SST3 Updates, Resources, & Supports
January 2021 | Issue 4
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Welcome to the SST3 newsletter! Each month SST3 will share updates, educational topics that might be of interest to you, and upcoming professional development. We encourage you to review this information, share with others and visit our website for additional information. We also would appreciate learning of topics that would support your work.
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Greetings,
In the last SST newsletter, I made a point that I would check back in hoping that you have found ways to restructure the way in which your family and friends can celebrate or commemorate an event or tradition of cultural or religious significance during this holiday season. As I had mentioned, we need to be sure to take time to rest and relax to ensure that we are energized to start up the new year with your students (second semester) ready to roll.
Recently, I had a friend who reached out just to talk about her feelings and how sad she has become adapting to our new normal. I am quite sure we have all experienced this as well. I was happy she reached out and continues to do so. Since she lives many miles away, I send her daily text messages that simply state just checking in. Of course, I had to text her song lyrics that came to mind after our call. Since I am limited in space, I will shorten the lyrics as follows in green bold, and italic font, I hope you continue to remember your favorite things, so you don’t feel so bad. Name that tune! See you in the new year!
Michele Gaski, Director for the State Support Team – Region 3 (Cuyahoga County)
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2020 PBIS Recognition Awards
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State Support Team Region 3 would like to congratulate the following 33 schools, representing six Cuyahoga County districts, that were awarded gold, silver, and bronze level recognition for their work in implementing PBIS. The school and district awards were presented virtually at the OLAC/PBIS Showcase on December 15, 2020.
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GOLD
Orange Schools
Moreland Hills Elementary School
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SILVER
Euclid City School District*
Arbor Elementary School
Bluestone Elementary School
Chardon Hills Elementary School
Euclid Central Middle
Garfield Heights City School District
William Foster Elementary School
Parma City School District
John Muir Elementary School
Parma Senior High School
Thoreau Park Elementary School
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BRONZE
Brooklyn City School District
Brooklyn Preschool
Constellation Schools Parma Community
Elementary School - Day Drive
Elementary School - Pearl Road
High School
Intermediate School
Euclid City School District*
Early Learning Village
Euclid High School
Shoreview Elementary
Fairview Park City School District
Gilles-Sweet Elementary School
Garfield Heights City School District
Elmwood Elementary School
Garfield Heights High School
Garfield Heights Middle School
Maple Leaf Elementary School
Orange City School District
Orange Inclusive Preschool
Parma City School District
Dentzler Elementary School
Green Valley Elementary School
Greenbriar Middle School
Hillside Middle School
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Renwood Elementary School
Normandy High School
Valley Forge High School
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*Euclid City School District is also the recipient of the District Award
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2021 Excellence in Education Nominations |
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The State Support Team Region 3 (SST-3), in partnership with the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County (ESC-CC), is seeking to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of students with disabilities, peers who have built meaningful relationships with them, and outstanding educators who instruct and/or support their learning. Click on the category title below to complete a nomination form. Nominations are currently being accepted for the following categories:
1. Outstanding Peer Achievement Award – recognizes, celebrates, and honors student peers who have established meaningful relationships and are exemplary role models for others.
2. Outstanding Student Achievement Award – recognizes, celebrates, and honors students with disabilities and acknowledges their outstanding achievements, both academic and non-academic. (Nominees must be students – ages 3-21 and enrolled in a school program).
3. Outstanding Educator Achievement Award – recognizes, celebrates, and honors educators (including administrators, general education teachers, intervention specialists, and related service staff) who have provided exemplary instruction and creative programming that promotes educational results for students with disabilities.
The deadline for submission of nominations is MARCH 19, 2021. Please submit the completed form and narrative to your district’s Pupil Services/Special Education Director.
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This month we are featuring The Ohio Improvement Process (OIP) Module, which was updated on November 18, 2020. This new module provides an overall description of Ohio’s primary strategy for supporting school districts’ efforts to improve outcomes for all learners, including the core beliefs underlying the OIP. The module also explores:
- Ohio’s Leadership Development Framework,
- Changes in practice promoted by the OIP,
- OIP theory of change,
- Team communication, and
- The 5-Step process.
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Recruitment for
Surrogate Parent
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Federal law recognizes the importance of parental involvement in making decisions about a child's education programs, especially programs and services for children with disabilities. When there is not a parent available for the student school districts must appoint a surrogate parent to represent the child with a disability or suspected disability. To learn more about the role of a surrogate parent, the requirements and responsibilities– click here. To become a surrogate parent complete the requirements noted on this Ohio Department of Education site
Ideas for actively recruiting throughout the school year to find volunteers to become surrogate parents:
- Reach out to retired teachers
- Reach out to foster parents in your community to complete the surrogate parent training
- Reach out to local PTA groups, community groups, and alumni.
- Reach out to partner agencies working with the school to inquire about interested individuals.
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Ohio Partnership for Excellence in Paraprofessional Preparation Workshops |
The Ohio Partnership for Excellence in Paraprofessional Preparation is pleased to offer workshops to assist school districts in more effectively using paraprofessional services to support student learning. Paraprofessionals, teacher-para teams, and other district, school, and agency personnel are invited to participate. All workshops offer a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Contact hours are provided for participants who attend Zoom sessions and complete workshop assignments. For more information about their professional development offerings, please visit their website. |
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On December 18, 2020 the Office for Exceptional Children released Special Education Indicators (SPP) data for districts and community schools. This first release included data from 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. Please make sure that the appropriate individuals in your district or community school review their SPP data and any findings and required actions. Individuals must have the appropriate OEDS role to access. The 2020-21 Indicator Review Process Manual addresses how to access the reports through OEDS, provides descriptions of the indicators, findings and any required actions and timelines. This year includes data regarding disproportionality in identification, placement or discipline for students with disabilities across 7 racial groups.
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Content Area Literacy and Disciplinary Literacy
As we continue to consult with secondary teams in grades 4-12, a common question is often raised regarding the difference between content-area reading strategies and disciplinary literacy. Both are included as adolescent components of Ohio's Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement.
Although the term, “content area reading strategies,” suggests they are discipline-specific, they are actually quite the opposite. Content area strategies are common reading strategies that can be applied across any content area. Examples are anticipation guides, KWL charts, graphic organizers, three-level guides, reciprocal reading, summarizing, and many others. These strategies provide scaffolds to assist students in performing meta-cognitive skills that good readers do.
Conversely, disciplinary literacy places an emphasis on the knowledge and abilities possessed by those who create, communicate, and use knowledge within the disciplines (Shanahan & Shanahan, 2012). Disciplinary literacy therefore focuses on the reading, writing, discussion, and inquiry strategies unique to each discipline. It has indeed been proven that historians, chemists, and mathematicians approach reading with strategies and purposes unique to their particular disciplines (Shanahan, Shanahan, & Misischia, 2011).
Although some researchers and authors place greater emphasis on one literacy approach over the other approach, others such as Jacy Ippolito and William Brozo advocate for a balance of both.
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PBIS Coaching Network
The Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports speaks of PBIS coaching as an ongoing support during planning for systems implementation at the district, school, and classroom level as they develop their schoolwide framework. SST3 offers this support during their PBIS Coaching Network. Please register for the January 12, 2021 session.
3 Best Practices for Nurturing a Positive School Climate
Many schools are realizing that in addition to nurturing their students' academics during remote learning, it is just as important to address their social and emotional needs. This article speaks to building a positive remote learning environment, by utilizing three best practices.
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The Early Childhood Classroom Management Series scheduled for January-February, 2021 will be replaced by a virtual book study on Beyond Behavior Management, The Six Life Skills Children Need by Jenna Bilmes. Ohio Approved credit will be available. Look for the announcement and registration information coming soon.
The next Early Childhood Supervisory Network Meeting will be held virtually Thursday, February 11 from 9a-12p. Click here to register. The 3rd Itinerant Network Meeting will be held virtually Friday, February 19 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Click here to register. Tentative agendas will be sent to districts in late January.
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A major component of the Ohio Department of Education's ED STEPS project is to transition to three-year planning cycles with annual funding applications aligned to those plans. All districts, their schools, and community schools that receive federal funding are required to use the new One Needs Assessment to complete a comprehensive needs assessment to drive planning. All districts and community schools are assigned to a cohort. Cohort assignments are listed in the CCIP. For more information about the ED STEPS Project, please review CCIP Note 447 and CCIP Note 451
The One Needs Assessment district, school, and community school surveys are now available in the OH|ID portal. The Ohio Department of Education has posted resources on their website to support your completion of the One Needs Assessment
SST3 is hosting open office hours to answer questions about the One Needs Assessment process and survey tool. Click this link to sign-up for these sessions.
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In 2021, we will continue to be here for you, and provide you with up to date information and resources. Speaking of great resources, the links below will take you to some helpful resources to assist you in providing high quality transition services in both the remote, and in-person formats.
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Addressing Team Membership and "GrandUnderstanding"
Supporting the Whole Child in These Challenging Times
Some area families have lost employment due to Covid-19 related layoffs. Community outreach resources for those families are available through various agencies. Click the links below for further information:
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As we start out on a new year filled with hope, we will continue to be there for you, and will continue to provide you with resources to assist your CTE Team in delivering high quality instruction. We have included a few career exploration resources below.
Also, don't forget that our next CTE/SPED Leaders Network meeting is scheduled for 10:00-11:30 on Thursday, February 25th. Click here to register
The links below will direct you to dynamic career overview videos:
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State Support Team 3 is offering several opportunities for professional development. Click here to view our calendar of events. Please visit this site often as ever-changing circumstances may warrant cancellation or postponement of scheduled events.
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Reset and Restart Planning Guide
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Information regarding Ohio's Reset and Restart plan is available to assist parents, families, caregivers and educators as they navigate the world of remote learning during this unprecedented time. Review for timely updates.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to build the capacity of educational systems as learning organizations inclusive of families and communities to develop and sustain proactive, integrated learning environments through timely and relevant professional development, technical assistance and consulting services.
Belief Statement:
We believe that ALL children/students have the right to belong, learn, and thrive in a
proactive, integrated, and rigorous learning environments.
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