August 2023

Resources for Special Education Professionals

This newsletter is designed to inform special education professionals about the different resources available to them to support their work with students and families.

This edition of AJE's newsletter for Special Education Professionals includes:

• In-person and Online Professional Development Opportunities

We also have some upcoming opportunities for families:

• Our Parent Leadership Academy is accepting applications. You can share this link with families, or give them this clickable flier.
• An online session for Spanish-speaking families whose children may have disabilities. Learn more about Wednesday's event and share with families!
• We are still enrolling parents in our Parent Ambassadors program, please share the link with parents who might want to learn more!



We hope you find our information helpful. If you do, please forward it to colleagues!

• You can find all of our past newsletters for Parents and Professionals here - https://www.aje-dc.org/publications/.
• You can sign up to receive these newsletters here.



SchoolTalk, DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and the DC Special Education Cooperative are hosting the Districtwide Secondary Transition Capacity-Building Institute (CBI) 2023. This year's CBI will include a special keynote address from Director Valerie C. Williams from the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Friday, September 29, 2023 | 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

OSSE | 1050 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Participants will:

• Increase their knowledge about secondary transition for students with disabilities;  
• Gather resources;
• Meet with individuals from across the District who are working diligently on improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities; and
• Work in teams to develop a strategic plan for improved secondary transition programming at their school campus*

*School teams of three to five diverse professionals (e.g., school administrators, secondary transition specialists, local education agency [LEA] representatives, school counselors, case managers, general education teachers, etc.) are encouraged to join as there will be designated team planning session with trained facilitators.

Space is limited to 150 educators. Register by Monday September 18, 2023.

Questions? Please contact Julie Holt (julie.holt@schooltalkdc.org) or visit the DC CBI Website.

Restorative Practices Pop-ups

Restorative Practices (including Restorative Justice) can be remarkably powerful and effective tools for strengthening and creating authentic relationships in schools.  However, they are also widely misunderstood, and all too often poorly implemented. AJE wants parents to know what Restorative Justice circles look like when done well, understand how professionals might use Restorative Practices to strengthen relationships in the school, and to know what to expect as their schools try to move toward a more Restorative approach to their work.

That’s why we’re very excited to share that Restorative DC, in partnership with OSSE, is hosting three pop-up events dedicated to empowering the DC school community through the principles of Restorative Justice and family engagement.

You can learn more here, including information about a conversation just for families in October.

Don't forget!

AJE's online Calendar of Events always has upcoming trainings and events for families!

Upcoming Professional Development & Coaching Opportunities from OSSE

Epinephrine Administration Trainings

Every public and public charter school in DC is required by law to have a minimum of two staff, outside of the school nurse, certified in the administration of epinephrine (EpiPens) each year.

This fall, OSSE Allergy Management Team within the Division of Health and Wellness is holding a series of Epinephrine Administration Trainings to provide one-year certification of all employees who complete this training.

As part of this course, participants will learn how to identify and prevent severe allergic reactions, properly store epinephrine auto-injectors, and safely administer epinephrine during an emergency.

The live trainings will be offered virtually on the following dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 14, from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 12, from 1 - 2:30 p.m.

School staff may also choose to receive certification at their convenience via a recorded Online Certification Course. To register for either a live or recorded training, complete this training sign up form. For questions, contact OSSE Allergy Management Team at OSSE.Epi@dc.gov.

Webinar for School Staff – The Law and Accommodating Students with Food Allergies

Join Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 6 – 7:15 p.m. for a webinar covering the law and addressing common questions that arise when putting food allergy accommodations into place for students. Attendees will have a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon gift cards for school supplies. Register here to attend. 

Getting Ready to Support a Positive School Climate! Upcoming Professional Development

Understanding the Relationship Between Implicit Bias and Structural Inequity: Virtual session on Thursday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Mindfulness in the Classroom: Virtual sessions on Sept. 12 at 7-8 p.m. 

Understanding Trauma in Children and How to Develop Healing-Centered Practices: Virtual sessions on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19.

Student Engagement Strategies for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Student Success (three-part series, in-person). Participants are welcome to join any/all the sessions. 

• Part 1, Sept. 25 at 1-4 p.m.  
• Part 2, Sept. 26 at 1-4 p.m. 
• Part 3, Sept. 27 at 1-4 p.m. 

LGBTQ+ Back-To-Basics and Beyond Bootcamp: Five-Part Virtual Training Series

OSSE invites school leaders, educators and staff to participate in the “LGBTQ+ Back-To-Basics… and Beyond” Bootcamp. Participants will learn key concepts, understand data and implement policies and best practices to create belonging and inclusion in our classrooms and schools for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+). The five-session training series will be held virtually on Sept. 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  

The training sessions are: 

• Sept. 12: LGBTQ+ Back-To-Basics: Welcoming and Including LGBTQ+ Students. Register here. 
• Sept. 13: Beyond the Binary: Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students of Color. Register here. 
• Sept. 19: Using Data to Promote Health Prevention: What DC Data Tells Us About the Mental Health, Substance Use, and Sexual Health Needs of LGBTQ+ Students. Register here. 
• Sept. 20: Rights and Responsibilities: An LGBTQ+ School Policy Review. Register here. 
• Sept. 21: Inclusive Curriculum, Inclusive Community: Best Practices Toward Building an LGBTQ+ Affirming Learning Experience. Register here.