EC Newsletter: March 2019
Exceptional Supports for Literacy & Learning
Welcome to the EC Department's Monthly Newsletter!
Congratulations to Kennedy Middle School!
Kennedy Middle School was selected as a National Unified Champion School- one of only six schools (and the only middle school) in North Carolina that was selected to receive this national recognition. This is a huge honor, as we have over 370 Unified Champion Schools in North Carolina!
Kennedy Middle School celebrated last month with cheerleaders, video of their yoga class in action, and a presentation about how they meet standards for National Banner Recognition.
Congratulations to our team at Kennedy Middle School and Principal Sudimack! What an honor! #inclusionliveshere
Save the Date- Transition Fair!
On Thursday, March 21st from 5:00PM-8:00PM at East Mecklenburg High School, we will host our Twenty-Second annual Transition Fair. The purpose of the Transition Fair is to inform parents, students and educators of the many services and supports available for persons with disabilities in Mecklenburg County and North Carolina. There will be relevant resources for students K-12. Please share encourage the families of your students to attend. We hope to see you there!!
Event Flyer (English): http://bit.ly/2BlmPIb
Event Flyer (Spanish): http://bit.ly/2WxdcPA
Parent Letter (English): http://bit.ly/2sXnw5A
Parent Letter (Spanish): http://bit.ly/2DKbIdh
INTELLIGENT LIVES Film Screening and Panel Discussion
CMS is partnering with UNCC for a screening and panel discussion of Dan Habib’s INTELLIGENT LIVES film on March 26th. This film is a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America.
To register, click on the link of your preferred time below:
Option #1:
Option #2:
Option #3:
Unified Champions Schools- Getting Started!
All schools are eligible to participate! Click here for more information: Unified Champion Schools - Getting Started
Literacy Strategy of the Month
Visual literacy is the idea that learners today must be able to interpret and understand the multitude of ongoing information presented to them visually. Explicitly teaching students how to access and understand the visual text they encounter is as important as doing so with literary text. The article linked below includes examples of strategies you can utilize to support all learners with working toward mastery of this complex skill.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ccia-10-visual-literacy-strategies-todd-finley
Compliance Tip of the Month
As a reminder, whenever a Medicaid consent form is generated for a student (either with an IEP or as a result of a finalized DEC 2 consent for evaluation), the parent's consent must be obtained. The parent should sign and return the form indicating whether consent is being provided, by filling in the chosen bubble. A CMS staff member should bubble in the date under the signature or verify that it is bubbled in accurately with no stray marks prior to faxing into EdPlan. If the form is not bubbled in or is bubbled in with stray marks, the fax will not be received in EdPlan. If the form is not signed/completed at the meeting or the fax has not been received in EdPlan, the school’s SLP should follow-up with obtaining consent or correcting the error to ensure the fax is received. Please note, consent forms that are generated with a finalized DEC 2 do not have a barcode. Therefore, a cover sheet will need to be created to fax the signature into EdPlan, and an email should also be sent to kimberly.long@cms.k12.nc.us to inform her of the parent’s indication. An email notification to Kimberly Long is not needed if the consent form with a barcode generated with the IEP is successfully received in EdPlan.
EC Visual Challenge - 2
to click on the links in the image above, click HERE.
Opportunities for Students with Disabilities to Earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award
I Can Do It (ICDI) is an 8 week physical activity initiative for children with disabilities developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ICDI program provides opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity and good nutrition. Track weekly physical activity minutes per student and they can earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award!
For more information on participation and tracking logs, contact Amye.clark@cms.k12.nc.us or jolanda.hengstman@cms.k12.nc.us.
Shout Outs!
Project Based Learning at Winget Park
Randolph Middle School's Extensions Magnet Program featured on the IB Community Blog
"Our IB Extensions Magnet program has been featured on the IBO website. We are very excited and thrilled for this opportunity. We appreciate the support and belief in our program, staff, and school leadership! We look forward to many more years of offering the Extensions IB Magnet option to our students!"
http://blogs.ibo.org/blog/2019/02/06/fostering-access-and-inclusion/
Bradley Middle School Unified Cheerleading Team
The Bradley Middle School Unified Cheerleading Team participated during the NBA All Star Weekend, with the help of dance teacher Debra Gresham. Go team!
Metro School SLP presents internationally
Metro School is proud to share that one of their speech pathologists, Diane Ferguson, spoke at an international conference on Cortical Vision Impairment (“Look at it Differently “) in the Netherlands on January 31 2019. Diane was able to visit the Bartimeus School for the blind and blind multi-handicapped in Zeist. She brought back many exciting ideas to share with her colleagues. Diane acquired CVI herself in 2011 after surviving a severe health crisis. After extensive rehabilitation through Metrolina Association for the Blind, Diane returned full-time to her position at Metro School. She now uses her knowledge and experience with CVI to serve and advocate for her many students with multiple disabilities at Metro. She also writes and speaks to healthcare professionals to educate them about CVI and rehabilitation. Diane is grateful to CMS for accommodating her disability and especially to the administration and staff of Metro School. Their warm support and encouragement helped make this possible.
Last day for CMS bus use for field trips is May 31
School staff requesting CMS bus transportation for field trips must have those requests in Educational Journey by May 10. This allows time for the principal and community superintendent to make approvals.
Requests must be in the Transportation approval queue by May 17. The last day to take a field trip using a CMS bus is May 31.
For field trip related questions, please contact your area transportation office.
Contact info is listed on the intranet under Departments/Transportation.EC Department Resource Hub
Our Resources Hub can be found using the link below or by clicking the "CMS Resources" button on the left side of the page on Canvas. https://cms.instructure.com/courses/202112
Professional Development Opportunities
Did you know that the EC Department regularly offers in-person, virtual, or blended Professional Development as well as role-specific Support Groups? Click the links below to see upcoming opportunities and join us for one soon!
Elementary School Opportunities: https://bit.ly/2Jn6lkH
Middle School Opportunities: https://bit.ly/2sztIBg
High School Opportunities: https://bit.ly/2JAL0HJ
Extensions And SBS Opportunities: https://www.smore.com/j91rd-pd-opportunities
Featured Opportunities:
Lots of exciting opportunities for the March Early Release Day on March 13th. Please join us!
#420157 LIT 2018-2019 Early Release PD Series for Self-Contained (Extensions and SBS) Teachers
Research based strategies for self-contained staff. Some sessions will be make and take-bring your device! Additional details can be found here: https://www.smore.com/j91rd-pd-opportunities.
#420483 EXC 2018-2019 Instructing and Supporting Students with Down Syndrome
This session will provide research related to characteristics of students with Down Syndrome and instructional strategies/approaches to ensure positive learning experiences.
Middle School Office Hours and Support
On March 13th, from 2:00PM-4:00PM, the EC Middle School Itinerant Coordinating Teachers will be hosting "Office Hours". Middle School EC teachers are welcome to stop by in person or join electronically (via zoom, phone, email) to receive support on April 1 Meetings, Transition/Scheduling, OCS, ESY, etc. If you are interested in joining, please express interest using the form below so we know how many participants to expect! http://bit.ly/2XrOa4v
#420258 EXC 2018-2019 Language Therapy Idea Swap
This is an opportunity for speech-language pathologists to discuss therapy ideas for working with students with a variety of communication disorders. Each session will be facilitated by a lead therapist, and participants are expected to bring an idea to present to the group.
#420259 EXC 2018-2019 Play is a child's Work: Speech-Language Therapy in Preschool
This is an opportunity for speech-language pathologists to learn about how to appropriately engage preschool students in evaluation and therapy.
#420337 EXC 2018-2019 Apraxia of Speech
This course is for Speech-Language Pathologists only. We will review the characteristics and treatment approaches for childhood apraxia of speech.
Upcoming EC Department Events
Family Round Table #4:
Tuesday, March 19th
Topic: Understanding End-of-Year Testing
Time: 6:30PM-7:30PM
Location: South Mecklenburg High School
More information: https://www.smore.com/29d15-ec-department-round-tables
Transition Fair (families of K-12 students are invited!):
Thursday, March 21st
Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM
Location: East Mecklenburg High School
Event Flyer (English): http://bit.ly/2BlmPIb
Event Flyer (Spanish): http://bit.ly/2WxdcPA
Parent Letter (English): http://bit.ly/2sXnw5A
Parent Letter (Spanish): http://bit.ly/2DKbIdh
Staff Round Table #4:
Tuesday, April 9th
Topic: Integrating Technology into Instruction
Time: 4:00PM-5:00PM
Location: East Mecklenburg High School
More information: https://www.smore.com/29d15-ec-department-round-tables
Archived Communication
Too many emails and not enough time to read all of them? Take a quick look at our consolidated EC Department Communication Archive to see recent messages that may have come your way from the EC Department and make sure you didn't miss anything important!
Happenings in the broader Special Education Community
Please see the memorandums below regarding a series of webinars on supporting students with learning disabilities (LD) in the general education setting. PLEASE consider registering and share with others!
Council for Exceptional and CEEDAR Center have developed High Leverage Practices (HLPs) in Special Education
Print document: http://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CEC-HLP-Web.pdf
Videos and other resources available at https://highleveragepractices.org/
Social Media
Check us out on Social Media!
EC Department Twitter: @CMS_EC
EC Department blog: cmsecdepartment.wordpress.com
APE Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CMSAPE/
Our EC Parent Advisory Council has created the following online resources for families:
Website: http://bit.ly/cmsecpac
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ecpacofcms/
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/cmsecpac/
Important Contacts
Need help but not sure who to ask?
Our teams are here to give you the support you need! Click HERE to see who from the EC Department supports your school.
Don't forget about the EC HelpDesk who can also answer time-sensitive questions that you may have!
980-343-2724