On Friday, Feb. 25 our ECSE department meeting will spend the entire day focused on 3-5 topics. The March 21 department meeting will spend the entire day focused on 0-3 topics. And a reminder that the OT, PT and ECSE department will meet next Monday, Feb. 7 in Ft. Dodge with Gloria Frolek Clark to continue our work with Progress and Mastery Monitoring.
In order to prepare for the 3-5 meeting on Feb. 25, informal conversations will be taking place with teams that serve in EC/ECSE settings. Where is teaming working or not working well? Why or why not? Are triad/dyads effective in EC/ECSE settings? What is the role of the AEA ECSE teacher in the evaluation process, EER, IEP? Are GEI's occurring or are we moving to 'suspect disability' without GEIs? What type of IEP goals are being written? I've had this type of conversation with the Laurens AEA team and will be involved in a similar conversation with Sioux Central AEA team. Can I have a few more teams "volunteer" to have these conversations prior to our meeting? Please contact me if you are interested and we'll arrange a time and location!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Letters to Districts
Each February all districts are to receive a letter from us regarding the potential number of children that may qualify for Part B services and be on an IEP. This information is to help districts make plans for the next school year and have placement spots available especially for those children that turn 3 during the school year.
Please send the attached letter to all of the districts that you serve; even if they may not have any children at this time. Secretaries can help with this task - let's look at a deadline of February 14. Thank you!
Please send the attached letter to all of the districts that you serve; even if they may not have any children at this time. Secretaries can help with this task - let's look at a deadline of February 14. Thank you!
Monday, January 24, 2011
3 year olds
This time of year classrooms tend to be filled to capacity and it can become problematic to find quality placements for children turning 3.
I want to remind you of the expectations that the Department of Education has given:
As described in the information provided to districts in the District Developed Service Delivery (DDSD) Plan, children receiving instructional services on an IEP must be placed in early childhood/preschool settings that meet the following 2 criteria:
1. General education teacher is appropriately licensed to teach preschool children; and
2. Preschool program is implementing one of the three program standards (NAEYC, Head Start, or IQPPS).
Dee Gethmann, ECSE Consultant, Iowa Dept. of Education
Next week I'll provide you a copy of the letter that you will send to all districts to help them prepare and plan for upcoming children that will need placements during the 2011-12 school year.
I want to remind you of the expectations that the Department of Education has given:
As described in the information provided to districts in the District Developed Service Delivery (DDSD) Plan, children receiving instructional services on an IEP must be placed in early childhood/preschool settings that meet the following 2 criteria:
1. General education teacher is appropriately licensed to teach preschool children; and
2. Preschool program is implementing one of the three program standards (NAEYC, Head Start, or IQPPS).
Dee Gethmann, ECSE Consultant, Iowa Dept. of Education
Next week I'll provide you a copy of the letter that you will send to all districts to help them prepare and plan for upcoming children that will need placements during the 2011-12 school year.
Flip Video Camera
Recently I applied for a Flip Video Camera through Teacher Quality money. I was granted a camera! The flip video camera is a valuable tool for practitioners and can be used to document child progress, evaluation, assessment, coaching, consultation, reflective practice, reflective supervision, family education and professional development.
So how could you use the camera? Recording a small sampling of a home visit can help a family discover how their baby is growing and learning and how they can best meet their baby's needs. Activities to video tape include: basic childcare tasks, new accomplishments of infant, favorite activities, and staff- initiated experimentation with appropriate toys. At the next visit, view the tape with the parent, focusing on strengths, observing the baby's development, baby's cues, parent's response to cues, and parent's use of language.
Keep it short and sweet! I learned through my first recording of a preschool teacher that it only takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes to capture the magic moments! And now I learned how to transfer the recording to you tube! Let me know if you'd like to borrow the flip video camera; there are also cameras available for check out from Ed Zimmerle, Poky office.
So how could you use the camera? Recording a small sampling of a home visit can help a family discover how their baby is growing and learning and how they can best meet their baby's needs. Activities to video tape include: basic childcare tasks, new accomplishments of infant, favorite activities, and staff- initiated experimentation with appropriate toys. At the next visit, view the tape with the parent, focusing on strengths, observing the baby's development, baby's cues, parent's response to cues, and parent's use of language.
Keep it short and sweet! I learned through my first recording of a preschool teacher that it only takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes to capture the magic moments! And now I learned how to transfer the recording to you tube! Let me know if you'd like to borrow the flip video camera; there are also cameras available for check out from Ed Zimmerle, Poky office.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Dept. PD committee
We had planned to have a working lunch at our meeting (postponed) to discuss our 3 agency goals and relevant activities for our dept. and necessary PD to accomplish the goals. Since this didn't occur, I'd like to schedule a volunteer meeting on Friday, Feb. 4 from 9:00 -10:30 for a small group of us (teacher/leaders) to draft some professional development plans for our dept. for next year. Yes, I am looking for volunteers!!! A meeting place will be determined based on "who steps up" - we can meet by polycom as well, if that is more convenient. Please email me by Friday, Jan 21 if you are interested! Thank you!
Our agency goals are: Goal 1: Improve the academic outcomes (reading, math, and science) of all learners. Goal 2: Increase the effectiveness of LEA systems in the use of collaborative leadership, community involvement, data-based decision making, and evidence-based practices in curriculum, assessment and instruction. Goal 3: Improve LEA implementation of coordinated systems of learning supports within schools, families, and communities to remove barriers and to promote success for all learners within the Iowa Core.
Our agency goals are: Goal 1: Improve the academic outcomes (reading, math, and science) of all learners. Goal 2: Increase the effectiveness of LEA systems in the use of collaborative leadership, community involvement, data-based decision making, and evidence-based practices in curriculum, assessment and instruction. Goal 3: Improve LEA implementation of coordinated systems of learning supports within schools, families, and communities to remove barriers and to promote success for all learners within the Iowa Core.
Friday Meeting
A reminder that we will be meeting on Friday, Jan. 21.
Office facilitators are: Spencer - Kelly and Randi, Algona - Melissa and Becky B., Pocahontas - Paula and Gale, Webster City - Lorri and Tammy and Jefferson - Carla and Denise. You are welcome to attend at any of these locations; the SLP dept. will be in Pocahontas as they have a dept. meeting following our meeting.
The agenda is as follows: 9:00-10:15 - complete the IFSP/ISU module on graphing - BRING YOUR COMPUTER
10:30 -12 - Early ACCESS procedures, Section 3) Service coordination, Section 8) Financial resources, and Section 9) Inter-agency collaboration. (highlights attached)
*** Please note, SLP, OT,PT, Teachers of Hearing/Vision do not need to attend the EA procedure training as the information is not pertinent to their work!*** They are welcome to join us for the ISU module training; thus the reason why the order has been flipped.
The remainder of the time can be used to read and review the Q & A document that addresses several of the questions that have been asked during the trainings.(attached)
On Jan. 25 from 3:15-4:30 a make- up session for EA procedures will take place by polycom. The polycom has been reserved in each of our AEA offices and anyone can join that missed the Oct. 15 or Nov 19 training.
Office facilitators are: Spencer - Kelly and Randi, Algona - Melissa and Becky B., Pocahontas - Paula and Gale, Webster City - Lorri and Tammy and Jefferson - Carla and Denise. You are welcome to attend at any of these locations; the SLP dept. will be in Pocahontas as they have a dept. meeting following our meeting.
The agenda is as follows: 9:00-10:15 - complete the IFSP/ISU module on graphing - BRING YOUR COMPUTER
10:30 -12 - Early ACCESS procedures, Section 3) Service coordination, Section 8) Financial resources, and Section 9) Inter-agency collaboration. (highlights attached)
*** Please note, SLP, OT,PT, Teachers of Hearing/Vision do not need to attend the EA procedure training as the information is not pertinent to their work!*** They are welcome to join us for the ISU module training; thus the reason why the order has been flipped.
The remainder of the time can be used to read and review the Q & A document that addresses several of the questions that have been asked during the trainings.(attached)
On Jan. 25 from 3:15-4:30 a make- up session for EA procedures will take place by polycom. The polycom has been reserved in each of our AEA offices and anyone can join that missed the Oct. 15 or Nov 19 training.
Rescheduled Meeting
The ECSE department meeting scheduled with the OT & PT department has been rescheduled. We will meet with Gloria Frolek Clark on Monday, February 7 at the Fort Dodge AEA office (board meeting room is in the basement). Please mark your calendars and plan to be there from 9-3! The Twin Lakes Conference rooms at Pocahontas were NOT available anytime in February; thus the reason for moving the location.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Lunch & Learn Topic for 1.17.11
Are you familiar with our agency's Comprehensive Improvement Plan (CIP)? We have 3 broad agency goals:
Goal 1: Improve the academic outcomes (reading, math, and science) of all learners.
Goal 2: Increase the effectiveness of LEA systems in the use of collaborative leadership, community involvement, data-based decision making, and evidence-based practices in curriculum, assessment and instruction
Goal 3: Improve LEA implementation of coordinated systems of learning supports within schools, families, and communities to remove barriers
Goal 1: Improve the academic outcomes (reading, math, and science) of all learners.
Goal 2: Increase the effectiveness of LEA systems in the use of collaborative leadership, community involvement, data-based decision making, and evidence-based practices in curriculum, assessment and instruction
Goal 3: Improve LEA implementation of coordinated systems of learning supports within schools, families, and communities to remove barriers
Our department task:
1. How does the department PD fit into the agency's CIP?
2. In thinking about developing new department PD plans for the upcoming years, what components would have to be in our department plan to ensure it's a good plan? Each department comes up with the criteria you think is important for a quality Department PD plan by the end of January.
To accomplish the task:
- Discuss the department's activities that would contribute to accomplishing that goal/action
- Determine any PD our department would need to be able to accomplish this activity for the goal/action.
GOLD assessment training
Most of our preschool programs have been implementing Creative Curriculum and are moving from the Developmental Continuum Assessment tool to the new GOLD assessment tool. The GOLD assessment tool can be used with children Birth through Kindergarten.
It is important that our department is familiar with the tool, the developmental expectations and the new objectives in the literacy, math,science and technology, social studies and the art area. The information may assist teams in the writing of IEP goals and/or IFSP outcomes.
The GOLD assessment data is likely the data that a teacher will present to you as you review the records as part of the 'suspect disability' process.
Therefore, I'd encourage you to attend the upcoming training that Becky Coffelt and I will present on Monday, March 7 from 1:00 -3:30 in Pocahontas. The training is open to preschool teachers and administrators as well.
To register, copy and paste the link into your browser or call Donna Hodgell at 712-335-3588 x2006 or email her at dhodgell@aea8.k12.ia.us
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGwwOEt6QkZjRXZreE1RN3Q4bHAtMVE6MQ
It is important that our department is familiar with the tool, the developmental expectations and the new objectives in the literacy, math,science and technology, social studies and the art area. The information may assist teams in the writing of IEP goals and/or IFSP outcomes.
The GOLD assessment data is likely the data that a teacher will present to you as you review the records as part of the 'suspect disability' process.
Therefore, I'd encourage you to attend the upcoming training that Becky Coffelt and I will present on Monday, March 7 from 1:00 -3:30 in Pocahontas. The training is open to preschool teachers and administrators as well.
To register, copy and paste the link into your browser or call Donna Hodgell at 712-335-3588 x2006 or email her at dhodgell@aea8.k12.ia.us
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGwwOEt6QkZjRXZreE1RN3Q4bHAtMVE6MQ
Monday, January 3, 2011
Welcome Back!
Boy wasn't it nice to have a vacation! I hope you all are coming back refreshed and renewed. Everyday is a celebration - January 1 was Randi's birthday and today we receive word of Lorri being a first time grandma! Congratulations!
I actually read 3 books over the holidays, and went to 2 movies! Wow! Enjoyed spending time with family and friends and even painted a room and laid new flooring in the office! Also booked a flight to Tucson for January 13-16; guess I need another vacation, enjoyed the last one so much.
I actually read 3 books over the holidays, and went to 2 movies! Wow! Enjoyed spending time with family and friends and even painted a room and laid new flooring in the office! Also booked a flight to Tucson for January 13-16; guess I need another vacation, enjoyed the last one so much.
AEA Online Media Catalog
Another good place to look for resources for families and teachers is the AEA online media catalog. There is a set of Learning Games that can be checked out. Some of the titles include: Body Parts, Count on Me, Dress Up, Letters Aa to Zz, Patterns, Shape Land, What Color is it? and more.
There are also tag readers - which include a story and a 'tag' pen that reads the story for you. Some of the titles include Animal Stories, Bilingual Collection, and Favorite Stories.
I've attached a media checkout letter for your review!
There are also tag readers - which include a story and a 'tag' pen that reads the story for you. Some of the titles include Animal Stories, Bilingual Collection, and Favorite Stories.
I've attached a media checkout letter for your review!
Hawk -I insurance - new dental and vision insurance
This information is from Ann Stewart, Building Families Empowerment Coordinator;she recently met with a representative from Hawk-I.
"You can order Hawk-I (insurance)application packets by calling 800-257-8563.
The new item this year is dental insurance and vision, a real need. The dental is through Delta Dental. It is good insurance. If the family is eligible for Title, they will not be able to access the dental or vision through Hawk-I. Parents can sign up for insurance on line and it takes a month to be approved and get your insurance coverage. www.hawk-i.org
They have all kinds of money left and encourages persons to apply, even if families have insurance they can apply for just the dental or vision insurance for their children . Please share this information with others as appropriate. "
"You can order Hawk-I (insurance)application packets by calling 800-257-8563.
The new item this year is dental insurance and vision, a real need. The dental is through Delta Dental. It is good insurance. If the family is eligible for Title, they will not be able to access the dental or vision through Hawk-I. Parents can sign up for insurance on line and it takes a month to be approved and get your insurance coverage. www.hawk-i.org
They have all kinds of money left and encourages persons to apply, even if families have insurance they can apply for just the dental or vision insurance for their children . Please share this information with others as appropriate. "
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