Helping Hands
The ETCSD Special Education Parent Newsletter, Sept. 2017
Welcome Back!
As part of these changes, we are excited to welcome several new staff members to our special education team!
We were fortunate enough to add 2 new special education teaching positions at the elementary level! This means we now have 2 full time Early Childhood teachers as well as a K-2 special ed teacher and another teacher to assist in supporting grades 1-5. Please welcome Taylor Gruman (ECSE) and Cathianne Kurtz (grades 1-5) to our special ed team!
In addition, Ms. Koberstein made the decision over the summer to take a position closer to her home. We are excited that Michelle Michalek has joined our team to fill the K-2 special ed teacher position. Ms. Michalek comes to us by way of Illinois and we are excited that she has chosen to work with us in East Troy!
Those of you who know Ms. Hau may already be aware that she took a 1 year leave for this school year. We are excited that in Ms. Hau's absence, Ms. Kelly Fitch will be part of our special education team at Little Prairie Primary. Many of you may know Ms. Fitch from her role in the District as a K5 teacher; we are excited that she has chosen to work in special education with our EC-K students this year. Please give her your warmest welcome to our group!
In addition to new special ed teachers, we are excited to welcome 2 new speech-language pathologists! Allie Kemper and Sarah Scheblein will be working with our students who have speech/language needs throughout the district. Welcome, we are excited to have you!
In addition to our new professional staff, we have new special education teaching assistants who have joined our team at Little Prairie and the Middle School. Please welcome Andrea Berg (LP-EC aide) and Julie Lewis (MS).
While she will only be with our group for a couple of months, our pupil service team would also like to extend a warm welcome to Shannon Cowan who is filling in for Ms. Boston (HS Counselor) this fall.
Welcome to all of our new staff; we are excited to have you join our team!
Parents United: Life Long Readers
Please register here.
Tuesday, Sep 19, 2017, 06:00 PM
Country Springs Hotel, Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI, United States
Walworth County Resource Fair-Sept. 30
- Compass Wisconsin
- Society's Assets
- Aging and Disability Resource Center
- Southeastern Wisconsin Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs
- School District Representatives
- Association for the Prevention of Family Violence
- Children's Community Options Program
...and more!
Saturday September 30, 9am-12pm
Gateway Technical College-South Building
Questions? Please contact jbronson@co.walworth.wi.us
Maintaining Rigor for Students with Special Needs
Database and Form Changes
FAQ
1. What changes will I see on my child's paperwork?
Paperwork will look different if staff are using the new database. You will see different form names and information may be present in a different order. All of the information from IEPs will be present regardless of which paperwork system is used.
2. What do I need to do differently?
Nothing. The changes are just for staff and are in an effort to meet their needs better.
3. Will I still be able to access everything in Skyward?
We are still working through how to share information in Skyward and creating the best system for you to receive information if it is done through SEEDS.
4. Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?
As always, you are free to contact your child's case manager or Kate Harder (harkat@easttroy.k12.wi.us). Please keep in mind that the goal is to make the system more user friendly for everyone involved so that we can focus on providing the best educational environment for the children and youth in East Troy.
Parents United: Social Media and Smart Phones
Please join Staci D. Steen, Certified Law Enforcement Instructor and Retired Milwaukee Police Officer as she covers what every parent ane educator needs to know about how to protect children from serious criminal liability.
Please mark your calendars; RSVP information will be available soon.
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2017, 09:00 AM
Country Springs Hotel, Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI, United States
Trainings for Families and Providers
What’s After High School? is a broad overview of the transition to adult life for youth with disabilities and special health care needs and includes the following topics: envisioning a youth’s future in the community; the role of schools; long-term supports; transitioning to adult health care; legal options; advocacy; and the fundamentals of self-determination. This training will be available at Elkhorn High School, October 24, 5:15-8pm.
Learn More: To find out more and register go to the Family Voices of Wisconsin website at www.familyvoicesofwisconsin.com/ or contact Lynn@fvofwi.org
Cost: All training sessions are free to participants and a light meal and resource binder will be provided. Stipends for childcare and travel expenses are available.
Contact Us!
Email: harkat@easttroy.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.easttroy.k12.wi.us/district/specialeducation.cfm
Phone: 262.642.6720 3223
Special thanks to Matt Katzenberger for the use of his photo on the background of this newsletter.