In Like a Lion...

I can't believe March is almost over! I hope your spring break was restful and everything you wanted it to be. We have certainly had more than our fair share of snow and cold in the past month. It's wonderful to see the pear blossoms and azaleas start blooming. Of course, that also means allergy season...Take the time to smell the roses during the sneezes!



In terms of this past month's accomplishments, we can count:

• AAA collected and sent to the ALSDE


• Spring Grad exam complete


• ARMT testing over, with SAT10 and ADAW almost done


• Introdution of JBHM consulting firm to work with our high schools in collaboration of general and special educators in meeting the needs of all of our lower performing students

We have several upcoming events and important dates:

• ALSDE on-site monitoring, April 5-8


• Autism Chat April 15


• SLI Chit-Chat April 21


• IEP Verifications Completed


• All re-evaluations for additional or no additional data turned into either the psychometry or timeline compliance offices


• Last day for students May 27

In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of WATER FOUND ON MARS! No kidding, check it out! (And, have a safe April Fools' Day!)

February Reviews

Time has flown once again! I have been able to have several team meetings in the past 2 weeks, but have several more to schedule. In the meantime, I want to outline a few important topics that we have (or will) discussed:

• Re-evaluation due dates: Check each student's folder on SETSWeb for the due date if you are not sure. The date marked due by, is the date that everything should be COMPLETED. This means that all information required (including any new documentation or assessments) should be completed by that date. If you hold your first meeting on the due date, you will be past due already! We are all working towards 100% compliance!
• If you call me to pick up a re-eval file, I will try to help you out by picking it up and bringing it to the correct person. However, if I can't get there within a day, then arrange to have it brought from your school.
• For Indicator 13 (transition), all students in high school must have the entire form completed. Each question/area for marking is a separate area when the state department monitors us. The only exception is for overage middle school students who have a transition page; the entire page must be completed EXCEPT for the top box marked for high school only.
• Progress reports should be up to date and printed out for the student's file.
• Persons responsible for implementation of the IEP should be up to date with names/dates.
• All academic goals should have the Course of Study Standard marked in the goal box.

These are some reminders, but there are remember that the State Department can and will monitor all aspects of SETSWeb prior to their arrival in Birmingham.

Teachers giving the AAA have assigned days/times next week to meet and review with their files. Remember, ALL STUDENT PORTFOLIOS must be totally complete and ready to mail by the date of collection, which is the week before Spring Break.

Another point of issue which has arisen again recently is that of suspension days. When a student with special needs is suspended, please get into the habit of providing work packets for them to do while they are home. This is especially important if the number of days is approaching or extending past 10 days, but should be followed with any suspension.

New news:

We are really excited that JBHM Education Group, LLC, will be consulting with us (www.jbhm-edgroup.com) in our high schools. They will be meeting with each school (Woodlawn's date is March 10) and help us with scheduling issues, collaboration with general ed, academics, etc. regarding our special needs students.

PLEASE call me if you have any questions, concerns, notes, ideas, family issues, etc.

Upcoming and Recent Professional Development

Happy New Year, everyone! We are all back into the thick of things very quickly, but I hope we have all been refreshed by our holidays.

Last week, Dr. Tucker and the special education staff met with contact teachers to talk about Indicator 11, which is timeline compliance. In partnership with that meeting, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Sher will be meeting with BBSST school leaders to discuss their part in ensuring that we are in compliance with all timelines when we are referring or re-evaluating students in special education. The forms will be posted on this blog as soon as they are available online.

Next Tuesday, January 12, special education teachers are encouraged to attend the professional development offered at Lane Center. The PD is about writing IEPs, especially regarding the types of services. It is very important that we move from generalized to more specific, prescriptive and descriptive IEPs that provide detail regarding the specialized instruction that is offered to each student. You can sign up for the PD on the STI-PD website. Let me know if you have any difficulties. Click HERE for the flyer.

I'll see you then!

The holidays are here!

There is nothing like the winter holidays to bring to mind friends, family and fun. I picture remembrances from growing up in the Midwest - snowfalls, building snow forts, drinking hot cocoa after peeling off frozen stiff mittens, and sled riding down the state park hills or down my best friend's driveway!

Although the snow is not the same, the time together with friends and family IS! I wish for you all the happiness of the season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Other Great Blogs

Blogging is not a new way of communicating, but it sure feels like one to me. There are many people out there who have blogged regularly for years. My favorite one that I read regularly is Frank Buck's blog. Frank is a (recently) retired educator who has written a book on Time Management and organization. His blog highlights some of his tried and true methodologies.

Check out Frank Buck's Blog here: http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/

A few of my friends have also started blogs. Check these out, as well:

http://birminghamgifted.blogspot.com/

http://nelvasworld.blogspot.com/

http://myhelp-boykin.blogspot.com/

http://fromthedeskofiehunter.blogspot.com/

http://patsblog2010.blogspot.com/

Each blog is uniquely personal and relates to that person's interests and focus.

Birmingham City Schools Board Policy Book

I realized that this link might be helpful to staff. Just like we use the Mastering the Maze and the Alabama Code to answer our questions in special education, the policy book can be useful to answer questions regarding local policies.



Click here for the link to the Policy Handbook.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is so hard to believe that we are already to Thanksgiving break. I hope everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving, and that you get to spend it with someone you love.

Did you know that US Presidents issue an annual Thanksgiving Proclamation declaring the 4th Thursday of November as Thanksgiving? While President George Washington was the first US President to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation, not all following Presidents followed the custom. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated on the final Thursday of November. In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and in 1941 the US Congress passed a law officially establishing the celebration of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.