EC Newsletter: February 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.
Announcing the Mary Jane Rhyne Continuing Education Scholarship
Applications are due February 16th. Click HERE for additional details about eligibility and and how to apply!
Our staff is EXCEPTIONAL!
In December, Carmel Middle School's Specialized Behavior Support staff had their 2nd SBS “ALL In” Group meeting. During the meeting, staff facilitated as students reviewed and shared out: “what is going well”, “what needs to improve”, classroom and behavior expectations and ended with a team culminating activity in one of the following areas such as coping skills, social skills, communication skills, stress management, self-motivation etc.
What really made my “heart smile”…. their staff saw beyond the behavioral needs and eliminated barriers by ensuring each student received a Christmas stocking filled with some school paraphernalia, basketballs, footballs, toiletries, socks, gloves, and goodies before leaving for Winter Break. This was so big that the community and school community got involved and other students with a need also left with a stocking. In addition, students got a chance to practice working as a team as they engaged in making sugar cookies and a gingerbread house competition! Ms. Rashonda Rose, the SBS BST at Carmel Middle School, was the organizer but without the awesome and supportive SBS teachers and teacher assistants, these meetings and objectives would not have been possible. The team truly put the needs of kids first and most importantly captured an opportunity for students to use what they have learned…
A special THANK YOU to Pat Bryant, EC Behavior Liaison, for sharing this wonderful story!
Literacy Strategy of the Month
Science has taught us a great deal about effective reading instruction for all students during their formative, primary years over the last several decades. Additionally, we know that students with reading disabilities require more intense, explicit, and systematic instruction closely aligned to the identified area of deficit.
This audio report from CESE provides a strong overview of what research tells us about effective reading instruction during the yearly years of school. Exceptional Children teachers and service providers should consider how they are providing specially-designed instruction to align with this core- think…the core and more!
Consider downloading and listening to it in the car! https://soundcloud.com/nsw-cese/reading-paper
Compliance Tip of the Month
Did you know that one of the indicators that DPI measures CMS on is parent involvement and information is gathered via a parent survey? The EC Dept. created its own version of a parent survey to mirror some of the questions that are asked from DPI several years ago. We have asked that case managers ask parents to complete an online survey after all IEP meetings. Once the DEC 5 Prior Written Notice is finalized, a link to the online survey in English and Spanish appears (see image below).
There should be a computer that the parent can use to immediately complete the survey in private. In the event that the parent is unable to complete the survey at the conclusion of the meeting, we ask that case managers give the parent a copy of the Parent Survey Letter along with copies of all paperwork. This will allow parents to complete the survey when it is convenient for them to do so after the meeting.
Do you have questions regarding Assistive Technology such as where it goes in the IEP or does the specific device get named in the IEP?
Did you know...
Language and Literacy Skills are Intertwined!
Need Books?
Apply for FREE books for Read Across America Day. During the past year, Literacy Empowerment Foundation has distributed over 3,000,000 books to schools all across the country for Read Across America Day and other literacy projects. These books are free. Educators only pay shipping and handling. Resources are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Order Form. Deadline EXTENDED: February 19th, 2018.
Learning & Teaching Gateway
Check out the amazing resource hub that the CMS Learning & Teaching Department has created for all grade bands and content areas!
https://cms.instructure.com/courses/198074Want to receive great weekly updates from the CMS Elementary Literacy Team? Fill out this form to be added to their distribution list! http://bit.ly/2yYwOim
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 link below to see upcoming opportunities and join us for one soon!
Title: SSP~ Collaboration Between MTSS and EC Teams ~2018
MyTalent #: 419052
Description: Participants will receive an overview of district guidelines and recommendations when MTSS and IEP teams need to collaborate. This session will provide an explanation of new guiding documents as well as allow participants an opportunity to engage in team problem solving scenarios. Through these scenarios teams will be able to identify school based roles and responsibilities when interventions are to be implemented concurrently.
Audience: Training is recommended for school teams to attend the same session together. This training is targeted for school teams up to 4 people. Principal, School-based MTSS Leadership Team Members, Exceptional Children’s staff, Psychologist, Counselor are ideal participants.
Date(s): 2/7/2018 (AM and PM), 2/13/2018 (PM)
Title: EXC FUNCTION Matters: FBAs to Function-Based BIPs
MyTalent #: 419126
Description: This course is for any teacher who wants to spend less time addressing students' challenging behaviors and more time teaching. Information presented will help participants understand and leverage the power of identifying function of behaviors and the setting events which surround them. Participants will be introduced to tracking tools to help teams make informed decisions about what to include in a comprehensive function-based intervention plan.
Audience: Any CMS Staff
Date(s): 2/28/2018, 3/7/2018, 3/14/2018, 3/21/2018 (AM only each day)
Upcoming EC Department Events
EC Staff Round Table #3
Tuesday, February 20th
4:00PM-5:00PM
Hopewell High School
Parent Round Table #4
Tuesday, March 6th
8:30AM-9:30AM
South Mecklenburg High School
To learn more information about future Round Tables, please click HERE.
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
Want to know more about the Endrew Supreme Court case, and read the frequently asked Questions & Answers created by the United States Department of Education? Check out this document: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-endrewcase-12-07-2017.pdf
Social Media
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 any questions that you may have!
980-343-2724