Owatonna Public Schools
Special Services Family Newsletter ~ Winter 2018-19
"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
A Note from Wendy Cirksena, Director of Special Services
The Special Education Advisory Council exists first and foremost to provide the public, particularly families of students with disabilities, a forum to guide the district from the unique perspective only families can provide. Because this council belongs to the community, your needs were heard, taken back to the Special Services Leadership Team, and a plan was created. It is the intention of the Owatonna Public Schools Special Services department to facilitate the needs of the Special Education Advisory Council by providing increased opportunities for community discussion regarding the Special Services Department policies and procedures. Through increased and effective communication, the Special Services Department aims to grow the numbers of attendees at SEAC meetings, hearing as many community voices as we can. We really are better together, as evidenced by the progress that is already being made. It is the departments intent to build on that progress while continuing to Inspire Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
Special Education Advisory Council Meeting
Owatonna Public Schools is hosting a Special Education Advisory Council Meeting open to all community members interested in learning more about the Special Service's programming offered at Owatonna Public Schools. The goal of the meeting is to advocate for high-quality educational programs for all learners and assure that the School Board, District Administration, and community members are informed of special education successes, issues, and concerns.
For more information and meeting agenda, click here.
If you would like to submit questions in advance, please contact Jen Clausen: jclausen@isd761.org
Monday, Feb 4, 2019, 05:30 PM
Owatonna Senior High School ----- Small Group Forum
Spotlight on School Social Workers
Providing a vital connection between home, school, and community, School Social Workers support Owatonna Public Schools students on a daily basis. All district School Social Workers hold licensure through both the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Minnesota Department of Education. These highly qualified professionals help to create and support a positive school culture through a multifaceted and student centered approach to their work. School Social Workers provide a continuum of services that spans from the classroom to the community. Working with Owatonna Public Schools students and their families across all educational settings, in addition to collaboration with outside agencies, provides School Social Workers with a unique opportunity to affect positive outcomes for Owatonna Public Schools learners. Working with school administration, they help to develop building wide policies that are designed to create respectful, responsible, and safe learning environments. Through exercises that can benefit all students, such as classroom lessons and mindfulness activities, School Social Workers lay a foundation for an effective educational setting. Additionally, they provide school based mental health support to the students in their respective buildings, while helping staff to develop a mental health lens through which to view their classrooms. Connecting learners and their families with community resources including basic necessities, housing, medical care, and mental health providers, School Social Workers collaborate with outside agencies, assisting families throughout these processes. By providing both direct and indirect services to students who receive special services, School Social Workers support the needs of learners who may require a special education service plan in order to succeed educationally. Engaging students with all types and degrees of needs, School Social Workers strive to eliminate educational barriers, whether they be physical, social, or emotional, so that every student can be successful. This dynamic approach to working with the students of the Owatonna Public School District is how School Social Workers Inspire Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.
If you have any questions about School Social Workers, please contact the School Social Worker located at your student’s school. Click here to access the School Social Worker staff list. Additionally, you may contact Sandy Standke, Special Services Secretary, at sstandke@isd761.org or (507) 444-8046.
SEAC Meeting Summary
On Tuesday, November 13th, the first Special Education Advisory Council meeting of the 2018-19 school year was held at the OHS Small Group Forum. The meetings are a community forum that provide an opportunity for interested people to learn more about the OPS Special Services Department while allowing them to offer input regarding Special Services Department policies and procedures.
Rhynda Dulas presented on how the Olmstead Decision and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) drove the development of the rapidly expanding Community Work Based Learning Program at OHS. The program is designed to provide pre-employment skills through a seminar based class in addition to real world work experiences with community business partners. Whether a student intends to attend a post-secondary program or not, the goal of the program is to prepare students with service plans to enter the workforce and earn a living wage.
Laura Brunner from Special Olympics Minnesota presented on how Special Olympics Minnesota is spearheading a movement of unified schools in Minnesota. The movement provides athletic and leadership opportunities to students with and without disabilities, while creating inclusive school communities.
Wendy Cirksena then spoke about the Special Services Department and some of the programming options available. She then addressed attendees questions and concerns regarding communication, programming, staffing, and funding. It was decided that there would be an additional two SEAC meetings during the 2018-19 school year in order to provide for more community involvement in guiding the Special Services Department.