Completing the Continuum of Services Linda Colucci, M.Ed. Director Special Services February 2014

Moving Forward – June 25, 2013 The Department of Special Services and the District are dedicated to providing the Full Continuum of services for all students with I.E.P.’s. While full inclusion is always the ultimate goal we must also provide each student with a program that meets their individual needs.

18A: Regulations requiring plan to establish stability in special education Programming. The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to require school districts to develop a plan to establish stability in special education programming. The plan shall take into account the consistency of the location, curriculum, and staffing in the provision of special education programs and services. The State board regulations shall also require that when developing an individualized education program (IEP) with the parent or guardian of a student who is prone to regression due to frequent changes in location including, but not limited to, students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the IEP team shall consider, among other factors, the consistency of the location of services when determining in-district special education placements. L.2013, c. 19, § 1, eff. April 25, New Jersey Statues Title 18A Education

How did we do? Last spring the focus was the elementary and middle school level. All programs have had a successful year. Oakview – Autistic Watsessing – Behavioral Disorders Berkeley – Language Learning Disorders Fairview – Multiply Disabled BMS – all above programs and West Wing Not 1 elementary student was placed Out of District this school year due to lack of programs. Not 1 middle school student was placed Out of District this school year due to lack of programs.

Completing the Continuum The last 2 programs that require the district’s attention: High School programs/Bridges Preschool programs Let’s start with High School/Bridges and then Move on to Preschool

High School/Bridges presenting challenges No program for 8 th graders moving up to the High School currently meeting success in West Wing at the Middle School. No Autistic program for 8 th graders moving to the High School. Bridges students are not easily accessible to their same age peers.

How do we address the challenges to complete the continuum for all HS students? Autistic program at the High School will be incorporated into VEST to teach student life skills and community based instruction West Wing will be established at the High School so students who currently are in the program can continue to meet success. West Wing at Bloomfield College (formerly Bridges) will be established as a partnership with the College.

New Home of West Wing at Bloomfield College Voorhees Hall – Franklin Street

Collaboration with Bloomfield College Dr. Marion Terenzio, Office of Academic Affairs – 1.We want to help your at risk (Bridges) students 2.We can assist students who can benefit from a college environment. 3.We have professors who are willing to work with our teachers and staff. 4.We want your students to see themselves as college material 5.We want your students to be part of something bigger, see a future.

Where do our students go? West Wing at College Any current Bridges Students who perform well in a small setting All teachers from Bridges will move to college Crisis counselor will move College gives space and support, help with programs West Wing at BHS Moving up BMS West Wing students Any identified at risk student Will need 2.5 teachers to create a program.5 counselor (can be part of CST) Out of District - some students, based on needs may require an out of district placement.

The continuum of West Wing has to be established regardless of any decisions on Bridges. Students are moving up to the high school from the middle school. Once the West Wing at BHS is established we must consider if any Bridges students can return to the High school. With any continuum we MUST provide options for all students. We must estimate a number of students who may require OOD to meet their needs. West Wing will mirror the current BMS program. There will be 2 classrooms dedicated for the West Wing. Students when appropriate will take electives within BHS Students will have a counselor dedicated to their needs.

West Wing at Bloomfield College Bloomfield College is not only giving the district classroom and office space, their staff wants our students to have college experiences, internship sites and a mentoring program. Their current academic program and teachers will follow them to the college. The Big Picture Learning will remain part of their program. Students community internships will remain. However, they will also partner with the college so students will now be able to have college experiences while doing their internships.

I.E.P. meetings Beginning in late March all students currently attending Bridges will have an I.E.P. meeting. Child study team and parents will discuss all programs to determine which setting best meets the needs of each student. This is done on an individual/confidential basis as are all annual I.E.P. meetings.

Now we have an empty building?? Create a consolidated PreK program Collaboration with Bloomfield College with their Early Education Experts Create more inclusive classrooms Create a model Reggio Emilia philosophy classroom Why do we need this??

Why does Bloomfield need their own Pre K Center? Sept numbers based on current growth trends – our current buildings cannot keep up with these increasing numbers.

Why a PreK Center? All preschoolers when they enter the program will stay in one building until they leave for Kindergarten. Currently a student may be in 1 bldg at 3, another at 4 and then on to their home school for Kindergarten. All our current buildings can not support any additional PreK, classrooms in different buildings isolate teachers. They have no collegial support because they use a completely different curriculum. Forest Glen was a K-3 building, one level, wheelchair/walker friendly. We have 3 year old preschoolers entering who have physical needs. A 1 floor building makes their movement around building easier. Our PreK therapists (Speech/OT/PT) spend time traveling. One building eliminates travel meaning more time dedicated to student needs.

Why a PreK Center con’t According to Preschool Policy Report 2007 (NIEER), preschool programs need to support parent engagement, well designed preschools have a parent space for interaction. The library will be maintained at the building for this purpose. Current parents are NOT engaged in activities at their building level. NAEYC acknowledge 3 key areas: classroom, outside play and multi-purpose room for children to meet, learn and play together. Our current program not only does not have such a room, there aren’t enough classrooms present in all bldgs. to create such a room. Forest Glen has a full size gym that would meet this need.

Reggio Emilia as part of a PreK Program The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration and discovery through a supported learning environment. The philosophy is based on: Children must have control over the direction of their learning Children must learn through experiences of touching, listening, seeing and hearing (Multisensory approach to teaching) Children have a relationship with other children (building Social skills) Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves. (Non-verbal children need alternate means for expression)

Reggio overview con’t Reggio Emilia is a tradition of community support for families, parents are a vital component. (Engaging parents) The term “hundred languages of children” refers to the many ways children express themselves. Reggio teachers provide children with different avenues for thinking, revising, constructing, negotiating, developing and symbolically expressing their thoughts and feelings. (all our non-verbal and language delayed students will have more support for their language development) Reggio Emilia is based on developmentally appropriate practices supported by NAEYC (National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children).

What does the district gain at the elementary level? 8 classrooms – buildings are overflowing and this will ease buildings need for space. Continued continuity of services by building started last year, the first year to comply with legislation. More flexibility with therapy schedules – since all PreK classes will be in one location, less therapy hours will be required. This offers more flexibility district wide for all therapists. Collaboration with Bloomfield College – experts in Early Childhood Education.

Buildings Programs Programs Sept Class Gains Staff Berkeley 3 PSD /Inclusion 1 Trans K 0+4 To PreK -4 Brookdale 0000 Carteret 1 PSD0+1 To PreK - 1 Demarest 0000 Fairview Franklin 0000 Oakview 1 PreK ABA0+1 To PreK -1 Watsessing 2 PSD0+2 To PreK -2 8 PreK Programs in District Bldgs 0 PreK Programs in District Bldgs +8 8 staff to go to 8 PreK classrooms PreK Program Configurations

Will we need additional PreK staff? Pre K teachers and CST already in place Secretary – Secretary who already handles PreK-6 Speech therapists already on staff OT/PT already provide services Custodian can be current Bridges Admin. – current PreK-6 Supervisor will be housed at the building for over sight. NEED: Nurse – while not needed by code this is a safety concern

All Special Services programs will be supervised without any additional administrators, including all programs ? What’s that going to look like??

Staff Overseeing Programs Kerry DiGiacinto – Principal Special/Alternative 9-12 Programs Keri Regina – Supervisor – BMS, Brookdale, Berkeley, Demarest, Franklin, Carteret, Watsessing Ilene Cloughley – Supervisor – PreK Center, Fairview and Oakview All positions include self-contained programs, inclusion programs, staff and CST within the buildings they oversee.

District now has complete continuum with collaboration with Bloomfield College Complete Continuum Collaboration Bloomfield College Staff Development Improved Programs with Comprehensive services More Inclusive opportunities

But I still have questions High School panel discussion with high school admin. and Dr. Marion Terenzio, Office of Academic Affairs Date: March 5th Time: 7:30 Place: Forest Glen (Bridges –Davey Street) PreK panel discussion with PreK Admin and Blmfld College early childhood experts Dr. Nora Krieger and Mary Porcelli Date: March 20th Time: 7:30 Place: Forest Glen (Bridges – Davey Street)