Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for August 1, 2012
1. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Rethinking Behavioral Challenges Training on August 10
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Rethinking Behavioral Challenges
Dr. Glenis Benson
Friday August 10, 2012
8:30 to 3:30
Medford Area Public School District Office
Persons with ASDs can often present with behaviors that challenge
those who support them. Historically these behaviors have been
addressed via rewards and punishments, but most know the ineffectiveness
of this approach. Participants in this day-long training will learn
the characteristics of ASD that promote misunderstanding and
unconventional responses. Participants will leave with a better
understanding as well as practical strategies to employ for these
challenges.
Dr. Glenis Benson has supported persons with ASDs for 35 years. She
presents nationally and internationally on ASDs and behavioral
challenges.
Contact Luanne Olson at olsonlu@medford.k12.wi.us for registration.
This presentation is part of our annual summer training in the area of
Autism for professional development for interested staff, community, and
parents. Informational letters will be sent home to parents of children
with autism and aspergers syndrome.
2. Web-Based IEP: Postsecondary Transition Planning at each IEP meeting in 12-13
More information and local training will be forthcoming for staff. Here
is the latest from DPI related to required use of web-based IEP:
Postsecondary Transition Planning at each IEP meeting for students 14
and older starting in 12-13.
DPI update:
In order to ensure all LEAs in Wisconsin meet the Indicator 13
(Transition) target, DPI has developed a web-based IEP: Postsecondary
Transition Plan (PTP). The PTP will assist LEAs to document the
postsecondary transition requirements with 100% compliance while
allowing for individualization to meet student needs. The PTP will the
mechanism for the state to collect Indicator 13 data to maintain 100%
compliance with federal and state regulations. State law requires
transition plans for students with disabilities aged 14 and above. State
of Wisconsin has consistently been below the 100% compliance target -
failure to improve will result in sanctions by the U.S. Department of
Education. Thus, they have created the PTP system and outlined these
new requirements:
Beginning in the 2012-13 school year, use of the PTP will be mandatory for all IEPs developed for students aged 14 and above. Our LEA will be notified of the specific date on which PTP use will be required.
In planning for the implementation of the PTP, each LEA should consider the following issues:
- Students are identified within the PTP system by their Wisconsin
Student Number (WSN). The LEA should ensure all students with
disabilities age 14 and older have a WSN associated with their current
school.
- The PTP will be accessed using a Web Access Management System
(WAMS) login and password. Each PTP user must have a WAMS login ID and
be assigned appropriate access to the PTP by the LEA's PTP application
administrator
- The PTP is designed to be used during the IEP team meeting.
Exclusive use of the PTP will avoid duplication of effort. LEAs should
take steps to make the necessary internet access and computer equipment
available for IEP team meetings.
- DPI will provide web-based training modules and user manuals for
the PTP prior to September 1, 2012. LEAs should provide adequate time
for PTP users to learn appropriate use of the system.
- LEAs should develop a protocol to ensure PTP use and maintenance
of PTP records with the student's IEP. The PTP may be attached to a
student's electronic IEP as a PDF file. The capability to share
information between the PTP and local IEP management systems via a web
service will be available later in the 12-13 school year.
3. Wilson Just Words Training
We had over 25 people attend our Wilson Just Words training on July
30 and 31. There were regular education, special education, Title,
intervention, and adult literacy tutors in attendance from 4 school
districts. www.justwords.com for more information.
Wilson Just Words®
provides a curriculum for the study of word structure through the six
syllable types in English and the most common Latin roots. It is a highly
explicit, multisensory decoding and spelling program for students in
grades 4 -12 and adults who do not require intensive intervention but
do require explicit decoding and spelling instruction due to word-level
deficits. Just Words is based
on the research validated Wilson Reading System® and moves at an
accelerated pace by focusing primarily on the concentrated study of
word structure for reading and spelling.
Thank you to all the certified and support staff who attended this training.
4. Taylor County Literacy Council
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday August 27 at
7:00 pm at NTC campus in Medford. Taylor County Literacy Council is
looking for a new Coordinator to help support adults in our literacy
center, teach classes, coordinate volunteers, etc. It would average
about 8-10 hours per week. If you or someone you know might be
interested, please contact Cindy Gibson (715-748-1520) or myself.
5. Ages and Stages Questionnaire Training on August 22
We are looking at Ages and Stages to be our new Child
Development Day screening instrument for Child Development Day in
October. If you are interested in attending this training it will be
held on Wednesday August 22nd from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at MAES in the media
room. Staff who are involved with screening children at CDD are
encouraged to attend.
6. Did You Know? Now You Know!
Northern Region of the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
will be hosting a Did You Know? Now You Know! training scheduled for Thursday
October 11. This will be held at MAES starting with dinner at 5:00 pm
and a program from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
Northern Region CYSHCN will be offering a "Did You Know? Now You Know!" 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 include:
Medicaid, Children's Long Term Support Waivers, prior authorizations,
medical necessity and appealing a Medicaid denial, Katie Beckett (a
doorway into Medicaid for children with disabilities), Family Support
Program, respite and more.
Thank you to Northern Region CYSHCN, Taylor County Human Services, and
Medford Area Public School District will be collaborating on this event
for parents. We will be developing a flyer to send home to parents.
Register by contacting Luanne Olson at olsonlu@medford.k12.wi.us or 715-748-4620 ext 534
7. Kurzweil Training on August 14
Caroline Radlinger will be conducting a Kurzweil
training on August 14 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. If you are interested,
please let me know. Some staff will be asked directly to attend to help
with implementation in 12-13.
8. Early Childhood Special Education Planning Meeting on August 16
Our ECSE planning meeting will now be held on
Thursday August 16 at 12:00 pm at MAES. This will help align curriculum,
services, and scheduling for students 3 years of age through
Kindergarten in 12-13.
9. Private School Consultation Meeting on August 13
I will be meeting with representatives from Holy
Rosary and Immanual Lutheran on August 13 at 10:00 am at the D.O. We
are required to spend a portion of our federal flow through dollars on
parentally placed private school students.
10. Medford Adult Diploma Academy - End of Year Reception on August 21
We will be having an end of year reception banquet
for Medford Adult Diploma Academy graduates on Tuesday August 21 at
Florenas. Contact Cindy Gibson or I for more information if you are
interested in attending.
11. Self Assessment of Procedural Compliance on August 29
We will be continuing our review of IEPs as part of
our Self Assessment of Procedural Compliance on August 29 from 3:30 to
5:00. We started this process last week, but have more IEPs to review
and complete. Staff have been very complimentary of what they have
learned and for being able to participate in this training. A special
thank you to the following staff for agreeing and wanting to participate
in our training last week: Brenda Ann McNary, Beth van der Berg, Paul
Boettcher, Sara Boettcher, Tasha Daniels, Cathy Venzke, Misty Galli,
Kathy Schumacher, Kris Brandner, Luanne Olson, and Jill Chasteen. All staff will be trained on these requirements in 12-13.
12. Adaptive Physical Education Planning Meeting on August 13
We are looking at having an Adaptive Physical Education planning meeting
on August 13 at 1:00 pm in the MASH conference room. Our new MASH APE
teacher Joseph Klicka, past teacher Jessica Haenel, CDS teacher Brenda
Ann McNary, and PT Mike Daniels will be invited to attend.
13. Diagnostic Special Education Program Support Teacher
This position will teach 3-4 classes per day and help us provide school
psychological services role/type support at MAMS and MASH in 12-13. A
job description has been developed for this position. Oralee Dittrich
will be offered this position and pending her official acceptance of the
position - her name will be submitted to the Board of Education for
their approval at their August meeting.
14. Special Education Paraprofessionals
We will hold interviews for these positions on Thursday August 2nd.
There are 3 full time positions and one part time Pre-Kindergarten
position to be filled. Names will be submitted to the Board of Education
for their approval at their August meeting.
Alignment of paraprofessionals for 12-13 will be able to be done after
hiring of these positions. Existing support staff will be contacted for
their buildings/grade levels like they have done in the past.
15. Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs has sent us a quote to purchase this curriculum to be used
as part of our pre-kindergarten program in 12-13. www.readingeggs.com
for more information. This has been successfully used in our RVA program
for the past several years. Thank you to Amanda Langdon for her
recommendation and leadership in this area.
16. Peanut Allergies
We now have two students in pre-kindergarten who will have peanut
allergies. We are in the process of contacting parent(s) for more
information about their allergies and how this will affect our
classrooms, school, and policies moving forward.
17. IEP Manager Caseloads
Elementary and Middle School IEP Manager Caseloads of Students were
emailed to staff this week. If you have questions, please contact
Luanne or I.
