Weekly Newsletter for Special Education and Student Services

Weekly Special Education and Student Services Newsletter
 
Appreciation
I would like to take a moment and thank you for all your hard work.  Your talent, teaching skills, passion for making a difference, and commitment for our students with disabilities continues to be amazing.  I appreciate all of your effort, time, and help for our students, parents, and district.  There isn’t always a lot of frequent positive reinforcement in your positions.  You make a difference every day for a child in their life.  I thank you for making this your career and working here in Medford Schools.  
 
Challenging Year
We have had a challenging year in special education: victim of suicide, several attempts, teenage pregnancy, losing a baby, expulsions, significant and frequent aggression, two families losing their home in a fire, student having a heart attack on a bus leaving him severely disabled, student on a Do Not Resuscitate Order, three students too medically fragile to attend school, severe autism students, multiple transfers in and identification of new students with disabilities, placements in foster care, staff leaving the profession, homeless, and increasing demands for academic performance.
 
It takes a special person to be able to be a school staff member to help students cope and cope yourselves with these many challenges.  Thank you for all that you provide our students and families. Continue to support yourself and each other in a positive manner knowing that you all are making a difference.
 
Tyler and Shania
Tyler (Grade 2) and Shania (Grade 4) Dankmeyer lost their home in a fire on Monday.  Provide them your prayers and support for them and their family at this time.  Multiple generous adults and children have donated clothing and other items for the children and parents.
 
RVA for Special Education Students
Students with disabilities who have parents interested in RVA would set up an introductory meeting with RVA representatives.  This will help inform them on RVA.  If the family is still interested, then an IEP would have to address RVA services and the amount and type of special education services the child would receive.  The changes to an IEP could be done at a formal IEP meeting or through I-10-A and I-10-B forms.  Jan Farmer is the RVA case manager of students with disabilities.  Depending on severity of student needs, they could receive some special education services at school.   For more information on RVA go to www.ruralvirtual.org or consult with RVA Principal Charlie Heckel at MAMS.
 
MAES Special Education meeting on April 20
Our monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday April 20 in the MAES Computer Lab starting at 3:20.
 
Taylor County Adult Literacy Council on April 25
Taylor County Adult Literacy Council will be held on Monday April 25th at 7:00 pm at NTC.
 
Adult Literacy Class
Our initial Adult Literacy Class will be held starting on Monday and Wednesdays in May and June. Our first class is Monday May 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at NTC.  Wilson Just Words will be the curriculum.  There is no registration cost.  Contact 715-748-1520 for more information and ask for Cindy or Beth.
 
Wilson Steps 7-12 Online Class on April 26
This will be held on Tuesday April 26 starting at 3:45 in the MAES Computer Lab.  Any staff participating in the Level II Certification or would like to know more about teaching Steps 7-12 can attend.
 
SMART Table Demonstration on April 27
Tierrny Bros. will be here Wed Apr 27th with the SMART table in the late morning.  They will set it up in the EC room at MAES for students and staff too try out.  They will also do an after school demo for staff that want to see it starting at 3:30 in the MAES media room.
 
Amber and Sheryl will provide Dennis with an idea of what the student would/could be working with and he will have them install some activities that would match their curriculum.  http://exchange.smarttech.com  is a site you can see some of the activities that other teachers shared.
 
Early Release Day – ICDD Safety Training
Don Everhard will present information on his ICDD Safety Training for staff.  We will also cover some appropriate use of seclusion and physical restraint.  This training will be held in the media room at MAES.
 
April 28
2:15 to 3:30 = Paraprofessionals
4:00 to 5:15 = Certified staff, parents, community, and human services
 
Special Education Dance For Grades 7 to 12
Friday April 29 from 12:30 to 2:30 at MASH.  Students with disabilities and a friend of their choice are able to attend. This is our inaugural dance.  Set up will begin at 11:00.  Thanks to the MASH DART Club, Special Education Staff, and Medford Morning Rotary Club for helping put this dance together.
 
TouchMoney Worksheets
Free TouchMoney worksheets at www.touchmath.com as part of Financial Literacy Month.
 
Special Education Advisory Council
Our next meeting will be held on Monday May 2nd from 4:00 to 5:30 at the District Office.
 
Read Write and Gold Demonstration
Tuesday May 3rd from 8:00 to 11:00.  They will demonstrate their program which is a computer installed versions as compared to Kurzweil USB stick version.  We have had a webinar, visited Rib Lake which has the program, and now they are coming here to further discuss.
 
Summative Evaluations
I have completed the summative evaluations of certified staff that were due in 10-11.  I will be meeting with you soon to review these.  
 
Response to Intervention Handbook
The Medford Response to Intervention Handbook is linked at: https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/intervention/home
You will find detailed listing of entrance and exit criteria for programs, interventions, staff responsibilities, assessments and more.
 
Summer School Booklet
If you are teaching a summer school class, reminder to review the summer school booklet that Jennifer Kuenne sent out to verify the course description, dates, and times.  This should be done by April 21.
 
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be administered to students in Grades 7 to 12 in May.  Health Department and School District has reviewed the questions to be administered to students. For more information contact Patty Krug at the Health Department.
 
Autism Resource Team
Providing support to school staff and families regarding autism spectrum disorders
Assisting school-based teams and families with consultation, programming, and resource materials
Assisting school-based teams with the assessment process
Providing on-site observation and consultation for individual students upon request
Attending Autism Resource Team meetings
Staying current with evidence and research-based methodology, assessment tools, interventions, and resources
Developing skills and knowledge in autism by attending workshops and conferences
 
Easter
I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter.