Announcements & Opportunities
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Awesome Achievements!
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The Arc, CAT
The Arc opened its doors to its first CAT class starting on August 20! This is the first SFUSD transition program to be housed at a community location! It is a working partnership and collaboration with The Arc of San Francisco, an adult program for people with disabilities. This move is critical to increasing independence and self-determination of our students with disabilities. 22 transition students have been exploring their community, volunteering, working at job sites, taking classes at the community college, preparing for the Special Olympics and meeting with mentors. A student recently commented, "I am an adult now! I work at the Arc."
-Heidi Hubrich, The Arc Teacher
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Fulbright Reception Washington, DC
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Rebekka Jez
Fulbright Scholarship
Rebekka Jez, Ida B. Wells High School Mild/Mod teacher, has been awarded a Distinguished Fulbright Award to conduct research in South Africa. Dr. Jez is one of approximately 20 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad through the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program in 2012-2013.
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 | | Sue with her students in Ghana. |
Sue Gonzalez
Volunteering in Ghana
Sue received a grant to volunteer at a school in Ghana last summer for one month through Omprakash. Her experience was "life-changing." Sue lived with a family in a small village. She worked with students on photography, writing and teenage pregnancy prevention. Her SFUSD students are now inspired to exchange pen pal letters and creative stories with the students in Ghana. Omprakash is a network that connects volunteers and donors to projects around the world! For more information, read the Omprakash Informational Flyer
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IEP Student Corrections Update
It is with immense gratitude that I inform you of SFUSD's successful submission of over 500 student level corrections to the California Department of Education within the 45 day timeline. This task could not have been accomplished without the thoughtfulness, responsiveness and professionalism of ALL our staff. To principals, general and special education teachers and all the Related Service providers who were impacted, I thank you for making time for an additional meeting to correct the errors. To our Special Education Content Specialists, I thank you for your leadership in gaining clarity on the corrections and efficiently ensuring corrections were made accurately. Through collaboration and professionalism we can accomplish the most daunting tasks. -Kristen Devine, Special Education Supervisor |
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Updates
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Dr. Bennett & Kris Langley at the "Meet & Greet Your iPad"
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iPad Pilot
Speech Language Pathologists
Twenty-five Speech and Language Pathologists are participating in an iPad Pilot this year. With technology and education merging closer every day, we want the best possible resources available for our students. The iPads will have innovative Apps to motivate students while better serving their complex needs. The hope is that this pilot leads to better speech-language outcomes, more efficient documentation of data, and exciting learning for students! We will keep you posted on the exciting developments.
-Geri, iPad Pilot Journalist
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 | | Inclusive Practice Highlight |
Visitation Valley Middle School
Inclusion in Practice
Visitation Valley Middle School developed a new method this year for mainstreaming students in the Least Restrictive Environment. Creative scheduling, paired with a committed staff, has led to an inclusive model that is proving to be successful for all students. Specialized Academic Instruction in Language Arts and/or Math is provided in an "SDC" or small group setting for students based on need while other academic classes are taught using a co-teaching model. This model ensures that students participate in the Least Restrictive Environment while receiving the Specialized Academic Instruction and support that they need.
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 RtI and Step By Step to Inclusive Practices
The turnout for the first RtI cohort was outstanding! 240 Teachers and Principals, representing 25 schools, attended
the first cohort opportunities in September. These schools are paving the road for the district's commitment to support all students.
Step By Step to Inclusive Schools is off and running as well! 25 schools are participating in this district-wide initiative. Teachers and administrators will learn best practice when supporting students in the Least Restrictive Environment to the greatest extent possible.
Click here to see the RiI and Step by Step participants
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Restorative Practices
A district goal for the 2012-2013 school year is to support schools in whole-school implementation of Restorative Practices. 2,500 SFUSD employees have attended the Introduction to Restorative Practices Workshop over the past year and a half. On September 14th, 25 SFUSD teachers and Special Education Content Specialists attended a day long training on implementation of the practice. These teachers and Content Specialists will help to support this district's initiative. For more information, read the Restorative Practice Definition,
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| Early Education: Inclusive Practice Updates
At John McLaren, Jefferson and Tule Elk Park (Inclusive Early Education Sites) special education teachers and general education teachers are collaborating to meet the needs of ALL children! They join Cobb, Presidio and San Miguel, our other inclusive early education sites.
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Thank you for reading this month's Special Education Newsletter. If there is something you would like to submit for the next newsletter please email Sarah Ashton (ashtons@sfusd.edu).
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Blanco
Special Education Services, SFUSD
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Community
Advisory
Committee
(CAC)
The CAC advocates for effective Special Education programs and services.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month. Please come!
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