Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for August 1, 2012

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.