Up to Date, with SST8

News and Events for January 13 through January 23, 2025

Restorative Practices Training Coming in April

Restorative practices create a sense of belonging in classrooms and schools. These practices create connectedness among school community members and help reduce conflict. Implementing restorative approaches emphasize growth, development, and learning rather than isolation and punishment.

If you are experiencing chronic absenteeism and/or seeking alternatives to suspension, this opportunity can provide strategies to use.

Save the Date! April 1st: 9-3pm

Save the Date: Classroom Harmony

Discover the keys to creating a balanced and effective learning environment with our professional development workshop, Classroom Harmony: Proven Methods for Optimal Student Engagement and Behavior.

This session offers educators practical strategies and research-backed techniques to enhance student engagement and manage classroom behavior effectively.

Is Your School Ready to Become a Comprehensive Literacy

Implementation Site?

Ohio was awarded a $60 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will support Ohio teachers in providing effective literacy instruction to help students maximize their reading and writing skills.

Elementary, middle, and high schools – as well as district preschools and early childhood education programs across Ohio – will soon be able to apply to become a comprehensive literacy implementation site. Selected sites will be able to use these grant funds to strengthen the ways teachers and administrators implement literacy practices, with an ultimate goal of improving student outcomes.

Additional information about the opportunity and resources for prospective applicants, including recommended activities before the application window opens, are available on the Department’s webpage.

Keep Calm & Get Help with SpEd Profile Indicators

The Special Education Profile Indicators will be released soon but don’t panic; we’re here to help!

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a novice, Indicators can be scary so Save the Date to get an overview and indicator specific advice from SST8. We will ensure you have everything you need to navigate any required action for your district or community school!

Please register if you know your LEA has or will have a finding.

Join us, January 23, 2025 at

1:00-3:30 pm

Funds Available for Job Coaches of Students With Disabilities

Opportunity to increase the number and capacity of job coaches who serve Ohio's students with disabilities ages 14-21 participating in work experiences!

Funds are available for up to 50 Ohio Educational agencies as defined in Rule 3301-51-01-Ohio Administrative Code Ohio Laws (B) (18) to build capacity of new or current school personnel who are or will be acting as a job coach for a student with disability while the student is working on a job site. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis, until all 50 slots are filled. The total amount of the project cannot exceed $11,400.00.

Please complete and return the application and scope of work to Amy Szymanski: amy.szymanski@education.ohio.gov and Karrie Calzo: karrie.calzo@education.ohio.gov by 5pm on Friday, February 7, 2025.

Reach out to Stacia at StaciaK@sst8.org with questions

ELA Core Curriculum Tool

You’ve explored, researched, vetted, and finally purchased it. Now it’s time to implement your ELA Core Curriculum.

Ohio’s DEW has posted the ELA Core Curriculum Initial Implementation Planning Tool. to support school administrators, coaches, and teacher leaders in successful implementation.

This tool focuses on five key areas:

Set goals, roles, and monitoring plan
Assessment plan
Expectations
De-implementation
Key priorities and action plan

Take the first step toward success! Explore the tool now and see how it can guide your team in implementing your ELA Core Curriculum with confidence

Calling ALL CTE and

Special Education Leaders

The CTE/SPED Statewide Leaders Network will be meeting virtually on February 19, 2025 from 9am to 11:30am to provide universal professional development on various topics related to Career-Technical Education, Equitable Access to CTE Programs, and CTE Federal and State Mandates. At the end of the presentation, regional breakout rooms will be held as an opportunity to network.

Audience: CTE Directors, Special Education Directors/Coordinators,

Building Administrators, Transition Professionals, Curriculum Directors.

Please contact Stacia Kaschak, staciak@sst8.org, with questions.

Join the Conversations!

Experts within the ODEW and the field will share experiences around various topics during the Graduation Open Office Hours. The conversations will include a presentation, time to ask questions of the experts, and any other general graduation questions. Graduation Open Office Hours will be held biweekly on Fridays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sign up here!

Scheduled topics include:

Friday, Jan. 18- Business Advisory Councils
Friday, Jan. 24- Career Planning & Career Advising
Friday, Feb. 7- Flexible Scheduling Example
Friday, Feb. 21- Chartered/Non-chartered Nonpublic & Homeschool
Friday, Feb. 28- EMIS & Graduation (10-11am)
Friday, March 7- Testing and Assessments
Friday, March 21- CCP & Credit Flex
Friday, March 28- Graduation Requirements Refresher