Special Edge 1/22/2021

Our very own poster child for COVID 19 vaccinations.
School psych by day…..youtube star by night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8W8JMkUaO0&feature=youtu.be


From Colleen Funderburg

All of the Early Childhood Special Education documentation is now available for school teams to review!

All pre-K students are currently enrolled in Synergy SE (Special Programs Tracking School), all supporting documents are uploaded into Synergy. Read through this document for detailed information and next steps!

If you are new to the district you will be automatically enrolled in a Canvas course for Early Childhood Special Education. Your assigned coaches will follow up with you regarding questions with the course. Anyone who would like to participate in the course may do so by clicking this link.

Hold the following dates on your calendar in February 2/16 – 2/19.   These are the agreed dates for evaluation planning meetings held with our ECSE partners. If a student is due for an evaluation our ECSE partner will be scheduling during this time and will need one representative to attend.


From Special Transportation

We have had many questions recently regarding special transportation as we return to In-Person/Hybrid instruction. Please review this document.


From the Behavior Coaches

Helping Students and Educators Recover from Covid Trauma 
Wondering how we are going to recover from the Covid Trauma as students and educators return to the classroom?  Find answers and more in this great article on how to support the emotional well-being of both educators and students so that both healing and learning can begin. 

CASEL SEL TOOLS – As Students Head Back To School
As we begin to transition from distance learning back to in-person learning, SEL remains as important as ever.   This is the perfect time to re-examine our efforts to make needed adjustments and refocus on supportive relationships, equitable environments, and the academic, social, and emotional development and overall well-being of all students and adults. 

ODE New Mental Health Resources:  Mental health refers to the emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, physical and relational thriving of individuals and systems.  The Oregon Department of Education has recently created 2 valuable resources that are designed  to assist school district leaders, administrators, staff, school-based mental health professionals and community partners in promoting the mental health and well-being of school communities.  

The first resource,  ODE Mental HealthTool Kit  addresses six, primary content areas: (1) Leading from Strength to Promote Mental Health; (2) Addressing Traumatic Stress; (3) Elevating Student Voice; (4) Centering Racial Equity and Anti-racism; (5) Promoting Inclusive School Environments; and (6) Delivering Multi-tiered Systems of Support.

The second resource,  ODE Mental Health and Well-Being Page  includes information about ODE’s current mental health-related activities and initiatives such as Adi’s Act (suicide prevention) and the Strengthening Mental Health in Education initiative with OHA, as well as providing many tools and resources for students, families, school staff and leaders.

”Tier 1 and More” Blog
The Behavior Coaches blog is full of resources for PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed Practices and more.  


From Josh Marks

Certified Special Programs Staff,

We are happy to be able to hire 6 Instructional/Curriculum Coaches within special programs. Staff in this position will receive an extra duty contract for $625 for the remainder of this school year and $1250 for next year as these are two-year positions. Staff who are selected to be part of this team will work with Special Programs leadership on future planning around professional development and the direction of the department. If you are interested, please submit a no more than one page essay describing why you would like to hold the position as well as one reference. Send these to Candy Gelatt in HR by February 12th. Interviews will be held after finalist are selected.  To access a job description and a reference form click here. 

For additional questions please feel free to reach out to me…Josh Marks

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