The Scoop
Special Services Update - April 11, 2022
Program Placements for 22-23
(see transportation supplement section of THIS document for detailed descriptions and last weeks SCOOP for transportation supplement details).
The 2022-2023 Program Placement Document is HERE.
Please reach out to your student support specialist with any questions.
SELA - HB 548
If you have any questions regarding SELA, please reach out to your Student Support Specialist.
End of Year Evaluation Timelines
Please note the following about end of year evaluation timelines. The due dates in Frontline will automatically calculate based on the below legal timelines.
Consent obtained March 23-April 6 (35-44 school days from last instructional day) - If consent is obtained at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year, the evaluation must be completed and report provided to the parent/guardian no later than June 30th of that year. *Then the ARD committee shall meet no later than the 15th school day of the following year to consider the evaluation.
Consent obtained March 23-April 6 (35-44 school days from last instructional day) but student is absent more than 3 days – , that period may, with written permission from the Program Specialist for Assessment, or Director of Special Education be extended by the number of school days equal to the absences.
Consent obtained after April 6 (less than 35 school days from last instructional day) – School days from the date of consent will be counted through the last instructional day of the school year and pick up again on the first day of the school year to complete the evaluation.
Children referred from ECI continue to follow the three is three guidelines. If consent is obtained, the child must be evaluated and services (if deemed necessary) provided by the child’s third birthday.
SPP 7 - COSF reporting time!
Speech Language Pathologists take the lead and collaborate with teachers in completing the required documentation for State Performance Plan 7, the Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF).
SLP's please refer to Ms. Guzman's email with detailed directions on completion.
Other Special Services Team Members, check in on your SLP's to see how you may be able to help.
#Ubuntu
Growth = New Positions and adding to our team!
We are happy to announce we will be adding two new diagnosticians and two new Speech - Language Pathologists to our team next year. Additionally, we proactively secured contract evaluation and instructional staff to continue to support your hard work and efforts during the 2022-2023 school year.
Annual Special Services Survey Time!
SURVEY LINK HERE
Spring Respite Event - April 23rd
This event will be fun for the students and is free for parents :) If you are interested in working this event, please complete the registration form.
An email was sent out to eligible parents to register for this event. Please spread the word to families and make them aware that this event is happening!
Parent Advisory Meeting - Thursday, April 21 from 2-3 PM
We will be hosting a parent advisory zoom meeting Thursday, April 21st from 2-3 PM. Be on the lookout for a email with additional informaiton and zoom link.
ESY Positions still needed! Help Wanted!
The pay for summer positions has been increased by 20% for this year!
If you are interested in working or have questions about ESY/Compensatory positions, please email Kalli Wakefield kalliwakefield@tomballisd.net
Challenge Day Volunteers
Challenge Day is scheduled for Friday, May 6, 2022 from 8:00am-1:00pm at the WWJHS track.
Over the years, several of you have asked if your own children can volunteer at the event. If you would like for your own personal student to volunteer, please email Kalli Wakefield kalliwakefield@tomballisd.net for a permission form.
This form serves to inform you and the campus of the specifics for the event. All questions regarding absences, make-up work, attendance, etc must be directed to your child’s campus principal as he/she has ultimate say in the absence procedure.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Kalli Wakefield with any questions you may have about the event!
Hand in Hand Expo Recap
Special Services is excited to report that over 50 community businesses and agencies were represented at the Tomball Event Center on Saturday, April 10 for the Hand in Hand Expo. Close to 70 families attended and gathred information. Feedback from families was wonderful on the amount of information as well as the usefullness of the information they were able to gather. Tomball ISD, Community and Families working together! #Ubuntu
4 Factors in Determining Change in Placement vs. Location
A change in location or facilities does not in itself amount to a placement change. The term "educational placement" refers to more than just the physical location of the student's services.
In making this determination, consider 4 factors discussed HERE.
TIP OF THE WEEK - Live Captions in Google Slides
When presenting with google slides, you can add live captioning to ensure further accessibility to the materia and presentation! Here is a short video that describes how to activate live captions in google slides.
Student Support Shout Outs
Evaluators: Shout out to all evaluators for their continued dedication to getting things done with greatness during such a busy time of year. We couldn't do it without all of you!
Brianne Carbery, Tawnya Burch, Eileen Garza, Kristy LaNeave, Marcia Deleyer and Christy Harrison - Thank you for supporting the Families of Tomball ISD by representing CAT, Transition, LIFE18, Community Connections and Special Services at the Hand in Hand Expo this past Saturday.
Kalli Wakefield - Great job organizing and hosting the Hand in Hand Expo this past Saturday.
Elizabeth Goodrich, Vy Thai, Patsy Ward, Kimberly Keller - Thank you for all you do for our students through your work in Occupational Therapy!
Tawnya Burch - Great job in having meaningful conversations with parents prior to ARD meetings to ensure smooth collaboration and decisions during the ARD. Fantastic parent feedback has been received. Kuddos!
We love our OT's! Happy OT Month!
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff: