The Special Edition 
SFUSD's Special Education Newsletter
Volume 2; Issue 9
MAY, 2013 
Celebrating Success of the 2012/13 School Year!
"Needs not Labels, Services not Places, Names not Numbers"
Special Olympics 2013
Special Olympics, May 10th, 2013
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Announcements & Opportunities 

 

 
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Awesome Achievements
Let's celebrate!
Celebrating Outstanding Teachers and 
Instructional Assistants 
Christina Perry  
Thank you to the amazing teachers and instructional assistants who passionately and tirelessly work to best meet the needs of SFUSD students. The dedication and hard work of this amazing group of professionals has lead to considerable progress for students and families. Thank you for all that you do, every day. 
Christina Perry is an example of one of the many amazing teachers in our district. Christina is a Literacy Specialist Day Class Teacher at Everett Middle School. (Go Owls!) Christina grew up in San Jose and attended college on the East Coast. What does she love about teaching? "My students constantly motivate me to be a more caring, strategic, and productive person." What was the highlight of her year? "The Everett Middle School first ever Gay Pride Week. It was highly informative, engaging and culminated in a staff drag show!"

To each and every dedicated teacher and instructional assistant, have a wonderful summer!

 

Click here to read more Celebrations of Success

 
Leg Day
Leg Day, Sacremento 

CAC Accomplishments

A Committed Partnership

 

Dr. Blanco, Dr. Shah, Dr. Mildred Brown and CAC respresentatives Gwen Mui and Karen Wilsey attended the Legislative Information Sharing Day in Sacremento on May 1st. The purpose of the event is to bring together SELPA designated Community Advisory Committee members, State SELPA Administrators and elected officials. Participants in "Leg" day are able to review proposed and current legislation related to Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs). Katy Franklin, Chair of the CAC reports that the partnership between the CAC and SFUSD is becoming stronger every day. Some of the major accomplishments of the year she lists include:

  • Attendance at CAC meetings has increased dramatically
  • The CAC website gets about 10,000 hits per month and  Facebook page gets about 500 looks per week.
  • Dr. Blanco's idea of a "pre-meeting" chat  with her and Special Education Supervisors and parents is very popular and much appreciated.
"We are working with the district to get the information we need, and this year's data about the Annual Service Plan was the most comprehensive data our committee has ever been given." 
-Katy Franklin, CAC President

 

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Updates From Special Education Services
 
RtI Tiers of Supports

Response to Intervention

Exciting Progress

 

The Behavior Response to Intervention (RtI) Premier Cohort had an amazing year of implementing RtI!  This year, teams learned about and primarily focused on implementing Tier 1 (universal) supports.  Presenters Diana Browning Wright and Dr. Clayton Cook also gave sites an overview of Tier 2 interventions to begin implementing.  The 26 schools (16 elementary schools and 10 middle schools)  in the Premier Cohort have worked hard to train staff, work with students, create materials, and share information. Next year, the Premier Cohort sites will participate in six days of professional development, primarily focused on Tier 2 interventions, and Dos Cohort will start their RtI implementation with eight days of professional development in 2013-2014.  Overwhelmingly, sites believe RTI is a timely and valuable topic and are excited to continue this initiative in SFUSD.  

Click here: for a larger version of the RtI Tiers of Support Model 

 
          Human Capital Celebrations

 

 

The Human Resources Department would like to celebrate the 140 SFUSD Special Education Teachers who have earned the added authorization in Autism Spectrum Disorders through a partnership with San Francisco State University. SFUSD reimburses the cost of the program  upon receiving confirmation from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing that the Added Authorization in Autism has been issued. The next workshop is scheduled for three Saturdays: October 19, October 26 and November 2nd at 750 25th Ave. from 8:00 to 5:00. p.m.  To earn the added authorization, teachers are required to attend the three Saturdays. More information about the workshop will be mailed from Human Resources if you are interested.

 

*Special recognition goes to Annette Minafo from the credential office for her hard work and dedication in making the partnership with San Francisco State University possible.  

-Gloria Escobar, Human Resources Department

 
End of the Year Checklist 
  • Extended School Year Services (ESY):
    • Elementary: 6/12-7/10
    • Secondary 6/12-7/17. 
  • Move Up Information: May 28th-May 31st
  • All IEPs and Amendments Affirmed
  • Caseload CASEMIS Error Free
  • Transition IEPs held 
  • Custom Field Completed for students on your Caseload

-Sarah Ashton, Program Administrator

 
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Thank you for reading the May Special Education Newsletter and congratulations on a year of many accomplishments!
If there is something you would like to submit for the next newsletter (August) please email Sarah Ashton ([email protected]).
Have a wonderful summer. 
Sincerely,

 

Dr. Elizabeth Blanco 
Special Education Services, SFUSD
 
"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and then suddenly you are doing the impossible." 
- Paul Clegg
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