Zero to Three Conference

Time to Learn! Time to Revitalize!  Time to Connect!

The first-ever live web event from the Zero to Three National Training Institute, 2012 will occur on .  Thursday, November 29th.  A TQ request for funding the webinar sessions will be reviewed today at the TQ meeting.  Following are the sessions and the ECSE teachers who plan to attend.  They will share their new learnings with you at the Dec. department meeting.  

Session 1: Ingredients for a Healthy Brain (Deb Bennett, Chrys Velky, Lynn Eby, Nicole Hinrichs)


Session 2: Engaging Communication: The Conversation without Words (Lorri Lovelace Johnson, Deb Bennett, Chrys Velky, Cheryl Petersen, Lynn Eby, Kelly Olson)

Session 3: The Enduring Legacy Of Early Experience: Lessons from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (Cheryl Petersen, Lynn Eby)

Session 4: "Like-Me" and Early Feelings of Social-Emotional Connection: Imitation, Empathy, and Neural Mirroring (Tammy Berger, Lorri Lovelace Johnson, Lynn Eby, Kelly Olson)

Session 5: Defenses Against Fear: Anger, Avoidance, Controllingness, Dysregulation, and Withdrawal .(Tammy Berger, Lynn Eby, Nicole Hinrichs)

What IFSP records need to be sent to the district?

This is a question that seems to keep coming back around and different answers are often given, or we make our decision on records based on what the district says they want.  So, I've had a conversation with Theresa Golden, zone coordinator who sits on the state IEP committee. Here is the message.

Once a student moves to an IEP the District becomes the casemanager and keeper of all the records and they need to have all the signed original documents that lead up to the  Initial Placement.  You would provide the signed consent for evaluation and Initial Consent for Evaluation, EER, PWN, IEP etc...  The district also gets a copy of all the IFSP documents and the AEA retains the original consents/etc... in their file of the IFSP documents. 

Does this include medical records?  Once the parent has signed a consent for these records from any medical facility to the educational team, they become part of the educational permanent record. I know some medical facilities think HIPPA trumps FERPA but it does not once the parent has released these records to the educational team.  Additionally anything that has been placed in the file (report from CHSC, DHS, medical records) all are part of that educational record and a copy of those can move with the file as well.  The only thing that would not go with the permanent file would be personal notes from the ECSE teacher/service coordinator. 

What has changed with electronic records now locatedon the Web for IEP and IFSP? We are not maintaining case files to the extent (except signed documents) that we were before.  Until which time they merge (if they do) information from IFSP land to IEP land electronically we as the designated agency (AEA's) have the responsibility for the maintenance and distribution of IFSP materials to move those with a child who then goes on to an IEP. 

I've reviewed this information with Tonia and she will send a reminder to all secretaries on the procedures.  Secretaries have been instructed to PDF the IFSP file and send it to the district case manager.  This will prevent printing and the district can determine if they want to save or print the IFSP file.  This will ensure consistency across the agency. 

Is there something you need?

In a Results Only Work Environment (ROWE), the question we are to ask of each other is, "Is there something you need?"

 Now that you've asked, yes, there is something I need from you. This is a reminder for each person  to turn in IFSP/IEP social emotional outcomes/goals for (2) children. The social/emotional area was to be assessed with either the SEAM or the AEPS.   Along with the goals, you were to self rate them with either the R-GORI or the Goal Functionality Scale and then add self reflection notes.  Can I please ask for this assignment to be turned in by Dec. 3?  This will keep us on track for the next part of our work, progress data on the IFSP/IEP outcomes/goals due by Dec. 21.  How are you monitoring the goals?  Does your assessment link to your instruction?  Are you getting results? 

If you are not sure if you've completed the assignment, please ask.  I know how crazy, busy one gets. 

Upcoming Events

 "You can make yourself happy, or you can make yourself miserable," observes psychologist Mark Shepard in The Optimist (November 2012). "The amount of effort is the same. So if it takes the same amount of effort, why not make yourself happy?"  Well Thanksgiving week has arrived and hopefully everyone will have a chance to relax and give thanks and be happy!

We welcome Jane back to work from maternity leave and anxiously await for Nicole to start her maternity leave. Jane and Marlene will be covering Nicole's caseload, thank you ladies! 

 Nov. 29:  Zero to Three Webinars - please consider taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience experts in the field in the comfort of your own home or office!  Sign up no later than Tues. Nov. 20.

Nov. 30 - Happy Birthday to Kelly Olson!!!

Dec. 1 - Happy Birthday to Chrys Velky!!!

Dec. 4 - AEPS polycom session with Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, 12:30 -3:00 Pocahontas Office - please let me know if you plan to attend; a great way to refresh your skills and get your questions answered about the use of AEPS.

Dec. 7 - ECSE department meeting - Presentations will be given by those that attended the DEC conference, the AEPS classes, and the Zero to Three webinars; should be a great way to learn from each other.  A 1:00 medicaid training for AEA folks will follow. 

Dec. 21- Final work day before Christmas break!

ROWE meeting

On Tuesday, Nov 7 a ROWE meeting is scheduled.  Last week I received this message from Connie Johnson; I have not connected with her at this point.  As you review our department plan, you will see the connections to the ROWE plan. Again, I need your feedback - and a reminder to complete your first assignment.  I have outcomes and the rating scale from Deb B., Chrys, Nicole, Lynn W. and Cheryl. 

 Denise (and ECSE Teacher/Consultants),


I am happy to be your Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) Coach and am committed to helping you succeed. What's been going with your team? How can I support you? Are there any other questions that you and/or your team have encountered thus far that you'd like me to share with the leadership team?

I'd like to connect with you to learn more about your outcome. Is there a time within the next week or so we can have a conversation so I could learn more about your outcome and provide support? I'm good with face to face, Skype, Turbo meeting...whatever.

Thanks for allowing me to join you on this journey to a Results Only Work Environment!

Connie

I need to hear from you!

Ok ladies, our AEPSI license expires and needs to be renewed by Dec. 10.  I just went in to the system to view our current status and we have only used 36 of the 40 license purchased.  Please send me an email or call me or talk to me in person and let me know your thoughts on moving forward with AEPSI. If I don't hear from you, you will be hearing from me.

 Later this week we have Lynn Eby, Lynn Weringa, Nicole, Tamy, Deb B. and Chrys attending the AEPS training in Cedar Falls.  They will share information with us at our Dec. 7 department meeting.  Each of you had the opportunity to attend the training with TQ money. What are the concerns?  Why are you not using it?  If you are not using it, what are you using for ongoing assessment that is curriculum based?  What kind of support do you need?

I pad apps

Could you please send me a list of the favorite apps that you've added to your I pad?  Many preschools are getting I pads and are wondering if I have suggestions on "quality apps."  So I'd like to develop a list that can be shared.  Please send me the title and the age range, along with a brief category such as "early math."   You can also share apps that you use as an adult to keep you organized, etc.  Once I get the list organized I will share it with you!  Thanks

Department Professional Development Plan

We have our next department meeting on Oct. 15.  Has anyone administered the SEAM tool?  Will you have a chance to use the SEAM tool by then? Are you using the AEPSI? Have you been able to identify a SE concern?

 I'd like some group discussion on the use of the tools and how a social/emotional outcome or goal can be developed. We will have some practice time using the R-Gori or the Goal Functionality Scale to rate SE outcomes/goals that you've written.   

More detailed information will follow on the meeting agenda.  Take time to review the department plan and it's relation to the ROWE plan.  It needs to be one of the focus areas of your work.  Our first assignment is due by Oct. 25.

It's October

Well September flew by and now we turn the calendar to October, which of course is Count Date, October 26.  I appreciate each and everyone of you and all that you do to try and complete those evaluations and hold those IFSP and IEP meetings by the deadline. Our department has been hit hard with illness and your willingness to cover for one another is amazing. Thank you!

October Updates:
Jane and Cory Thilges had their baby on Friday, Sept. 28 at the Emmetsburg Hospital.  Jordyn Grace was 21 inches long and 9# 9 oz.  I happened to be traveling through town that day and had the joy of meeting the precious newborn, she is a keeper! 

Kelly Olson had gall bladder surgery on  Thurs. Sept. 27 and will be out for about a week along with Carrie Calhoon who is still recovering from knee surgery.  A big hug to Lynn Eby for stepping up to the plate and helping out as best she can.

Andrea is waiting for back surgery to be scheduled for late October and then will need another 3 months or so to recouperate.  Again, without Kelly, Carrie, Denise Lundell, and Jane her work load would not be covered.

 And our dear Karla has picked up head lice; what a chore to clean everything you own, and do repeated shampoo treatments.  I've now heard headlice, cockroach, and bed bug stories, what next?

Gale will be in Phoenix from Oct 4-8 for her son's white coat ceremony.
I will be in Los Angeles visiting my daughter, Angela from Oct 4-8 (no we didn't plan it to be gone at the same time)

Oct. 15 Dept meeting
Oct. 23 - Denise Lundell celebrates a birthday
Oct. 28-30  DEC conference in Minneapolis, Mn.  Several us are going!

Expectations for Dyad Members

I attended an agency meeting with zone coordinators and department chairs on Sept. 18.  An IEP review occurred this summer and results indicated that only 15% of IEP goals reviewed were RIGOROUS. Goals are to be written to "close the gap", expecting a minimum of 1 year's growth in 1 years time.  Think about the goals you've written - what is a rigorous goal for a 3 and 4 year old?  How are you doing?

I've attached the document that summarizes the expectations of the dyad members.  These are PreK-12 expectations.  Let's make sure that our dyad folks are checking in with ECSE district teachers on a regular basis and that progress and graphing are occurring. 

.   

What's happening

Ok, I have been out of sync for so long with the Monday Matters blog that I'm having a hard time even remembering how to post an entry!  That's bad, huh!

September happenings...
Melissa celebrated a birthday on Sept. 8 
Gale celebrated her birthday on Saturday, Sept. 22
Birthday joy to both of you as you look forward to another happy and healthy year!

Carrie Calhoon had knee surgery and is home recovering.
Marlene Armbrecht has gotten the OK to return to work following her extended workmen comp leave!  Andrea is still out on leave.
Jane Thilges is ready to deliver her baby anyday now!

Teacher Quality committee meets today (Mon.) to approve funding on the request for AEPS training and attendance at the DEC conference in Minneapolis.  More details coming...

Traumatic Experience in Infancy: How Responses to Stress Affect Development

I'm often humbled as I listen to some of the sad situations that children and families are experiencing.  As I read this article about the impact of traumatic stress on very young children, any of you could have been sharing a similar story. The work confirms the importance of sensitive and caring adults who can recognize and support the child's expression of trauma- induced stress.  This comes from the Zero to Three Journal.

http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/31-1_Witten.pdf?docID=13401

Mental Health Awarenesss Day

Wednesday, May 9 is Mental Health Awareness Day.  Have you ever checked out Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation website at http://www.ecmhc.org/index.html  ?  There is some great information about Temperament and even a tool that can be completed by caregivers to help determine "goodness of fit" between the child and the adult.  There are even outcomes and recommendations.  Try it with your daughter or daughter-in-law and those grandbabies, women!  A great way to become familiar with the tool and have someone to practice on before trying it with a client. 
There is also a link on the site to stress reduction and relaxation!  Who doesn't need that?  Take the time during Mental Health week to refresh and remind yourself how to keep stress in perspective.  Do you know what I did this weekend to relax?  I had a manicure and pedicure.  Gotta love it!

IEP Goal Areas

At our state network meeting on Friday, we were asked to use the Preschool Iowa Early Learning Standards  to crosswalk the appropriate IEP goal domains.  This activity was in preparation for some of the IEP changes that will be occurring next year.  It should help clarify that the IELS for Social Emotional development aligns with the Behavior Goal Domain, while the Academic Goal Domain addresses Reading, Writing and Math.  Sounds like there will be drop down menus to make sure we link the goal to the general curriculum and identify accurate standards and benchmarks.  More coming on this in the fall...

Response to Intervention: Assessment Work Group Early Childhood

You may get questions from district preschool teachers or building reps about a survey that will be launched very soon.  The survey will be sent to Early Childhood Special Education, Statewide Voluntary Preschools and Shared Vision Programs in our districts. The survey will be asking about EARLY LITERACY assessments that are administered to children (ages 3-5) for the purpose of UNIVERSAL SCREENING and PROGRESS MONITORING. 

Recommended tools and more information about the Response to Intervention at the preschool level will follow. 

Department meetings for 2012-13

I have scheduled our department meetings for next year, simply because the meeting rooms fill up so fast in Pocahontas.  Here are the dates:

Monday, Aug. 27
Monday, Oct. 15
Friday, Dec. 7
Friday, Jan. 18
Friday, Mar. 15
Monday, May 13

The agency is also considering/planning some joint department professional development on technology.  Save the following dates: 
Friday, Sept. 21
Friday, Nov. 9
Friday, Feb. 15
Friday, April 5. 

Thus the reason a dept. meeting isn't scheduled in those months.  It is likely that you'd choose 2 of the 4 days for technology learning, final plans are in process.

Early ACCESS service coordinator

You have probably noticed the job posting for 2 FTE Early ACCESS service coordinators! This is exciting news...

Carrie Calhoon was hired this year as an EA service coordinator and it has went very well! She is now serving 30 families and has had time to really focus on family needs and priorities and has done a great job learning the paperwork as well.

Please be open minded about the possibilities that can happen with these added positions. I know our administration is being very supportive of the importance of early childhood. Their thinking is a service coordinator position frees up our ECSE staff to do just what they were hired to do "teach" and improve outcomes for children.

ECO training and Trauma Mental Health training

Several people were interested in attending training this summer, others would like the information but were not able to make the training dates work in their schedule. Here is a list of those attending so that you will be able to get the information.

June 12 - 2nd Annual Psychological Trauma & Juvenile Justice: Impact on Mind, Body, Behavior and Communtiy -Current Research and Practice Trends
Attending: Nicole, Cheryl, Melissa, Lynn Beisch, Randi, Gale and myself

June 13 - ECO NECTAC training
Attending: Nicole, Lynn Beisch, Randi, Gale and myself ( Becky Coffelt?)

Perhaps we can talk about possible car pooling and motels at our dept. meeting. Did I miss anyone?

PBIS training

I've attached a chart with the PBIS modules that have been offered. Will you please complete that information and return to me by Friday, April 13. If you have not attended training and are interested in a certain module, please let me know.

Department Meeting News

It seems like forever since we've been together as a group. I'm missing the connections!
And as I turned my April calendar, I see that we are having a department meeting on Friday, April 20 in the Pocahontas office. So save the date! There was talk about moving the meeting to another office as we didn't think the room was available here, but it is open and now reserved for us. More info will be coming soon on the agenda/outcomes for that day!

Will we get our I Pads that day? We can be hopeful. I contacted Mike Schmidt this week and they have been ordered and are to arrive that week. It depends if the order comes in on time and then they need to charge them, label, etc.

So who plans to go to the Trauma conference and the ECO conference? Looks like we have several attending the pre-conference trauma day: Nicole, Cheryl, Gale, Melissa, Lynn Beisch, Randi and me. And Lynn, Randi, Nicole, Gale and myself will stay on for the ECO day!

Are you using AEPSI?

The most recent check tells me that we are using 34 of the 40 AEPSI license that we purchased. There is an expectation that everyone is trying it out!
Here are some of the advantages of AEPSI:
1) Informs you of a child's strengths, emerging skills, and needs
2) Helps develop meaningful goals and interventions
3) Highly sensitive - measures small increments of development, resulting in more accurate assessment of child's performance
4) Helps ensure they will make progress
5) Cross walked with ECO indicators
6) Curriculum guide that designs and implements intervention strategies, incorporates activities into the child's daily routine
7) Now there is a printable pdf version of the individual assessment for a single area or all areas
8) It's an online tool and generates great reports
9) Yes, you can continue to use the DAYC to get an eligibility score, but don't you want more???
9) Wait for me! Stop! I need to go try it again, RIGHT NOW!

Teacher Quality Dollars

Did you receive the email stating that the Teacher Quality Committee will be meeting today, Monday, March 26? If you have your 15 hours completed, send your form (date, hours, and brief description of work)to Steve Beegley and Deb Gade. Upon committee approval, the hours will be submitted for pay and hopefully be in your next check. Next TQ meeting will be April 30.

Tiffanie Dau, AT coordinator, sent me a great site for you to check out! It's called Tots nTech http://tnt.asu.edu/tnt-helpdesk (copy and paste to your browser).The help desk is designed to help you find assistive technology resources ideas in four functional areas. Click on the picture webliography link on the right side of the page to see a great collection of printable picture resources.

Save the date

There are a couple of professional development opportunities taking place in Des Moines in June. I want to give you some basic information and the dates. If either of these trainings interest you, I'd ask you to "trade" a day of work in April or May and use the date(s) in June. I don't believe the agency will pay you for any additional work days to attend, but would honor a trade day. More information will be coming regarding registration details.

June 11 -13 there is a FREE Birth -21 special education conference, Pursuing the Promise. On Wed. June 13, there is an all day session to address Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) for Early ACCESS and ECSE. The presenters are from the national ECO center and NECTAC to help us continue our path to better understanding and implementation of ECO. At this point I have not seen registration details and can't tell you if the other 2 days would be of value to us, but please DO CONSIDER attending on June 13. As more information comes, I will share it with you, so don't request leave at this point.

A second option is the 2nd Annual Psychological Trauma Conference on June 12, 13, and 14. Yes, this overlaps with the ECO day. This is a rather costly conference, however, the speaker line-up are the BEST of the BEST in helping us understand mental health issues and young children. Maybe consider going to the pre-conference on June 12 and ECO on June 13. If you are interested in attending this conference, I'd apply for professional development leave soon, as only 300 registrants will be accepted. Information will be attached to the email.

Webinars

Today I received an email announcing an updated position statement on NAEYC and Technology ! You can check out the 20 minute webinar to get up -to -date on the definition, recommendations, limitations, and implications of technology and interactive media. I can forward the email with the webinar if you didn not receive it, as I can't get the link to open here.

And did you sign up for the webinar, Five Simple Steps for Progress Monitoring? It will occur on April 4 with Early Childhood Investigations and Fran Simon. Let me know if you need more info.

And a must read, Evaluating Technology for Early Learners - you may have received the email on 3/6 from Hatch The Early Learning Experts Escape the Ed Tech Junkyard. If you are interested in this great resource, let me know and I will forward the info, as I can't get the link to open here. Sorry.
http://www.hatchearlychildhood.com/layout_images/documents/ebooks/evaluatingtechnology_small.pdf

More on technology

There continues to be several opportunities to learn more about technology and early childhood. Some of you may be viewing information for "off the clock" teacher quality hours. Others may be viewing information to complete the final reflection work for technology professional development credit. Either way, my job is to keep you informed.

I recently took the time to view the new treatment videos from autism speaks, you may want to do so also http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/video-glossary

I also went to the CELL videos and found them to be of interest at http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/ta_cellcasts1.php or a new one on adaptations for special needs children http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/getting_kids_involved.php

If you subscribe to Camille Catlette emails, see 2/29 and 3/14 for this information.

Technology polycom meeting

On Friday, those taking the department work for PD technology credit, met by polycom to continue conversations about technology. Here are a few more resources that you might want to explore as a result of our conversations. Can't find the time? Remember, you can explore sites on your own time, and submit the hours for TQ money.

http://www.makingsenseonline.org/
http://www.headstartinclusion.org/
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
http://www.challengingbehavior.org/
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/
http://www.180techtips.com/

There is also new information on the AEPSI site on how to tie curriculum to assessment!
Or check out Utube, "How Difficult Can This Be?" by Richard Lavoie

First Service Delivery Date

At our last department meeting we discussed the "First Service Delivery Date" and developed a few questions to pose to support staff to review the material from the DE.

To refresh you, the first service delivery date must occur within 30 days of the IFSP meeting. When a home visit is completed for the first time, click the "first service delivery button" and record log notes. If you miss the timeline for starting a service, you will be given a drop down menu to select a reason for delay and a note will need to be entered to justify the reason for the missed date.

Now you have the answers, in case a support person seeks help or clarification from you. Didn't want you to be in the blind! Encourage them to read the information, take the 3 point quiz and hit submit!

Pediatric First Aid

The Pocahontas Hospital is advertising a Pediatric First Aid Class on Tuesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. If this is something you are interested in, please contact Mary Brandt at 712-335-5229 to register. Recently the OT, PT, and COTAs attending training. Perhaps it's time for some of us to refresh our skills as well.

Caught in the Act!

I never seem to take the time to tell others how much they are valued and appreciated for all the countless, thankless hours of time each of you spend to make things happen for children, parents, and school districts.

To Kelly - thanks for taking the time to crosswalk the AEPSI and GOLD tool to help make decisions on how to best assess preschool children with special needs.

To Lynn - thanks for supporting Okoboji and Spirit Lake as they schedule additional meetings with AEA staff to work on communication, collaboration, and inclusionary practices!

To Tammy - for advocating for a child/family as Eagle Grove and Head Start reflect on their beliefs about challenging behaviors!

To Randi - for acknowledging that sometimes we need a break, a breath of fresh air, so that we can come back renewed and refreshed and ready to work!

To Denise L - for looking into all placement possibilities for a child with autism - Newell Fonda, Pomeroy, and Pocahontas.

To Nicole - for being well prepared and resulting in a successful IEP least restrictive placement, involving Sac City and Rockwell City districts.

To Becky C - for agreeing to work on Saturday to help NE Hamilton prepare for their QPPS verification visit this week.

To Cheryl, Marlene, Carrie, Deb, Andrea, Chrys, Deb, Lorri, Melissa, Lynn B, Gale, and Carla - to be continued...

Technology 4 Square

And the survey says...

"I use ___ on a regular basis and could likely explain or share additional information with others":
TEXTING - 13/17 responses
Skype - 6/17
Facebook - 6/17
U Tube - 6/17

"I have used __ and with some additional support, I could "take off" and I know who "to go to" to get the information/help I need:
Polycom - 10/17
Pinterest - 10/17
Basecamp - 9/17

"I have used ___ less than a half dozen times and would need additional support in order to be comfortable helping others.":
Excel - 8/17
GOLD online - 8/17
AEPSI - 7/17


"What's that? And why would I want or need to know more about it?"
Adobe Connect - 11/17
Moodle - 9/17
Turbo meeting - 7/17

ESYS discussions continue

Can ESYS occur in the home (OT,PT, SLP, ECSE) or does a parent need to bring the child into the school? and if so, are they reimbursed for mileage? This question was asked of Jerry Stremel as we often get conflicting messages from staff, "we don't go the home" or "we can go to the home." Conflicting messages can be confusing to families!

In response, Jerry said, "We must use discretion in the location of services. When possible, we try and connect student support services with the instructional program at the school , including ESYS. It becomes an issue of resource allocation. It can become quite challenging to provide an array of services out in the home, when services may be able to be clustered in one site. The bottom line, it is our discretion where we deliver the services and if we require the parent to bring the child to the school, we can become liable for transportation reimbursement. Please touch base with the zone coordinator before making any IEP team decisions regarding ESYS."

District Letters

Each February we provide a "snapshot" of children that are currently being served in Part C and may qualify for Part B services during the upcoming school year. This information helps districts plan appropriately for teachers and classrooms. Ongoing communication with districts is critical, as children are identified.

Please plan to send this letter by Feb. 15 on Prairie Lakes letterhead. You can determine if you want to personally deliver, or use van mail, US mail, or email! I trust that you know your contact person. In most cases, it would be the elementary principal; however, you are welcome and encouraged to send it to superintendents as well. Gale and I meet with the zone coordinators on Feb. 14 and will remind them of this annual process.

Make sure you talk to partner service coordinators as you compile your information. The letter is the responsibility of the ECSE teacher, not the service coordinator. Secretaries may be able to assist you with this process!

ESYS

You might be thinking - REALLY, why are you thinking about Extended School Year Services NOW? Actually, the IEP meeting forces you to talk about it "now" or to have another meeting"later" to talk about it, so I just wanted to remind you of a few things.

First of all, I have copied the procedures for ESYS from our Special Education procedural manual and have attached. Do you ever find yourself randomly asking others about "how we should do things" and failing to check the AEA procedures? If so, this will be a good time to review the procedures and know the "ins and outs" of ESYS.

The next question might be, so where do we find the ESYS "form" to complete after we address the question on the IEP? I've also copied the form for you to view and be prepared ahead of time to address with the team. This information is found in the Special Education Documentation Guide.

And finally I will be sending an email from Lisa Lohman that tells you how to find the ESY template and a reminder to upload it under associated files of the IEP.

EER

It's that time of year when you are likely emerged into an EER report. You've given children time to adjust to their new environment, you've suggested interventions for the classroom teacher to try, you've been able to collect some data and you've tried to make sense of it. And in some cases, children are still not making good progress. Yikes! Time to sign FIE and complete the EER.

Please ask the classroom teachers in the 4 year old statewide preschool programs and Head Start partners to see their GOLD assessment data. Many of them have data that will indicate children's growth over time as well as how they compare to peers. At our Feb. dept. meeting, we'll review the GOLD objectives and reports that are available to help teams determine "next steps."

Don't forget to "help each other out." If you have an EER report that you are willing to share, send it to me - some have been asking for examples. If you have questions, don't forget about the list serve - another great resource to get answers from the experts in the field - YOU!

AEPSI

I am wondering how the AEPSI system is working for you? I had some time today to go into the system and take a look. Currently we have 27 children entered and we have purchased 40 license. So PLEASE let me know if you'd like to add additional children into the online system.
If you have NOT been entering data on the children, please do so, as appropriate. I'm thinking some of you have not gotten started and need to do so. Some time will be dedicated at our February department meeting to support you in your learning. Between now and then, send me questions that you want addressed. We'll also want to look at how the AEPSI can assist us in decision making when reporting the Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO).

IEP procedural manual

Please make sure you pay attention to the email (1.12.12) from Theresa Golden on the 2012 updates to the Part B Special Education Procedural manual. The major changes in the release notes are highlighted so that you can easily review the information.

There is information about transitioning from early childhood to kindergarten. Some of the same concepts occur with the initial IEP being written at the end of the school year and amending the plan at the start of the new school year.

Remember our conversation at the department meeting about surrogate parent, foster parent, and defining "parent"? The procedures are spelled out in the release notes; take the time to read them and refer to them when in doubt.

Looking for some examples of how to word the prior written notice description of the action proposed or refused - they are within the document. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast of new information.

Technology

15 hours of free computer training? 180 easy to follow, 5 minute lessons! Learn new skills and tricks on the computer? SIGN ME UP! Check out Friday news 1.13.12 to find out how to sign up for the training tips.

Language and Early Literacy Ideas: free and reproducible, home and community activities (English, Spanish, Vitnamese,Mandarin, Somali, Burmese, and Russian) check it out at
http://www.walearning.com

Activity Plans

I've attached 4 different activity plans that are available to order from our media dept. I've also attached the printing order form. These 2 forms should be completed together and sent to the media department. Typically this expense comes from the zone budget, so please try to order with office mates, when possible.

Techology Ideas

Zero to Three has a series of 12 podcast featuring interviews with national experts on early childhood development. "Little kids: Big Questions, Using Technology to Inform and Support Parents and Professionals" and "The Influence of Media on Young Children's Development" might be of particular interest to some of you and could be used for your next reflection paper for technology credit.

Another article of interest, shared by Deb Bennett, "Zero to Eight, Children's Media Use in America, A Common Sense Media Research Study" Fall 2011. Ask either Deb or I for a copy of the article!

Did you remember to submit your 2nd Quarter Reflection Paper to me - it is due? Those taking technology work for credit, you will be asked to share new knowledge and skills with peers (see grading rubric). The March, April, and May dept. meetings will give you an opportunity to share with others in the department.

PBIS Home Visitation Modules

"Train the trainers" training on the CSEFEL Home Visitation Modules is ready to be launched.
For more information, please refer to the attachment. Since the training is being offered in Storm Lake, it would be wonderful to have a representative or 2 to attend the training. Please let me know of your interest.

There is also an opportunity to attend the PBIS 3-5 Preschool Modules. Carrie Calhoon, our dedicated service coordinator is also a PBIS trainer. If you haven't attended the PBIS training, I'd encourage you to do so; she will be offering the class at Sioux Central School. A great way to support classroom teachers in the use of behavior strategies!

Department Meeting

Our January Department meeting is this Friday, Jan 6 , starting at 9:00. I've attached the agenda to the Monday Matters blog post.

Please remember to bring the following:
POTLUCK - bring a dish or share plans among the office
EER report that you've completed (helpful for discussion and can turn in for assignment, if you registered for credit option with Gary Petersen.
Send electronic copy of 2nd quarter reflection paper on technology learning , if you registered for credit, DO NOT bring hard copy, please.

STAT training

Do you recall getting the email, prior to break, asking for interest in being trained with the STAT tool (autism tool for 24-36 mos.)?
I believe there was interest from Lynn Eby, Carla Haupert, and Randi Black. If you are interested please contact me ASAP.

What: 4 hours of online training through Vanderbilt University
When: must complete training by Jan 30, 2012
What else: use instrument with 3 children and participate in a website discussion
Ending date: by March 30, 2012

The online training could be documented hours of Teacher Quality money, done outside of work time.

Domestic Violence Training

I sent an email prior to Christmas break about the upcoming Domestic Violence Training. If you are like me, you need a "refresher" about happenings that you might not have addressed prior to vacation. At this point, Denise Lundell, Randi Black, and Marlene Armbrecht have registered. Am I missing others?

What: Domestic Violence Training
When: Wed. Jan. 25, from 9:30-3:30, Spencer AEA office
Cost: No charge, free lunch
Register: By Jan. 16 email lcarlso@mchsi.com

Agenda
AM - Overview of Domestic Violence, Assessment & Safety Plan, Impact on Perinatal Health Outcomes
PM - Effects of Domestic Violence on Children, Impact on Mothers & Parenting