Parents- class offered by ARC

 

Empower Yourself With Knowledge of the Special Education Process Are you an advocate, family member, or educator looking to better understand the special education process? Take the time now to learn more about the special education process and ensure students with disabilities begin 2021 with the services and supports needed to succeed, whether they’re learning at school or at home! We know that determining and implementing the services a student with disabilities needs can be overwhelming and confusing. The Arc@School’s Advocacy Curriculum provides the basic information to understand special education. With nearly 10 hours of online, self-paced training, you will learn about: Advocacy skills The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Early intervention services Individualized education programs (IEPs) Section 504 Procedural safeguards Educational records Available for only $99! GET STARTED

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Parents- SEAC

 SEAC Update

SEAC is an advisory committee that meets periodically to bring together parents, staff, students, and members of the community in order to make a positive impact on students with special needs and learning differences in Adams 12 Five Star Schools. 

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Comité Asesor de Educación Especial (SEAC, por sus siglas en inglés) 

PEP Conference for parents

PEP Conferences

PEP Conferences are designed for Colorado parents and professionals of children with disabilities in public school, aged birth to 21.  Decades of research show that the participation of families in their child’s education, through specific coordinating between home and school, results in improved outcomes (Jeynes, 2012).   PEP Conferences are designed to promote family and school partnerships that are essential in supporting students with disabilities and their families in schools and the community.  PEP brings parents and professionals together by sharing ideas, discussing concerns, celebrating successes and obtaining information related to parenting, educating and partnering to support student learning.  PEP Conferences are offered at no cost to attendees.

 

The registration link for the winter PEP Online Academy is now available on SurveyMonkey at the following link for parents and for professionals. Please click on a link to apply!

• https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Winter2021_PEPAcademy_Parent (for parents)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Winter2021_PEPAcademy_Professional (for professionals)

2020-2021 PEP Academy Dates:

The PEP Online Academy will be presented via live and pre-recorded sessions through Zoom and Moodle over the following dates:  Registration will close on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

• Friday evening, January 29, 2021 – 6:30 pm-9:30 pm (3 hours)

• Saturday, January 30, 2021 – 8:15 am-12:15 pm (4 hours)

• Saturday, February 6, 2021 – 9:15 am-11:45 am (2 hours)

• Saturday, February 13, 2021 – 8:45 am-12:45 pm (4 hours)

 

The PEP Online Academy registration for spring will open soon. The dates for the spring conference are:

• Friday evening, March 19, 2021 - 6:30 pm-9:30 pm (3 Hours)

• Saturday, March 20, 2021 - 8:15 am-12:15 pm (4 Hours)

• Saturday, March 27, 2021 - 9:15 am-11:45 am (2 Hours)

• Saturday, April 3, 2021 - 8:45 am-12:45 pm (4 Hours)

 

During the online PEP conference interpretation in Spanish will be available for confirmed participants. We do not provide Zoom training, but we will provide technical assistance during the conference for anyone who has issues with their computer.

 

Please disregard this information if you would prefer to participate in a future onsite PEP conference. If you have any questions, please contact Pahmela Mendoza at mendoza_p@cde.state.co.us.

Wearing masks

 Here is a great video that came out from Sesame Street about Julia needing to wear a mask:

Life is Crazy but kids don't have feel that way.

 Several parents have talked to me about how behaviors are increasing and kids don't seem themselves right now. I know I don't feel myself right now either.  Right now life is full of chaos. I keep hearing that this is the new normal but the reality is there is nothing normal about all the big things going on in the world.  

Here's what kids need and especially kids who struggle to speak and express themselves.  They need routines and things they can depend on. Such as brushing teeth at the same time, knowing where their things are, knowing what lunch will be and having visuals to go with these things help. 

Please remember that even if your kid is unable to speak they still know that things are different and weird and they need to know why? Kids may be wondering why are some kids at school, and I am not. They may be wondering why they have to stay home when mom says it is just a cold. They may wonder why aren't I hugging my grandparents or why are people asking me to wear a mask.  

Take some time to talk to your kids and explain in a kid friendly way what is happening. what you believe and how your family is dealing with things. We talk at school often about world events. A few years ago, I had one student was very upset because a big hurricane was coming. He didn't understand that the hurricane was far away.  We, also, talked about what people were doing to prepare for the hurricane so he would see that his parents weren't doing those things so it was okay.

Please let me know if I can help and if there are any resources you could use. 

If you haven't checked out Sesame Streets resource pages. There are lots of resources for parents there to help guide you through these tough times. 

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/routines/

Zones of Regulation

 Parents,

We are using the Zones of Regulation to help kids recognize their feelings. Identifying feelings is hard and the Zones make it a little easier for kids to know where they are and what to do about it. The whole idea is to let kids determine their feelings and let them know their are things they can do about it. Think about it this way- it is okay to feel angry. It is not okay to hit someone because of it. So in order to do something about the anger kids can think about how they can move themselves from red to green. Do they need to talk about it. Do they need to distract themselves by jumping up and down or do they need to calm themselves down by taking 3 deep breathes.  This idea that they have control often helps them to not aggressively act out because their is something that they can do about it. It is important 

Here are some resources for you to use with your kiddo:

Click here for a Social story explaining how the Zones work

School starts Tomorrow- THURSDAY

Parents,

Here is a to do list for things you need to have in place for tomorrow!

1. Check and read all of your emails! Including the one titled ONWARD from the district for information on how to login to Schoology. 

2. Sign in to Classdojo so you can contact me at anytime. Click here to sign up for classdojo

3. Know that your goals is to get kids into their morning meetings at 8:05 tomorrow with their general ed teacher! 

4. Do what you can!

5. Don't forget to take that cute back to school photo!

My girls when they were still little!

School Supplies

 Parents, 

I hope you are all doing well. I imagine you are anxious to know what the school year will bring.  As of right now I have no information regarding the 2020-21 school year other than what the superintendent has sent out. The district is working hard to develop a plan for all kids. I am talking regularly with my special education department as well as district special education to make sure that all of my students and their needs are represented.  As soon as I do know information I will let you know. 

I do know that your child will need a few school supplies to start the year.  Here is what I would suggest having available for at home and in-person learning. 

A box of 24 crayons

Pencils and a sharpener

Plastic pencil box

Scissors- if you child has fine motor issues buy a preschool scissors that have the lever on it as seen in the picture.

 

Glue Sticks

Folders to organize for different subjects

Something that you may need but not required is a working printer with paper in case I need to send you worksheets or items to be printed.

If you need a computer or assistive tech for the start of the school year. Please let me know. If you have borrowed equipment from last year please make sure it is ready to go for the school year. 

Please feel free to reach out to me through ClassDojo or email. I would love to know what you are thinking, how you are feeling now and offer any support that I can. I promise to get you up to speed as soon as I know the plan. 

Thanks and enjoy the last few weeks of summer with your kids. 

Preparing for the school year: remote learning possibility.

Parents,

As I am preparing for this school year, I do not yet know what is in store for the upcoming school year and am trying to prepare lessons for either in person or remote learning.  My assumption is that even if we go back to in person learning that there will be potential for some remote learning throughout the year depending on changing health department updates. 

In the spring we had a fast transition into remote learning and I chose to use Classroom Dojo as my communication method with you and for loading videos and lessons and have the various specialists connect with you. Other teachers chose other options and I am currently weighing the pros and cons of each. 
I would love to get some feedback from you so I can improve my teaching.  If you could please complete this 4 question survey it would really help me to figure out what direction to go in. 
Thanks
Lisa

Collecting pictures

Hi Parents and kids

       I hope your summer is going well. I know I am having fun with my family despite this challenging summer with water balloon fights, walks, baking and more.

      Parents, I have been doing some reading this summer to improve my teaching and have lots of new ideas to try with students to improve their literacy.  One idea that I plan to try is to get kids writing and communicating about their lives in a more authentic way is creating a photo collections.  To do this I need your help.
         If you could do me a favor and document a few of the activities you do this summer. By either letting your child take a few pictures during an experience or by you taking some pictures of things they are doing.  These can be big events like going on a vacation or small events like baking cookies, watching cartoons. I am hoping to start a collection of pictures for each student to have so they have things to write or talk about at any time. Once school is back in session than I will print the pictures and keep them in a collection for kids to write about.  I am aiming to start the year with about 10-15 pictures.  As the year goes on please keep sending pictures to me so I can update your child's collection.  The easiest way is to email pictures to me at lisa.tisher@adams12.org. You can send me 1 picture at a time or a collection of pictures.

Here are some ideas if you are having trouble thinking of things to send me:

• favorite toy
• playing in backyard
• playing with a sibling
• eating ice cream
• playing tag
• laughing at cartoon
• going on a walk
• watching fireworks
• visiting grandparents
• playing video game
• going to a park
• riding a scooter
• playing catch
• squirt gun fight

Sesame Street Resources on Masks, Social Distancing and more

Here are some resources from Sesame Street about wearing masks and social distancing. Please look at them and read through them with your kiddos. It is looking more and more like masks may be part of our return to school plan so please start teaching your kids now. (I don't have confirmation of that but other districts have stated that.)

As always if I can be of help in anyway, please email me. 

click here for more resources Sesame Street Health Page 

Fourth of July!!

! 

I hope you all are doing well. I think of all of my students and their families often!  It feels like it has been forever since I have seen you all. 

Here are some resources that I found to help explain 4th of July to your kiddos. I know several of them hate noise and struggle with kids getting enough sleep when noises happen. Here are a few resources. Also, you may want to purchase some noise reduction headphones that construction workers use. The kids often where them at school when classes are loud, or assemblies are loud and it really helps them feel comfortable. I know LOWE's and Dollar Tree often carry them.

Don't forget to show kids where to find words like fireworks, loud, bright, happy, excited, scared, in their talkers so they are able to use the right words to describe what is happening with them. Feel free to email me if you need to know the pathways to those words. (fireworks may be under July or need to be added and the best place to add that is under party. Feel free to email me and I can walk you through how to add that if you need) 

Typical year fireworks social story

Tips for helping July 4th go smoothly

Fun Activties to do with kids on the 4th that don't involve fireworks. (Covid-Friendly) 
https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/4th-of-july/

Feel free to print this symbol if you need a low tech option for communication

Explaining Protests and Black Lives Matter to kids

Parents, 

Many of your students may be hearing things on the news about the protests around the country. Talking with kids about these issues are important for many reasons. Children feel anxiety when they don't understand what adults are talking about and seeing on the news so talking about this makes kids feel safe, all of these kids will grow up and become adults so preparing them for adulthood means having conversations that may be uncomfortable, and the more exposure kids get to concepts the more background knowledge gives them better problem solving and literacy skills for the future. 

Remember your kiddos may not have the language or the words for what they are seeing, or feeling so giving them words and explaining things several times will be important. 

Here are a few resources that were recently shared with me. I hope they will help you to have conversations about what is happening in the world. 

Black Lives Matter Social Story

Protests Social Story

Sesame Street Town Hall on Racism

Virtual Field Day!

Here is the link to the Virtual Field Day created by Room L!!

Virtual Field Day Video Click HERE

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want a little laugh here is Ms. Tisher's blooper reel!

Ms. Tisher Blooper reel from Spring 2020

PEAK Parent Center seminars

Peak Parent Center is the leader for helping parents. They have some upcoming seminars that are happening.

Click the link for more information.
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/205905/d219474d75/1473723523/33d6792c53/

Parents- support article

Parents,

I saw this article on yahoo today and it had some good tips on how to proceed through this odd time of remote learning and so I thought it might be helpful for you.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/m-homeschooling-3-kids-ieps-160027378.html

Please know that if you or your family are struggling, I am available to help, however I can. I know this process isn't easy so feel free to reach out. You aren't expected to know how to teach everything to your child so please know that I am available to chat whenever you need.

Take Care and Stay healthy
Lisa

Our Assistive Technology team Tips and Tricks for the Week

Our Assistive Techology Team is working hard to send information out. Each week they will send a tip sheet on how to incorporate communication devices into lives at home. Here is the tip sheet for this week.

Exercise for students with Physical Challenges

The National Sports Center for the Disabled has sent out some virtual exercise classes including yoga, dance and strength training. 

Check out the website below!

https://www.disabledsportsusa.org/adaptathome/

Thornton AIR Summer REgistration

Thornton AIR is a recreation program at the new Rec Center for all kids no matter their ability. 

Registration for Summer is going on now. 

See Link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fx0bLAmZiFcFYsK36-w2VvQaQuO4xS76/view

Virtual Special olympics

Special Olympics has put together some online opportunities for kids to stay fit and keep moving!

Check out the website below!

https://specialolympicsco.org/virtualtraining/ 

Spirit Week

Help your child feel like they are still connected to school by participating in our Virtual Spirit Week! 

Email pictures of your student to Tarverelementary@gmail.com

Tarver will post them each week!

Blue Zone

A message to my students about school closing:

Click here to hear a message from Ms. Tisher

Remote Learning- Class Dojo

Parents,

You should receive a letter from me and an invite to join ClassDojo. 

This is the platform that I will be doing remote learning on. \

Here is the link to reach it from a Chromebook or PC.

https://www.classdojo.com/

Also, downloading the app to your phone or tablet would likely be helpful as well because it will make it easier to upload photos and videos. 

Communication devices

Parents,

Here are some links to help you to navigate your child's communication device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIkeubo6nl8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y96zbQO_wBM

Please email me for more information.

Remote Learning

Parents, 

Today, all of your student's teachers were in trainings about online learning platforms. General Education teachers have started sending out information for various logins that your child will need. 

Tomorrow, I will send out the plan for SSN specifically. Online learning will start on Wednesday. 

More to come soon!

Lisa

Parents: Zones of Regulation

Parents,

  At school, we often use the zones of regulation to help kids understand if there body is ready to learn. We use the language of "What zone are you in?" It is okay to be in any zone but that if we are in the blue, yellow or red their are things we can do to help ourselves get into the green zone which is our ready to learn zone.

Here is a slide show a fellow teacher put together. I hope it helps as you establish an at home learning environment.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RFo7hJS0Pi2pv47NDtKJdYArY_QyvrwmoZYgmQ2WgfM/edit#slide=id.g827b65bc8d_0_631

Jack Hartman Live- 1 hour!

Hi Kids, 

Our favorite singer in room L is Jack Hartman. Guess What? He is going to live on Youtube on March 30 at 8:50am. 

I hope you can tune in. I am excited to see if he sings any of our favorite count to 100 songs or sight word raps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxG6Z-GRyM0

Parents: Read Aloud

Click here to hear me read a story!

Parents,

As I prep for next week this is something I am trying to help you guys to access some easy resources.

When kids watch this video have them answer the questions and feel free to pause the video.
 Kids should have talkers our while they listen.


Thanks for your understanding. I hope you all are well.

Teddy bear hunt photos

Have you been counting your bears!

 Ms. Kasey has!

 Ms. Rose has!

 Ms. Nicole has!

 Ms. Tisher has!

Parents- Supplies and online learning

Parents, 

    I know many of you are worried about what will happen with online learning next week. Please know that I am working hard to figure that out. The district is running us through some online learning opportunities next week and we are discussing how to implement this for all students, even yours. 

There are a few things that I need from you though so please email  (lisa.tisher@adams12.org) me with the information:

1. Do you have your student's communication device up and working and do you need tutorials on how to use them?
2. Do you need any adapted tools like adapted scissors, pencils or paper for your student? If so what do you need?
3. Do you have online access for your child to use (ie internet access)
4. Do you need help developing a home sensory diet?
5. What are the best times that I can make contact with you regularly. (mornings, afternoons, evenings)

Thanks for your help. I give you further information next week!

I highly recommend that each student has access to a device at home such as laptop or Chromebook. If you family does not have this available for your student please make sure to read all of the district emails regarding checking out a Chromebook from the district.  You will not be able to check out a Chromebook from me those will come from the district. Students will need this to watch videos and access online things that are posted. 

I

Teddy Bear Hunt Day!!

 I heard on a morning show today that today is Teddy Bear Hunt day. So kids here is your math lesson today. 😉

1. Sort your teddy bears out from the rest of your stuffed animals
2. Count your teddy bears and write that number down.
3. Then put them in your windows. 
4. If your family goes for a drive or a walk see if you find any in the windows of your neighbors. Don't lose count. Let's see if you can find 5 teddy bears out there. 
5. If your parents are okay with it. Send me a picture and I will post it on my blog of all your teddy bears in windows. (please no people in the photos)

Teddy bear hunt- great way to work on commenting with communication device.

For those kids on talkers a teddy bear hunt is a great way to engage them in using their talkers to comment. 

Below is the pathway in the talker to say, "I see brown bear."

Below is the pathway in the talker to say," I see 2 bears." 

Most of the kids can do these pathways pretty easily if you model the first time. 
We do this often in class. 

Good luck and let me know if you need some help. 

Movement to bear hunt song

Bear hunt movement song:


Click the link for a movement song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIcu6tbEko

Read aloud and questions

Here is a read-aloud that your kiddos can listen to. I realize St. Patrick's Day was a week ago but it is still a fun story. 

Click here to listen to the story!

After the story, ask kids these questions:

Who was in the story?

What was two things that happened in the story?

How would you catch a leprechaun ?

If they can't answer them have them listen again! (It is okay if they have to listen to it 3-4 times or more, most of my students will not retain the story the first time through and that is just fine.)

Parents- Literacy work

Hi all,

I have posted some assignments for all of my students on RAZKIDS. My teacher username is TAESSS. You all should have your child's passwords they were sent home on Friday. If you need some assistance or need their password picture. Please let me know by emailing me @ lisa.tisher@adams12.org

The levels are assigned for each child and for the most part students should be able to use their communication devices to read the stories at their level. Please let me know if you need a quick tutorial and I will post one. 

Thanks

Lisa

Parents- Visual Schedules

Parents,
It looks like students will be home at least until mid April and possibly longer. I know my own two children were struggling with the idea of being home and having so much time on their hands. The district is pulling together resources and I hope to know what the exact plan is in the weeks to come.
However, for all children is a good idea for them to understand their day and how time will pass.  This reduces anxiety and helps children to feel a sense of accomplishment. This could be as simple as writing a list on a sticky note or laying things out a calendar.  However for some of my beginning readers and non-verbal students visual schedules are really helpful. My favorite and easiest to use is Choice works.  Choiceworks is a app that is less than $5.00. 

Choiceworks is an easy way to make a schedule on an ipad or a phone. It has reward options build in and the ability to take a picture of the task as well as built in visual for common tasks. It also has timers to set so children can understand how long a task should take. 

If your student doesn't have access to a device here is another option to print out a visual schedule. 

https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2014/04/free-printable-daily-schedule.html

https://inspiredprose.store/collections/editable-kid-morning-and-bedtime-routine-charts

https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/ultimate-daily-visual-schedule-cards-bundle/

If you need more visual supports, please let me know and I can provide them for you just email me at lisa.tisher@adams12.org

Parents- Social story

Parents,

Social Stories are a way to explain how the world works. For many of our students especially kids with autism it is difficult to understand why the rules of life change. Social stories are a way to explain why we do things. They work but it takes time and they need to be properly implemented. Social stories are read to a student in a "matter of fact" fashion and daily. Students do not need to be verbal to understand the meaning of the stories, in fact ,often they calm when the stories are read. 

Social Stories help especially when students struggle to ask questions about what is happening in their world.  I hope the following will help explain what is happening in the world now. 

https://littlepuddins.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-Updated-2-The-Autism-Educator-.pdf

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Learning-About-the-Corona-Virus-by-Dr.-Siobhan-Timmins.pdf

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf

If you need help writing a social story for your particular situation please email me. I don't mind creating some to help lisa.tisher@adams12.org.

JACK HARTMAN IS OUR FAVORITE

Get your kids up and moving with Jack Hartman! Jack Hartman is my favorite as a teacher. He gets kids moving and learning at the same time. The kids know his counting and phonics videos well. Unfortunately, due to new youtube regulations I can not post his videos to my blog any more but I can give you the link to his youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/JackHartmann

For kids grades k-2:  check out the Count to 20, letter sounds and directional words

For kids grades 3-5 check out the sight word videos, count to 100, stretchy snake and more.

When kids are active as they learn they retain more so make sure they are getting up, moving and saying the numbers and sounds with Jack.  Kids on talkers don't have to use their talkers with this but they can, you just may have to pause the video.

Parents: Headsprout

Parents,

The wonderful people at the readinga-z.com company gave me free access to Headsprout. Headsprout is online phonics program that will teach your kids phonics skills in a game format. I will be able to monitor their progress from my dashboard so I can make sure they learning what they need.  When kids log on to raz-kids.com then they will be able to Headsprout as one of their options. Your students have not used this before so they will need help navigating. The first thing they will do is a assessment so don't help them other than with using the mouse. After that you can assist them. I sent passwords home on Friday. Please let me know if you need them again.

Thanks
Lisa

Parents- Student learning at home

Parents,

As things are changing daily with COVID-19, I don't know what the next few weeks will entail.
However, I do know that each of your children need to keep learning. I will update my blog over the next few weeks with activities you can do at home with your child.

Today, I am sending home the following home: 

• 2 packets of sight word activities- please have students use their talkers when completing these
• login information for the following online learning opportunities
• www.education.com
• https://www.prodigygame.com/
• www.raz-kids.com

It is important that kids keep learning and doing. If you have questions or need ideas, please email me: lisa.tisher@adams12.org

Stay well and enjoy your kids!

Lisa

Parents- Kids that are sick

Parents:

The SSN staff are trying hard to contain the variety of illnesses that are going around the school building by disinfecting and teaching the kids to wash their hands while singing happy birthday. As of today half of the SSN students were not able to come to school and one of our staff members is out sick.  Please do not send your kids when they are sick.  I know as parents that it is a struggle to find care and to take days off of work however some of the students in the SSN program have immune systems that are weaker and it is important that we do our best to keep everyone well.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Parents- Sensory Friendly Colorado Symphony THIS WEEKEND

Does your child love music?

You might try the Colorado Symphony this weekend?

https://www.dpcolo.org/news-events/sensory-friendly-concerts-with-the-colorado-symphony/

Parents- STEAMFEST is this weekend

STEAMFEST IS THIS WEEKEND at the BOULDER FAIRGROUNDS

Last year my kids convinced me to go to this cool Science, Technology and Math Festival.

We watched drone races, experienced topographical maps with sand and color, dropped eggs, and shot air powered rockets. 

This was an awesome hands on experience for all ages.  

There were a lot of things for kids to do and interact with of all abilities. Also, there are some demonstrators that specifically address those with autism. 

ALSO SCIENCE JOE WILL BE THERE!!

Here is the link to buy tickets. 

https://makerbolder.com/steam/

Parents: Sensory Friendly Films March

Do you want to go to the movies as a family but are worried about how your child will handle it?
Try going to a Sensory Friendly Film. They turn the lights up and the noise down.  Also, families with various needs attend so the audience will be understanding.

This month's movies are Onward, Mulan and I Still Believe

Check out the link below more information:

https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

Parents: IMPORTANT INFO

North Metro Community Center Board is offering a training on how the intake process works. It is important that all kids are signed up if they will need adult services someday. As well as they can help families get access to resources now. I truly think that this is an important session to attend if you can.