1. The Moving Up Process: Pre-School – Elementary –Middle - High Karen Mataya & Irina Babayan

2. WELCOME Introductions Housekeeping Handout and maps Questions

3. What Will You Learn? Overview of Renton School District special education move-up or transition process from: Pre-school to Elementary Elementary to Middle school Middle to High school

4. I have a question! If you have a question about your child’s next year program: Talk to your school and IEP team through your child’s teacher Attend the break-out session on Renton School District programs for a general overview

5. Pre-School Meadow Crest Early Learning Center: Ages 3-5 (until Kindergarten age) Inclusive Preschool Program: children with special education IEPs and children who pay tuition ECEAP and Head Start Programs: Serving children who are income eligible Child Find (ages 3-5)

6. Kindergarten Transition Night If you have a child going to Kindergarten next year: Attend Kindergarten transition night at Meadow Crest on March 29 th (Tuesday) 6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Childcare is requested through your child’s teacher for current pre-school students Address: 1800 Index Ave NE Renton, WA 98056

7. Elementary Schools 14 elementary schools in the district (see map or website) www.rentonschools.uswww.rentonschools.us Grades K-5 All Kindergarten programs are full day in Renton Integrated Kindergarten (I-K) in most schools

8. Middle Schools Three (3) open middle schools in the district (see map or website) www.rentonschools.uswww.rentonschools.us Grades 6-8

9. High Schools Three (3) high schools in the district (see map or website) www.rentonschools.uswww.rentonschools.us Grades 9-12 Secondary Learning Center Renton Academy

10. Adult Transition Program (ATP) Community based education for students 18-21 IEP team guided process Family night in late May for incoming students (2016-17 school year)

11. How do I get new school information? Talk with your child’s teacher and school/IEP team about your child’s placement and his or her next school General information – district's website: www.rentonschools.us

12. Moving-up or transition process is: Completed by an IEP team Centered around your child’s needs and best interests A multi-step process with all team members providing input

13. During the Move Up Process, the IEP team: Completes your child’s learning profile Meets with you at annual or revision IEP meeting and a parent conference Recommends the program that meets the needs of your child

14. The IEP team also: Lets the district support and administration staff know about the unique needs of your child Seeks support with placement when needed District support staff and administration may visit the current school for an observation Sending team meets with the receiving team in the district internal process (RISERS)

15. During the Move Up Process, the district office: Decides on the program location Supports the placement when program is out of the homepath Communicates with school IEP team on their recommendations

16. The district office also: Observes the student when support is needed with the placement Sets up transportation

17. What You Can Do: Talk with your child’s school & IEP team Attend all scheduled meetings or call a meeting if needed Ask questions Keep all school paperwork in a file

18. Move Up Process: Calendar View Your child IEP team begins to talk about placement for next school year. The IEP team members: Analyze data and progress Look at programming needs that fit the child’s profile (amount of support, independence level, etc.) January-March

19. Move Up Process: Calendar View Your child’s IEP team may schedule a meeting to reflect a change of placement (annual or revision IEP) during this time if the placement has been decided by the team Members of the next IEP team and support district staff may observe your child at school January-March

20. Move Up Process: Calendar View School counselors come out to elementary and middle schools to present facts about the new schools. Middle school counselors talk about elective choices to the elementary students. High school counselors present elective choices to the middle school students. January-March

21. Move Up Process: Calendar View Special note to parents of preschoolers attending Meadow Crest: – registration packets sent home in January – complete packets – take registration paperwork to your home school attend Kindergarten event at your home school * * Based on your child’s IEP and learning profile, the final placement location for next year may be different from your home school. You will be notified by your IEP team. January-March

22. What You Can Do: Talk with your child’s school & IEP team Attend all scheduled meetings or call a meeting if needed Ask questions Keep all school paperwork in a file

23. Move Up Process: Calendar View Your child’s school team (teachers, speech and language pathologists, OTs, PTs, etc.) may meet with the receiving team to discuss unique needs of your child such as assessment data, progress, curriculum needs, classes the student might take next year, and unique programming tools (communication, behavior, etc.) April – May

24. Move Up Process: Calendar View Most IEP meetings are held during these months to reflect a change of placement Some schools may hold an informational night for incoming families (for example, Kindergarten readiness night) and collect registration information On case-by-case basis, parents may tour receiving schools – (contact your current school team) April – May

25. What You Can Do: Talk with your child’s school/IEP team Attend all scheduled meetings or call a meeting if needed Ask questions Once you know your child’s next school, go to the school’s webpage off the district’s website. Stay tuned to the calendar events at the new school.

26. Move Up Process: Calendar View Your child’s file is given to the new school’s IEP team in June Sending team and receiving team meet at a special meeting called RISERS to exchange the student information You may receive information in mail from the new school Some elementary and middle schools host a parent welcome event in August as a chance for you and your family to see the school, meet the teacher, staff, and other parents in a less formal setting. This event often follows “Meet & Greet” You should be notified by transportation about your child’s new bus route by late August June-August

27. What You Can Do: Registration: the current IEP team will move your child’s file to the new school However, if your child has unique needs such as allergies, new medication, and/or new health concerns, please contact the new school’s office and relate the necessary information prior to the first day of school

28. Move Up Process: Calendar View Middle schools have a 6 th grade day for incoming six graders and high schools have a 9th grade day for incoming ninth graders during first week of school. Students get an orientation, school tour, locker information, class schedules and locations Some Kindergartners have a “staggered” start, you will get schedule information from your new teacher September

29. Transition Tips: It is normal to feel anxious during change. Allow for special family times and familiar routines to keep children’s anxiety at bay. Children often mirror how parents are feeling. Set a predictable routine a few weeks before the start of the new school and adjust wake-up time. Your child may be more tired if he or she wakes up at 9:00 a.m. in August and has to wake up at 6:30 a.m. on the first day of school.

30. Transition Tips: Stop by the new school in the summer, check the playground, learn the school’s name Talk with the school staff about routines, make sure your child is comfortable with new lunch & school gear, etc. and is as independent as possible Get to know your child’s teacher and the team. They are there to help you and your child do his or her best. Ask questions.

31. Transition Tips: Set and use a schedule at home, contact your new teacher if help is needed Worrying is normal, and could be productive if it helps you move forward. Reach out and ask questions, you are not alone! Enjoy this special milestone in your child’s life and take pictures Relax – it will be okay. Remember – your current school was also a new school once

33. Please write any questions you may still have on a post it, and place the post it on the parking lot. Thank you!