The Scoop
Student Support Update -December 16, 2021
Transfer Operating Guidelines
The Transfer Operating Guideline has been updated to include specific provisions for students who transfer with OT/PT services. The wording from the operating guidelines is now included in the add/select options for descriptors of related services. When in doubt, check with your related services provider before you add services to the schedule page.
One LESS Form! PEIMS sheets no longer needed!
Diagnosticians and Speech Language Pathologists no longer need to send a “PEIMS sheet” to the PEIMS clerks. PEIMS indicators sync between Frontline and eschool, so this process is no longer needed.
Please continue to email PEIMS clerks when you document a restraint, as this does not feed to eschool. Please continue to remind campus teachers of this as well.
Progress Reports
Progress reports should be shared with parents at the same time that report cards are available to parents (January 10, 2022).
Special Rodeo
Special Rodeo will be on January 26th from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Show Barn at Tomball High School. There will be more information coming with details on which campuses are attending when closer to the event. Please come out if you are able to that day! If you have pre-ordered a t-shirt from Kalli, you will be getting these before the event!
We will be setting up the night of January 25th. If you are wanting to come help set up, please contact Kalli Wakefield kalliwakefield@tomballisd.net
SSES Notifications to be provided to all eligible parents
Students who are currently enrolled in a Texas public schooland who are served by special education qualify.
SSES provides $1,500 per eligible student. If awarded an account, families of eligible students can use these on-line accounts to obtain special educational materials and resources, such as: • Tutoring for all subjects • Educationally related services (such as occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech services, or applied behavior analysis (ABA)) • Textbooks, curriculum, or other instructional materials • Computer hardware, software, or other technological devices that are used for educational needs.
This is a first-come first-served one-time $1,500 grant and spaces are limited, apply today. If you have already applied or received an SSES grant, you will not be able to apply again.
Student Support will send the letters out via Messenger to all parents of special education students in Tomball ISD. Diagnosticians and Speech Language Pathologists will begin documenting this information was provided at every annual ARD meeting as well.
For the full letter click HERE. For the full letter in Spanish, Click HERE
ESC 4 Newsletter for Student Evaluation & Psych Services Leadership Network
Each month, Nicole Price at Region 4 publishes a newsletter for the Student Evaluation & Psych Services Leadership Network. The December newsletter can be found here https://www.smore.com/SEPSNewsletter-December2021
Topics highlighted include SB 785, Dyslexia, TAC updates, Standards-Based IEPs, as well as a list of upcoming trainings.
CASE FILE
Behavioral supports belie claim that lack of FBA, BIP mars boy's IEP
Case name: Alachua County Sch. Bd., 121 LRP 38376 (SEA FL 08/10/21).
Ruling: A Florida district successfully defended itself against a parent's claims that it failed to develop an appropriate IEP for a student with autism and a language impairment. An administrative law judge concluded that the student's IEPs adequately addressed the student's behavioral challenges. The ALJ also found insufficient evidence that the district failed to implement the student's IEPs or retaliated against the student in violation of Section 504.
What it means: When a student's behavior impedes his learning, a district isn't automatically required to conduct an functional behavioral assessment and develop a behavioral intervention plan. But the IEP team must consider positive behavioral supports and strategies to address the behavior. Although the district showed that it adequately addressed the student's behaviors with interventions in a self-contained class and significant adult support, it would have been prudent for the district to conduct an FBA to help identify more effective interventions if the behaviors persisted.
Find the full summary HERE from Special Ed Connection (LRP)
Tip of the Week
Keystone Data to Collect for ESY Decisions
Schools must ensure individualized education program teams responsible for decisions regarding extended school year services are well-informed with data that is valid and reliable. Now is a good time to fortify data collection to assist in the ESY decision-making process next semester.
The IDEA requires that districts provide ESY services on an individual basis when a student's IEP team determines the services are necessary for FAPE. 34 CFR 300.106 (a)(2). Teachers should know which data to collect for each student based on their IEP goals and objectives.
See the full article HERE from Special Education Connection (LRP)
Student Support Shout Outs
Brianne Carbery- Please congratulate Brianne Carbery on her new role as the Program Specialist for Dyslexia and Instruction. She will continue her excellent work with Dyslexia in leading programming and support of district wide staff, while expanding her expertise to support quality instruction across the continuum of TISD’s special education instructional services and supports.
Brianne earned her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education, with Reading Specialist Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has taught in a variety of settings and grade levels in Lufkin, Pearland, Klein and Tomball ISD. She has experience as a literacy specialist and content specialist and is a Reading By Design Trainer. We are excited for her to join our team!!!
Dr. Elizabeth Goodrich - Beth was added to an evaluation just a few days before it was due. She made time to come to the campus the same day she was called and was able to do the evaluation and write the report with hte very expedited time frame. Thank you Beth! You really do put kids first!
Ann Le, Katrina Thornton, Audra Arnold, Donna Larue, Jessica Oakes, Jennifer Sewell, and Vy Thai - All have volunteered to help support a campus SLL classroom in order for the teachers and paraprofessionals to be able to fully participate in a campus wide celebration. This truly embodies Student Supports theme of Ubuntu this year! #TeamTomball
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff: