I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope that this holiday season is filled with much peace, joy, and happiness for you and your family.
Merry Christmas,
Joseph
1. Santa and Mrs. Claus
I have spoken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They are scheduled to be in the school district on Wednesday December 21 and Thursday December 22. They will be surprising pre-kindergarten students at their Christmas program and visiting your classrooms. Thank you to them for making their annual trip to Medford. I know they are busy this time of year.
2. Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
We have two interviews scheduled for Wednesday December 21. Our current COTA Kelli Elmhorst's last day in the school district is Friday December 16. We are looking to contract with MHC for available COTA time during the interim.
3. Occupational Therapist
Caroline Radlinger will be on leave starting on January 6th for an expected two weeks due to surgery. We have posted for a replacement for her during that time.
4. Job Coach/Employability Skills
We have two interviews scheduled for Monday December 19. This is a Weyerhauser Grant Funded position to support students with disabilities and at risk students at our Alternative HS.
5. WSPA School Psychologist of the Year Candidate
Jessica Martin is being recommended as a school psychologist of the year candidate through the Wisconsin School Psychologist Association. Jessica is being recommended due to her:
- impact of individual counseling with a student,
- development of entrance/exit criteria for reading/math intervention programs,
- home/school/community collaboration with the development of Animal Advocates Club,
- psychoeducational assessments for students transferring to post-secondary opportunities,
- National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP),
- obtaining multiple licensures including: Director of Special Education/Pupil Services and Private School Psychologist Licensure, and
- overall professionalism/job knowledge/leadership/caring for children/and communication skills
Thank you to Jessica for her work in the area of school psychology for our school district and congratulations on her nomination.
5. Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports
Here is information on statewide data and reports on Wisconsin Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports 2010-11 Evaluation Report:
http://www.wisconsinpbisnetwork.org/assets/files/resources/1319123115_2010-11_Annual_Report.pdf
6. Opening Doors to Adult Services - 4th Edition
Opening Doors to Adult Services is now available and may be downloaded from http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/transition.html. Copies may be purchased through DPI Publication Sales: www.dpi.wi.gov/pubsales
7. Special Education Funding Changes with Senate Bill 95
Senate Bill 95, which will be published and go into effect on December 20, amends WI Stat. §115.88(1) to expand the types of private vendor contractual services eligible for categorical aid from only OT and PT to include orientation and mobility training services, educational interpreter services, educational audiology, speech therapy, and pupil transition services for students ages 18 to 21.
8. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) Guidance
The slides and speaker notes from the full-day SLD Guidance workshops conducted between November 10 and December 9 have been posted at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/ld.html.
9. 20 Resources for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Support
http://jgreget.blogspot.com/2011/12/behavioral-resources-for-early.html
10. MAES Special Education Paraprofessionals
This week we changed some paraprofessional schedules at MAES. Thank you to our certified staff and paraprofessionals for their flexibility and abilities to meet the needs of all students.
Primary purposes of change were to start transition of student from MAES to MAMS in 12-13, reduction of number of staff working with high need autism student, pairing of assistants when working with high need students, reducing amount of assistants transferring between programs, allow student teaching experiences, and maximizing strengths while building team collaboration.
11. Down Syndrome Resources
Here is a link to some resources on Down Syndrome that might be beneficial for staff and parents:
https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/specialed/home/down
12. Special Education and Student Services Social Media
Blog: http://jgreget.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joseph_Greget
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Medford-Area-Public-School-District-Special-Education-and-Student-Services/120488408019562
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/specialed/
13. Wilson Language Training Videos and Resources
www.wilsonlanguage.com/academy
Username: fliehma@medford.k12.wi.us
Password: Medford
14. Wilson Reading Level II Certification
Tuesday December 20 from 3:30 to 5:30 for Level II staff
15. Student Teaching
Kellie Keene - our special education assistant at the Alternative HS will be student teaching at MAES during January and February.
16. Taylor County Literacy Council
We will have a total of $5,375 in grant dollars through the Wal-Mart Foundation. Thanks to Indianhead Community Action Agency for their help in writing this grant. We will be meeting to discuss how to effectively spend these dollars.
We are still looking for a Literacy Coordinator (10 hours per week), trained tutors, and instructors to help with these initiatives. Contact Cindy Gibson for more information.
Thanks to the Taylor County Education Committee for their donation of $500 for our literacy efforts which was given this week.
17. Reading Class for Adults
We will be starting a reading class for adults (Just Words) to be held starting in January 3x per week until end of March. 5:30 to 7:00 pm at NTC. Thanks to Chuck Prihoda and Beth Van der Berg for teaching the class. If you know of adults that can't read, please contact Cindy at 715-748-1520.
18. Christmas Dinner
Christmas Dinner at our Alternative High School on Thursday December 22 at 10:00 and 12:00 for our students and staff.
19. Bell Ringing
Thanks to our Alternative HS students for their bell ringing on Friday at County Market.
20. Home Resource Program
Reminder we have a Home Resource Program that is coordinated by Barb Kloth. This can help provide supports for families in need this holiday season and throughout the year. Thanks to Barb, Jackie Strick, and everyone else for all their extra work in helping families in need this season across the district.
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