|
A message from
Dr. Hartseil
Hello and welcome to a new school year,
Inclusive practices- We have
implemented the return home of several students at the start
of this year. We will continue to monitor their progress and
work with staff and parents on their success. We are
continuing to plan the second phase of implementing for the
2010-11 school year. We will keep working with school staff
and designing training for people to be able to support
students in their home schools, as appropriate.
New software support- We have purchased
and will be implementing many new software supports for
students as part of the district’s overall RtI (Response to
Intervention) approach. Software is available for reading
and writing support and we will be implementing a math
software shortly. The softwares are district-wide and are
intended for all students within the district. The titles
include: Lexia, Write Out Loud, Reading Plus, Kurzweil, and
Fastt Math.
RtI-
(Response to Intervention) This is a new approach that is
mandated to be in effect in school districts in 2010-11. We
have been working with staff to complete training, design
interventions and change operations to address this new
system. Unit #5 has employed support staff to assist schools
in implementing interventions and supports and conduct
training. El Paso has purchsed new computer software and
hardware to better monitor student progress and examine data
for making decisions. In special education, we will need to
design how eligibility practices will be changed and how
supports are delivered to students.
We hope your year has
started well and look forward to meeting the challenges of
the upcoming year. Hope things are going well in the
education of your child and please feel free to contact me
with any questions or concerns.
Check out The Penguin
Project!!
The Penguin Project is a group of children performing a
modified version of a well-known Broadway musical this June.
All main cast members are children with disabilities.
The project uses mentors to help the actors learn their
lines. Currently the project needs additional High
School age students to serve as mentors. All rehearsals are
held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the
First Christian Church in Bloomington. Rehearsals
begin March 2nd.
The website contains information on when the play will be
held, how to obtain tickets, and rehearsal information.
You can also check out last years performance of Annie.
The website is currently being updated so if you have
questions that the website doesn't answer, contact Donna and
Tricia.
www.penguinprojectmcleancounty.org
Producer - Donna Anhalt
donnaanhalt@hotmail.com
(309) 838-2923
Director - Tricia Stiller
triciastiller@msn.com
(309) 242-0290
Special Education Rights
Guide Update
The 2009 Special Education Rights
Guide, Educational Rights and Responsibilities:
Understanding Special Education in Illinois, is now
available. This document is a major rewrite of the
2001 A Parents’ Guide: The Educational Rights of
Students with Disabilities. The guide was
collaboratively developed and reviewed by the Parent Task
Force on Accessible Special Education Materials, parent
leaders, special education administrators, parent and
advocacy organizations, and the Illinois State Board of
Education.
The 2009 edition has been designed to
serve as a useful resource to both parents and school
personnel. The guide includes a comprehensive
narrative outlining the principal rights and procedures for
special education. To maximize user-friendliness, the
guide allows the reader to obtain a detailed overview of
special education as a whole, or to research a specific
topic.
Click here for
a PDF version of the Guide. Questions may be
directed to Special Education Services staff at 217-782-5589
or via the agency toll-free number at 866-262-6663.
McLean County Diversity
Project
Click here to read about the latest information at the
Diversity Project. The Project takes on many themes,
including The Diversity of Disability.
Family Support Network
Members
Click here
to read about the Network's current projects and news.
Be sure to check out
www.lifemyway.org.
Click on and check out
the January 2010 edition of
"Bits About Autism"
Bits About Autism is a 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 Transition.
You can read all about what this topic is, why it is
important, what strategies help with Transitions and where to get additional information.
Check back here for future newsletters. Click above on
"Bits About Autism" to read the current 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
|
