Guidance for Implementing SLD Criteria

DPI has released Initial Guidance resources for Implementing Specific Learning Disability (SLD) criteria. The resources have been developed to assist in understanding and applying Wisconsin’s revised SLD rule. The resources include an introductory overview, responses to frequently asked questions, revised criteria checklists, forms, and a number of related documents and are available at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/ld.

12 Hour Sign Language Instruction Class

NTC, CLC Community Education, and Medford Special Education will be offering this class for anyone interested at no cost. It will be held on Mondays starting October 3 through November 14 from 3:30-5:30. Class will not be held on Oct 17. We will meet in the MAES Media Room. Contact Joseph Greget for more information and registration.

AIMS Web Benchmark Testing Window for 11-12

Fall: Sept 1- Oct 15
Winter: Jan 1-Feb 1
Spring: May 1- June 1

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for September 7

Wisconsin Alternate Assessment
Please provide me with a list of your students that will need the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment or Braille by September 14.  WAA is administered in place of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination for students in Grades 3-8 and 10.

Audiology
Melinda Brahmer's actual email address is audiology@tds.net. I had sent out the incorrect email address last week.

Wilson Reading Training
This will be held on September 12 and 13 in Medford in the MAES media room from 8:30 to 4:30.  Katherine Campbell will be our trainer.  An email was sent to staff earlier today that will need to attend.  If you have an interest, please let me know.  We may be holding another training this summer as well.

Wilson Just Words Training
September 14 and 15 in Eagle River.  We have 4 staff from MAMS and MASH attending.

AIMS Web Benchmark Testing Window
Fall: Sept 1- Oct 15
Winter: Jan 1-Feb 1
Spring: May 1- June 1

AIMS Web - Entering Student Names
I will be available on Wednesday September 14 from 3:30 to 4:00 at MAES and on Monday September 19 from 3:30 to 4:00 at MAMS in the respective computer labs.  I will be available to help you enter student names, set up schedules, and determine probes to administer in 11-12.

Corrective Reading Decoding Strand
We are starting to discuss starting Corrective Reading Decoding Strand Level A in Grade 4 instead of Grade 3 for majority of students. Any input is welcome.

Peanut Free School
We will not need to become a peanut free school at this time.  We will need to have a peanut free classroom in our Early Childhood Special Education Classroom for 11-12 due to a student having a significant allergy.

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for September 2

ECSE LTS 
Dawn Rudolph will be the LTS for ECSE Teacher Amber Fettes in Sept and
Oct

Educational Audiologist 
Melinda Brahmer is our Educational Audiologist for 11-12 who will be
contracted through CESA 10.  Her email address is audiologist@tds.net

Mental Health Counseling in the Schools
The following people will have the referral paperwork to complete for
school based mental health services through Northwest Passage.
MASH - Nathan Bluhm
MAMS - Jessica Martin and Jan Farmer
MAES - Barb Krenz, Misty Galli, and Richelle Woller
Alternative HS - Cindy Gibson
SES - Don Everhard

Our contract with Northwest Passage to begin school based mental
health services was signed this week.  Students can now be referred at
any time.  Eligible students must not be receiving other outside
counseling and be older than 7 years of age.  There is no cost to the
parents or the schools. Costs are covered through parent insurance or
medicaid. Students do not have to be identified as special education
to receive services.

Autism Resource Team Meetings
I have changed the prior schedule of these meetings due to several
teacher requests.  These will be held on:
October 6, November 3, December 8, February 2, March 8, and May 3

These Autism Resource Team meeting will include specific trainings,
individual work time, and/or problem solving team time between peers.
We will meet from 4:00 to 5:30.  Trainings will be in the MAES Media
Room.

Attendant Care Services
Reminder to staff to complete Attendant Care Services Sheets on
students that are medicaid eligible and have attendant care needs.
These are primarily students with CD, Autism, and others that need 1:1
support.  For more information, contact Luanne or I.

AIMS Web
Aims Web students for 10-11 have all been filed. You will be able to
set up your students like in past years. Contact Jessica Martin or
myself to help you if there are any questions.

iPad/Educational Technology Trainings
District Office from 4:00 to 5:00 pm
September 27, October 25, November 29, January 31, March 27, and April
24

Vmath Live 
We have a site license for MAMS students to participate in Vmath Live
at MAMS for 11-12.  Forward me your student names and I can enter them
into the system for participation in the program.

MAES/SES Special Education Meetings (3:15 to 3:45 in MAES Computer
Lab):
October 4, November 1, January 3, February 7, March 6, and April 3

MAMS Special Education Meetings (3:15 to 3:45 in MAMS Computer Lab):
October 11, November 15, January 10, February 14, March 13, and April
10

MASH Special Education Meetings (3:15 to 3:45 in MASH Conference
Room):
October 18, November 22, January 17, February 21, March 20, and April
17.

Behavioral Intervention Plans 
Behavioral Intervention Plans are not a part of Skyward.  You should
contact the building EBD teacher and School Psychologist to see if a
Behavioral Intervention Plan is available or behavioral supports are
already written into the existing IEP.  Luanne can also forward you a
copy from the child's IEP file.

Service Placement Options
IEP teams determine the amount and type of special education service,
program, and placement that a child receives.  With the increased
amount of special education staff that work in regular education
initiatives like academic RTI and behavioral PBIS, it is important to
look at what continuum of option services could be developed or exist
for a student at an IEP team meeting.  An IEP will also indicate the
most appropriate Least Restrictive Environment option and amount of
services.  This could include 1 hour per week of homebound
instruction, 2 hours per week of speech therapy, 2 times per week at 4
hours each day, 5 hours of schooling per day, 1/2 at school and 1/2 at
day treatment, 1 hour of pullout instruction and 6 hours of inclusion
support, etc.  Each child is unique and IEP teams should have
discussion on how best to meet their needs.

Wilson Reading Training
We are still looking at the costing and convenience options of staff
attending our Wilson Reading training in Brookfield on September 14
and 15 or doing it in Medford September 12 and 13.  Decision will be
made by Wednesday.

Staff Appreciation

Thanks to everyone who could attending our Welcome Back gathering for Special Education and Student Services.  We had staff change vacation plans, bring their spouses or children, see old favorites (Pep!), and everyone seemed to have a good time. Thank you to all the staff who were there and those who couldn't come for all you provide our
students.  Medford School District and students are so fortunate to have each of you.

National Career Readiness Certificate

Alternative HS students will complete the National Career Readiness Certificate through ACT.  This will provide them with employability and work skills certification and skills