January 18, 2012

Vol. 1, Issue 18

The Special Edition
SFUSD's Special Education Newsletter
In This Issue
Announcements
Engaging and Re-engagnig Families
SEIS Transition Update
Articles for Reflection and Professional Development
Poetry Contest
Quick Links



















weareteachers.com

 

e-soccer.org

 

Upcoming Events

PD for Paraprofessionals

February 11, 2012

9:00 - 12:00

John O'Connell HS 

registration:

http://sfusd.k12oms.org/eventdetail.php?id=56393 

 

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

As we continue to share news within SFUSD and beyond, please consider submitting an article for publication. Simply email [email protected], and we will be delighted to showcase your school or classroom.

Announcements

  • Cal-Tash's 30th Anniversary conference and membership meeting will be March 2-3, 2012 in Oakland.  Click here for more information.
  • Professional Development for paraprofessionals is scheduled for February 11, 2012.  Click here to view the flyer.
  • Previous Special Edition Newsletters are now accessible online. Please click here to access them.

Engaging and Re-engaging Families When a Student is Not Doing Well

 

Most efforts to involve parents with their child's school seem aimed at those who want and are able to come to the school. It's important to have activities for such parents.

 

It's also important to remember that, at most schools, these represent a small percent of families.

 

How can schools address the rest?

 

Click here to read more.

SEIS Transition Update  

 

January 24th is our "kick off" of the training for our new IEP management system, SEIS (Special Education Information System). This is really exciting for SFUSD because: SEIS is currently used in over 80% of California's SELPAs, there are currently over 650,000 students statewide identified within the system (this will assist in inter-district transfers), SEIS is formatted to reflect state education codes and therefore increase procedural compliance, and ultimately will help all of us better meet the needs of our students.

 

Important Information:

  • All staff should be signed up for a SEIS training. If you have not registered please contact Sarah Ashton ([email protected])
  • Training will take place at the Cabrillo Campus and Independence HS.
  • Please be ON TIME, bring your laptop, as well as a current caseload list with IEP & Evaluation dates.
  • Once you have attended the training you will be given your Username & Password for SEIS. This will allow you to login to your account and view your caseload.

With any IEP's completed in December 2011 and January 2012:

  • Ensure the Brown file has is a signed copy of the current IEP.
  • IEP's will NOT need to be manually typed into SEIS. 
  •  If you have an electronic copy of your IEPs held in December and January, please email those to your coordinator prior to your training date.
  • If you do not have an electronic copy of your IEPs held in December and January, please bring those hard copies to your training.
  •  Check out the SEIS Homepage on the Intranet for Updates and Announcements!https://district.sfusd.edu/dept/sped/seis/default.aspx

There will be additional Training available throughout the Spring. Check the SEIS Homepage for announcements.

  •   SEIS 101 (Navigating the System)
  •   SEIS for Administrators/Clerical Staff
  •   SEIS Content: Offer of FAPE, Writing Measurable Goals, Accommodations

 

Thank you for your dedication and hard work during this transition. If you have any questions please contact Sarah Ashton ([email protected]) the SEIS Implementation Coordinator.

Articles for Reflection and Professional Development

 

 

This is an ongoing section where we will provide a current and relevant research article. The goal is to promote discussion and intellectual stimulation amongst SFUSD staff, schools, and the community.

 

The article Understanding and Minimizing Staff Burnout from the Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA provides a critical look at the underlying causes of teacher burnout and practical strategies to reduce their devastating effects. 

 

Click here to read more.

 

Annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest
   

The California Coastal Commission invites California students in kindergarten through 12th grade to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest. Up to ten winners will be selected to win $100 gift certificates to an art supply or book store, and each winner's sponsoring teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate for educational supplies, courtesy of Acorn Naturalists, www.acornnaturalists.com.

 

All winners and honorable mentions will receive tickets for their families to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, courtesy of the Aquarium. Students may have their work featured on Commission web pages and materials, and winning entries will be exhibited throughout the state, including at the Ford House Museum in Mendocino, the Point Reyes Visitors Center in Marin County, and at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2012 to be eligible for the upcoming contest.

 

For rules and entry form (and helpful links for teachers and students), visit www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/poster/poster.html (or follow the links from www.coastforyou.org), email [email protected], or call (800) Coast-4U. Contest flyer (PDF or hard copy) is available upon request or can be downloaded from the website.

 

 


Sincerely,

Communications Team
Special Education Services, SFUSD

 

 

 

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