Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for October 26, 2012

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for October 26, 2012

There are many evidences during a given week of how much our special education and student services staff care about their students and their progress.  One example is this past week I was in an IEP meeting where a student was present along with his mother and several staff.  We were talking about how much progress the student has made since starting in the Wilson Reading program several years earlier.  How the student was happy that he could read the signs when driving down the road with his Dad.  How the student has spent double blocks of reading and extended school year services to learn to read.  How the student was not able to have a score on the NWEA test four years ago, but now is well over 200 and at the 55th percentile at end of last year.  At the end of this discussion - the student, parent, and staff were all in tears. 

I would like to thank all of our staff who care so much about our students and their progress.  Our students work so hard to overcome their disabilities.  Thank you to them and everyone who works so hard on their behalf.  Thank you to the staff who always keep believing in them and teaching our children to read, do math, and learn appropriate behaviors.  You are all incredible individuals and I am so proud to work alongside each and all of you. 

Autism Resource Team Update

A comprehensive list of updates and resources in the area of Autism for our school district is now posted at: http://jgreget.blogspot.com/2012/10/autism-resource-team-update-for-october.html. This was also emailed out to members of our school based Autism Resource Team.  I have also attached an extensive list of suggestive autism resources related to the PBIS model from a conference I attended last year. 

MAMS Concert

Thanks to Mrs. Risch and all the staff who helped make this an incredible night for all students including ours in special education.  Special thanks to our special education students who were heroes readers, drum major, song introducers, and our guest bacon for making this a special night.  A DVD is available for all those who would like to see it. 

Transition Night - Please Register

We are little over a week away from our first annual Transition Night on November 5. Staff, parents, and students who will be attending should register with Luanne Olson by end of the day on Monday October 29.  Our event will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at MASH and there will be a spaghetti dinner and door prizes.  The event is focusing on transition resources during and especially after-school high school to support our families and students.  Thanks to the Taylor County Transition Advisory Council and Medford Morning Rotary Club for sponsoring this event.  We have 33 organizations and agencies scheduled to attend to support our families.  

Child Development Day

We held our annual Child Development Day child find screening on Thursday October 18.  We screened over 100 children in the first time when the event was held in the Fall.  Thanks to the Medford Area Public School District staff, Taylor County Health Department, and Taylor County Human Services for their help in organizing and putting on this event.  Picture here are Luanne Olson from the school district and Cheryl Ketelhut from Human Services:

Taylor County Reality Fair

We held our Taylor County Reality Fair on October 24.  Seniors from Medford and Gilman attended this real life event.  Thanks to the Taylor County Transition Advisory Council especially Lou Ann Stanton, Kathy Danen, and Lisa Porten for all their extra work in getting this event ready. 

Filming of the Cool Cooking Show Episode 3

MAMS Autism Resource Teacher Mr. Brown has been filming videos of his students in their cooking class.  Here is a picture during the filming of Episode 3.   

Happy Halloween from SES! 

Club Dart Halloween Pre-Dance Party on October 25

Having fun making friends at our Club DART Halloween Party!

Mrs Venzke with her friends Mr Zombie and Ms Penguin

Who is having more fun?

May the force be with you young Jedi and Darth Engel

Upcoming DatesOctober 30 - iPad/Educational Technology Training

4:00 to 5:00 pm at D.O. 

October 31 - Ad Hoc Committee of Self Assessment of Procedural Compliance

4:00 to 5:00 pm at District Office.

November 1 - Special Education and Student Services Staff Appreciation Night
4:00 pm at Florenas Restaurant.  Appetizers will be provided by me. Beverages will be on your own. You are invited to come and spend time with your colleagues. Spouses are also welcome.  Thank you for all you provide our students, parents, and each other.

November 5 - Transition Night
6:00 to 8:00 pm at MASH

November 6 Early Release Day
There is nothing scheduled for paraprofessional trainings at this time after the students are released from school.

November 7 Wilson Workshop
Our monthly workshop designed to help teachers and support staff teach and implement the program with fidelity, show best practices,  answer questions, and work on an online class for Steps 7-12.  We will meet from 3:45 to 5:00 pm in the MAES Computer Lab.

November 10 - Special Education Family Day
11:00 am at Broadway Theatre in Medford.  All students in Special Education will receive a free movie pass.  Siblings and parents only pay $6.00 per ticket.  Pop and popcorn will be 50% off the regular price.  We will be showing for younger students Disney's Wreck it Ralph or for older students - the new James Bond movie Skyfall.  Staff and their families are also invited to attend. A one page flyer is being developed to be sent home with families.