The Fly Paper
A
bulletin from the director on those sticky issues in special education
August
27, 2007
Again, I thought it might be good to start the year with a special welcome back edition of The Fly Paper. As such, this issue does not necessarily deal with sticky issues in special education, however, I have again decided to use this format to provide you with some relevant information as we start the 2007 2008 school year.
- WELCOME BACK I
really do hope you had a chance to relax and recharge over the
summer. As you know I have used a
theme to define the focus of each year during my tenure here in District
97. My first year was The Year of
Improving Communication. The second year
was The Year of Compliance, the third year was The Year of Raising the Bar, and
last year was deemed The Year of
Improving the IEP. The 2007-08
school year will be The Year of the Strategic Plan. Since the Strategic Plan will be the road
map for the district for the next three to five years, we will be working this
school year to align our department initiatives with the Strategic Plan.
I think it is important to know that we will continue to work on improving the quality of IEPs across the district. As this school year progresses we will be providing additional training on improving the quality of the statement of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAA & FP), improving the measurability of annual goals, and improving the use of the eSped program. As in the past, some of these trainings will be mandatory and you will be notified accordingly.
- District-wide Department Meetings Please mark your calendars for our three district-wide department meetings. The meetings will be held as follows:
ό Meeting #1 Wednesday, September 19, 2007
ό Meeting #2 Wednesday, January 16, 2008
ό Meeting #3 Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The meetings are all scheduled to begin promptly at 3:45 P.M. in the Mann Elementary School Auditorium. Your attendance is required at these meetings.
- Welcome New Staff We have a number of new faces in different places around the district in the special education department for the 2007-08 school year. Some are new faces to the district and some have been in the district for a while, but are new in the special education department. When you get a chance please welcome the following new special education department staff:
|
Jamee Cichosz |
Nurse Clerk Beye & |
|
Carrie Doyle |
Social Worker |
|
Gail Durckel |
Resource Teacher Brooks Middle School |
|
Susan Lesniewski |
Resource Teacher Brooks Middle School |
|
Donna Middleton |
Resource Teacher |
|
Ellen Rathgeb |
Occupational Therapist |
|
Sandra Ray |
Nurse Clerk Irving & |
|
Jere Robinson |
DD Teacher Brooks Middle School |
|
Nancy Ryan |
Occupational Therapist Brooks Middle School |
|
Theresa Violante |
Social Worker |
|
Patricia Wangerow |
Resource |
|
Michele Wolter |
Occupational Therapist |
|
Mary Ziegler |
Speech & Language Pathologist |
- Welcome Interns District 97 has a
rich history of working with colleges and universities to provide
practical experience for interns in various fields. Please be sure to welcome the following
interns to District 97 for the 2007-08 school year:
|
Ashley Beckwith |
|
|
Leslie Ellis |
Brooks Middle School |
|
Michelle Hunter |
|
|
Beth Jensen |
|
|
Danielle Marino |
Brooks Middle School |
|
Sarah Phend |
|
|
Kathryn Randle |
|
|
Lynn Schmader |
|
|
Jessica Stehik |
|
|
Ariel Thomas |
|
- Advisory Committee for Special Education (ACSE) I am asking for you to consider serving on the Advisory Committee
for Special Education. The Advisory
Committee for Special Education (ACSE) for Oak Park District 97 has a
membership that includes parents of students receiving special education,
parents of students in general education, District 97 Board members,
special education teachers, general education teachers, related services
staff, building administrators and district administrators. The Committee
generally meets the 4th Monday of the month to provide input to the
Director and the Department of Special Education Services. The Advisory
Committee for Special Education truly represents a partnership of
"stakeholders" with the common goal of improving the overall
quality of the special education programs and services in District
97. You will
be able to use your participation in these meetings for CPDU credit toward
renewal of your teaching certificate. If you are interested in serving on this
exciting committee, please drop me an e-mail or give me a call.
As we start yet another challenging and exciting school year here in District 97 I would like to say welcome back to what I know is going to be the best year ever!!