Exceptional Education Newsletter
RPS Office of Exceptional Education September 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome Back
Preschool and Elementary School Corner
Caught Learning - Walkthrough Observation!
Compliance CornerTransition Mentor Teachers
SEAC
Suicide Awareness Month
Professional Development Opportunities
Alternative Education Opportunities
Shoutouts
Previous Issues
THE OFFICE OF EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION WELCOMES YOU BACK!
SCHOLARS CAUGHT LEARNING!
The Red Wheelbarrow
Students Caught Collaborating!
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Thank you all for working so hard to remain compliant and meet the deadlines. Below are the items for you to work on.
Please complete:
September indicators are due on September 24, 2021.
October Updates:
October updates to the December 1 Child Count, Indicators 9, 10, 11, and the Out of Compliance Spreadsheet are due on October 29, 2021. Instructional and Compliance Coordinators (ICC's) should indicate "none" followed by the month of submission when there is no new information to report. Revisions to the Out of Compliance Report should be captured each month under the ICC Comments As schools hold IEP meetings for English Learners, Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP), teachers should be invited to participate as team members
October Professional Development
Elementary ICC Meeting- October 26th (2:00-3:30)
Secondary ICC Meeting- October 14th (2:00-3:30)
TRANSITION MENTOR TEACHERS
A warm welcome goes to:
- Alicia Toler: Armstrong & MLK
- Karen Young: George Wythe, Boushall, & Brown
- Selina Wilson: John Marshall & Henderson
- Darlen Slade: Huguenot & River City
- Kaitlynn Rollins: TJ, Albert Hill & Binford
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide takes the lives of 130 people each day,....and 4 out of 5 teens who attempt suicide actually show warning signs. It is critical that we work together to know and act on the signs. Check out a few resources
- Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention During Covid 19 - What School Based Staff Need to Know (noted - this recorded webinar session is 1:45 hours) https://youtu.be/0Y8ih8i2s_A
- NASP Handouts for Parents and Educators (Spanish and English) - Tips for Suicide Prevention (Attached)
Also - new this school year for RPS - ALL children who a suicide risk assessment is completed on who rate anything above 0 risk are to be referred to CReST for follow up. Reminder - per Code of VA, only school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and school nurses can complete suicide risk assessments in schools.
Professional Development Opportunities
ADAPTED CURRICULUM ENDORSEMENT
PATHWAY TO BECOMING DUAL ENDSORED
Addressing Unfinished Learning in the Mathematics Classroom - Building Bridges for Student Success
Bridging for Math Strength - Part 2
These sessions are a follow-up to the August 31st sessions during which the new Bridging for Math Strength resources were unveiled. Participants will have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the research, strategies, and resources included in the Bridging for Math Strength website.
Registration links:
Grades K-2: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 4:00-5:00pm
Grades 3-8: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 5:30-6:30pm
Using Small Group Instruction to Address Unfinished Learning
These sessions will highlight strategies and structures for implementing small group instruction and using classroom routines to differentiate instruction to meet student needs. Emphasis will be placed on the use of formative assessments to identify student strengths and unfinished learning to ensure grade level content is the target of instruction. (Note: each session from October 4 is repeated on October 14)
Registration links:
Elementary Session: Monday, October 4, 2021 4:00-5:30pm
Secondary Session: Monday, October 4, 2021 6:00-7:30pm
Secondary Session: Thursday, October 14, 2021 4:00-5:30pm
Elementary Session: Thursday, October 14, 2021 6:00-7:30pm
Follow up office hours for teachers from MOU divisions (no registration required)
VDOE Mathematics Office hours - Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - 4:00 - 5:00pm
Participants may join at any time within the hour
Structuring Effective Mathematics Intervention
These sessions will build on the information shared in previous webinars of this series. The sessions will highlight how to differentiate mathematics instruction using evidence from formative assessment to identify student strengths, as well as provide actionable ideas on how to effectively structure and implement student intervention. (Note: each session from October 18 is repeated on October 25)
Registration links:
Elementary Session: Monday, October 18, 2021 4:00-5:30pm
Secondary Session: Monday, October 18, 2021 6:00-7:30pm
Secondary Session: Monday, October 25, 2021 4:00-5:30pm
Elementary Session: Monday October 25, 2021 6:00-7:30pm
Follow up office hours for teachers from MOU divisions (no registration required)
VDOE Mathematics Office hours - Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - 4:00 - 5:00pm
Participants may join at any time within the hour
Special Education Instruction
Unstuck and On Target As students begin returning to their classrooms after this stressful year, parents and schools in Virginia can access two complementary resources to support elementary school students with developing flexibility and emotional regulation strategies. These resources include: If you are school personnel interested in running an Unstuck group this year, contact the project staff, Chelsea Armour, aarmour@childrensnational.org, or Jessica Smith, jsmith9@childrensnational.org, for more information.
Ruth Harris Dyslexia and Language Learning Disability Symposium Please join the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education’s Ruth Harris Endowment for a two-day symposium in honor of Ruth Harris, a pioneer in the treatment of dyslexia who dedicated her life to helping others with learning disabilities. The inaugural Ruth Harris Dyslexia Symposium will bring families, professionals, and students together for a day full of learning and awareness around dyslexia and language disorders. The symposium will include three strands of professional learning sessions: one for parents/families, one for professionals, and one for students— all providing participants with an opportunity to engage in discussions, panels and presentations. This free two-day virtual symposium will be held: September 24, 2021 - 4-5:30 p.m. (Keynote address); and September 25, 2021 - 10-4 p.m. (Sessions) Register for the Dyslexia & Language Learning Disability Symposium today! For more information or questions, contact Ayanna Akinkoye by email at akinkoyeam@vcu.edu.
HELP WANTED ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION, SOL ACADEMY & EXTENDED DAY
This flyer will explain the programs, including the changes to SOL Academy - Teacher Recruitment Flyer - Alternative Ed
This link is for teachers to sign up if interested in supporting students - bit.ly/ALTEDteach
If you're interested in participating in Extended Day please contact Renesha Parks (rparks1@rvaschools.net) and Rossi Volley (rvolley2@rvaschools.net).
ERICA BUIE
WESTOVER HILLS ES
DR. WOODSON & MS. WHITE OFFICE OF EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION
Shout out to Dr. Sharon Woodson (Coordinator of Pre-K and Elementary schools) and Mrs. Tikisha White (Coordinator of Systems and Processes) for being so kind and supportive to all. They are both valuable treasures in the Exceptional Education department! They lead with kindness and grace, and are very highly appreciated.
DARLENE SLADE & KAREN YOUNG
ELISE BOYD
PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Shout out to all of the elementary school staff and your commitment to ensuring that all students are transitioning back to school in the most positive manner. We appreciate the focus on providing our students with an exceptional learning opportunity packed with knowledge and authentic teaching.