EC Newsletter: December 2018
Exceptional Supports for Literacy & Learning
Welcome to the EC Department's Monthly Newsletter!
Do you have ideas for future newsletter topics, teachers/service providers who should be featured, or general feedback? Let us know by emailing ashley1.kogutkiewicz@cms.k12.nc.us.
Happy Inclusive Schools Week!
https://inclusiveschools.org/inclusive-schools-week/
Is your school doing anything special to celebrate? Email us pictures or stories and we'll feature some of them in our January newsletter! (ashley1.kogutkiewicz@cms.k12.nc.us)
VI Teachers
Visual Impairments Information Session
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2018, 03:00 PM
4421 Stuart Andrew Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, USA
EC Visuals Challenge!
click HERE to click on the links in the flyer above!
Literacy Strategy of the Month
It is important that special educators provide students with access to the general education curriculum. The district has organized a bank of content and curriculum resources that EC teachers may find helpful. The link below will take you directly to the teacher resources page. This page is organized by grade level, and there are reading resources available within each grade level. As you plan specially designed instruction and monitor student progress, these resources may be helpful! This toolkit is also accessible from the Canvas homepage (login through NCEDCloud-> CMS Resources on lefthand toolbar-> Teacher Resources in green at the top of the page) (https://cms.instructure.com/courses/198074)
Compliance Tip of the Month
To access the links listed above, click HERE.
Stretching the limits
Special Olympics
Special Olympics Bocce events were a big success this year. Soccer events were cancelled due to rain but Ardrey Kell High School persevered and held their own invitational at their school. Way to go AK!
STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EXTENSION CLASSES IN PE
Congrats on the first quarter! By now you are in the routine of going to PE. Here are some strategies and procedures to make sure students are SAFE and SUCCESSFUL while attending PE classes.
- Know the ROUTINE for entering the gym and MOVING immediately (such as walking, running, galloping and skipping around the perimeter of the gym).
- Use VISUALS to teach and redirect students.
- Make sure the ENVIRONMENT is free of clutter and stations or zones are designated. Sometimes putting mats up to divide the LARGE space is a good idea just to make it smaller and more manageable.
- CONSISTENCY is important. Keep a consistent and predictable routine in place.
- Teachers, be the example for the students. Stay on YOUR FEET and keep the students moving throughout the PE class.
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:
We are offering a wide variety of Professional Development on the December 5th Early Release Day. 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
#420370 EXC Administering the CORE to Secondary Students
This course will preview each of the quick reading assessments that may be administered to secondary students to find the starting point for instructional remediation. It will lead the participants through the correct order of administration for teachers to establish baseline information and continue its use to progress monitor during the year. Presenters will answer questions regarding administration and how to use the data obtained.
#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.
#420338 EXC 20108-2019 - SLPs - A Look At Our Staff Evaluation Tool
This course is highly recommended for Speech-Language Pathologists new to North Carolina and /or school-based therapy who have not had any formal training on the evaluation tool supervisors use with school-based SLP's. We will take a hard look at the tool and discuss how to best advocate for recognition for your work using your observation and evaluation cycle.
#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.
Join us on the next Early Release – December 5- day at Berewick ES! Sessions include Using Bookshare, Developing Metacognitive Skills, and Antecedent Interventions for Challenging Behaviors
**A special thanks to Mary Schwartz for initiating this and hosting the event! Please RSVP here- so we can plan accordingly! https://goo.gl/forms/3iHECcpQNKSqSHOA3
Upcoming EC Department Events
Staff Round Table #2:
Thursday, December 13th
Topic: Progress Monitoring and Data Collection
Time: 4:00PM-5:00PM
Location: Wilson STEM Academy
More information: https://www.smore.com/yuw49-ec-staff-round-table-2
Family Round Table #3:
Tuesday, January 15th
Topic: Community Resources and Supports
Time: 6:30PM-7:30PM
Location: Wilson STEM Academy
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
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