Exceptional Education Newsletter
December 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Motivational Video: What Would Life be Without Teachers?
Caught Learning
Inclusive Schools Week
Compliance CornerFun Fact: Don't stress your voice!
Assistive Technology Tip of the Month
Message from Transition Teachers
Message from Intensive Supports
SEAC
Professional Development Opportunities
Shoutouts
Previous Issues
MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO
CAUGHT LEARNING
MARY MUNFORD
WESTOVER HILLS ELEMENTARY
INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) and Stetson & Associates, Inc., which is held each year during the first full week in December. Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
For more information on how to celebrate visit https://inclusiveschools.org/inclusive-schools-week/
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY
FRANCIS ELEMENTARY
COMPLIANCE CORNER
The countdown is on for winter break! Continue to strive for 100% Compliance.
Below are the December compliance updates:
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.
December Updates:
December updates to the December 1 Child Count, Indicators 9, 10, 11, and the Out of Compliance Spreadsheet are due on December 17, 2021. This date change is due to Superintendent Kamras’ RPS Direct stating the district will be closed December 20th-24th. 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.
As schools hold IEP meetings for English Learners, Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) teachers should be invited to participate as team members.
December ICC Meetings
Elementary ICCs- December 14th 2:00-3:30
A FUN FACT
DON'T STRESS YOUR VOICE!
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TIP OF THE MONTH
SWITCH ACCESSIBLE COMPUTER SITES FOR STUDENTS WHO USE CAPABILITY SWITCHES
The following websites are switch accessible or pair easily with a switch.
Explore each website for more information!
1. Starfall Accessible Index for Children: https://www.starfall.com/h/index-acv.php
2. HelpKidzLearn – Games and Activities section (cause/effect, games, matching): https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/
1. Username: love2learn
2. Password: 4me2use
3. Special Bites - make any YouTube video switch accessible: http://www.specialbites.com/switch-access-to-youtube/make-youtube-videos-into-switch-scanning-games-for-children-with-special-needs.php
4. Tar Heel Reader https://tarheelreader.org/find/ Search for any topic!
5. Epic Books - This resource is FREE for RPS students when accessed through the students’ Clever Account: https://www.getepic.com
Please check with your school’s OT, PT, or ITRT for more information and support with capability switches, switch interfaces, and these websites.
A MESSAGE FROM THE TRANSITION MENTOR TEACHERS
Transition Mentor Teachers
Kaitlyn Rollins- Armstrong High School & Martin Luther King Middle School
Karen Young- George Wythe High School & Boushall and Lucille Brown Middle Schools
Darlene Slade- Huguenot High School & River City Middle School
Selina Wilson- John Marshall High School & Henderson Middle School
Did you Know….
According to the United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDS), one of the most significant barriers for students with disabilities transitioning from high school to higher education or the workforce is neglecting to disclose their disability. Once students graduate from high school, they become responsible for informing their disability to their school or employer. Unfortunately, a recent study reported that only one-quarter of students with learning disabilities revealed their disability to their college.
There are a variety of reasons why young adults choose not to disclose their disability, including:
· Being unaware of the disability services available to them or not knowing how to take advantage of them
· Not wanting to be seen in a negative light by faculty due to their disability or requesting accommodations
· Worrying that professors/employers and other students/coworkers will see them as being lazy or having an unfair advantage
· Not fully understanding the significance of accommodations and how they’ll benefit from them
Remember to check in often with your Transition Mentor Teacher; we’re part of your TEAM!
· We provide school-based Professional Development
· 1:1 Case manager support
· Support with providing appropriate transition assessments for students
· Review of the transition section of IEPs,
· Assistance with job searches or applications
· Agency referral assistance
· Future planning consultation
· School and community-based internship opportunities
Transition Tip
Case managers should send home the formal assessment results so parents and students can discuss goals during the informal interviews. Doing this allows the conversation to center around the assessment findings, which is a good starting point for students who are unsure of what they want to do.
MESSAGE FROM INTENSIVE SUPPORTS
The team has gathered all of the latest and greatest from n2y to make sure administrators and teachers are "in the know" and taking advantage of all the great resources at their fingertips!
Please be sure to take a moment and read these quick tips loaded with resources! Coming in December Specifically for administrators will be:
• Administrator Dashboard (formerly “Home” under Administration menu)
• My Reports (All Administrator reports now located under My Reports)
• Manage Faculty & Students (User Dashboard with several enhancements)
• Manage Sample Classroom (view and support your service providers with access to all of your solutions)
SEAC
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTION
NEW VAAP FORMAT
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUEST
ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
VDOE's Training and Technical Assistance Centers
VDOE’s TTAC provides online resources, events and training to support the education of individuals with disabilities. There are 7 Regional TTAC locations offering a variety of educational opportunities. Check out VDOE’s TTAC events and online courses today!
VASCD 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 challenging and 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—attunement, alignment, perspective, collective efficacy, and organizational learning—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. Recognizing what teachers face and building capacity through minimalism can help skilled educators remain in the profession. Join ASCD author Tammy Musiowsky- Borneman who will share ideas about minimalism in education.
SHOUTOUTS
Ms. Elizabeth Wait - Armstrong High
Kudos for utilizing formal assessments in her IEPs.
Mr. Stephen R. Chamberlain- George Wythe High School
Mr. Chamberlain has been in education for 31 years, teaching life skills and Education for Employment to ID students. His transitional goals exemplify excellent knowledge of the process. He is detailed in his description and, because of his relationship with the students, can provide accurate information in the transitional section of the IEP. Kudos to Mr. Chamberlain
Mr. Derrick Johnson – Huguenot High School
Mr. Johnson exhibits a fundamental understanding of the importance of transition and takes the time to create attainable goals and objectives for each of his students. The transition goals he builds and the time he spends with his students offer them realistic plans for a successful future.
Ms. Rachelle Wilson - John Marshall
Shout out to Ms. Wilson for using formal assessments to develop outcome-based post-secondary goals.