I would like to start by wishing all of you and your families a very Happy Easter! I hope that you have a nice time with the few days off. May your Easter baskets be filled with many good prizes and good times.
1. School Psychological Services
We have now had a retirement (Barb Krenz) and resignation at end of the 11-12 school year (Jessica Martin) from our school psychologists.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jessica Martin for all of her school psychological services, counseling, and work with our animal advocates program. Sitting in her shoes over the past few weeks provides new perspective to the great work she had done over the years.
Jessica will continue to provide school psychological services for students in special education through the Rural Virtual Academy starting in the 12-13 school year.
The school district will be posting for a full time school psychologist position to be placed at the elementary level in 12-13. I will be filling the school psychologist responsibilities at our middle and high school. There may be some budget money allocated for any additional as needed or part time school psychologist support in 12-13. There may be transferring of some Director of Student Services responsibilities due to increase in school psychological services responsibilities. This new alignment of services will help save the school district up to $96,500 for 12-13 and in future years.
2. Spring Fling Dance
This is a reminder about our Spring Fling Dance! This is our second annual dance sponsored by the Medford Morning Rotary Club and MASH Club DART. It will be held on Friday April 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 in the MASH Sands and Gym areas. Any grade 7-12 students in special education plus a guest are invited to attend. Music will be performed by Shelley Johnson. Magic tricks will be provided by the Great HouDoni. There will be prizes, games, and treats for each of the students.
Set up will begin at 11:00 in the MASH Sands and Gym area. Bus transportation will be provided for students from MAMS to MASH for the dance from 12:30 to 2:30.
3. Dr. Laura Shank presentation on May 2
There will be a presentation by Dr. Laura Shank from the Achieve
Center that will focus on "Current research providing new ideas for
behavioral interventions in children with developmental disorders."
It will be held on Wednesday May 2 from 4:00 to 5:30 in the MAES Media
Room.
4. CPR Re-Certification Training
There will be recertification CPR training scheduled on April 25. It will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at MAMS. If you are interested please contact Jill Koenig - School Nurse at MASH extension 432. We can have up to 18 people enroll in the class. Registration is due by Friday April 13. Registration cost will be $25.00 per person. This training will be through the CLC Adult Education Class. Registration costs will be covered by the district for staff requested to attend due to student health concerns.
5. Teacher Recommendations for 12-13
Please send to Mr. Miller your regular education teacher recommendations for 12-13 by May 11, 2012.
6. Live! with Colleen and Uncle Squaty
There will be performances on Monday April 23 at 1:00 and 4:30 pm at MAES. Fun performance for children and parents. All are invited to attend this event at no cost.
7. Laws of Life Essay Contest
The Laws of Life essay contests recognizes that families help children learn valuable lessons that cannot be acquired from books alone. The essay contest allows students to write and reflect about their own values that will guide them the rest of their lives.
This will be held on Thursday April 12 at 7:00 pm at MAMS. If you have never attended, this is a powerful event for the students, families, and the school.
Thanks to Jackie Strick, other school staff, and Medford Kiwanis who are involved in helping organize and plan.
8. Happy Birthday to Luanne Olson!
Please send your Happy Birthday wishes to Luanne on April 10!
9. Building Special Education meetings in April
April 10 - MAMS
April 17 - MASH
10. Read 180/SAM training
April 16 at 3:30 in the Read 180 room
11. Wilson Reading Steps 1-6 Online Training
We will be reviewing Wilson Steps 1-6 online assessment on April 18 at 3:45 at MAES in computer lab. All Wilson staff are invited to attend.
12. Taylor County Reality Fair
We had another successful Reality Fair this past week. Thanks to Louann Stanton, Kathy Danen, and Lisa Porten for their help in organizing this event. Thanks to the Taylor County Transition Advisory Council, community members, and other school staff for their help as well.
13. Student Teaching
Cathy Venzke - special education paraprofessional - will be doing her regular education teacher and special education teacher student teaching in Fall 2012.
14. Wilson Reading Level II Certification
We will be looking at having a Wilson Reading Level II Certified Staff at MAMS for 1-2 periods per day in 12-13 similar to 11-12. This helps provide additional consultation and supports for staff teaching the program and students to receive services. There has also been some discussion of having a Level II Certified Staff teach a section at MASH in 12-13.
15. Wilson Reading Just Words Training on July 30 and 31
This will be held on July 30 and 31 all day at the District Office in Medford. Register with Luanne Olson if you are interested in attending. Katherine Campbell is our trainer. This is available through the Taylor County Literacy Council thanks to a grant which was written by NTC.
16. Extended School Year Services
Please send to me a list of the students that will need Extended School Year Services during Summer 2012 so staff can be arranged.
17. Early Childhood Special Education
There is an expected 18-21 students who will be receiving Early Childhood Special Education services in 12-13. There may need to be a re-alignment of certified and support staff person to the ECSE program due to the number and severity of needs of students.
18. Social Studies Teacher
There will be a recommended alignment of a regular education teacher to the RVA during the school day. This would leave three periods per day that a Social Studies Teacher is needed at MAMS. This could result in realignment of a special education staff member to cover those responsibilities which would be a reduction of a part time special education teacher in 12-13.
19. Taylor County Transition Advisory Council
Thursday April 12 from 12:00 to 1:30 at the District Office. We will be planning a Transition Night and Special Health Care Needs Overview trainings in Medford in 12-13. Here are similar upcoming trainings for anyone interested:
Transition Fair in Merrill
The Lincoln County Transition Advisory Council is presenting their 4th
Annual Transition Fair, “Life in the Real World – Planning for Life
After High School”, on Wed., April 25, 2012. The target audience for
this year’s fair is the mildly to moderately disabled special
education students in the Merrill and Tomahawk School Districts.
The fair this year will be at the Merrill High School, 1201 N. Sales
St. Registration and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the evening
should come to a close around 7:30 p.m. Presenters will each have
their own table where parents and students can come to obtain
information and have their questions answered.
"Did You Know? Now You Know!" Presentation on April 11
Wednesday April 11, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
At Ministry Health Care in Rhinelander
Contact NRCCY at 1-866-640-4106 or email
Julia.Stavran@co.marathon.wi.us
Training is free and a resource binder/meal is provided
This is a training that provides a comprehensive overview of health
care, community supports and services and resources for children and
youth with disabilities and special health care needs from birth
through young adulthood.
Topics will include:
Medicaid
How to appeal a Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus denial
Prior Authorizations and medical necessity
Katie Becket (a doorway into Medicaid for children with disabilities)
Family Support Program
Children's Long Term Support Waivers
HealthCheck and HealthCheck "Other Services"
Health insurance and how health care reform may impact your plan
Partnering with your doctor
Establishing a Medical Home
This is sponsored by Family Voices in Wisconsin, Northern Regional
Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Parent
to Parent of Wisconsin, and Ministry Medical Group - Northern Region.
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