SPED Update 4/6/16
SPED HAPPENINGS!
We have been able to have two Facilitated IEP's with a DESE trained facilitator. These have been great learning experiences and have really shown our teams that we have been on the right path with our own...we'll call them "facilitated lite" IEP meetings! I'm looking forward to our next vertical late start time so we can share experiences from our Facilitated Pilot Project.
We have a few team members who will be going next week to the National CEC Conference in St Louis and we hope to bring back some great info to share with everyone!
In this newsletter I have included some info on Rethink training resources for you to access. I had a conference call with out Rethink trainer and our Spring goal was to have 25 student with data in Rethink. We had 24 so I think that is a celebration that we were that close to our goal! Our trainer said that we are right on track for our first year of implementation. Next year our focus will continue to be on using that data that we are entering into Rethink to help make better instructional and program decisions for kids.
We also have a parent information event coming up this Thursday and I have included more info on that event so you can share with your students and parents.
RETHINK TRAINING TOOLS AND RESOURCES
RETHINK RECORDED WEBINARS
There are lots of great recorded webinars in Rethink on a variety of topics.
- Log into Rethink
- Go to "My Resources"
- Go to the "Webinar" Tab
- Select "Archived"
- Browse and view any webinars of interest to you
If you would like a refresher on the Rethink Behavior Interface you will want to check out the archived webinar, "A BRIEF GUIDE TO BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT". This webinar will review the basics of how to collect data for FBA and Behavior Improvement Plans in Rethink.
ONGOING RETHINK RESOURCES
There are weekly additional supports to access to help you better utilize all that Rethink has to offer. Our Rethink representative, Jennifer, hosts weekly office hours where you can join in a group session to have your questions answered and get tips and tricks in using the system. There is no limit on how many of these you can access - feel free to use this support and get your questions answered! Register for Jennifer's Office Hours at the following link:
TRANSITION TALK
Please continue to share this info with your students parents even if they are a long way from the world of transitioning after high school. This will still be a chance to meet and converse with parents who have their same concerns and struggles. We do have a few ECSE parents who are coming since the guardianship and SSI session would be helpful for any parent of a child with a developmental disability even if they are young...we all know they seem to hit high school before we know it and we aren't sure where the time went! This is also great info so parents and students can get info on what supports are available in the college setting.
Feel free to attend since I am sure you will learn some things that might help you better inform the parents of your kiddos! We have dinner being provided by GTC. Lasagna, Salad, & Dessert! Please shoot an email to Kristal today if you haven't already so we can plan for more food if needed.
Here is the link to info on the district website! TRANSITION TALKS
- 5:30-6:00 - (SESSION 1) Trixie Braden, Disability Resource Counselor from OTC will be presenting on supports and accommodations available to students with disabilities in college
- 6:00-6:30 - Dinner and discussions with a former graduate and their parent on their experiences in gaining needed supports in college after high school
- 6:30-7:00 - (SESSION 2) Melody Beaver & Rachel Nelson, Youth & Disability Advocates from the Southwest Center for Independent Living (SCIL) will present on issues related to guardianship and social security disability benefits after high school for students with developmental disabilities
Thursday, Apr 7, 2016, 05:30 PM
Reeds Spring High School Multipurpose Room
Reeds Spring R-IV Special Services
Email: esmith@wolves.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.rs-wolves.com
Phone: (417) 272-8173