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"Needs not Labels, Services not Places, Names not Numbers"
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December 3rd-7th: Inclusive Schools Week!
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Announcements & Opportunities
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Win a $20 Gift Card From Peet's Coffee!
Respond to this email with how you, your students, your school or your community celebrated Inclusive Schools Week!
Your name will be entered to win and you may be highlighted in next month's Newsletter.
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Awesome Achievements!
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 Hillcrest Elementary "Inclusion Hillcrest Style"
Hillcrest teacher Sarah Healy, with the help of staff and students at Hillcrest Elementary, created an amazing video showcasing Hillcrest's inclusive practices.
Click here to watch "Inclusion: Hillcrest Style!"
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Aptos Middle School
Inclusion Every Day, All Day
The culture at Aptos has allowed for 80% of students with IEPs to take general education classes for academics. Equality and access starts with a state of mind, but school structure and systems need to be in place to make inclusive practices a reality. Aptos mantra is: "these are all, all of our students." This mantra allows for general education, special education and administrators and the community to foster a culture of inclusion giving all students access to an appropriate, standards-based education. Discipline referrals are down, morale is up and the API for students with Special Education Services rose 39 points last year, nearly double of any other testing group!
- Chelsea Miller, Teacher
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 Transition Planning Preparing For a Future
During the month of November, all High School Department Chairs, Assistant Principals and Instructional Reform Facilitators (IRF) participated in a training focused on Individual Transition Plans (ITP). Every SFUSD student is required to have an ITP by the age of 16. The training specifically addressed developing a better understanding of the ITP as a tool for post-secondary success. ITP's are addressed annually and based on student preferences, interests and needs. On December 6th, all SFUSD principals will participate in the training as well.
Click here to learn more about Individual Transition Plans
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Updates
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CASEMIS
California Special Education
Management Information System
Huge shout out and thank you to Case Managers who diligently ensured their Caseload was CASEMIS error free and accurate for our December 1st report to the state. This year's December 1st report is sure to be the most accurate representation of the students we serve and the services we provide. Thank you!
-Sarah Ashton, Program Administrator
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CDE Verification Review
File Pull #2 Update
Donna DiMartini, our Monitor from the California Department of Education, has been reviewing files. She will be informing us of the corrective actions that must be taken from File Pull #2 in order to ensure IEPs are compliant with State and Federal Mandates and we are serving the educational needs of students receiving Special Education Services.
-Kristen Devine, Special Education Supervisor
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Board Maker Pilot
Speech Language Pathologists
SFUSD has embarked on an exciting pilot program using Boardmaker Studio. This software allows the user to create visual symbols and supports for students while adapting curriculum materials using a variety of templates and picture symbols. With this software, teachers can create print material for students and students can engage in interactive activities through the computer and smart board. The 20 SLPs who are participating in the pilot have realized Boardmaker is an especially useful tool for supporting students in an inclusive setting.
Click here for additional information on the Boardmaker Pilot.
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Inclusive Practice Highlight
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December's Interesting Article
Leadership for Inclusive Schools
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 Response to Intervention with Diana Browning Wright
Twenty-six schools are participating in the Premier Cohort this year. Currently these sites are viewing Review 360 Webinars. The Webinar provides guidance on how to complete the Universal Screening for all students. The Universal Screening takes 30-60 seconds and distinguishes externalizing and internalizing behaviors. The Screening will identify students who would benefit from Tiered levels of support.
-Kat Weyenberg, RtI Content Specialist
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 Happy Holidays from Central Office! 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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______________________
For additional information on
People First Language
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"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand"
Chinese Proverb
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