Exceptional Education Newsletter
January 2022
IN THIS ISSUE
Motivational Video: American Hero!
Welcome to RPS!
Compliance CornerVertical Transition
Educational Tip
Assistive Technology Tip of the Month
Message from Transition Teachers
SEAC
Professional Development Opportunities
Shoutouts
Previous Issues
Happy New Year!
AMERICAN HERO
Welcome to RPS!
Daniel Irwin M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Daniel is a newly hired Behavior Analyst for Richmond Public Schools. He has worked in special education since 2002 and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2012. He has worked as a paraprofessional, special education teacher and supervisor, and an instructional coach/ mentor teacher in public and private school settings (including RPS). In his previous position, he served as the Education Specialist for Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, and Assistive Technology for the Virginia Department of Education. He was the project lead for the Applied Studies Diploma, the project manager for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Autism Center for Excellence (VCU-ACE) as well as the Virginia Assistive Technology Network. Daniel created and continues to engage in the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Network (VAPSBAN) and is highly committed to supporting school teams and students through providing professional development and coaching in evidence based strategies and promoting the practice of behavior analysis in public schools.
Dr. Kira Austin
Dr. Kira Austin is a Behavior Analyst with Richmond Public Schools. Dr. Austin received her Ph.D. in Special Education and Disability Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Austin has previously worked in the public setting as Chief Clinical Officer and Clinical Supervisor in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and mental health. Dr. Austin also previously taught graduate level courses in ABA at Whitworth University. She has extensive experience working with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Her professional goals include supporting schools to implement effective behavior management systems and supporting teachers to build their capacity to understand and put into practice function-based thinking. She lives in Midlothian, VA with her husband and two wonderful children. She enjoys coffee, long naps, and crafting.
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Happy New Year!!
All students must have an assigned case manager in VA IEP. If you have a student who is in the initial eligibility process, assign the ICC as the case manager until the process has been completed.
Continue to work on obtaining signatures from parents to finalize and bring the IEP process compliant in VA IEP. Here are some ways schools have obtained parent signatures:
1. Use Parent Portal.
2. Schedule a time for parents to come to the school to sign.
3. Use the Office of Engagement as a resource.
Continue to work with your case managers to ensure all annual IEP and eligibility meetings are scheduled for students. Each student must have a compliant and up-to-date IEP and eligibility.
January Updates:
January updates to the December 1 Child Count, Indicators 9, 10, 11, and the Out of Compliance Spreadsheet are now due on January 31, 2022, instead of January 28th.
Instructional and Compliance Coordinators (ICC's) should indicate "none," followed by the month of submission when there is no new information to report.
Revisions to the Out of Compliance Report should be captured each month under the ICC Comments. All students listed on the spreadsheet should have an update. If there is no update next to each student the spreadsheet will be deemed non-compliant.
As schools hold IEP meetings for English Learners, Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) teachers should be invited to participate as team members.
January ICC Meetings
Elementary and Secondary ICCs- January 25th, 2:00-3:30
The January Playbook session has been canceled until February 9th
VERTICAL TRANSITION
Vertical Transition meetings are around the corner!
Rising 9th Grade: January 31 - February 11
Rising 6th Grade: February 22 - February 28
Preschool-K Transitions will be scheduled with the Preschool Instructional Specialist and select elementary schools
School schedules and Google Classroom invites will be sent by the end of the week for rising 9th grade, and next week for rising 5th grade.
Please prioritize these meetings!
EDUCATIONAL TIP
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TIP OF THE MONTH
AT Strategies for Writing
What is the purpose of writing?
To express knowledge and ideas!
Written expression can be produced through pencil/paper, word processing, or voice typing... just to name a few methods.
The following technology is readily available to ALL RPS students to support
WRITTEN EXPRESSION
Tutorial on how to use “Select to Speak” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gz4lXWDzTQ
or “Voice typing”
TRANSITION MENTOR TEACHERS
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) ends when a student leaves secondary education. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are ongoing throughout the lifespan.
These laws provide for appropriate accommodations in public programs and facilities. To support these disability protections, The IEP accommodations page or a Section 504 Plan can travel with a student into higher education, a vocational program, or work. Often a special services office at an institution for higher learning includes a staff member responsible for ensuring that disability rights are upheld.
Continue to utilize your Transition Mentor Teachers who have information to share to help our students and their parents in these areas as they move from High School to their next phase in life.
Kaitlynn Rollins: Armstrong High School and Martin Luther King Middle School
During the month of December, the Education for Employment students had a fundraiser to sell holiday candy grams. This project allowed the students to create their candy grams, determine an appropriate price, and make deliveries of the orders. The students sold all of the candy grams days before the fundraiser ended. Students calculated the cost to make the candy grams and determined the price for selling them. The students will be using the fundraising money raised to buy seeds, soil and other materials to create an AHS greenhouse in the spring! The students would like to thank the staff of Armstrong High School for their support and purchases of these candy grams! We are looking forward to our next fundraiser (to be determined!).
Karen Young: George Wythe High School, Boushall Middle School, and Lucille Brown Middle
Darlene Slade: Huguenot High School and River City Middle School
December was an exciting month for the students in the Education for Employment class at Huguenot High School. We hosted a financial officer from Virginia Credit Union who spoke on finances, budgeting, and investments. He encouraged us to make the most of our money and shared valuable insight for ways to save and invest our employment earnings.
In addition, the class created a "Proper Handwashing" video that we shared with the school to help with the spread of COVID and other germs.
Lastly, we planned, shopped, and prepared a Christmas Breakfast on the last day before winter break utilizing many of our Independent Living Skills. It was delicious, and all of our guests enjoyed themselves!
Selina Wilson: John Marshall High School, Henderson Middle School, and RAS
During the first semester of school, John Marshall High School “Jayem Justices” engaged in several job opportunities within the school setting. In addition, students were provided the opportunity to assist with mitigation practices that included cleaning and sanitizing doors, tables, and other frequently used equipment.
The students participated in delivering office material and online orders to staff members around the building. The students also manufactured Christmas ornament products to provide to teachers and family members during the holiday season. We want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all who made this semester a wonderful experience. We are excited about future opportunities!
SEAC
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for Richmond Public Schools is a partnership between the RPS school district, parents/guardians of students with disabilities, and vital community stakeholders. The SEAC is mandated, by the state, to advise the district on local issues, present or past policies, and planning. Our vision is to support RPS in creating inclusive educational opportunities for students receiving exceptional education services to ensure that they lead full and engaged lives.
Please see the SEAC Virtual Academy invite linked below. The Richmond Virtual Academy and exceptional education will meet on January 26, 2022, from 6:30-7:30.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY TRAINING
The virtual training will provide an overview of the Supplemental Guidance on Evaluation and Eligibility with topics addressing documentation for eligibility, data sources including quantity and quality of data, reducing bias in assessment, development of local procedures, and revisions to state sample criteria worksheets. Registration is required to attend.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022: 2-4:30 p.m
Monday, February 14, 2022: 9-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022: 2-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022: 9-11:30 a.m.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Check out the online and in person opportunities for educators. See VASCD for more information and costs:
- Help Me Learn How to Play the Game: Discipline with Feeling, Fidelity, and Follow Through Webinar on January 26 and February 23. Discipline is one of the most misunderstood aspects of school improvement. Attend the Jan. 26 session with Andy Jacks. Next, try out a practical strategy. Join the Feb. 23 session facilitated by Kambar Khoshaba and Casey Roberts.
- 2022 Whole Child Institute: Teach Our Children Well: Strengthening Adult Capacity to Meet Student Needs on February 10 at the Fulghum Center. In this session, participants will examine five disciplines that are key to strengthening educators and schools.
- The Minimalist Teacher. Attend the all-day, in person session in Roanoke on February 22, or the one-hour webinar on February 24 at 4 p.m. Join ASCD author Tammy Musiowsky- Borneman who will share ideas about minimalism in education.