SPECIAL PROGRAMS NEWSIES
WINTER 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
As 2020 winds down, we want to acknowledge how grateful we are for our students, staff and families. You have been amazing!! Although this has been a challenging year, it has also been a year full of experiences and thoughtful learning. We have truly learned a lot! I believe 2021🎇 will bring hope and happiness to all families, friends and staff. Enjoy rest, relaxation and of course, have a little fun! 😷 We can't wait to see you in 2021!
Happy Holidays!
Elizabeth Anthony
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
With the holiday break right around the corner, the special education teachers are working hard to meet individual student needs both in-person and through distance learning. Below are some of the efforts taking place to help support teachers, students and staff members.
Special Education Professional Development: Special education teachers are participating in monthly special education professional development, weekly school based planning and building PD’s. Elementary special education teachers are completing Orton Gillingham training. Select special education staff are being certified in Wilson Reading interventions.
Identified special populations return to the building for in-person learning: Students receiving intensive support and identified students returned to the buildings December 10th to continue in-person learning following all health and safety guidelines.
Special Education Recovery Efforts and Exact Path: Special education teachers have spent the last few months meeting with families to discuss student progress during the school closure and current participation in virtual and/or in-person learning. IEP recovery meetings are coming to a close and information about Exact Path has been shared with identified students/families. CCPS has over 80 students enrolled in the Exact Path Tutoring program based on the identified needs of the students.
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - SPECIAL EDUCATION CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SECAC)
SECAC CALENDAR OF EVENTS
All events subject to change depending on the COVID 19 Pandemic
December 19, 2020
Saturday from 1pm to 3pm
NCHS Front Traffic Loop
CCPS Santa Drive-By 🎅
January 21, 2021
Thursday from 6pm to 8pm
Easton Chesapeake Bowling
Family Bowling Night 🎳
February 17, 2021
Wednesday at 6pm
Board of Education
Bonnie Larrimore
Parent Educator
Parents Place
Helping your Child Get What They Need: From the IEP Process to Accessing Online Resources
March 10, 2021
Wednesday at 6pm
North Caroline High School
Rock-Able with Jesse Magee and his Band!
Experience a powerful evening on disability awareness and diversity, as Jesse Magee who is legally blind and has cerebral palsy on his right side, performs live with his band. You will leave inspired!
April 15, 2021
Thursday at 6pm
North Caroline High School
Community Resource Fair & 4th Annual Staff Appreciation Night🎉
April 28, 2021
Wednesday at 6pm
Board of Education
Dr. Duane Isava, Ph.D., NCSP
Executive Director and Registered Psychology Associate /Halcyon Wellness Center
Promoting Social Skills and Pragmatic Language in Children
May 12, 2021
Wednesday from 10am - 1pm
Tuckahoe State Park
Discovery Day
Expo featuring community agencies and organizations to support our families
Please RSVP to Luisa Carlisle, Family Support Resource Coordinator
410-479-3609 or carlisle.luisa@ccpsstaff.org if you plan on attending any of the events listed above.
SECONDARY TRANSITION
Way to go Mr. Hollis and staff!!
INFANTS AND TODDLERS
MSDE created a Parent Information Series including documents that explain Infants and Toddlers and the transition to special education services. Documents are available in English and Spanish.
Parent Information Series Guides include:
Family Guide to Early Intervention Services in Maryland
Family Guide to Maryland’s Parental Rights/Procedural Safeguards Notice
Family Guide to Understanding the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Family Guide to Next Steps When Your Child in Early Intervention Turns 3
Family Guide to Special Education Services in Maryland
Family Guide to Early Childhood Transitions, Birth to Kindergarten
The documents can be found at http://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/info.aspx
EARLY CHILDHOOD
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
When moving to Distance Learning, some parents preferred an alternate instructional opportunity for their children. Most parents selecting this choice where parents for students unable to connect or the parent work schedule did not accommodate the Distance Learning Schedule. In an effort to meet the needs of all Pre-K students, a print pack of lessons with family connection activities/calendar was prepared and distributed. In addition, a Family Learning Fun Backpack,from Fanny the Frog Street Puppet, was included in the distribution. This includes: a journal for drawing and writing, full-color photo cards, a letter formation chart, a lilypad counting mat, ten-frame cards, frog counters, pattern blocks, rhyming cards, plastic letters, crayons and pencils.
Students participating in Distance Learning took home their previously provided curriculum materials and ipads to support their learning from home. A new schedule was created that mirrors the current in-person learning schedule in order to provide continuity to these students.
GIFTED AND TALENTED
The purpose of Caroline County Public Schools’ (CCPS) Gifted and Talented (GT) Program is to identify students in all Caroline County Schools who represent all cultural, ethnic, and economic groups. It is our responsibility to develop and implement the gifted and talented education and services needed to develop our student's full potential. I look forward to a continued collaboration with teachers, counselors and administration to implement programs to meet the needs of our gifted and talented learners.
ENGLISH LEARNERS
Caroline County Public Schools continues to ensure that English learners (ELs), including immigrant children and youth, attain English language proficiency and meet the same standards that all children are expected to meet. It is important to make sure that your child is participating in virtual learning. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s schedule and when they should be attending class, please reach out to your child’s teacher. It is very easy for student’s to get behind academically if they are not attending class every day. We want all of our students to be successful and appreciate your support.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. If communication is a concern, please let the teacher know so an interpreter can be provided. We are very excited about our growing population of English learners and want to do our best to communicate with our families.
504
Thank you to all of our families for the collaboration during 504 meetings and for continuing to communicate with us about your child’s needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school should you have any questions or concerns about their 504 Plan. You do not have to wait until the date of your annual review to ask questions or check in on your child’s progress.
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