BAPS Supports Transition From High School To Adulthood For Students With Special Needs

Broken Arrow Public Schools and Jenks Public Schools are coming together to put on their annual community resource night. The goal is to help students with special needs prepare for life after high school.

The first community resource night is November 9 at Broken Arrow High School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

BAPS is bringing in about 40 different vendors from various schools, businesses, and adult day programs to give families with special needs students information on different options after high school.

BAPS said it's important for families to start planning for their children's future early. The district knows each student has different interests and abilities that can lead to paths they may not expect.

April Lodes, BAPS' Transition Coordinator, said high school graduation comes quicker than most people realize.

"Our mission here in Broken Arrow Public Schools is definitely to have all of our students, no matter what ability level, to be college, career, and life ready. This community resource night definitely targets all those areas," Lodes said.

Families will also get to hear from several guest speakers about things like guardianship, developmental disabilities services, social security, special needs consultation, and rehabilitation services.

"Those are all five very important topic areas that our families need to educate themselves on so that they can make appropriate decisions for their children moving forward after adult age," Lodes said.

Jenks Public Schools will also hold a community resource night on March 28, 2024 at Jenks High School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.