Serving Unit 5 and El Paso-Gridley District 11

A message from Dr. Hartseil

Hello all,

The first half of the year has moved along quickly. We have been working through a lot of changes and training staff and parents to address new procedures.  I want to update you on the current activities and talk about the second half of the year.

• Inclusive practices- We are continuing to work with staff and parents on educating youth at their home school or least restrictive environment. We plan to have the entire plan in place by 2010-11. We will continue to discuss your child’s placement at annual reviews while we work with staff to provide appropriate services and interventions. We are working with school staff and designing training for people to be able to support students in their home schools, as appropriate.

• Procedural Safeguards (Parent Rights)- We have developed and approved new procedures. It has been necessary to update these in regards to legal changes. You can view these on the website.

• Legal changes- We just received new regulations that have gone into effect. They parent(s) the right to withdraw their child from special education services. If you desire to do this, you will need to provide your request in writing to the district. Services will then be removed (upon an agreed to date) and your child will then be subject to the same  procedures as all other children in the district.

• Extended school year- We are planning for the summer and will be having summer services. Most will occur between the end of June and the first of August. Your team should discuss this service at your child’s IEP and determine what services will be provided.

• Blended classes- We are moving into a blended approach for serving students 3-5 years old. We will be combining our Early Childhood and At-Risk classes to dually serve the students. We have a pilot site this year and will be expanding that approach for the upcoming year.

• We are also looking at other changes that will be occurring. Tiered busing is being studied on its impact to special education. We will be looking at redistricting and its impact.

Check out "Bits About Autism"

Bits About Autism is a new newsletter developed by Unit 5's Department of Special Education Autism Team.  Each issue will offer a specific topic, in this issue that topic is Using Visual Supports.  You can read all about Visual supports, what research says about their use, ideas for trying Visual Supports and where to get additional information.  Check back here for future newsletters.  Click above on "Bits About Autism" to read the newsletter.

Illinois Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services - Illinois PUNS

The Illinois PUNS is a waiting list of individuals with developmental delays that have unmet needs.  These individuals are looking for supports or services within the next 5 years.  Supports include in-home or home based supports, developmental training ("workshop") and residential services. It focuses on what an individual is receiving currently, what supports they would like or need and how soon they are looking for these supports.  Individuals can be added to the waiting list starting at 3 years old, again if supports are needed within the next 5 years.  For more information on PUNS, such as how to complete an application and PUNS criteria please click here.

New Inclusive Practices in Unit 5

Click on the link below to view Unit 5's plan to provide inclusive practices District wide.

Unit 5 Inclusive Practices Plan