Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for May 10

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for May 10

Prayers and best wishes to staff across the district whose family members are continuing to have health related issues and/or have upcoming surgeries.

1. Elementary School Psychologist
Sara Boettcher has accepted our school psychologist position to be placed at the elementary level for the 12-13 school year.  Sara has four years of experience as a school psychologist at elementary schools in the Wausau School District.  She has experience in social skills for students on the autism spectrum, RTI leadership, and PBIS.  We are excited to add her to our team.

2. A2 Remediation Assistant
The district has posted the A2 remediation assistant position (Julie Krieger). Contact the District Office if you are interested in transferring to that position.  Mrs. Krieger taught sections of Wilson Reading during her instructional day.

3. ELL update
Lucia Albrecht was not able to return to work this past week.  She is hoping to return on Wednesday.  Mauricio Rios has been filling in for her when absent from MAES and SES.  Lucia is still able to translate materials from home if you have some. 

4. Special Education Open Enrollment Costing
We have received the estimated area open enrollment costing for special education students in 12-13.  I am in the process of reviewing those open enrollment applications for students in special education. 

5. Summative Evaluations
I am hoping to meet with certified and support staff over the next two weeks to review their summative evaluations which need to be completed in 11-12. 

6. Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
Wisconsin law requires all employees of Wisconsin public school districts to report suspected child abuse and neglect, Wis. Stat. sec. 48.981(2)(a)16m. In addition, school boards are to ensure all employees receive training provided by the Department of Public Instruction within six months of initial hiring and at least every five years thereafter, Wis. Stat. sec. 118.07(5). Initial training of all public school employees must occur no later than June 9, 2012, in order to comply with Wisconsin Act 81. Employees are considered to be anyone who receives an annual statement of wages for tax purposes (W-2 form) from the school district.

Here is a link the power point presentation and/or 16 minute video to watch: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/sspw/can.html

There is a certificate of completion with the date and your name which can be printed off for records in the District Office

7. Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education classes last day will be May 30 so CDD evaluations and testing can be completed in preparation for 12-13.

8. Child Development Day in 12-13
Child Development Day will be held on October 18, 2012.  We are moving towards a Fall model instead of Spring to allow students who have disabilities to start receiving services earlier in the year.

9. Taylor County Transition Advisory Council
Thursday May 17 at 12:00 at the D.O.  We will be planning for a Transition Night for Parents and Students in 12-13.  This will help parents learn about community resources to help students from school to post-secondary opportunities.

10. Taylor County Birth to Three Interagency Agreement meeting
Thursday May 17 at 1:30 pm at the D.O.  

11. School Based Mental Health Counseling
These services can continue for students over the summer.  Parents would need to provide the transportation for the student to school.  If you have a student who needs services, a plan should be set up with Marjorie Marksteiner.

We are looking at continuing with this model into 12-13. 

12. Functional Behavioral Assessments
Here are some links to information on Functional Behavioral Assessments:

https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/specialed/home/functional-behavioral-assessments

http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/sped/sbfba.html

13. Wilson Reading Update:
I have scheduled a Wilson Reading Steps 1-6 online class on Wednesday May 23 from 3:45 to 5:30 in the MAES computer lab.  We will plan to have drinks and/or dinner at Florenas afterwards as end of year celebration for any Wilson staff interested.

Wilson Just Words training is set for July 30 and July 31 at the District Office.  Katharine Campbell is our instructor.  There is still limited room available to be trained. Contact Luanne Olson at the D.O. to register.

Wilson Works - Kathy Schumacher is teaching a Wilson Works class at MAES during summer school June 18 to July 6 for students in Grades 3-5. You can encourage your Wilson students to register and participate.

Wilson Just Words - Jill Chasteen will be teaching a Wilson Just Words class at MAMS during summer.  Contact her if you have students which might benefit.  The dates are June 11 to June 29 I believe.

Wilson Just Words - We will be offering this class at the high school for any freshman who will need it for the 1st time.  It will also be offered for returning high school students that did not finish the program completely in 11-12.

14. Summer Tutoring
I have been contacted by several parents looking for tutoring over the summer in the areas of reading and math.  If you are interested in tutoring or would like me to give your name to them, please contact me.

15. iPads
You should have received your new itunes username/password from Dennis. Wishlist for applications should start being made.  You will then reset all the information on your iPad.  Ipads can then be upgraded to the 5.1 system through the downloaded itunes on your computer if it hasn't been already.  We will then approve the applications for purchase by using the Volume Purchase Pricing program. Contact Dennis H or I for more information.  This will need to be done prior to summer school.  Work time will be set aside on June 11 to help with this project.

Here are some of the new itunes groups:
Elem Sped; Elem RTI; Elem EE; Elem Speech; MAMS Sped; MASH Sped; CDS-Aut; OT-PT; Psych; MASH Alt;

16. iPad/Educational Technology Trainings in 12-13
There has been a request to continue to hold our iPad/Educational Technology Trainings in 12-13 by regular and special education staff.  If you would be interested in leading some or all of these monthly trainings for other staff, please contact me.  You could be paid for leading these meetings.

17. School Psychologist Update
I have determined to not proceed with 2 day a week middle and high school school psychological services through CESA 10 for 12-13.  I will be exploring the possibility of using our existing two school psychologists continuing to provide some supports on an as needed basis if they have an interest and are available.  This will save the school district more budget money for 12-13. This will also utilize our two great school psychologists who are familiar with our staff, students, and programs.    

18.  Lice issues at MAES and SES
I would like to thank School Nurse Jill Koenig, School Health Assistant Barb Kloth, Becky Acker, and rest of the staff and building administration who helped with the Lice issues at our elementary schools.  Thank you for all you provided for the families, children, and staff. 
 
19. Social Media
We are up to 97 people who follow our Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services Facebook Page.

There are 447 people who follow our special education and student services programs and educational technology updates through our twitter account at www.twitter.com/Joseph_Greget

Joseph Greget's Special Education and Student Services Blog is at: http://jgreget.blogspot.com

Special Education and Student Services website: https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/specialed/