april, 2015 vol 3, issue 6 embrace · “you have brains in your head. you have feet in your shoes....
TRANSCRIPT
April, 2015 VOL 3, ISSUE 6
embRACE “Rising Above Challenging Exceptionalities” Exceptional Children’s Department Newsletter
“Embracing” Each Other…
Allen Murray, EC Executive Director
Go Eagles! Go Austin! Go Everybody!
Last month I wrote about the arrival of Spring, my
hero Jackie Robinson, and the need for all of us to “step
out of the shadows.” This month the baseball theme
continues.
I had to miss some work in March to travel out of
town for a family illness, and after a long few days I was
heading back home. I was about 90 minutes from Mebane
when I looked at my watch and realized if I pushed straight
through I could make it back in time for the baseball game
(my son plays for the Eastern Alamance JV baseball team).
I arrived about 3 minutes before game time.
Just as I sat down they announced the starting
line-ups. After they had announced the team the PA
announcer said, “And today as honorary third base coach
we have Austin Marine”. Austin took the field in his
motorized wheelchair to a great ovation, wearing his
Eastern Jersey and ballcap. My son was the pitcher that
day so he threw the first pitch to the catcher, who threw it
to the third baseman, who then gave it to Austin. The
crowd exploded, and perhaps most meaningful of all the
entire team from Northeast Guilford High School walked to
the Eastern dugout to give Austin a “high five”.
Right then I sent a text to my boss that said, “You
want to see an EC Director cry? Just have his son be the
pitcher who throws out the first pitch when one of the
coolest kids in the EC program is being honored at the
game.” Next I sent out this photo with a text to my EC
Leadership team that said, “If we all had Austin’s strength
of spirit we’d be super heroes. There is no telling what we
could do.”
Austin has a genetic/metabolic disorder that
causes him physical and developmental limitations. But
there are no limitations on Austin’s heart and soul. If there
was an Olympics that gave medals for strength of spirit
Austin would have more gold around his chest than all the
US Olympic team combined. But this isn’t just about
Austin (though I thank Austin and his parents for allowing
me to use his picture and write this story).
This is about recognizing the myriad strengths that all
children in our schools bring to the greater community.
This is about their ability and willingness to “step out of
the shadows” and share their gifts with all of us. This is
about them laying claim to who they are and sharing that
with us. This is not about the baseball team at EAHS
helping Austin – this is about Austin calling all of us to be
the best we can be with the gifts we have been given. And
this is about Coach Ballard, who when I thanked him for
giving Austin that opportunity could not understand why I
was thanking him – to coach Ballard . . . well, I’ll use his
words, “Allen, that’s just what we do here.”
Thank you, Austin. You are my hero.
“Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences; our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them.”
-Judith Henderson
EC Chair News!
Please see below for the 2014-2015 meeting dates and
times.
2014-2015 EC Chair Meetings
April 22nd – 3:45-5:30 – ECPS will hold department
meetings @ each school
May 20th – 3:45-5:30 – Professional Library
See below for links to agenda items to be shared at the
April EC Chair meetings… (to be held during school EC
department meeting.)
Agenda
Organizing Confidential Files in ABSS
EC EOY Checklist - 2014-2015
Level News!
Jenny Enter, Stephanie Stephenson, Julie Bost, April Brantley,
Karen Kazimir, & Leslie Ray, ECPS
Southern High students in Melissa Lineberry’s class
are engaged in a team building lesson/activity. Students
were able to describe why communication and working
together with others, whether inside or outside of school, is
important. What a great activity to complete before students
start their School-Based training for the day. I enjoyed
watching the students engagement and concentration to
complete the task
Alamance County Mayors’ Committee for Person with
Disabilities Scholarship Opportunity!
The Jane D. McPherson Scholarship information went out to all
High School Guidance Counselors and EC
Teachers. Applications are due by April 30th, 2015 to Crystal
Smith in the EC office. If you have questions please contact
April Brantley 336-4000 ext.37806.
Announcing the 7th Annual
OCS Employability Seminar
Monday, April 27th 2015
The Paramount Theater
Event Schedule:
9:20 - 9:30 – Welcome
9:30 - 10:15 – Business Panel
The Business Panel will consist of local business
representatives. Students from each school will be
given a chance to address the panel members and ask
employment related questions.
10:15-10:30 – Break
10:30-11:30 - School Duel
The School Duel is a time for students to show what
they have learned through the Occupational
Preparation courses. Each school will have a team of
4-6 members to represent them in this part of the
competition. The team will have questions presented
to them that relate to employment. They have 15
seconds to give an answer or ask the audience for
help. They earn points based on their correct
answers.
11:30- 12:00 – Awards
is limited.
SEPTA/EPAC News!
Heather Ouzts, Parent Liaison
SURROGATE PARENTS
Alamance-Burlington School System needs volunteers!
There are students in the school system that need someone to
be their “voice” in developing their special education plans.
These students do not have an available legal parent/guardian
to attend meetings and to make sure that the student’s best
interest is the priority of the plan. Surrogate Parents fill this
role at the meetings for these students. Training is provided to
all surrogate parent volunteers. They are only responsible for
attending meetings that are regarding the student’s special
education services. (*Volunteers cannot be employed by the school system or the
State of North Carolina, due to conflict of interest.)
If you know of a parent or other community member that would
make a good advocate for our students, please share this
information with them and have them contact me at
[email protected] or 336-438-4000 ext. 37840
or send me their contact information.
Heather Ouzts, Parent Liaison
Compliance & EasyIEP News! Karen Kazimir, ECPS & Sam Beaudry, Data Specialist
All annual reviews (on or before 9/30/2015) and
reevaluations (on or before 10/31/2015) must be
completed before the end of the 2014-2015 school
year
Determine appropriate setting for the 2015-2016
school year for EC students placed on
behavioral/medical homebound or partial services
(via IEP). If on medical homebound, make sure to
have appropriate documentation for placement.
Keep files and file cabinets in order according to
ABSS protocol
Return files to cabinets after reviewing
Transportation forms will need to be turned in to
Crystal Smith at Central Office by May 15, 2015
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham
EmbRACE 5k Run News! Sara Kesler, MTSS Program Specialist
1st Annual
embRACE 5k Run “Rising Above Challenging Exceptionalities”
(Family Fun Day & 1 Mile Fun Run)
Saturday, April 25th Southern Alamance High School 631 Southern High School Road
Graham, NC 27253
5k & 1 Mile Fun Run
$25.00
1 Mile Fun Run ONLY
$10.00
All proceeds go to Alamance County Mayors’ Committee for Persons with Disabilities
Register Now! -
http://goo.gl/forms/TAfHvkkfYy
Website - http://www.abss.k12.nc.us/Page/31574
Family Fun Day lasts until 12:00 & includes: Live Entertainment, Children’s Activities & Games, a
Restaurant Row, and Community & Business Vendors!
Want to Volunteer? - http://goo.gl/forms/tiyYn6DkyI
Questions/Comments? Contact Sara Kesler @
www.webaddress.com
VOL 1 ISSUE 1
AT News!
Pat Byers, Assistive Technology Lead Teacher
This school year, with the system’s transition to Google mail,
Chrome is becoming the preferred internet browser. Chrome
has lots of built-in Accessibility features! Follow this link to
learn more:
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177893?hl
=en?utm_source=email&utm_medium=Chromebooks&utm_c
ampaign=ChromebookAccessiblityFeatures
The Chrome web store has a wealth of apps that you will want to
check out! To get to the Chrome Web store, click on the Apps
icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen when you are in
the Chrome browser.
Once the apps open, click on the icon for the Chrome Web Store
(see below)….or Google search the Chrome web store
Once in the Web Store, find the search bar and type in the
category of app you want to find. For example, type in ‘word
prediction’ for apps to help students that have difficulty spelling
or typing; ‘voice recognition’ for apps that type what you speak;
‘AAC’ for basic augmentative communication apps, etc. Have
Fun!
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.”
– Bill Gates
Related Service News!
Stefanie Nance, ECPS for Related Services
Please welcome Brittni McPherson to ABSS! Brittni is the
new Speech Pathologist at Andrews Elementary.
Congratulations to Bao Lor, SLP at Newlin, on the birth of
her second daughter, Ethea!! Mom and baby are doing
great!!
OT News!
Caroline Norman, Lead OT
ABSS occupational therapists Lauren DeMoss and Meg
Proctor received a grant from Autism Speaks to organize a
10-session after school group for middle and high
school students with autism. The group uses collaborative,
structured building with LEGOs to help the students develop
social skills, leisure skills, and new friendships. LEGO Club
includes students from Graham Middle, Graham High,
and Turrentine Middle. 7th grade students from Project
Unify at Graham Middle have also joined the group to model
appropriate social behaviors and join in on the fun. So far -
as the LEGO Movie song says - everything is awesome!
Trainings, Updates, & Additional News!
CPI Refresher & Initial Trainings:
CPI Training in Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention
Three Hour Refresher Training
(required each year to maintain certification)
June 1st, 2015 - 8:30-11:30 OR 12:30-3:30
o Sellars Gunn, PD Room 6
June 11th, 2015 - 8:30-11:30 OR 12:30-3:30
o Sellars Gunn, PD Room 6
June 12th, 2015 - 8:30-11:30 OR 12:30-3:30
o Sellars Gunn, PD Room 6
June 15th , 2015 - 8:30-11:30 OR 12:30-3:30
o Sellars Gunn, PD Room 6
All participants must register on-line for CPI trainings as space is limited.
Look who’s “Rising” above…
Congratulations to Robert Evans! Eastern Alamance High School
Karen Kazimir, ECPS
Robert is a senior at Eastern Alamance High School.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
– Dr. Seuss
He is on the Varsity baseball team and has been a manager for the Varsity football and basketball teams. Robert was also crowned Homecoming King this school year.
Robert has been accepted into Appalachian State University, Scholars with Disabilities (SDAP) Program! SDAP is a new innovative program on campus aimed at providing students with intellectual disabilities access to a 2-year college education. The SDA Program is completely inclusive, person centered, and mutually beneficial. Robert has completed a long process to be accepted into this program. He received a phone call after his video interview to attend a face-to-face interview at Appalachian State University.
I am very excited to share the news of his acceptance into Appalachian State University. This million dollar smile is now a Mountaineer, and of course, once an Eagle – always an Eagle.