SPECIAL PROGRAMS NEWSIES
March 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Spring break is right around the corner! It is so hard to imagine that we are in the home stretch of completing another school year. We have some exciting news in our Special Programs Division! Reading Interventions for all schools will now be a part of the Special Programs Division. Mrs. Karin Miller will be the Reading Teacher Specialist that will monitor tiered reading intervention programs through MTSS. Her responsibilities will include organizing, scheduling, maintaining and securing materials, monitoring implementation and reading intervention documents, reading intervention coaching, as well as school and county leadership with reading intervention professional development. Previously, Mrs. Miller was the Reading Resource Teacher for Preston Elementary School. We are very excited to have her as a member of our division.
A big thank you to our collaborative team of educators, parents and community organizations that engage and empower our diverse learners to develop their maximum potential in their school and community.
Elizabeth Anthony
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Over the winter months, our special education leadership team has been extremely busy rolling out various types of professional development opportunities to our teachers focusing on specially designed instruction, compliance support, and assistive technology integration.
Updates for Intensive Support Teachers
SDI training with Admins
Spreading the SDI Message
Our 1st Sensory Sensitive Holiday Evening was a success!
National and State Leaders Supporting our Teams
Collaborative Coaching
MSDE Transition Specialist
Dr. Jean Butler with Orton Gillingham
iPads in Action!
I Spy!
It's a Snap!
Access via Stylus!
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee (SECAC)
SECAC Calendar of Events
March 31, 2020, Tuesday at 6pm, Board of Education
Bonnie Larrimore - Parent Educator Parents Place
Helping your Child Get What They Need: From the IEP Process to Accessing Online Resources
April 16, 2020, Thursday at 6pm, North Caroline High School
Community Resource Fair & 4th Annual Staff Appreciation Night
April 21, 2020, Tuesday at 6pm, Board of Education
Dr. Duane Isava, Ph.D., NCSP
Executive Director and Registered Psychology Associate Halcyon Wellness Center
Promoting Social Skills and Pragmatic Language in Children
May 5, 2020, Tuesday from 10am - 1pm, Tuckahoe State Park
Discovery Day Expo featuring community agencies and organizations to support our families
Please RSVP to Cynthia Brummell, Family Support Resource Coordinator 410-479-3609 or brummell.cynthia@ccpsstaff.org if you plan to attend.
SECONDARY TRANSITION
Caroline County Public Schools along with Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties are hosting the fifth annual Career Expo. Your student is invited to attend the Career Expo as part of Caroline County’s continuing efforts to prepare students for post-secondary success by connecting students with local and regional career opportunities.
**Students are required to dress in Interview-Ready attire (business casual) in order to attend the trip**
When is the Career Expo?
March 19, 2020
9:30-1:30 (Group one: 9:30-11:00, Group two: 12:00-1:30)
See permission slip for group number
Where is the Career Expo?
Chesapeake College, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679
Chesapeake College Health Professions and Athletics Center Building (HPAC)
What is expected from my student at the Career Expo?
Participants are expected to attend the Career Expo ready to make a great first impression!
Students are required to dress in Interview-Ready attire (business casual)
Students are expected to bring copies of their resume and be ready to provide them to employers.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner while attending the Career Expo.
What can my student expect to experience at the Career Expo?
Regional employers from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties with job positions will be present and will be conducting introductory interviews and information sessions.
The employers will be providing feedback of their interactions with students as they attend the Career Expo. This feedback will be used to improve instruction in workplace readiness.
Students will participate in a college tour of Chesapeake College.
Students will participate in breakout sessions to improve employability success.
How will my student get to the Career Expo?
CCPS buses will transport students to and from the Career Expo
How much does the Career Expo trip cost?
NOTHING!
How do I register?
Students must register with their case manager.
Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 3, 2020. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 18, 2020. The Survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
INFANTS & TODDLERS
EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Caroline County Public School’s Regional Pre-K 3 Programs and Pre-K Classrooms will now be participating in the Raising a Reader Program! A professional development was held in January to inform teachers about the components of the program.
The Raising a Reader Program believes that this initiative will ensure parents are empowered with the knowledge and resources they need to help develop the foundation of academic success, literacy in their children. All children will receive a “Red Bag” to bring home each week and discover the treasures (books) inside.
GIFTED AND TALENTED / ENGLISH LEARNERS / 504
Gifted and Talented News
This infographic highlights helpful information about gifted and talented learners. It is important to know the characteristics of a gifted learner and to gain a better understanding of how our gifted and talented students develop as well as some of the social emotional challenges they might encounter.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions about our gifted and talented program. I look forward to a continued collaboration with teachers, counselors and administration to implement programs to meet the needs of our gifted and talented learners.
English Learners News
Caroline County Public Schools continues to ensure that English learners (ELs), including immigrant children and youth, attain English language proficiency and meet the same standards that all children are expected to meet. We currently have almost 500 English learners enrolled in Caroline County Public Schools. CCPS wants to work hand in hand with our EL students and their families to make sure your child is successful in school and that you have the resources you need. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, guidance counselor or school administrators if you have any questions or concerns.
We will be hosting a Parent/Family Engagement Night on April 20th at Greensboro Elementary School for our families at Greensboro Elementary, Denton Elementary and Ridgely Elementary from 6:00-7:30pm. We will host a Parent/Family Engagement Night on April 29th at Federalsburg Elementary School for our families at Federalsburg and Preston Elementary. Please join us for a fun-filled evening where you can learn more about our school communities. A flyer will be sent home with more information about these events. I look forward to seeing everyone on April 20th and April 29th!
504 News
Please remember to make the school aware of any changes that can have an impact on your child’s 504 Plan. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school should you have any questions or concerns about their 504 Plan. You do not have to wait until the date of your annual review to ask questions or check in on your child’s progress.
Christal Harkowa Supervisor of Instruction English Learners, Gifted & Talented and 504
CCPS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March Happenings
9 Q3 Interims Issued
16 No School – Professional Development
April Happenings
3 ½ Day – Grades Q3
9 ½ Day – Inservice
10-13 No School – Spring Break
15 Q3 Report Cards Issued
23-24 Pre-K Conferences (No Pre-K)
May Happenings
14 Q4 Interims Issued
25 No School – Memorial Day