Northern Suburban Special Education District

1
Northern Suburban Special Education District

• Dr. Tim Thomas, Superintendent

New Staff OrientationFriday, August 14, 2009
2
New Staff Orientation
Vision Committed to the possibilities in every
student Mission Help students become
successful, happy adults in home, work, and
community. Provide education that fosters
acquisition and utilization of knowledge and
skills, meaningful and satisfying interaction
with others, appropriate self-advocacy, social
consciousness and participation, and lifelong
healthy lifestyles.
3
NSSED Association of Parents and Staff

• Susan Hans, Parent Mentor

4
Association of Parents Staff

• Parent representative from each district
• Disability awareness programs
• Parent and staff workshops

5
APS Website
6
Association of Parents and Staff
7
Parent Mentor Program

• Program provides
• Educational and skill-building for both parents
  and staff
• Access to information
• Consultative
• Individual child or process issue
• Broader issue

8
Parent Mentor Program

• Let down our collective procedural safeguard,
• Focus on the process.

9
PRIORITIES

• Students Come First
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement and Emphasis on Outcomes
• Professional Development

10
Students Come First
All students can learn and succeed, but not on
the same day and in the same way. William G.
Spady
11
Collaboration

• Collaboration with Families

How many hopes and fears, how many ardent wishes
and anxious apprehensions are twisted together in
the threads that connect the parent with the
child! Samuel Griswold Goodrich
12
Collaboration

• Collaboration with Other Agencies

"Great discoveries and improvements invariably
involve the cooperation of many minds. I may be
given credit for having blazed the trail but when
I look at the subsequent developments I feel the
credit is due to others rather than to myself."
Alexander Graham Bell
13
Collaboration

• Collaboration with One Another

Friendship is essentially a partnership. A
ristotle     
14
Continuous Improvement and Emphasis on Outcomes
The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor
he took my measurement anew every time he saw me,
while all the rest went on with their old
measurements and expected them to fit me.
George Bernard Shaw
15
Professional Development
"We cannot solve the problems of the world by
using the same level of thinking that created
them. Albert Einstein
16
Programs Support Services

• Karen Noonan

17
Northern Suburban Special Education District
Programs Services
18
NSSED Enrollment
Support Services (3)

• 39,000 General Education Students (100)
• 6,500 Students Receive Special Education (17)
• 5,900 Students Enrolled in District Programs
  (15)
• 600 Students Enrolled in NSSED Instructional
  Programs (2)
• 1100 Students Receiving Support Services (3)

NSSED Instructional (2)
District Programs (15)
General Education
19
NSSED Services
Support Services (3)

• Services
• Adapted Physical Education
• Assistive Technology
• Autism Team
• District Services (Inclusion, Behavior,
  Academics)
• Occupational / Physical Therapy
• Parent Mentor
• Transition Services
• Vision / Hearing Services
• Build Capacity
• Provided by membership fee or billed hourly

General Education
20
NSSED Instructional Programs
District (14)

• NSSED employs specially trained staff and
  supervises program
• Operated in local district schools
• Per child tuition

600 Students 2
21
NSSED Instructional Programs
Early Childhood Program (154 students)
Educational andLife Skills(237 students)
North Shore Academy(141 students)
22

• Seven
• Lessons
• We Are Learning
• From the Families
• We Serve

23
1) Say one delightful thing about my child.
24
2) If you dont know, SAY SO.
25
3) Individualized Communication Plan (ICP)
26
4) The harder it is to talk, the more we need to!
27
5) Create an open classroom.
28
6) Meetings Parents and Positives first with NO
surprises.
29
7) When in conflict, Dream and Risk.
30
Early Childhood Programs

• Nancy Kind, Administrator

Dedicated to Childrens Beginnings  
31
ECP Mission

• ECP is committed to supporting families and to
  providing learning opportunities for young
  children. It is our mission to implement
  individually and developmentally appropriate
  practices to support preschool childrens
  development.
• Forming collaborative partnerships with families,
  member school districts, community preschools and
  agencies serving young children with special
  needs
• Creating a child-centered classroom environment
  that is joyful, energetic and addresses the needs
  of the whole child
• Developing programs based on validated best
  practices in assessment, intervention and service
  delivery for young children and families.

32
ECP Early Inclusion Support

• 35 children ages three years to five years of age
  receiving inclusion support directly in the
  childs preschool or childcare center by an
  educator or speech language pathologist.
• Program and staff development to over 100
  community preschools and childcare centers
  regarding children with disabilities.

33
ECP Half-Day Program

• Cross categorical special education preschool
  program for children ages three through five.
  Classes are two and half hours with both morning
  and afternoon sections
• Four blended preschool classrooms for children
  with IEPs and community preschoolers all
  learning together in one environment. Eighty two
  students with IEPs and 64 community preschoolers
  will be supported in these classrooms.
• Two self contained special education preschool
  classrooms serving up to 30 students with IEPS.
• Classrooms are located at
• Grove School (Northbrook School District 27)
• Greely school (Winnetka School District 36)
• Meadowbrook School (School District 28)
• South Park School (Deerfield School District
  109)
• Willowbrook School (Northbrook-Glenview School
  District 30)

34
ECP Full-Day Program

• A program for children three to five years of
  age who require small group or 11 instruction to
  meet their educational needs.
• Two types of classrooms are offered
• Bernard Weinger JCC A community childcare center
  for 100 children. We will have 16 full day
  students integrated into preschool aged
  classrooms.
• Self-contained Full Day classrooms at Pleasant
  Ridge School (Glenview School District 34),
  Greenbay Pavilion (North Shore School District
  112) and Grove School (Northbrook School District
  27). Twenty-four children who need an intensive
  environment.

35
ECP 2009-2010 Program Initiatives

• Professional Development and committee work for
  ECP will focus on curriculum in literacy, core
  vocabulary and developmentally appropriate
  practice. Best Practices in the area of social
  and Emotional development will also be
  emphasized.
• Increasing staff development opportunities for
  community preschools and childcare centers to
  build their capacities in the utilization of Best
  Practices in early childhood education focusing
  on Tier 1 interventions.

36
Educational and Life Skills Program

• Jennifer Pearson, Administrator

The ELS program is committed to providing
excellence in academic and life skills
instruction to elementary through high school
students with developmental delays, cognitive
disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities
within a trans-disciplinary team model.
37
ELS Elementary and High School Classes

• Elementary and high school classes serve students
  ages 5  21 years of age in age-appropriate
  general education buildings.
• 26 classes, with average of 8-9 students per
  class.
• 190 students served at elementary and high school
  levels.
•  

38
ELS Transition Program

•  
• The Transition Program serves students ages 18
  21 years of age in four community-based classes,
  two located in downtown Highland Park and two
  located in the Glenview business district.
• 28 students served

39
ELS MISSION

• The Educational and Life Skills Program
  (ELS) is committed to providing excellence in
  academic and life skills instruction to
  elementary through high school students with
  cognitive disabilities, autism, and multiple
  disabilities within a transdisciplinary team
  model.
• Through the collaboration of students,
  families and staff,
• the ELS mission is
• To provide individualized outcome-based
  instruction in a supportive and inclusive
  environment
• To develop and implement programs based on
  validated best educational practices

40
ELS MISSION

• To employ innovative strategies, state-of-the-art
  technology, and community resources in program
  delivery
• To develop student self-determination leading to
  preferred current and future life choices
• To establish and nurture age-appropriate,
  peer-oriented social connections
• To facilitate access to successful and fulfilling
  post-school opportunities and meaningful
  participation in society

41
ELS PROGRAM COMPONENTS

• Integration of all students into general
  education classes on an individualized basis
• State-of-the-art assistive technology to support
  communication, instruction and social activities
  for each student
• Systematic social skills instruction across all
  classrooms
• Post-school transition support for students

42
ELS 2009-2010 Program Initiatives

• Evaluate outcomes in all 5 domains of the NSSED
  student vision and incorporate the vision in
  daily practices and programming
• Continue to review curriculum and instructional
  practices
• Examine the utilization of teacher assistants to
  ensure increased student independence
• Expand service learning and legislative action
• Study and revise safety procedures and practices
• Create short-term benchmarks and begin
  implementation of RtI plan

43
North Shore Academy

• Dr. Doug Bolton, Administrator
• A highly structured, individualized therapeutic
  program designed to meet the educational,
  emotional, and behavioral needs of our students.

44
NSA-E, NSA 90 staff combined

• NSA-E serves 30 K-5 students at our Revere Drive
  Campus.
• NSA serves 120 6-12 students.
• NSA Integrated Classroom serves 8 students at Oak
  Terrace Elementary School

45
NSA Mission

• Committed to the possibilities in every student
  to lead satisfying, productive lives, and to
  experience meaningful interpersonal relationships
  in the school, home and community.
• Our philosophy revolves around the Circle of
  Courage Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and
  Generosity.
• Zero reject no throw-away kids, no exceptions.

46
NSA - Attributes of Success

• Rigorous Academic Expectations.
• Individual, Group, and Family Therapies designed
  around diverse needs.
• Community Centered Programming including work
  experience, service learning, mentoring, after
  school activities, substance abuse treatment,
  supportive attendance, freshman advisory, CAAEL
  sports program, wraparound.

47
NSA - New Initiatives

• More intensive writing instruction for all
  students
• Intensify treatment for students struggling with
  substance abuse.
• Expand our Service Learning opportunities and
  curriculum.
• Explore ways new ways to provide students with
  opportunities in the arts.

48
NSA - New Initiatives

• Continued planning to effectively manage budget
  changes.
• Gracefully manage construction issues and
  transition to new building.

49
VIDEO
50
BREAK!
51
Professional Development and District Services

• Marilee Ciello, Director

52
The how of Professional Development

• Whole group learning and on-site support
• Skill development and practice
• Coaching / Implementation
• Learning Communities

53
Connections to NSSED Member Districts and NSSED
Programs

• District Services Coordinators work with district
  administrators to develop a plan for the school
  year.
• The plan includes how district and NSSED
  resources can meet the needs of students.

54
Director of Professional Development and District
Services Marilee CielloProvides support to
Districts 115 and 203Support Staff Peggy Miller
55
Coaching and Technical Assistance

• Coaches work within schools and districts
• Customize workshops
• Demonstrate interventions in classrooms
• Provide feedback to teachers/support staff
• Participate in district initiatives
• Collaboratively problem solve on individual
  school or student issues

56
Instructional Programs and Professional
Development

• Participation in specialized training
• Observe best practices in NSSED classrooms
• Utilize program staff for individual student or
  school issues
• Replicate strategies or interventions within
  district schools or classrooms

57
Personnel

• Bill Charis, Director

58
2009-2010 NSSED Personnel

• Certificated and Licensed 300
• Administration 24
• Teacher Assistants 300
• Office Support 46
• ____
• TOTAL 670

59
Personnel Policies

• Sexual Harassment
• Nondiscrimination
• Internet Acceptable Use
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Leaves and Sick Bank
• Records
• Appropriate Professional DressAll polices can
  be viewed on our website www.nssed.org
•  

60
Personnel Administration

• Evaluation
• Leaves
• Planning
• Relationships

61
Personnel Working Conditions

• The philosophy and mission of the District
• Shared leadership and opportunity to have a
  voice in how programs are run
• Career and talent advancement

62
Personnel Working Conditions

• Mentoring programs
• Collaborate with talented colleagues
• Promotion from within
• Superior professional development programs

63
PEOPLE BEFORE PAPER
64
SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
65
RELATIONSHIPS RULE
66
ACCOUNTABILITY COUNTS
67
LISTEN TO LEARN
68
Technology
Eric Martin, Administrator
Internet and E-Mail ConnectivityNSSED E-Mail
Address Internet Explorer on all
computersAcceptable Use Policy Office
Applications and Printing/Imaging Microsoft
Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
Secure personal server space with nightly
backups. Color Printing in all offices and
classrooms Scanners, Digital Cameras, and
Projectors for Checkout
69
Technology Services for Staff

• Classroom Computers and Software
• Updated Computers in all Classrooms with Internet
• Program-based Educational Software Applications
• On-call field technicians for phone or classroom
  support.
• Training Consultation
• Year-round Training on Instructional and
  Assistive Technologies
• Program software and curriculum consultants
• ECCIL Technology Training Center

70
Business ServicesAlice Koshaba, Director

• Employee Payroll, Benefits, and Insurancegt
  Paycheck Direct Deposit
• gt PPO/HMO Insurance Options
• gt Annuity (403b) Plans
• gt Teachers Retirement System
• gt Workers Compensation
• Supply Requisitions and Purchase Orders

71
Business Services

• Grant Administration and Consultation
• Staff Reimbursements
• Professional Growth
• Miscellaneous Expenses
• Mileage and Travel Costs
• Building and Grounds

72

Business Services

• Names and PositionsGeneral Info/Office
  Operations Mihaela Miller, Administrative
  Assistant to the Director
• Accounting/Financial- Debbie WilliamsAccounts
  Payable Flo GoldenGrants - Gretchen
  RunyanPayroll - Camille DeRaimoPurchasing
  Facilities - Geri MosleyStudent Billing
  Reporting- Jill Menning

73
Have a Great Year!