Special Education Updates Shirley Klein, Assistant Superintendent, SESS Scott McCarthy, Secondary Program Director, SESS Shira Schwartz, Elementary Program Director, SESS Laura Straiton, Early Childhood Program Director, SESS

Communication Structures Structure of program directors Secretarial support at each building Facilitators Directory model of communication

Shirley K. Klein Assistant Superintendent Shira D. Schwartz Program Director (K-5) Jessica Vaughn SESS Facilitator, Ox Ridge Mary Scalise SESS Facilitator, Royle Sue Atkinson SESS Facilitator, Tokeneke Jamie Granite SESS Facilitator, Hindley Joanne Vorndran SESS Facilitator, Holmes Scott R. McCarthy Program Director (6-12) Michael O’Neill Assistant Principal, MMS Ellen Spark Assistant Principal, DHS Laura M. Straiton Program Director (ELP) Elementary School Principals Elementary School Assistant Principals

New Certified Staff: Elementary School Psychologist: Royle (Diana Whamond) SESS Facilitator: Ox Ridge (Jessica Vaughn) Special Education Teachers DLC-3 (Shanna Licitra) Ox Ridge (Denise Romeo) Royle (Elizabeth Miller) Speech Language Pathologists Tokeneke (Sue Atkinson)

New Certified Staff: Secondary MMS ALC Special Education Teacher (Caitlin Kennedy) DHS CORE (Tina Monaco) Resource/Co-taught (Carolynn Becker) Resource/Co-taught (Christine Caserto)

Positions in Progress Teacher of the Hearing Impaired Facilitator of Special Education: Tokeneke

Extended School Year (ESY) Review The ESY Program was held from June 27, 2016 through July 29, Instruction and Related Services were provided Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 12:30pm Some students participated in up to two extension weeks (Bridge Weeks), if recommended at a PPT meeting Darien High School hosted students in grades K-12 who participated in the ESY Program Transportation was provided for students attending the program

Extended School Year (ESY) Review Tokeneke Elementary School hosted the Early Learning Program (ELP) and the Kindergarten Readiness Program for pre-kindergarten students with IEPs and typically developing students an integrated learning program The program was held from July 5, 2016 through August 11, Instruction and Related Services were provided Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 11:45am Transportation was provided for students attending the program

Extended School Year (ESY) Review 299 students with IEPs attended the 2016 ESY Programs: 237 students in grades K-12 attended the ESY Program at DHS 62 PK students attended the programs at Tokeneke

Extended School Year (ESY) Review Staffing was determined based on the ESY Program (instruction and service hours) recommended at their PPT meetings. A total of 127 staff working collaboratively in the ESY and ELP Programs: Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Nurses, Board Certified Behavioral Analysts

Staffing

ESY Services Academic / Instructional Services Social Skill Development and Behavior Support Related Services – Speech and Language Therapy, Counseling, Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy Vocational Training/Community Participation Nursing

ESY Accomplishments Meetings, staffing, and notification to families: Building-based staff grouped students to maximize their success in the program. Enhanced coordination between regular school year teachers/services providers and ESY Program staff.

Chromebooks! Elementary K-3: 1 cart of chromebooks each Grade 4: 1:1 chromebooks, remain in school Grade 5: 1:1 chromebooks, may take them home Secondary Grades 6 & 7: 1:1 chromebooks, may take them home Alignment with assistive technology in special education Comprehensive building-based professional development plan

Co-taught Classes Currently 4 classes exist within our elementary schools Data collected and analyzed co-teaching consultant contract

Progress Monitoring Professional Development August 2016 All new teachers All administrators All special education teachers Professional Learning Community (PLC) Directors’ Advisory model

15-16 Accomplishments Developed DLC-3 program for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Implemented Orton-Gillingham training for targeted special education teachers at the elementary level. Implemented Touch Math program for targeted special education teachers. Analyzed outcomes of co-taught classes across one elementary school. Developed resource room model dedicated to reading instruction with multisensory instruction at elementary level.

15-16 Accomplishments Implemented language-based program into DHS’ Excel program utilizing a push-in model. Collaborated with DHS administration and staff in the development of team-taught and lab classes for the support of special education students in general education classes. Supported DHS administration in the study of alternative high school programs in surrounding districts. Began a study of surrounding districts’ transition support programs to plan and develop a program for students in Darien.

15-16 Accomplishments Monthly meetings with SEPAC co-chairs to address community concerns and collaborate on parent and staff education efforts. SESS Department and SEPAC co-sponsored and organized events for families and staff included talks on IEP process, the continuation of supports in the Darien Public Schools, Orton-Gillingham reading supports, building “GRIT”, twice exceptional programming, and planning for post-secondary opportunities for children with disabilities.

15-16 Accomplishments Special education staff were provided professional development by SESS Program Directors through professional learning communities (PLCs) and during departmental professional development opportunities by Shipman and Goodwin.