The Special Edge

From Sean Reinhart:

Hi all,

Thanks for your hard work and helping keep our kids connected and engaged.  We are approaching the end of the school year so you will be receiving reminders for end of the year check out procedures and more guidance on progress reports next week. 
Have a great weekend!

From Heidi Hanson:

CURRICULUM ORDERS  
It is time to look ahead to the next school year and project your curriculum needs.

I will be adding the order forms to the Staff Portal in the “Accounting Forms” section under Special Programs for the following curriculum:

• Corrective Reading
• Q-Reads
• Quick Reads
• Reading Mastery
• Cars and Stars
• Zoom In
• Phonics for Reading
• Rewards

If you are in need of something other than those curricula, please find the “Equipment/Material Request” in the same section on the Portal and fill that out.  Please be sure to include order #’s and/or ISBN #’s.  ALL of these orders MUST be returned to me before you leave for your summer break.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. 

From the Behavior Coaches:

Bruce Perry on Building Your Resilience Cup   (Video Clip)

Quaran-Teen Life

Check out this cool resource for teens our Culture of Care coaches created!

Bruce Perry Office Hours Webinar

“Any time we are presented with change, our stress response is activated.”  – Bruce Perry

Join Bruce Perry during his office hours M/W/F  at 11:00 a.m. to learn more about Trauma and the Neurosequential Model in Education.  A thought provoking journey through Virtual Education. 

Bend LaPine Schools District PBIS Blog

Don’t forget to check the PBIS Blog for behavior support tips and tools.

Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families

This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

Office Hours:
The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM until the end of the school year. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

To Case Mangers with Seniors
or Students Aging out of Transition

Howdy, I just wanted to send out a reminder of what to do for your Seniors that are currently graduating.   Some of you have already started the paperwork process, Yay!!

First, all documents should be dated 6/11/20.

Documents to be completed:

Progress Report
The progress report will update in the last process in Historical, not in the current process

Summary of Performance (Regular and Modified Diplomas only)
You can use the “refresh from IEP” button to copy information from the IEP.
Please fill out each of the 4 areas.  You need to click on “Show Details”

Prior Written Notice of Graduation or Post-Secondary (transition program)
This is where you select Graduation or Continue in Post-Secondary.  Select this before entering in any content.  If you have to change it, it will delete everything you just entered.
Remember to personalize it to each student.
Complete LAST

Here are the links that will walk you through the process of completing paperwork.
Seniors Graduating and will NOT be attending the Transition program
Seniors Graduating and WILL be attending the Transition program
Students Graduating with a GED
Students Aging out of the Transition program

Helpful Hints:
Please remember, the PWN MUST be completed last.  This document exits the student out of SE.
Before you can finalize the PWN, you must delete the IEP in the process.

Exit Screen
Once you finalize the PWN, an exit screen will appear.
Exit date: 6/11/20, unless they graduated before March 13^th, then use date of graduation.
Exit Reason: Choose one of the options for graduating in concordance with their diploma type.Exit explanation: Can be left blank.
If the student is graduating, the Prior Written Notice will exit the student from Synergy.

Transition Reports
Know Goals and Service Times for your Students

From Sean Reinhart:

The HDESD is excited to share the Paraeducator Professional Development webpage, compiled by the Culture of Care Coaches (link below).

For leaders and administrators, there is a catalogue of opportunities at the top of the page, that allows you to view the comprehensive list of PD in the event you want to plan and organize specific content for certain programs/staff.  In addition, there is a Professional  Development Reflection Document that can be used by staff.

All of the content is then divided into categories on the webpage, with a variety of resource links/videos for paraeducators to access.  It will be updated weekly with new resources/links.

Paraeducator Professional Development webpage:
https://learnathome.hdesd.org/project/paraeducator-training-by-topic/

Culture of Care

Culture of CARE – Distance Learning Resources:

The Culture of Care Coaches have put together a resource page.  The resources include:

• EA online PD options
• Principles of trauma Informed Education
• Quaran-Teen Life (MS/HS)
• Quaran-Teaching life (educators)
• Educator Wellness Circles information

From Shannon Watters:

To Case Mangers with Seniors or Students Aging out of Transition

Howdy, I just wanted to send out a reminder of what to do for your Seniors that are currently graduating.   Some of you have already started the paperwork process, Yay!!

First, all documents should be dated 6/11/20.

Documents to be completed:

Progress Report
The progress report will update in the last process in Historical, not in the current process
Summary of Performance (Regular and Modified Diplomas only)
You can use the “refresh from IEP” button to copy information from the IEP.
Please fill out each of the 4 areas.  You need to click on “Show Details”
Prior Written Notice of Graduation or Post-Secondary (transition program)
This is where you select Graduation or Continue in Post-Secondary.  Select this before entering in any content.  If you have to change it, it will delete everything you just entered.
Remember to personalize it to each student.
Complete LAST

Here are the links that will walk you through the process of completing paperwork.
Seniors Graduating and will NOT be attending the Transition program
Seniors Graduating and WILL be attending the Transition program
Students Graduating with a GED
Students Aging out of the Transition program

Helpful Hints:

Please remember, the PWN MUST be completed last.
This document exits the student out of SE.
Before you can finalize the PWN, you must delete the IEP in the process.

Exit Screen

Once you finalize the PWN, an exit screen will appear.
Exit date: 6/11/20, unless they graduated before March 13^th, then use date of graduation.
Exit Reason: Choose one of the options for graduating in concordance with their diploma type.
Exit explanation: Can be left blank.
If the student is graduating, the Prior Written Notice will exit the student from Synergy.

More from Shannon:

Be Amazed!
Active Case Manager List

From the Behavior Coaches:

Information to share

From Sean Reinhart:
Are you interested in participating in a wellness circle?  Do you want to find out more about wellness circles?  I have attached two videos (one introducing the wellness culture and the second to show how a wellness circle works) as well as a visual of the wellness circle. Our Culture of Care Coaches have started facilitating groups.  They structure them as three standing opportunities a week for drop-in attendance.  If you or a group you know are interested in getting one started, please don’t hesitate to contact them!

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Also, here are the introduction videos:

Wellness Culture Video
Wellness CircleVideo
Wellness Circle Visual

National Board Certification
for teaching Informational Session

Are you interested in pursuing your National Board Certification for Teaching (NBCT)?  Would you like to join a cohort that includes other special educators that are obtaining their NBCT?  Click on the link below to find our about upcoming information sessions:

NBCT Informational Flyer

From the Behavior Coaches:

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Office Hours:
The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM for the next several weeks. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

Resources:
“We are not just working from home…We are at home during a crisis trying to work.”  Through the HDESD Culture of Care Coaches, learn how to create an online Wellness Circle for your school team. 

• Culture of Care Coaches Wellness Circles Presentation 
• Staff Wellness Circle Materials

“Any time we are presented with change, our stress response is activated.”  – Bruce Perry

• Join Bruce Perry during his office hours M/W/F at 11:00 a.m. to learn more about Trauma and the Neurosequential Model in Education.  A thought provoking journey through Virtual Education.  Bruce Perry Office Hours Webinar

Don’t forget to check the PBIS Blog for behavior support tips and tools.

• Bend LaPine Schools District PBIS Blog

 Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families
This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

From Sean Reinhart:

Hello Friends and Happy Friday,

I hope we are all settling into some rituals and routines in this new way of teachings and living.  I have really enjoyed connecting with various groups during our weekly Q and A sessions.  What I most enjoy and appreciate about these sessions is the opportunity for us to share our successes and ask questions when we are stuck.  Because we have had so much change so quickly, folks may have a feeling that they are doing things “wrong”.  I got news for you.  First, everyone, including myself, are feeling that way.  Second, you are not doing things wrong.  This is a time to apply a growth mindset to ourselves.  We are experimenting, trying new things, failing forward, and discovering really cool solutions.  Next week, let us all bring our experiences, good or bad, to the weekly Q and A and learn from each other.  I look forward to learning more from each of you.

BLP SPED COVID-19 Procedural FAQs

From TLC Instructional Coaches:
Our awesome TLC Instructional Coach team has put together optional trainings for next week:

Schedule for Optional Professional Learning
In response to multiple requests and survey responses. We would like to provide you with some completely optional support.   You can also continue to email the coaches for personal support.

From Tami Pike:
The last of the nurses to meet.

  Kim Beckett,  School nurse at Amity and High Lakes Elem

  Kimberly Bone, School nurse at Highland & Silver Rail Elem & WSV

  Kevin Collins, School nurse at Jewell Elem, Marshall HS & Tamarack Program

  Anita Garland, School nurse at Miller Elem & Pacific Crest MS

From the Behavior Coaches:

Office Hours:
The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM for the next several weeks. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

Resources:
The Trauma-Informed model works for ALL students in ALL environments, even Virtual Education.    The 6 Guiding Principles of Trauma-Informed Care Virtual Education

Don’t forget to check the PBIS Blog for behavior support tips and tools.

Bend LaPine Schools District PBIS Blog
Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families

This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website: Student Mental Health and Families in Need

From Shannon Watters:

Synergy News:
The Spanish version of the Written Agreements has been updated to include #5: Completion of Evaluation. (COVID).  This agreement extends evaluations for all other eligibility areas (SLD is in #4) due to COVID-19.  Let me know if you have questions!

From Colleen Funderburg:

How do I contact Records Clerk Central?

Use the same email or phone number, or you can now access them via Microsoft Teams.  

1. E-mail – [email protected]
2. Phone:  541-355-6960 – the office phone is now being forwarded to a records clerk
3. NEW! Use Microsoft Teams –  Go to your “Teams” section (left column) and double click on “RCC – Records Clerk Central”
   1. Post a question – posts are public to the team, but they do not send out any notifications 
   2. Video chat! – Type in the  “Call me” and we’ll video call you 🙂 or you can call us directly through “Calls” 
   3. New to Microsoft Teams?  Call RCC and they’ll walk you through a brief demo 
   4. How do I know if I am a member? You should be a member.  If you don’t see, RCC Records Clerks in your Teams section, please email RCC and they’ll add you to the Team

From Sean Reinhart:

Educators using creative methods to students with disabilities:
https://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-educators-get-creative-to-serve-students-with-disabilities/

Hi Friends,

Happy Friday.  As we end the first week of official “Distance Learning”, I am encouraged by our progress as a school district.  Moreover, I am highly encouraged by the creativity I have seen from our teachers, EAs, and specialists.  We are re-designing the way we deliver services to students using experiments, taking risks, and trying new things.  Your skill and professionalism are shining in this moment.  Our families have been overwhelming thankful for you and what you do for their children. 

One aspect that has worked well for me is the weekly communication with the affinity groups.  We are a learning community, and now more than ever, our “collective genius” will win the day.  Please continue to reach out to your colleagues, team-mates, and coaches as you continue to look for solutions to service deliver during the school closure.

We have added a Section 5 regarding the 2020 graduation pathways in the FAQ document.  Also, we have a small team working on spring transition planning for students that graduate with modified diplomas.  Stay tuned for that information.  The FAQ manual is linked below. 

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
Sean

Bend-La Pine School Special Education COVID-19 School Closure Procedural FAQs – April 13, 2020 (updated)

From the Behavior Coaches:

Office Hours:
The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM for the next several weeks. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

Resources:
Parent’s Guide to Growth Mindset
Parent Growth Mindset Permission Cards

Growth mindset support tools to remind parents that mistakes are opportunities for learning.

Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families

This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website: Student Mental Health and Families in Need

From Shannon Watters:

IEP Meeting Attendance:

Just a reminder that we still need to complete a Meeting Agenda/Attendance page for each meeting that you hold.  Please type in the names of all participants in the designated area.  In the signature section, please either add “Via Webex” or “Via Phone”.  Also, please verify parent’s email addresses.  RCC is sending most paperwork via email, unless there isn’t one listed in Synergy.  The meeting notice in the portal is completely fillable.

From the Desk of Sean Reinhart:
Happy Friday!  I hope you have well deserved and restful weekend with your family.  I have enjoyed my Webex time with different groups and I am encouraged by the progress  you all have made in a short time.  Folks were able to share many successful experiences with students and their families, as well as technology “breakthroughs”.  You have all helped me to remember to “keep it light and laugh” in the absurdity of it all.  Meanwhile, you are all digging into the work and stacking up wins with your innovative thinking and unrelenting commitment to student growth and learning.  Thank you and keep up the great work.

This week, we released our SPED COVID-19 procedural FAQs.  We will continue to add to this document and plan on have the section on Graduation Pathways ready on Wednesday.  Currently, I have assembled a team of district and building folks to help inform our next steps for seniors that experience disability.   Please stay tuned for more information and you can link to the resources below. 

2020 ODE Graduation Pathway Guidance
Bend – La Pine Schools Special Education COVID-19 Guidance Procedural FAQs

Sean Reinhart, MS
Executive Director of Special Programs
Bend-La Pine Schools
520 NW Wall Street
Bend, OR 97703
541-355-1060
Virtual Office hours:
M, W: 9-10 AM, Th: 2-3 PM
https://bendk12.webex.com/meet/sean.reinhart

From the desks of the Behavior Coaches:

Office Hours:

The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM for the next several weeks. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

Resources:
Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families

This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend La Pine Schools District Website: Student Mental Health and Families in Need

From the Desk of Alandra Johnson:

Social Media Guidelines

1. SOCIAL MEDIA: We are seeing an uptick in digital communication and many schools and staff creating new social media accounts. Quick reminder that staff members who wish to create a professional social media account need to check in with Alandra Johnson. She has some important guidelines and tips to share about using social media while representing our schools. Send an email to [email protected] (She is also glad to hear from those who have already created accounts and now want to make them official.)
2. RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES: When sharing community resources with families, be sure to use our district pages, which are updated, vetted and approved (many are also translated):

Families in Need also Familias necesitadas (Spanish)
Student Mental Health
COVID-19
Información (resources in Spanish)

Let me know if you all have any questions and thanks so much for your support!
Alandra Johnson
Communication Specialist 
Bend-La Pine Schools
541-355-1005
Connect with us:
Website  Facebook   Twitter   Instagram
#IamBendLaPineSchools

Hello Friends,
The past three weeks have been surreal to say the least.  We went from finalizing our spring break plans to dealing with the reality that school is likely closed for the year and we will provide education via ODE’s “Distance Learning for All” guidance plan.  Today, I believe we are starting to get our feet underneath us and I am beginning to see a path forward.  Reflecting back on my range on emotions since receiving our final guidance on Tuesday evening, I believe I am in stage 6 of the 7 stages of grief:

1. Shock – initial paralysis
2. Denial – try to avoid the inevitable
3. Anger – frustration
4. Bargaining – seeking a way out
5. Depression – final realization of the inevitable
6. Testing – Seeking realistic solutions
7. Acceptance – finding a way forward

With your help and feedback, special program leadership is very close to finalizing our plan for how we will deliver services to students that experience disability during this Covid-19 emergency closure.  I understand in some cases, the services delivery will be far from ideal and that this context will not allow us to do what we do best.   That said, our commitment to student growth and learning has not changed and we will move forward together and continue to do our best work for students and families.  Next week, we plan to take all the best thinking and release our plan for providing special education services.  As a result of your participation in the daily affinity group Q and A sessions, we have discussed many aspects of this plan, so there should be no surprises.  We understand that this document may be fluid, and we will update it as needed.  Moving forward, we will continue our affinity groups and Q and A sessions.  It will be you, the special education professionals, that continue to shape our plan.  Through your hark work, expertise, and professionalism, we will discover best practices and attempt to scale them up through collaboration and training.  As issues arise, we will problem solve together.  Additionally, with the release of our plan next week, I will draft a letter to all parents of students that experience disability.  We would ask that our special education teams to then forward to parents, perhaps adding your own words to personalize the message. 

This whole experience is basically a “stress test” on our district, SPO department, your buildings, and you.  Resilience is defined as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant sources of stress.  Becoming more resilient not only helps us get through difficult circumstances, it also empowers us to grow and even improve.  So what are the actions that help us build professional resilience? 

Prioritize Relationship – I am so grateful for my special education leadership team, Josh, Colleen, Hayley, Tami, Jen, Amanda, Lorna, Darlene, Krista, Shannon, and Kay Ann.  You all are carrying me and the special programs department.  I am grateful for our teacher leaders, Carrie, Jill, Sara, Steve, and Tawnya.  You all have selflessly stepped up to the challenge.  I am grateful to all of our teachers.  You have brought me and our families a sense of re-assurance that “you got this”.  I am grateful to our school psychologists.  Your knowledge, leadership, and calming presence is masterful at this time.  I am grateful for our speech pathologists.  Your flexibility and commitment to ethical practice is makes this challenge achievable.  I am grateful for our classified staff.  You are the relational glue for our student and you know them like no other.

Join a group – lean on your building SPED team and affinity groups
Take care of yourself –  now more than ever…whatever that means to you
Find a purpose – I believe we can all picture that one student in our minds
Embrace healthy thoughts – let’s find the positive and keep our sense of humor in all the absurdity

Together, I believe we can find ourselves on the other side of this “stress test” with more tools and a clean understanding of our priorities. 

Thank you all,
Sean

The Special Edge will act as a clearinghouse for resources and information.  Please refer back to this blog when looking for key resources during the Covid-19 school closure. 

Recorded Q and A session – this is where you find the recorded WEB Ex Q and A sessions
Oregon Department of Education Guidance Documents – here you can find all the COVID-19 guidance published by ODE
SPED Teacher tools – here you can find student contact templates, tech tips, etc.

All, If you want to see the responses to a question here’s the link:
ALL Groups Q&A (Responses)

IT’S ESY TIME!

Here is the link to our ESY documents (also found on our Portal – under ESY docs and forms).
https://portal.bend.k12.or.us/special-programs/content/esy-extended-school-year

There is also a folder with GRO/EXCEL information and the ESY Timeline/Checklist. Please be sure to read through the GRO/EXCEL process as well as the Timeline.

Parks & Rec has three offerings within GRO/EXCEL. GRO or EXCEL, Extended Adventures and Camp. We will pay for any ONE of these. Please make sure to mark which on the parent consent form as there is a price difference for Camp.

From the Desk of Heidi Hanson:

CURRICULUM ORDERS  
It is time to look ahead to the next school year and project your curriculum needs.

I will be adding the order forms to the Staff Portal in the “Accounting Forms” section under Special Programs for the following curriculum:

• Corrective Reading
• Q-Reads
• Quick Reads
• Reading Mastery
• Cars and Stars
• Zoom In
• Phonics for Reading
• Rewards

If you are in need of something other than those curricula, please find the “Equipment/Material Request” in the same section on the Portal and fill that out.  Please be sure to include order #’s and/or ISBN #’s.  ALL of these orders MUST be returned to me before you leave for your summer break.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

From the Desks of the Behavior Coaches:

Office Hours:
The Behavior Coaches will be hosting office hours through WebEx on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM for the next several weeks. Feel free to drop in for problem solving or with questions. Link

We are starting to put together the following supports for students, staff and parents:

• Adding local mental health resources and contact info to the district website 
• Putting together a hub of resources for supporting families and their children with rhythm, regulation and routine in this new distance learning format 
• Exploring digital coaching with parents 
• Exploring ways to implement, monitor and track behavior goals 

We welcome your input and feedback on the above, and both immediate and long-term social, emotional and behavioral support needs. 

Resources:
Online Video Conferencing Expectations
Brain Break Visuals

From the desk of Shannon Watters:
Some document links for you.

Special Ed School Reports – These reports will be helpful for planning and accessing
information for your entire caseload.
Scanning using Notes app (iPad/IPhone) – The Notes app has the ability to work as a scanner. This can be helpful in getting documents to the Records Clerks or home to parents.
Using BLSend

IT’S ESY TIME!

Here is the link to our ESY documents (also found on our Portal – under ESY docs and forms).
https://portal.bend.k12.or.us/special-programs/content/esy-extended-school-year

There is also a folder with GRO/EXCEL information and the ESY Timeline/Checklist. Please be sure to read through the GRO/EXCEL process as well as the Timeline.

Parks & Rec has three offerings within GRO/EXCEL. GRO or EXCEL, Extended Adventures and Camp. We will pay for any ONE of these. Please make sure to mark which on the parent consent form as there is a price difference for Camp.

Certified Contract Special Education Teachers ONLY-

Transfer interviews for Special Education Positions will take place on Wednesday March 18th from 3:30 till 7:00 PM. If you are a certified contract teacher interested in a transfer to a different site you will need to go to the following link and fill out the transfer request form by March 13th. We will then contact you about an interview time for March 18th. If you have questions please reach out to Sean, Josh or Colleen. 

http://www.applitrack.com/bend/StartForm.aspx?id=11981475

Joshua Marks
Assistant Director Special Programs
[email protected]

From the desks of our Behavior Coaches
Their link to their blog page:  http://blogs.bend.k12.or.us/tier1andmore/

  Meet Theresa Will. School Nurse at La Pine & Rosland Elementary

  Meet Angelina Mingus. School Nurse at North Star Elem & REALMS MS

  Meet Pam Orton. School Nurse at Summit High

The March 2020 Community Resource Fair, Transition Co-op Hosting