February, 2015
"Needs not Labels, Services not Places, Names not Numbers"
 

Students attending SOAR are soaring, CDE visit prep and gearing up for the annual Information & Resource Conference! Lots to get excited about in February! 
Special Education Awesomeness 
Verification Review 
CDE & SFUSD 

The California Department of Education (CDE) will be visiting SFUSD the week of March 2-6, 2015 for a Special Education Verification Review. This review is a process the CDE uses to ensure that students with disabilities are receiving educational benefit and the services they need. The CDE will be reviewing special education students records and visiting sites to interview staff to ensure IEPs are compliant, services are being delivered and student's are receiving educational benefit. During February, Special Education Supervisors and Content Specialists have been presenting information to Administrators and Teachers on the review and how to be prepared. What can you do to prepare? Use the "brown file checklist" located on the SEIS homepage and in document library to ensure all documentation is complete. Our goal is to show the CDE the incredible work that takes place every day in SFUSD schools to support students with learning differences.  
Students are SOARing!
Tenderloin Community

Students at Tenderloin Community Elementary school participating in SOAR services are truly soaring. Laura Hoover and the staff at Tenderloin have established the SOAR program as a place to learn and grow. SOAR is a program designed to support student's with complex social and emotional needs enrolled in San Francisco Unified Schools. Students are supported using a point and level system that reinforces positive behaviors. Laura's classroom uses a variety of proven strategies to ensure students are supported and learn the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom and beyond. Laura was recently asked how she ensures her students are gaining. Click here to read the interview with Laura. Click here to read more about SOAR services. 

On Saturday, March 21 Support for Families, partnering with SFUSD and the CAC will host the annual Information & Resource Conference! The keynote speaker this year is Frances Stetson, leader of the Inclusive Schools Network. This is a FREE conference for families. Participants will have 27 different morning and afternoon workshops to choose from. Enjoy a light breakfast and lunch and walk the exhibitions from over 75 Bay Area organizations. Last year 286 parents and families attended and 170 professionals. This annual conference is a great way to learn more about services, supports and innovation available to you and your family.  Want to learn more? Click here for additional information. Interested in registering? Click here. We hope to see you there! 
Resources
CAC
SFUSDSpEd.org
EdSurge
SpEdTech Flipboard
SFUSD SpEd
Learning for Educators
 


SpEd Course Catalog
Join the CAC!
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

Want to meet other parents and community members committed to ensuring SFUSD students receive appropriate Special Education Services? Want to  be more informed with the Special Education process? Click here 
to learn more about the CAC and times and locations of meetings. 
Special Education Annoucements

  • SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRACK & FIELD EVENT, MAY 8: CLICK HERE
  • ESY Job Opportunities: Click Here
  • SpEdTech Spring Training Schedule - Click Here
  • 3/21 Support for Families, Info & Resource Conference - Click Here
  • SFUSD QTEA/Prop A Course Catalog - Click Here
  • Student Intervention Team (SIT) February News - Click Here
  • Translation and Interpretation Requests - Click Here
SFUSD Special Education Services
3045 Santiago Street| San Francisco, CA 94116

If we teach today's students as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow. -John Dewey