Special Education Update
A Year in Review: July, 2019
From Deborah Dormady, Director of Special Education
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff of the Department of Special Education, thank you for partnering with us to teach and support your children. We have had a very productive year focusing on your children - our students - and creating strong learners who are an integral part of our BCSD community.
This newsletter contains highlights on some of the work and accomplishments of the 2018-2019 school year; and a preview of some areas of focus for the 2019-2020 school year. I hope you enjoy reading this information.
I also would like to wish you and your families a wonderful summer break and look forward to our continued work together.
Best Regards,
Deborah Dormady
SAVE THE DATE! Upcoming Parent Evenings
Special Education Open House ~ September 26, 2019
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! This night is scheduled as an open house and will include special education staff from all departments (elementary, secondary, related services, technology, and transition). Come get to know the dedicated professionals working with your children!
Transitions Throughout K-12 and Beyond ~ February 5, 2020
Come learn about transitions throughout your child's school life and beyond. More details to follow as date nears.
Social Emotional Learning and Wellness ~ March 25, 2020
Find out what social emotional learning and wellness is all about, and how it affects your child. More details to follow as date nears.
A group of 26 dedicated Bedford staff members participated in a three-day conference on Inclusion in Syracuse. This work continued throughout the school year with the involvement of the Curriculum Council. This group of 60 educators, which consisted of all who attended the conference on inclusion and additional 34 districtwide administrators and educators, met with Dr. Causton, an Inclusion specialist, to dig into the meaning of inclusion and how we can provide that environment at BCSD. This group also continued to meet and work throughout the year as the Inclusive Practices Steering Committee and met monthly.
The Dyslexia Guidance Document from New York State was reviewed, and PD on Dyslexia was provided to tiered teachers and learning specialists. Additional training was provided for our elementary learning specialist in the evaluation for Dyslexia.
We implemented Readtopia, a specialized reading curriculum for students with complex learning needs.
We increased the use of the universal tool Read and Write, which provides robust writing tools for students, and removes barriers to the writing process.
We increased opportunities for our students in self-contained classes to learn in a general education setting. Options now include the ability to audit courses in areas that the individual has a strength or interest. Examples of classes include Animal Behavior, ESOL Science, and Living Environment.
In Collaboration with Dr. Adelberg, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, meetings were held with all related parent organizations to review the district's work on inclusive practices.
We held numerous Parent Coffees in collaboration with the elementary principals to discuss and answer any questions regarding Special Education.
We held meetings for the families of students who were transitioning from elementary to middle school, and middle school to high school. In addition to these events, the Middle School also provided tours to families transitioning to the middle school.
In collaboration with SEPTO, the Special Education Department facilitated a parent evening to provide information on the continuum of services K-12, UDL, AT, and Literacy Supports.
We introduced the Flexible Support Model for Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists.
We implemented a Unified Physical Education program for our students in special classes to be integrated into general education physical education.
We engaged in a collaborative project with the Art Department to create a mural in the High School, where all students worked shoulder to shoulder to make this plan come to life. The mural is hanging in D wing of the high school for all to see.
Introducing Carin, BCSD Transition Coordinator!
We are pleased to introduce Carin Horowitz, who joined BCSD as our new Transition Specialist this year. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hunter College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Delaware and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from The City University of New York. Carin has worked in the disabilities field for over 20 years in a variety of roles. Her most recent position was as the Transition Services Director at The Arc Westchester where she has supported BCSD staff and students to transition into adult services and supports. Carin has also worked as a Special Education Advocate, an Adult Day Program Manager and as a College Disability Services Director. She is very excited to be joining the team at BCSD!
Dyslexia Update: Dr. Toni Ann Carey
This year the district continued to provide learning opportunities for staff on the topic of Dyslexia. All staff was given a chance to review and debrief the NYS Dyslexia Guidance Document created in August 2018. Elementary learning specialists, psychologists, and tiered support teachers from all buildings were provided with professional development (PD) regarding phonological processing. All elementary learning specialists were trained in different reading evaluations (CTOPP-2 and FAR); and next year, all secondary learning specialists will receive this professional development training. Superintendent Conference Days also provided professional development time for sessions surrounding Dyslexia and what this learner profile looks like in the classroom.
AT and UDL Update
It has been a busy year with Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) at BCSD. Embedding UDL and accessible technology into all meetings and professional development sessions with teachers has been a big priority this year and has allowed the opportunity for growth district-wide. Some highlights include:
We have started to build capacity at individual schools in terms of AT and UDL. This has been accomplished through increasing staff knowledge of accessible curriculum and available assistive technology within the district, as well as the ability to match tools and strategies to individual student needs.
We are thrilled to announce the addition of dynamic soundfield systems to 30 classrooms next year. These wireless speakers make it easier to hear the teacher above all other background noises (for example, ventilation systems, chairs moving, or peers chatting). This is another example of creating a more inclusive environment within each of our classrooms.
We have also supported new and inclusive ways to deliver curriculum in the classroom. This year, teachers have been given a choice of using the online SMART suite or Nearpod. Both options offer the ability to add interactive and engaging activities, as well as offer multiple ways for students to interact and access materials.
Professional development this year focused on inclusive practices using technology including ways to reduce barriers for learning within the environment. PD opportunities included ways to support implementing Google Applications for Education for diverse learners, opportunities to discuss learner variability, tools to support reading, writing, math, and executive functioning. There has been a lot of growth to grow capacity for teachers to dive into tools and work on ways to differentiate for learning.
A New Related Service Delivery Model: Flexible Support
What is the Flexible Support Model?
This is a flexible scheduling option, utilizing a workload approach to provide related services. It was developed to provide schools with the opportunity to individualize the delivery of services based on student need. This option also better supports IDEA compliance through more effective collaboration and more efficient use of the therapist’s time and expertise. This model maximizes student success in the least restrictive educational environment by utilizing flexible methods and integrating collaborative solutions with staff to work towards student success within all environments during the school day.
In addition, therapists will have the opportunity to observe/consult in the classroom and consult with staff to provide strategies to use throughout the school day to assist students in generalizing skills developed during therapy sessions. The Flexible Support Model maximizes the impact of therapy services and will create a clear link between classroom learning and functional intervention across all disciplines. We are excited to implement this model and anticipate working closely with you to ensure positive outcomes for your child.
FSM Structure
Mandated Services are expressed MONTHLY on the IEP
Direct Services for 3 weeks per month
Indirect Services for 1 week per month in the Support Week
The image below pictures the full continuum of services offered at BCSD. Programs and Services are listed in order from least to most restrictive.
The Bedford Central School District provides a broad range of accommodations, modifications, remedial services, related services and/or special education to meet the needs of all students. Some students may require only support services while others require daily specialized instruction, special classes, or even special schools. Special education is the means by which an individualized program is designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Responsibility for special education rests with the Committee on Preschool Special Education, for children ages 3 to 5 years, and the Committee on Special Education, serving school age students, ages 5 to 21.
Our programs and services are designed to afford our students with disabilities the opportunity to avail themselves of the rich academic and extra-curricular opportunities available within our district to the fullest extent possible. The district is committed to educating as many students as possible within our school district and has designed an array of options towards that end.
BCSD Special Education Department
Email: ddormady0319@bcsdny.org
Website: https://www.bcsdny.org/domain/26
Location: Fox Lane, South Bedford Road, Bedford, NY, USA
Phone: 914-241-6034