The Special Edition 
SFUSD's Special Education Newsletter
Volume 2; Issue 8
April, 2013 
"Needs not Labels, Services not Places, Names not Numbers"
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Announcements & Opportunities 

 

 
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Awesome Achievements
Autism Awareness Month  
Sunset Elementary Celebrates!
April Autism Awareness Month
 
April is Autism Awareness month and Sunset Elementary School has used this as an opportunity to teach students, staff, and parents from the school community all about Autism, differences, and inclusion. They kicked off the month by celebrating "Light it up Blue Day" on April 2nd. "Light it Up Blue Day" is a worldwide Autism Awareness movement, lead by Autism Speaks. Students wore blue for the day. You could see a sea of blue shirts, pants, and shoes running around on the playground. Throughout the school there was inclusion in action in classrooms, hallways and on the playground. Click here to read more!
 
Ethan & Abigail 

Students with Visual Impairments Victorious!

Lawton Alternative School

 

Abigail Moreno and Ethan Fung of Lawton Alternative School were selected as two of the three finalists in the Alice Chavez-Pardini Education Advancement Grant, sponsored by SF Chapter of California Council of the Blind. Their essays were chosen among entries by children and adults with visual impairments from the Bay area. Additionally, Abigail was selected to receive $2,500 to purchase adaptive equipment such as a computer screen with a reader. Ethan Fung was also awarded second place in the elementary poetry category of Youth Writing Contest of the National Federation for the Blind. His winning entry was titled "Glad Dad" and was published in "Slate and Style" magazine. Ethan was also awarded third place in the Braille Challenge and first place in the Braille Bee at this year's Regional Braille Challenge.  Students with visual impairments from the all over California competed in these events that promote Braille Literacy. Congratulations to both of these star scholars! 

 

-Ellennie Lee, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Updates From Special Education Services
 
Hastings Law Students

Hastings Law School Students

Partner with Special Education Services

 
A dedicated group of fifteen UC Hastings Law students have volunteered to serve as Educational Surrogates for SFUSD students. Over the course of the 2012-13 school year these students have participated in trainings to prepare them for the Educational Surrogate role. Sometimes for various reasons there is no one to fill the important role of a parent as related to educational matter. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that States train and provide educational surrogates, impartial individuals, to fill the role of a parent during the IEP process. Lead by Hastings student Samantha Von Hoene, the cohort has developed a strong partnership with SFUSD and Special Education Services. Their motivation and knowledge will help to ensure all students receive a quality education that meets their diverse needs.
 
 
MLPD
          Multilingual Pathways Department 
Important Reminders
 

There are recent updates to "SEIS IEP and Reclassification Guidelines for Students Who Receive English Learner and Special Education Services." The following is a snap shot of the guidance surrounding writing ELD goals for students. See the full document, "SEIS IEP and Reclassification Guidelines for Students Who Receive English Learner and Special Education Services," in the SEIS document library.

"Students need to have an ELD goal for each domain in which the student does not score proficient, or a 4/early advanced on the CELDT. The student can have either:

-a separate ELD specific goal for each domain in which they did not score a 4 

-OR--linguistically appropriate goals in other areas of need for the student (i.e. ELA, communication, etc.) that are appropriately linked to ELD standards and the student's proficiency level. Please review the document located in the SEIS Document Library for additional information.

-Katy Hugo, Multilingual Pathway Department

 
End of the Year Prep 
 

Extended School Year Services (ESY): Elementary: 6/12-7/10; Secondary 6/12-7/17. 

Move Up Information: May 28th-May 31st
Admin SEIS Training: April 29th, 4-5:30 Cabrillo. Register through Cornerstone.
All IEPs/Amendments Affirmed by May 17th, 2013
Transition IEPs held by May 15th, 2013

Special Olympics: Track and Field Events, May 10th 

-Sarah Ashton, Program Administrator

 
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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 ([email protected]).
Sincerely,

 

Dr. Elizabeth Blanco 
Special Education Services, SFUSD
 
"A joyful person is not a person with a certain set of circumstances but a person with a certain set of attitudes." 
- Hugh Downs
In This Issue

Announcements & Opportunities

  

Updates

 

Quick Links

SFUSD Homepage 

 

SFUSD Special Education website 

 

SEIS Website 

 

CDE

 

CA Composite of Laws

Additional 
Resources

Support for Families 

 

First 5 San Francisco 

 

Center for Mental Health (UCLA) 

 

Disability Rights California 

 

Community Works Institute 

 

Teacher Resources 

 

USF School Of Education 


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!
 
"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand"
Chinese Proverb