Working Collaboratively

Kyrene School DistrictSpecial Education Advisory Council (KSEPAC)

PresentationSeptember 17, 2015

Kyrene Special Education Parent Advisory Council (KSEPAC)

• The Kyrene School District established the Kyrene Special Education Parent Advisory Council (KSEPAC) to promote collaboration between parents and educators and to improve the positive outcomes for students with disabilities in preschool through eighth grade.

Kyrene Special Education Parent Advisory Council (KSEPAC)

• The KSEPAC mission is to promote the academic and non-academic achievement of our children with disabilities through collaboration among parents, educators and the community. To achieve this, KSEPAC will: – Encourage the implementation of best practices and evidence

based resources with consistent application across all schools– Advocate for the continuous improvement of clear and open

communication– Provide educational opportunities for stakeholders– Develop a series of activities that promote inclusive practices

and a sense of community

Objectives of Meeting

• To become familiar with the organization of SLSS staff supporting students in the Kyrene School District

• To increase strategies for home and school to work collaboratively together

• To become familiar with the resources and services available through Raising Special Kids

Student Learning and Support Services (SLSS)

• The Kyrene School District and the Student Learning and Support Services (SLSS) department provides a continuum of programs and services for students who have learning needs that lie outside the usual range of instructional differentiation provided in general education classrooms.

• Special Education, Gifted Education, Structured English Immersion, Section 504, the Kyrene Preschool Program,

Assistive Technology and Student Records are all a part of the SLSS department.

Student Learning and Support Services (SLSS)

• Continuum of Services– Gifted– Health Services– Psychological Services– Preschool– Section 504– SEI– Special Education– Student Records

Student Learning and Support Services(SLSS)

Special Education

• Teacher Specialists / Program Leads– Lori Conroy – TOSA (Preschool)– Danielle Pardon – TOSA (Extended Resource DD)– Jo Shurman – TOSA (KTIP, Curriculum)– Cindy Walters –TOSA (Kyrene Autism Training Team)– Hannah Jones - TOSA (Assistive Technology)– Shira James (OT/PT/APE)– Lisa Roberts (BITs, Extended Resource ED)– Jill Weaver/Kristine Gregory (SLP)

Working Collaboratively

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

–Helen Keller

Meet our Panel

• Diane Cossey – Parent• Chris Tiffany – Parent, Director of Family

Support and Education with Raising Special Kids• Kelley Brunner – School Principal• Kiirsten Makela – General Education Teacher• Michele Ferber – Special Education Teacher• Dr. Shari Dukes – Director of SLSS

Working Collaboratively

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

–Helen Keller

Raising Special Kids

Chris Tiffany • Director of Family Support and Education christophert@raisingspecialkids.org

www.raisingspecialkids.org

Resources– Student Learning and Support Services (SLSS)

• http://www.kyrene.org/Page/770

– KSEPAC (Upcoming Meeting Dates and Archived Meeting Materials)• http://www.kyrene.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=1037

– Join the KSEPAC listserv• To receive information about KSEPAC directly to your email

address visit www.Kyrene.org/ksdportal/list and check the KSEPAC box.

– Raising Special Kids (RSK)• http://www.raisingspecialkids.org/

– Arizona Department of Education (Special Education)• http://www.azed.gov/special-education/#

Upcoming KSEPAC Meetings

• November 19* – "Specially Designed Instruction"

• January 7 – "Managing the Transition Process"

• March 24* - Topic to be Determined

• These meetings will be held in conjunction with the Kyrene School District Parent Summit