989

Website

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